1111Othe. Good Michael, looke you to the guard to night.

1112Let's teach our selues that Honourable stop,

1113Not to out-sport discretion.

1114Cas. Iago, hath direction what to do.

1115But notwithstanding with my personall eye

1116Will I looke to't.

1117Othe. Iago, is most honest:

1118Michael, goodnight. To morrow with your earliest,

1119Let me haue speech with you. Come my deere Loue,

1120The purchase made, the fruites are to ensue,

1121That profit's yet to come 'tweene me, and you.

1122Goodnight. Exit.

1124Cas. Welcome Iago: we must to the Watch.

1125Iago. Not this houre Lieutenant: 'tis not yet ten

1126o'th'clocke. Our Generall cast vs thus earely for the

1127loue of his Desdemona: Who, let vs not therefore blame;

1128he hath not yet made wanton the night with her: and

1129she is sport for Ioue.

1130Cas. She's a most exquisite Lady.

1131Iago. And Ile warrant her, full of Game.

1132Cas. Indeed shes a most fresh and delicate creature.

1133Iago. What an eye she ha's?

1134Methinkes it sounds a parley to prouocation.

1135Cas. An inuiting eye:

1136And yet me thinkes right modest.

1137Iago. And when she speakes,

1138Is it not an Alarum to Loue?

1139Cas. She is indeed perfection.

1140Iago. Well: happinesse to their Sheetes. Come Lieu-

1141tenant, I haue a stope of Wine, and heere without are a

1142brace of Cyprus Gallants, that would faine haue a mea-

1143sure to the health of blacke Othello.

1144Cas. Not to night, good Iago, I haue very poore,

1145and vnhappie Braines for drinking. I could well wish

1146Curtesie would inuent some other Custome of enter-

1147tainment.

1148Iago. Oh, they are our Friends: but one Cup, Ile

1149drinke for you.

1150Cassio. I haue drunke but one Cup to night, and that

1151was craftily qualified too: and behold what inouation

1152it makes heere. I am infortunate in the infirmity, and

1153dare not taske my weakenesse with any more.

1154Iago. What man? 'Tis a night of Reuels, the Gal-

1155lants desire it.

1156Cas. Where are they?

1157Iago. Heere, at the doore: I pray you call them in.

1158Cas. Ile do't, but it dislikes me. Exit.

1159Iago. If I can fasten but one Cup vpon him

1160With that which he hath drunke to night alreadie,

1161He'l be as full of Quarrell, and offence

1162As my yong Mistris dogge.

1163Now my sicke Foole Rodorigo,

1164Whom Loue hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,

1165To Desdemona hath to night Carrows'd.

1166Potations, pottle-deepe; and he's to watch.

1167Three else of Cyprus, Noble swelling Spirites,

1168(That hold their Honours in a wary distance,

1169The very Elements of this Warrelike Isle)

1170Haue I to night fluster'd with flowing Cups,

1171And they Watch too.

1172Now 'mongst this Flocke of drunkards

1173Am I put to our Cassio in some Action

1174That may offend the Isle. But here they come.

1176If Consequence do but approue my dreame,

1177My Boate sailes freely, both with winde and Streame.

1178Cas. 'Fore heauen, they haue giuen me a rowse already.

1179Mon. Good-faith a litle one: not past a pint, as I am a

1180Souldier.

1181Iago. Some Wine hoa.

1182And let me the Cannakin clinke, clinke:

1183And let me the Cannakin clinke.

1184A Souldiers a man: Oh, mans life's but a span,

1185Why then let a Souldier drinke.

1186Some Wine Boyes.

1187Cas. 'Fore Heauen: an excellent Song.

1188Iago. I learn'd it in England: where indeed they are

1189most potent in Potting. Your Dane, your Germaine,

1190and your swag-belly'd Hollander, (drinke hoa) are

1191nothing to your English.

