0.12The Stationer to the Reader.

0.13TO set forth a booke without an Epistle,

0.14were like to the old English prouerbe, A

0.15blew coat without a badge,& the Au-

0.16thor being dead, I thought good to take

0.17that piece of worke upon mee: To com-

0.18mend it, I will not, for that which is good, I hope euery

man will commend, without intreaty: and I am the bol-

0.20der, because the Authors name is sufficient to vent his

0.21worke. Thus leauing every one to the liberty of iudge-

0.22ment: I have ventered to print this Play, and leaue it

0.23to the generall censure.

43TVsh, neuer tell me, I take it much vnkindly

54That you Iago, who has had my purse,

65As if the strings were thine, should'st know of this.

76Iag. S'blood, but you will not heare me,

7If euer I did dreame of such a matter, abhorre me.

98Rod. Thou toldst me, thou didst hold him in thy hate.

119Iag. Despise me if I doe not: three great ones of the Citty

1310In personall suite to make me his Leiutenant,

1411Oft capt to him, and by the faith of man,

1512I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

1613But he, as louing his owne pride and purposes,

1714Euades them, with a bumbast circumstance,

1815Horribly stuft with Epithites of warre:

18.116And in conclusion,

1917Non-suits my mediators: for certes, sayes he,

2018I haue already chosen my officer, and what was he?

2119Forsooth, a great Arithmetition,

2220One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,

2321A fellow almost dambd in a faire wife,

2422That neuer set a squadron in the field,

2523Nor the deuision of a Battell knowes,

2624More then a Spinster, vnlesse the bookish Theorique,

2725Wherein the toged Consuls can propose

2826As masterly as he: meere prattle without practise,

2927Is all his souldier-shippe: but he sir had the election,

3028And I, of whom his eyes had seene the proofe,

3129At Rhodes, at Cipres, and on other grounds,

3230Christian and Heathen, must be led, and calm'd,

3331By Debitor and Creditor, this Counter-caster:

3432: He in good time, must his Leiutenant be,

3533And I, God blesle the marke, his Worships Ancient.

3634Rod. By heauen I rather would haue bin his hangman.

3735Ia. But there's no remedy,

3836Tis the curse of seruice,

3937Preferment goes by letter and affection,

4038Not by the olde gradation, where each second

4139Stood heire to the first:

40Now sir be iudge your selfe,

4241Whether I, in any iust tearme am assign'd

4342to loue the Moore.

4443Rod. I would not follow him then.

4544Ia. O sir, content you.

4645I follow him to serue my turne vpon him,

4746We cannot be all masters, nor all masters

4847Cannot be truely followed, you shall marke .

4948Many a dutious and knee-crooking knaue,

5049That doting on his owne obsequious bondage,

5150Weares out his time much like his masters Asse,

5251For noughe but prouender, and when hee's old cashierd,

5352Whip mee such honest knaues:

5453Others there are, who trimd in formes,

54And vissages of duty, keepe yet their hearts,

5555Attending on themselues, and throwing

5656But shewes of seruice on their Lords,

5757Doe well thriue by 'em,

5858And when they haue lin'd their coates,

5959Doe themselues homage,

6060Those fellowes haue some soule,

6161And such a one doe I professe my selfe, ---- for sir,

6262It is as sure as you are Roderigo,

6363Were I the Moore, I would not be Iago:

6464In following him, I follow but my selfe.

6565Heauen is my iudge, not I,

66For loue and duty, but seeming so,

6667For my peculiar end.

6768For when my outward action does demonstrate

6869The natiue act, and figure of my heart,

6970In complement externe, tis not long after,

7071But I will weare my heart vpon my sleeue,

7172For Doues to pecke at,

73I am not what I am.

7274Rod. What a full fortune does the thicklips owe,

7375If he can carry'et thus?

7476Ia. Call vp her father,

7577Rowse him, make after him, poyson his delight,

7678Proclaime him in the streete, incense her Kinsmen,

7779And tho he in a fertile climate dwell,

7880Plague him with flyes: tho that his ioy be ioy,

7981Yet throw such changes of vexation out,

8082As it may loose some colour.

8183Rod Here is her fathers house, Ile call aloud.

8284Ia. Doe with like timerous accent, and dire yell,

8385As when by night and negligence, the fire

8486Is spied in populous Citties.

8587Rod. What ho, Brabantio; Seignior Brabantio, ho,

8688Ia. Awake, what ho, Brabantio,

89Theeues, theeues, theeues:

8790Looke to your house, you Daughter, and your bags.

