What from the cape can you discern at sea?

Nothing at all; it is a high-wrought flood.

2.1.3755I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main

2.1.4756Descry a sail.

Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.

2.1.6758A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements;

2.1.7759If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,

2.1.8760What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,

2.1.9761Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?

A segregation of the Turkish fleet--

2.1.11763For do but stand upon the foaming shore,

2.1.12764The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds,

2.1.13765The wind-shaked surge with high and monstrous mane

2.1.14766Seems to cast water on the burning Bear

2.1.15767And quench the guards of th'ever-fixèd Pole.

2.1.16768I never did like molestation view

2.1.17769On the enchafèd flood.

On the enchafèd flood. If that the Turkish fleet

2.1.18771Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned;

2.1.19772It is impossible to bear it out.

News, lads! Our wars are done.

2.1.22775The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks

2.1.23776That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice

2.1.24777Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance

2.1.25778On most part of their fleet.

On most part of their fleet. How? Is this true?

The ship is here put in, a Veronnesa. Michael Cassio,

2.1.27781Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,

2.1.28782Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,

2.1.29783And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

I am glad on't; 785'tis a worthy governor.

But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort

2.1.32787Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly

2.1.33788And prays the Moor be safe, for they were parted

2.1.34789With foul and violent tempest.

With foul and violent tempest. Pray heavens he be,

2.1.35791For I have served him, and the man commands

2.1.36792Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!

2.1.37793As well to see the vessel that's come in

2.1.38794As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,

2.1.39795Even till we make the main and th'aerial blue

2.1.40796An indistinct regard.

An indistinct regard. Come, let's do so;

2.1.41798For every minute is expectancy

2.1.42799Of more arrivancy.

Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle

2.1.45802That so approve the Moor. Oh, let the heavens

2.1.46803Give him defense against the elements,

2.1.47804For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

Is he well shipped?

His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot

2.1.50807Of very expert and approved allowance;

2.1.51808Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,

2.1.52809Stand in bold cure.

Stand in bold cure. What noise?

The town is empty; on the brow o'th'sea

2.1.54813Stand ranks of people, and they cry "A sail!"

My hopes do shape him for the governor.

They do discharge their shot of courtesy;

2.1.57816Our friends at least.

I pray you sir, go forth

2.1.59818And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.

I shall.

But good lieutenant, is your general wived?

Most fortunately; he hath achieved a maid

2.1.63822That paragons description and wild fame,

2.1.64823One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens

2.1.65824And in th'essential vesture of creation

2.1.66825Does tire the ingener.

Does tire the ingener. 827How now? Who has put in?

'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

He's had most favorable and happy speed.

2.1.70830Tempests themselves, high seas and howling winds,

2.1.71831The guttered rocks and congregated sands,

2.1.72832Traitors ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel,

2.1.73833As having sense of beauty, do omit

2.1.74834Their mortal natures, letting go safely by

2.1.75835The divine Desdemona.

The divine Desdemona. What is she?

She that I spake of, 838our great captain's captain,

2.1.77839Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,

2.1.78840Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts

2.1.79841A sennight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,

2.1.80842And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath

2.1.81843That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,

2.1.82844Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,

2.1.83845Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits

2.1.84847And bring all Cyprus comfort--

And bring all Cyprus comfort-- 846Oh, behold,

2.1.85848The riches of the ship is come on shore!

2.1.86849You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.

2.1.87850Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of heaven,

2.1.88851Before, behind thee, and on every hand

2.1.89852Enwheel thee round.

Enwheel thee round. I thank you, valiant Cassio.

2.1.90854What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught

2.1.92856But that he's well and will be shortly here.

Oh, but I fear--858how lost you company?

The great contention of the sea and skies

2.1.95860Parted our fellowship.

Parted our fellowship. But hark, a sail.

They give this greeting to the citadel;

2.1.97863This likewise is a friend.

This likewise is a friend. See for the news.

2.1.98865Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.

2.1.99866Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,

2.1.100867That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding

2.1.101868That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

Sir, would she give you so much of her lips

2.1.103870As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,

2.1.104871You'd have enough.

You'd have enough. Alas, she has no speech!

In faith, too much;

2.1.106874I find it still when I have leave to sleep.

2.1.107875Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,

2.1.108876She puts her tongue a little in her heart

2.1.109877And chides with thinking.

You have little cause to say so.

Come on, come on! You are pictures out of 880doors, bells in your parlors, wildcats in your 881kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, 882players in your housewifery, and housewives in your 883beds.

Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer!

Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.

2.1.114886You rise to play and go to bed to work.

You shall not write my praise.

You shall not write my praise. No, let me not.

What wouldst write of me, if thou shouldst 890praise me?

Oh, gentle lady, do not put me to't,

2.1.118892For I am nothing if not critical.

Come on, assay--894there's one gone to the harbor?

Ay, madam.

I am not merry, but I do beguile

2.1.122897The thing I am by seeming otherwise.

2.1.123898Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

I am about it, but indeed my invention comes 900from my pate as birdlime does from frieze; it plucks 901out brains and all. But my muse labors, and thus she 902is delivered:

Well praised! 906How if she be black and witty?

Worse and worse.

Worse and worse. How if fair and foolish?

These are old fond paradoxes to make fools 914laugh i'th'alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou 915for her that's foul and foolish?

O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst 919best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a 920deserving woman indeed? One that in the authority of her 921merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice 922itself.

To do what?