1192Cassio. Is your Englishmen so exquisite in his drin-

1193king?

1194Iago. Why, he drinkes you with facillitie, your Dane

1195dead drunke. He sweates not to ouerthrow your Al-

1196maine. He giues your Hollander a vomit, ere the next

1197Pottle can be fill'd.

1198Cas. To the health of our Generall.

1199Mon. I am for it Lieutenant: and Ile do you Iustice.

1200Iago. Oh sweet England.

1201King Stephen was and-a worthy Peere,

1202His Breeches cost him but a Crowne,

1203He held them Six pence all to deere,

1204With that he cal'd the Tailor Lowne:

1205He was a wight of high Renowne,

1206And thou art but of low degree:

1207'Tis Pride that pulls the Country downe,

1208And take thy awl'd Cloake about thee.

1209Some Wine hoa.

1210Cassio. Why this is a more exquisite Song then the o-

1211ther.

1212Iago. Will you heare't againe?

1213Cas. No: for I hold him to be vnworthy of his Place,

1214that do's those things. Well: heau'ns aboue all: and

1215there be soules must be saued, and there be soules must

1216not be saued.

1217Iago. It's true, good Lieutenant.

1218Cas. For mine owne part, no offence to the Generall,

1219nor any man of qualitie: I hope to be saued.

1220Iago. And so do I too Lieutenant.

1221Cassio. I: (but by your leaue) not before me. The

1222Lieutenant is to be saued before the Ancient. Let's haue

1223no more of this: let's to our Affaires. Forgiue vs our

1224sinnes: Gentlemen let's looke to our businesse. Do not

1225thinke Gentlemen, I am drunke: this is my Ancient, this

1226is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunke

1227now: I can stand well enough, and I speake well enough.

1228Gent. Excellent well.

1229Cas. Why very well then: you must not thinke then,

1230that I am drunke. Exit.

1231Monta. To th'Platforme (Masters) come, let's set the

1232Watch.

1233Iago. You see this Fellow, that is gone before,

1234He's a Souldier, fit to stand by Caesar,

1235And giue direction. And do but see his vice,

1236'Tis to his vertue, a iust Equinox,

t t 3 The

1237The one as long as th'other. 'Tis pittie of him:

1238I feare the trust Othello puts him in,

1239On some odde time of his infirmitie

1240Will shake this Island.

1241Mont. But is he often thus?

1242Iago. 'Tis euermore his prologue to his sleepe,

1243He'le watch the Horologe a double Set,

1244If Drinke rocke not his Cradle.

1245Mont. It were well

1246The Generall were put in mind of it:

1247Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature

1248Prizes the vertue that appeares in Cassio,

1249And lookes not on his euills: is not this true?

1251Iago. How now Rodorigo?

1252I pray you after the Lieutenant, go.

1253Mon. And 'tis great pitty, that the Noble Moore

1254Should hazard such a Place, as his owne Second

1255With one of an ingraft Infirmitie,

1256It were an honest Action, to say so

1257To the Moore.

1258Iago. Not I, for this faire Island,

1259I do loue Cassio well: and would do much

1260To cure him of this euill, But hearke, what noise?

1262Cas. You Rogue: you Rascall.

1263Mon. What's the matter Lieutenant?

1264Cas. A Knaue teach me my dutie? Ile beate the

1265Knaue into a Twiggen-Bottle.

1266Rod. Beate me?

1267Cas. Dost thou prate, Rogue?

1268Mon. Nay, good Lieutenant:

1269I pray you Sir, hold your hand.

1270Cassio. Let me go (Sir)

1271Or Ile knocke you o're the Mazard.

1272Mon. Come, come: you're drunke.

1273Cassio. Drunke?

1274Iago. Away I say: go out and cry a Mutinie.

1275Nay good Lieutenant. Alas Gentlemen:

1276Helpe hoa. Lieutenant. Sir Montano:

1277Helpe Masters. Heere's a goodly Watch indeed.