8891Theeues, theeues.

93Brab. What is the reason of this terrible summons?

9094What is the matter there?

9195Rod. Seignior, is all your family within?

9296Ia. Are all doore lockts?

9397Brab. Why, wherefore aske you this?

9498Iag. Zounds sir you are robd, for shame put on your gowne,

9599Your heart is burst, you haue lost halfe your soule;

96100Euen now, very now, an old blacke Ram

97101Is tupping your white Ewe; arise, arise,

98102Awake the snorting Citizens with the Bell,

99103Or else the Diuell will make a Grandsire of you, arise I say.

101104Brab. What, haue you lost your wits?

102105Rod. Most reuerend Seignior, doe you know my voyce?

103106Bra. Not I, what are you?

104107Rod. My name is Roderigo.

105108Bra. The worse welcome,

106109I haue charg'd thee, not to haunt about my dores,

107110In honest plainenesse, thou hast heard me say

108111My daughter is not for thee, and now in madnes,

109112Being full of supper, and distempering draughts,

110113Vpon malicious brauery, dost thou come

111114To start my quiet?

112115Rod. Sir, sir, sir.

113116Bra. But thou must needes be sure

114117My spirit and my place haue them in power,

115118To make this bitter to thee.

116119Rod. Patience good sir.

117120Bra. What, tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice,

118121My house is not a graunge.

119122Rod. Most graue Brabantio,

120123In simple and pure soule I come to you.

121124Iag. Zouns Sir, you are one of those, that will not serue God, if

122125the Deuill bid you. Because we come to doe you seruice, you thinke

123126we are Ruffians, youle haue your daughter couered with a Barbary

124127horse; youle haue your Nephewes ney to you; youle haue Coursers

125128for Cousens, and Iennits for Iermans.

127129Bra. What prophane wretch art thou?

128130Iag. I am one sir, that come to tell you, your daughter, and the

129131Moore, are now making the Beast with two backs.

130132Bra. Thou art a villaine .

131133Iag. You are a Senator.

132134Bra. This thou shalt answer, I know thee Roderigo.

133135Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing: But I beseech you,

151136If she be in her chamber, or your house,

152137Let loose on me the Iustice of the state,

153138For this delusion.

154139Bra. Strike on the tinder, Ho:

155140Giue me a taper, call vp all my people:

156141This accident is not vnlike my dreame,

157142Beleefe of it oppresses me already:

158143Light I say, light.

159144Iag. Farewell, for I must leaue you,

160145It seemes not meete, nor wholesome to my pate,

161146To be produc'd, as if I stay I shall

162147Against the Moore, for I doe know the state,

163148How euer this may gaule him with some checke,

164149Cannot with safety cast him, for hee's imbark'd,

165150With such loud reason, to the Cipres warres,

166151Which euen now stands in act, that for their soules,

167152Another of his fathome, they haue not

168153To leade their businesse, in which regard,

169154Tho I doe hate him, as I doe hells paines,

170155Yet for necessity of present life,

171156I must shew out a flag, and signe of loue,

172157Which is indeed but signe, that you shall surely

158Finde him: lead to the Sagittar, the raised search,

174159And there will I be with him. So farewell.

176163Bra. It is too true an euill, gone she is,

177164And what's to come, of my despised time,

178165Is nought but bitternesse now Roderigo,

179166Where didst thou see her; O vnhappy girle,

180167With the Moore saist thou? who would be a father?

181168How didst thou know twas she? O thou deceiuest me

182169Past thought: what said she to you? get more tapers,

183170Raise all my kindred, are they married thinke you?

184171Rod. Truely I thinke they are.

185172Bra. O heauen, how got she out? O treason of the blood;

187173Fathers from hence, trust not your Daughters mindes,

188174By what you see them act, is there not charmes,

189175By which the property of youth and manhood

190176May be abus'd? haue you not read Roderigo,

191177Of some such thing.

192178Rod. I haue sir.

193179Bra. Call vp my brother: O that you had had her,

194180Some one way, some another; doe yon know

195181Where we may apprehend her, and the Moore?

196182Rod. I thinke I can discouer him, if you please

197183To get good guard, and goe along with me.

198184Bra. Pray leade me on, at euery house Ile call,

199185I may command at most: get weapons ho,

200186And raise some speciall Officers of night:

201187On good Roderigo, Ile deserue your paynes. Exeunt.