O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do 937not learn of him Emilia, though he be thy husband. 938How say you, Cassio, is he not a most profane and 939liberal counselor?

He speaks home, madam. You may relish 941him more in the soldier than in the scholar.

[Aside] He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, 943whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great 944a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do! I will gyve thee 945in thine own courtship. You say true; 'tis so indeed. 946If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry,947 it had been better you had not kissed your three 948fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play 949the sir in. Very good! Well kissed and excellent courtesy!950 'Tis so indeed. Yet again, your fingers to your 951lips? Would they were clysterpipes for your 952sake.

2.1.153953[Aloud] The Moor. I know his trumpet.

'Tis truly so.

Let's meet him and receive him.

Lo, where he comes.

O my fair warrior!

O my fair warrior! My dear Othello.

It gives me wonder great as my content

2.1.160961To see you here before me. 962O my soul's joy!

2.1.161963If after every tempest come such calms,

2.1.162964May the winds blow till they have wakened death,

2.1.163965And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas

2.1.164966Olympus-high and duck again as low

2.1.165967As hell's from heaven. If it were now to die,

2.1.166968'Twere now to be most happy, for I fear

2.1.167969My soul hath her content so absolute

2.1.168970That not another comfort like to this

2.1.169971Succeeds in unknown fate.

Succeeds in unknown fate. The heavens forbid

2.1.170973But that our loves 974and comforts should increase

2.1.171975Even as our days do grow.

Even as our days do grow. Amen to that, sweet powers.

2.1.172977I cannot speak enough of this content;

2.1.173978It stops me here; it is too much of joy.

2.1.174979And this, and this--

And this, and this-- --the greatest discords be

2.1.175980That ere our hearts shall make.

[Aside] Oh, you are well tuned now! But I'll set down 982the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am.

Come, let us to the castle.

2.1.178984News, friends: our wars are done; 985the Turks are drowned.

2.1.179986How does my old acquaintance of this isle?

2.1.180987Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;

2.1.181988I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,

2.1.182989I prattle out of fashion and I dote

2.1.183990In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,

2.1.184991Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.

2.1.185992Bring thou the master to the citadel;

2.1.186993He is a good one, and his worthiness

2.1.187994Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,

2.1.188995Once more well met at Cyprus.

Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. 998Come thither, if thou be'st valiant--as they say base men 999being in love have then a nobility in their natures 1000more than is native to them--list me: the lieutenant 1001tonight watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell 1002thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.

With him? Why, 'tis not possible.

Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be 1005instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved 1006the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical 1007lies. To love him still for prating? Let not thy discreet 1008heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And what delight 1009shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood 1010is made dull with the act of sport, there should be a 1011game to enflame it, and, to give satiety a fresh appetite, 1012loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners, 1013and beauties--all which the Moor is defective in. Now, 1014for want of these required conveniences her delicate 1015tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the 1016gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor. Very nature will 1017instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. 1018Now sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and 1019unforced position) who stands so eminent in the degree of 1020this fortune as Cassio does--a knave very voluble, no 1021further conscionable than in putting on the mere form 1022of civil and humane seeming for the better compass 1023of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why none, 1024why none! A slipper and subtle knave, a finder of 1025occasion that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit 1026advantages though true advantage never present itself. 1027A devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, young, 1028and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green 1029minds look after--a pestilent complete knave, and the 1030woman hath found him already.

I cannot believe that in her; she's full of most 1032blessed condition.

Blessed fig's-end! The wine she drinks is 1034made of grapes. If she had been blessed, she would 1035never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou 1036not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not 1037mark that?

Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.

Lechery, by this hand--an index and obscure 1040prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. 1041They met so near with their lips that their breaths 1042embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo, when 1043these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand 1044comes the master and main exercise, th'incorporate 1045conclusion--pish! But sir, be you ruled by me. I have 1046brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight; for 1047the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows you 1048not; I'll not be far from you. Do you find some 1049occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or 1050tainting his discipline, or from what other course 1051you please which the time shall more favorably 1052minister.

Well.

Sir, he's rash and very sudden in choler, and 1055haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for 1056even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, 1057whose qualification shall come into no true taste 1058again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you 1059have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I 1060shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment 1061most profitably removed without the which there were 1062no expectation of our prosperity.

I will do this, if you can bring it to any 1064opportunity.

I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the 1066citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. 1067Farewell.

Adieu.

That Cassio loves her, I do well believ't;

2.1.2031070That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit.

2.1.2041071The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,

2.1.2051072Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,

2.1.2061073And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona

2.1.2071074A most dear husband. Now I do love her too,

2.1.2081075Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure

2.1.2091076I stand accountant for as great a sin),

2.1.2101077But partly led to diet my revenge,

2.1.2111078For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

2.1.2121079Hath leaped into my seat--the thought whereof

2.1.2131080Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards,

2.1.2141081And nothing can or shall content my soul

2.1.2151082Till I am evened with him, wife for wife;

2.1.2161083Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor

2.1.2171084At least into a jealousy so strong

2.1.2181085That judgment cannot cure; which thing to do,

2.1.2191086If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace

2.1.2201087For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

2.1.2211088I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,

2.1.2221089Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb

2.1.2231090(For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too),

2.1.2241091Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me

2.1.2251092for making him egregiously an ass

2.1.2261093And practicing upon his peace and quiet

2.1.2271094Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused;

2.1.2281095Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.