1278Who's that which rings the Bell: Diablo, hoa:

1279The Towne will rise. Fie, fie Lieutenant,

1280You'le be asham'd for euer.

1282Othe. What is the matter heere?

1283Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to th'death. He dies.

1284Othe. Hold for your liues.

1285Iag. Hold hoa: Lieutenant, Sir Montano, Gentlemen:

1286Haue you forgot all place of sense and dutie?

1287Hold. The Generall speaks to you: hold for shame.

1288Oth. Why how now hoa? From whence ariseth this?

1289Are we turn'd Turkes? and to our selues do that

1290Which Heauen hath forbid the Ottamittes.

1291For Christian shame, put by this barbarous Brawle:

1292He that stirs next, to carue for his owne rage,

1293Holds his soule light: He dies vpon his Motion.

1294Silence that dreadfull Bell, it frights the Isle,

1295From her propriety. What is the matter, Masters?

1296Honest Iago, that lookes dead with greeuing,

1297Speake: who began this? On thy loue I charge thee?

1298Iago. I do not know: Friends all, but now, euen now.

1299In Quarter, and in termes like Bride, and Groome

1300Deuesting them for Bed: and then, but now:

1301(As if some Planet had vnwitted men)

1302Swords out, and tilting one at others breastes,

1303In opposition bloody. I cannot speake

1304Any begining to this peeuish oddes.

1305And would, in Action glorious, I had lost

1306Those legges, that brought me to a part of it.

1307Othe. How comes it (Michaell) you are thus forgot?

1308Cas. I pray you pardon me, I cannot speake.

1309Othe. Worthy Montano, you were wont to be ciuill:

1310The grauitie, and stillnesse of your youth

1311The world hath noted. And your name is great

1312In mouthes of wisest Censure. What's the matter

1313That you vnlace your reputation thus,

1314And spend your rich opinion, for the name

1315Of a night-brawler? Giue me answer to it.

1316Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger,

1317Your Officer Iago, can informe you,

1318While I spare speech which something now offends me.

1319Of all that I do know, nor know I ought

1320By me, that's said, or done amisse this night,

1321Vnlesse selfe-charitie be sometimes a vice,

1322And to defend our selues, it be a sinne

1323When violence assailes vs.

1324Othe. Now by Heauen,

1325My blood begins my safer Guides to rule,

1326And passion (hauing my best iudgement collied)

1327Assaies to leade the way. If I once stir,

1328Or do but lift this Arme, the best of you

1329Shall sinke in my rebuke. Giue me to know

1330How this foule Rout began: Who set it on,

1331And he that is approu'd in this offence,

1332Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,

1333Shall loose me. What in a Towne of warre,

1334Yet wilde, the peoples hearts brim-full of feare,

1335To Manage priuate, and domesticke Quarrell?

1336In night, and on the Court and Guard of safetie?

1337'Tis monstrous: Iago, who began't?

1338Mon. If partially Affin'd, or league in office,

1339Thou dost deliuer more, or lesse then Truth,

1340Thou art no Souldier.

1341Iago. Touch me not so neere,

1342I had rather haue this tongue cut from my mouth,

1343Then it should do offence to Michaell Cassio.

1344Yet I perswade my selfe, to speake the truth

1345Shall nothing wrong him. This it is Generall:

1346Montano and my selfe being in speech,

1347There comes a Fellow, crying out for helpe,

1348And Cassio following him with determin'd Sword

1349To execute vpon him. Sir, this Gentleman,

1350Steppes in to Cassio, and entreats his pause;

1351My selfe, the crying Fellow did pursue,

1352Least by his clamour (as it so fell out)

1353The Towne might fall in fright. He, (swift of foote)

1354Out-ran my purpose: and I return'd then rather

1355For that I heard the clinke, and fall of Swords,

1356And Cassio high in oath: Which till to night

1357I nere might say before. When I came backe

1358(For this was briefe) I found them close together

1359At blow, and thrust, euen as againe they were

1360When you your selfe did part them.