204189Ia. Tho in the trade of warre, I haue slaine men,

205190Yet doe I hold it very stuft of Conscience.

206191To doe no contriu'd murther; I lacke iniquity

207192Sometimes to doe me seruice: nine or ten times,

208193I had thought to haue ierk'd him here,

194Vnder the ribbes.

209195Oth. Tis better as it is.

210196Iag. Nay, but he prated,

211197And spoke such scuruy, and prouoking tearmes

212198Against your Honor, that with the little godlinesse I haue,

213199I did full hard forbeare him: but I pray sir,

214200Are you fast married? For be sure of this,

215201That the Magnifico is much beloued,

216202And hath in his effect, a voyce potentiall,

217203As double as the Dukes, he will diuorce you,

218204Or put vpon you what restraint, and greeuance,

219205That law with all his might to inforce it on,

220206Weele giue him cable.

221207Oth. Let him doe his spite,

222208My seruices which I haue done the Seigniorie,

223209Shall out tongue his complaints, tis yet to know,

224210That boasting is an honour,

225211I shall provulgate, I fetch my life and being,

226212From men of royall height, and my demerrits,

227213May speake vnbonnited to as proud a fortune

228214As this that I haue reach'd; for know Iago,

229215But that I loue the gentle Desdemona,

230216I would not, my vnhoused free condition,

231217Put into circumscription and confine

232218For the seas worth, Enter Cassio with lights, Officers, and torches.

233219But looke what lights come yonder.

234220Ia. These are the raised Father and his friends,

235221You were best goe in:

236222Oth. Not I, I must be found,

237223My parts, my Title, and my perfect soule,

238224Shall manifest me rightly: it is they.

239225Ia. By Ianus I thinke no.

240226Oth. The seruants of the Duke, and my Leiutenant,

242227The goodnesse of the night vpon your friends,

243228What is the newes.

244229Cas. The Duke does greete you Generall,

245230And he requires your hast, post hast appearance,

246231Euen on the instant.

247232Oth. What's the matter thinke you:

248233Cas. Something from Cipres, as I may diuine,

249234It is a businesse of some heate, the Galleyes

250235Haue sent a dozen frequent messengers

251236This very night, at one anothets heeles:

252237And many of the Consuls rais'd, and met,

253238Are at the Dukes already: you haue bin hotly cald for,

254239When being not at your lodging to be found,

255240The Senate sent aboue three seuerall quests

256241To search you out.

257242Otht Tis well I am found by you,

258243Ile spend a word here in the house, and goe with you.

260244Cas. Auncient, what makes he here?

261245Ia. Faith he to night, hath boorded a land Carrick:

262246If it proue lawfull prize, hee's made for euer.

263247Cas. I doe not vnderstand.

264248Ia. Hee's married,

265249Cas. To who?

266252Ia. Marry to.---- Come Captaine, will you goe?

267253Oth. Ha, with who?

268254Cas. Here comes another troupe to seeke for you.

270255Ia. It is Brabantio, Generall be aduisde,

271256He comes to bad intent.

272257Oth. Holla, stand there.

273258Rod. Seignior, it is the Moore.

274259Cra. Downe with him theife.

275260Ia. You Roderigo, Come sir, I am for you.

276261Oth. Keepe vp your bright swords, for the dew will rust em,

277262Good Seignior you shall more command with yeares

278263Then with your weapons.

279264Bra. O thou foule theefe, where hast thou stowed my daughter?

281265Dambd as thou art, thou hast inchanted her,

282266For ile referre me to all thing of sense,

284267Whether a maide so tender, faire, and happy,

285268So opposite to marriage, that she shund

286269The wealthy curled darlings of our Nation,

287270Would euer haue (to incurre a general mocke)

288271Runne from her gardage to the sooty bosome

289272Of such a thing as thou? to feare, not to delight,

296273Such an abuser of the world, a practiser

297274Of Arts inhibited, and out of warrant?

298275Lay hold vpon him, if he doe resist,

299276Subdue him at his perill.

300277Oth. Hold your hands:

301278Both you of my inclining and the rest,

302279Were it my Qu. to fight, I should haue knowne it,

303280Without a prompter, where will you that I goe,

304281And answer this your charge?

305282Bra. To prison till fit time

306283Of Law, and course of direct Session,

307284Call thee to answer.

308285Oth. What if I doe obey,

309286How may the Duke be therewith satisfied,

310287Whose Messengers are heere about my side,

311288Vpon some present businesse of the State,

312289To beare me to him.

313290Officer. Tis true most worthy Seignior,

314291The Duke's in Councell, and your noble selfe,

315292I am sure is sent for.

316293Bra. How? the Duke in Councell?

317294In this time of the night? bring him away,

318295Mine's not an idle cause, the Duke himselfe,

319296Or any of my Brothers of the State,

320297Cannot but feele this wrong, as twere their owne.

321298For if such actions, may haue passage free,

322299Bondslaues, and Pagans, shal our Statesmen be. Exeunt.

325302Duke. There is no Composition in these newes,

326303That giues them credit.

3273041 Sena. Indeede they are disproportioned,

328305My letters say, a hundred and seuen Gallies.

329306Du. And mine a hundred and forty.

3303072 Sena. And mine two hundred:

331308But though they iumpe not on a iust account,

332309As in these cases, where they aym'd reports,

333310Tis oft with difference, yet doe they all confirme

334311A Turkish fleete, and bearing vp to Cipresse.

335312Du. Nay, it is possible enough to iudgement:

336313I doe not so secure me to the error,

337314But the mayne Articles I doe approue

338315In fearefull sense. Enter a Messenger.

339316One within. What ho, what ho, what ho?

341317Sailor. A messenger from the Galley.

342318Du. Now, the businesse?

343319Sailor, The Tnrkish preparation makes for Rhodes,

344320So was I bid report here, to the state.

346321Du. How say you by this change?

3473221 Sena. This cannot be by no assay of reason ---

348323Tis a Pageant,

349324To keepe vs in false gaze: when we consider

350325The importancy of Cypresse to the Turke:

351326And let our selues againe, but vnderstand,

352327That as it more concernes the Turke then Rhodes,

353328So may he with more facile question beare it.

361329Dn. And in all confidence, hee's not for Rhodes.

362330Officer. Here is more newes. Enter a 2. Messenger.

364331Mes. The Ottamites, reuerend and gracious,

365332Steering with due course, toward the Isle of Rhodes,

366333Haue there inioynted with an after fleete

368334Of 30. saile, and now they doe resterine

369335Their backward course, bearing with franke appearance

370336Their purposes towards Cypresse: Seignior Montano,

371337Your trusty and most valiant seruitor,

372338With his free duty recommends you thus,

373339And prayes you to beleeue him.

374340Du. Tis certaine then for Cypresse,

375341Marcus Luccicos is not here in Towne.

3763421 Sena. Hee's now in Florence.

377343Du. Write from vs, wish him post, post hast dispatch.

3793461 Sena. Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moore.

382347Du. Valiant Othello, we must straite imploy you,

383348Against the generall enemy Ottaman;

384349I did not see you, welcome gentle Seignior,

385350We lacke your counsell, and your helpe to night,

386351Bra. So did I yours, good your Grace pardon me,

387352Neither my place, nor ought I heard of businesse

388353Hath rais'd me from my bed, nor doth the generall care

389354Take any hold of me, for my particular griefes,

390355Is of so floodgate and orebearing nature,

391356That it engluts, and swallowes other sorrowes,

392357And it is still it selfe.

393358Du. Why, what's the matter?

394359Bra. My daughter, O my daughter.

395360All. Dead?

396361Bra. I to me:

397362She is abus'd, stolne from me and corrupted,

398363By spels and medicines, bought of mountebancks,

399364For nature so preposterously to erre,

401365Saunce witchcraft could not.

402366Du. Who ere he be, that in this foule proceeding

403367Hath thus beguild your daughter of her selfe,

404368And you of her, the bloody booke of Law,

405369You shall your selfe, read in the bitter letter,

406370After its owne sense, tho our proper sonne

407371Stood in your action.

408372Bra. Humbly I thanke your Grace;

409373Here is the man, this Moore, whom now it seemes

410374Your speciall mandate, for the State affaires

411375Hath hither brought.

412376All. We are very sorry for't.

413377Du, What in your owne part can you say to this?

414378Bra. Nothing, but this is so.