1361More of this matter cannot I report,

1362But Men are Men: The best sometimes forget,

1363Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,

1364As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

1365Yet surely Cassio, I beleeue receiu'd

1366From him that fled, some strange Indignitie,

1367Which patience could not passe.

1368Othe. I know Iago

1369Thy honestie, and loue doth mince this matter,

1370Making it light to Cassio: Cassio, I loue thee,

1371But neuer more be Officer of mine.

1373Looke if my gentle Loue be not rais'd vp:

1374Ile make thee an example.

1375Des. What is the matter (Deere?)

1376Othe. All's well, Sweeting:

1377Come away to bed. Sir for your hurts,

1378My selfe will be your Surgeon. Lead him off:

1379Iago, looke with care about the Towne,

1380And silence those whom this vil'd brawle distracted.

1381Come Desdemona, 'tis the Soldiers life,

1382To haue their Balmy slumbers wak'd with strife. Exit.

1383Iago. What are you hurt Lieutenant?

1384Cas. I, past all Surgery.

1385Iago. Marry Heauen forbid.

1386Cas. Reputation, Reputation, Reputation: Oh I haue

1387lost my Reputation. I haue lost the immortall part of

1388myselfe, and what remaines is bestiall. My Reputation,

1389Iago, my Reputation.

1390Iago. As I am an honest man I had thought you had

1391receiued some bodily wound; there is more sence in that

1392then in Reputation. Reputation is an idle, and most false

1393imposition; oft got without merit, aud lost without de-

1394seruing. You haue lost no Reputation at all, vnlesse you

1395repute your selfe such a looser. What man, there are

1396more wayes to recouer the Generall againe. You are

1397but now cast in his moode, (a punishment more in poli-

1398cie, then in malice) euen so as one would beate his of-

1399fencelesse dogge, ro affright an Imperious Lyon. Sue to

1400him againe, and he's yours.

1401Cas. I will rather sue to be despis'd, then to deceiue

1402so good a Commander, with so slight, so drunken, and so

1403indiscreet an Officer. Drunke? And speake Parrat? And

1404squabble? Swagger? Sweare? And discourse Fustian

1405with ones owne shadow? Oh thou invisible spirit of

1406Wine, if thou hast no name to be knowne by, let vs call

1407thee Diuell.

1408Iago. What was he that you follow'd with your

1409Sword? What had he done to you?

1410Cas. I know not.

1411Iago. Is't possible?

1412Cas. I remember a masse of things, but nothing di-

1413stinctly: a Quarrell, but nothing wherefore. Oh, that

1414men should put an Enemie in their mouthes, to steale a-

1415way their Braines? that we should with ioy, pleasance,

1416reuell and applause, transforme our selues into Beasts.

1417Iago. Why? But you are now well enough: how

1418came you thus recouered?

1419Cas. It hath pleas'd the diuell drunkennesse, to giue

1420place to the diuell wrath, one vnperfectnesse, shewes me

1421another to make me frankly despise my selfe.

1422Iago. Come, you are too seuere a Moraller. As the

1423Time, the Place, & the Condition of this Country stands

1424I could hartily wish this had not befalne: but since it is, as

1425it is, mend it for your owne good.

1426Cas. I will aske him for my Place againe, he shall tell

1427me, I am a drunkard: had I as many mouthes as Hydra,

1428such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sen-

1429sible man, by and by a Foole, and presently a Beast. Oh

1430strange! Euery inordinate cup is vnbless'd, and the Ingre-

1431dient is a diuell.

1432Iago. Come, come: good wine, is a good famillar

1433Creature, if it be well vs'd: exclaime no more against it.

1434And good Lieutenant, I thinke, you thinke I loue

1435you.

1436Cassio. I haue well approued it, Sir. I drunke?