415379Oth. Most potent, graue, and reuerend Seigniors,

416380My very noble and approoued good maisters:

417381That I haue tane away this old mans daughter,

418382It is most true: true, I haue married her,

419383The very head and front of my offending,

420384Hath this extent no more. Rude am I in my speech,

421385And little blest with the set phrase of peace,

422386For since these armes of mine had seuen yeares pith,

423387Till now some nine Moones wasted, they haue vs'd

424388Their dearest action in the tented field,

425389And little of this great world can I speake,

426390More then pertaines to feate of broyle, and battaile,

427391And therefore little shall I grace my cause,

428392In speaking for my selfe; yet by your gracious patience,

429393I will a round vnuarnish'd tale deliuer,

430394Of my whole course of loue, what drugs, what charmes,

432395What coniuration, and what mighty Magicke,

433396(For such proceedings am I charg'd withall:)

434397I wonne his daughter.

435398Bra. A maiden neuer bold of spirit,

436399So still and quiet, that her motion

437400Blusht at her selfe: and she in spite of nature,

438401Of yeares, of Countrey, credit, euery thing,

439402To fall in loue with what she fear'd to looke on?

440403It is a iudgement maimd, and most imperfect,

441404That will confesse perfection, so would erre

442405Against all rules of Nature, and must be driuen,

443406To finde out practises of cunning hell,

444407Why this should be, I therefore vouch againe,

445408That with some mixtures powerfull ore the blood,

446409Or with some dram coniur'd to this effect,

447410He wrought vpon her.

448411Du. To youth this is no proofe,

449412Without more certaine and more ouert test,

450413These are thin habits, and poore likelihoods,

451414Of moderne seemings, you preferre against him.

4524151 Sena. But Othello speake,

453416Did you by indirect and forced courses,

454417Subdue and poison this young maides affections?

455418Or came it by request, and such faire question,

456419As soule to soule affoordeth?

457420Oth. I doe beseech you,

458421Send for the Lady to the Sagittar,

459422And let her speake of me before her father;

460423If you doe finde me foule in her report,

462424Not onely take away, but let your sentence

463425Euen fall vpon my life.

464426Du. Fetch Desdemona hither. Exit two or three.

465427Oth. Ancient conduct them, you best know the place:

467428And till she come, as faithfull as to heauen,

469429So iustly to your graue eares I'le present,

470430How I did thriue in this faire Ladyes loue,

471431And she in mine.

472432Du. Say it Othello.

473433Oth. Her Father loued me, oft inuited me,

474434Still questioned me the story of my life,

475435From yeare to yeare; the battailes, seiges, fortunes

476436That I haue past:

477437I ran it through, euen from my boyish dayes,

478438Toth' very moment that he bade me tell it.

479439Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances,

480440Of moouing accident of flood and field;

481441Of heire-breadth scapes ith imminent deadly breach;

482442Of being taken by the insolent foe:

483443And sold to slauery, and my redemption thence,

484444And with it all my trauells Historie;

485445Wherein of Antrees vast, and Deserts idle,

486446Rough quarries, rocks and hils, whose heads touch heauen,

487447It was my hent to speake, such was the processe:

488448And of the Cannibals, that each other eate;

489449The Anthropophagie, and men whose heads

490450Doe grow beneath their shoulders: this to heare,

491451Would Desdemona seriously incline;

492452But still the house affaires would draw her thence,

493453And euer as she could with hast dispatch,

494454Shee'd come againe, and with a greedy eare

495455Deuoure vp my discourse; which I obseruing,

496456Tooke once a plyant houre, and found good meanes

497457To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart,

498458That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,

499459Whereof by parcell she had something heard,

500460But not intentiuely, I did consent,

501461And ofren did beguile her of her teares,

502462When I did speake of some distressed stroake

503463That my youth suffered: my story being done;

504464She gaue me for my paines a world of sighes;

505465She swore Ifaith twas strange, twas passing strange;

506466Twas pittifull, twas wondrous pittifull;

507467She wisht she had not heard it, yet she wisht

508468That Heauen had made her such a man: she thanked me,

509469And bad me, if I had a friend that loued her,

510470I should but teach him how to tell my story,

511471And that would wooe her. Vpon this heate I spake:

512472She lou'd me for the dangers I had past.

513473And I lou'd her that she did pitty them.

514474This onely is the witchcraft I haue vs'd:

515475Here comes the Lady,

476Let her witnesse it.

517478Du. I thinke this tale would win my daughter to, ----

518479Good Brabantio, take vp this mangled matter at the best,

519480Men doe their broken weapons rather vse,

520481Then their bare hands.

521482Bra. I pray you heare her speake.

522483If she confesse that she was halfe the wooer,

523484Destruction lite on me, if my bad blame

524485Light on the man. Come hither gentle mistresse:

525486Doe you perceiue in all this noble company,

526487Where most you owe obedience?