1437Iago. You, or any man liuing, may be drunke at a

1438time man. I tell you what you shall do: Our General's

1439Wife, is now the Generall. I may say so, in this respect,

1440for that he hath deuoted, and giuen vp himselfe to the

1441Contemplation, marke: and deuotement of her parts

1442and Graces. Confesse your selfe freely to her: Impor-

1443tune her helpe to put you in your place againe. She is

1444of so free, so kinde, so apt, so blessed a disposition,

1445she holds it a vice in her goodnesse, not to do more

1446then she is requested. This broken ioynt betweene

1447you, and her husband, entreat her to splinter. And my

1448Fortunes against any lay worth naming, this cracke of

1449your Loue, shall grow stronger, then it was before.

1450Cassio. You aduise me well.

1451Iago. I protest in the sinceritie of Loue, and honest

1452kindnesse.

1453Cassio. I thinke it freely: and betimes in the mor-

1454ning, I will beseech the vertuous Desdemona to vndertake

1455for me: I am desperate of my Fortunes if they check me.

1456Iago. You are in the right: good night Lieutenant, I

1457must to the Watch.

1458Cassio. Good night, honest Iago.

1460Iago. And what's he then,

1461That saies I play the Villaine?

1462When this aduise is free I giue, and honest,

1463Proball to thinking, and indeed the course

1464To win the Moore againe.

1465For 'tis most easie

1466Th'inclyning Desdemona to subdue

1467In any honest Suite. She's fram'd as fruitefull

1468As the free Elements. And then for her

1469To win the Moore, were to renownce his Baptisme,

1470All Seales, and Simbols of redeemed sin:

1471His Soule is so enfetter'd to her Loue,

1472That she may make, vnmake, do what she list,

1473Euen as her Appetite shall play the God,

1474With his weake Function. How am I then a Villaine,

1475To Counsell Cassio to this paralell course,

1476Directly to his good? Diuinitie of hell,

1477When diuels will the blackest sinnes put on,

1478They do suggest at first with heauenly shewes,

1479As I do now. For whiles this honest Foole

1480Plies Desdemona, to repaire his Fortune,

1481And she for him, pleades strongly to the Moore,

1482Ile powre this pestilence into his eare:

1483That she repeales him, for her bodies Lust'

1484And by how much she striues to do him good,

1485She shall vndo her Credite with the Moore.

1486So will I turne her vertue into pitch,

1487And out of her owne goodnesse make the Net,

1488That shall en-mash them all.

1489How now Rodorigo?

1491Rodorigo. I do follow heere in the Chace, not

1492like a Hound that hunts, but one that filles vp the

1493Crie. My Money is almost spent; I haue bin to night

1494exceedingly well Cudgell'd: And I thinke the issue

t t 3 will

1495will bee, I shall haue so much experience for my paines;

1496And so, with no money at all, and a little more Wit, re-

1497turne againe to Venice.

1498Iago.How poore are they that haue not Patience?

1499What wound did euer heale but by degrees?

1500Thou know'st we worke by Wit, and not by Witchcraft

1501And Wit depends on dilatory time:

1502Dos't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,

1503And thou by that small hurt hath casheer'd Cassio:

1504Though other things grow faire against the Sun,

1505Yet Fruites that blossome first, will first be ripe:

1506Content thy selfe, a-while. Introth 'tis Morning;

1507Pleasure, and Action, make the houres seeme short.

1508Retire thee, go where thou art Billited:

1509Away, I say, thou shalt know more heereafter:

1510Nay get thee gone. Exit Roderigo.

1511Two things are to be done:

1512My Wife must moue for Cassio to her Mistris:

1513Ile set her on my selfe, a while, to draw the Moor apart,

1514And bring him iumpe, when he may Cassio finde

1515Soliciting his wife: I, that's the way:

1516Dull not Deuice, by coldnesse, and delay. Exit.