527488Des. My noble father,

528489I doe perceiue here a deuided duty:

529490To you I am bound for life and education;

530491My life and education both doe learne me

531492How to respect you, you are Lord of all my duty,

532493I am hitherto your daughter, But heere's my husband:

533494And so much duty as my mother shewed

534495To you, preferring you before her father,

535496So much I challenge, that I may professe,

536497Due to the Moore my Lord.

537498Bra. God bu'y, I ha done:

538499Please it your Grace, on to the State affaires;

539500I had rather to adopt a child then get it;

540501Come hither Moore:

541502I here doe giue thee that, with all my heart

543503I would keepe from thee: for your sake Iewell,

544504I am glad at soule. I haue no other child,

545505For thy escape would teach me tyranny,

546506To hang clogs on em, I haue done my Lord.

547507Du. Let me speake like your selfe, and lay a sentence

549508Which as a greese or step may helpe these louers

549.1509Into your fauour.

550510When remedies are past, the griefes are ended,

551511By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended,

552512To mourne a mischeife that is past and gone,

553513Is the next way to draw more mischiefe on;

554514What cannot be preseru'd when fortune takes,

555515Patience her iniury a mockery makes.

556516The rob'd that smiles, steales something from the thiefe,

557517He robs himselfe, that spends a bootelesse griefe.

558518Bra. So let the Turke, of Cypres vs beguile,

559519We lose it not so long as we can smile;

560520He beares the sentence well that nothing beares,

561521But the free comfort, which from thence he heares:

562522But he beares both the sentence and the sorrow,

563523That to pay griefe, must of poore patience borrow.

564524These sentences to sugar, or to gall,

565525Being strong on both sides, are equiuocall:

566526But words are words, I neuer yet did heare,

567527That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the eare:

568528Beseech you now, to the affaires of the state.

569529Du. The Turke with most mighty preparation makes for Cipres:

570530Othello, the fortitude of the place, is best knowne to you, and tho we

571531haue there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a so-

573532ueraigne mistresse of effects, throwes a more safer voyce on you; you

574533must therefore bee content to slubber the glosse of your new for-

575534tunes, with this more stubborne and boisterous expedition.

577535Oth. The tyrant custome most great Senators,

578536Hath made the flinty and steele Cooch of warre,

579537My thrice driuen bed of downe: I doe agnize

580538A naturall and prompt alacrity,

581539I finde in hardnesse, and would vndertake

582540This present warres against the Ottamites,

583541Most humbly therefore, bending to your State,

584542I craue fit disposition for my wife,

585543Due reuerence of place and exhibition,

586544Which such accomodation? and besort

587545As leuels with her breeding.

588546Du. If you please, bee't at her fathers.

589547Bra. Ile not haue it so.

590548Oth. Nor I.

591549Desd. Nor I, I would not there reside,

592550To put my father in impatient thoughts,

593551By being in his eye: most gracious Duke,

594552To my vnfolding lend a gracious eare,

595553And let me finde a charter in your voyce,

596554And if my simplenesse. ----

597555Du. What would you ----speake.

598556Des. That I did loue the Moore, to liue with him,

599557My downe right violence, and scorne of Fortunes,

600558May trumpet to the world: my hearts subdued,

601559Fuen to the vtmost pleasure of my Lord:

602560I saw Othelloes vissage in his minde,

603561And to his Honors, and his valiant parts

604562Did I my soule and fortunes consecrate:

605563So that deere Lords, if I be left behinde,

606564A Mothe of peace, and he goe to the warre,

607565The rites for which I loue him, are bereft me,

608566And I a heauy interim shall support,

609567By his deare absence, let me goe with him.

610568Oth. Your voyces Lords: beseech you let her will,

611569Haue a free way, I therefore beg it not

612570To please the pallat of my appetite,

613571Nor to comply with heate, the young affects

614572In my defunct, and proper satisfaction,

615573But to be free and bounteous of her mind,

616574And heauen defend your good soules that you thinke

617575I will your serious and good businesse scant,

618576For she is with me; --- no, when light-winged toyes,

619577And feather'd Cupid foyles with wanton dulnesse,

620578My speculatiue and actiue instruments,

621579That my disports, corrupt and taint my businesse,

622580Let huswiues make a skellett of my Helme,

623581And all indigne and base aduersities,

624582Make head against my reputation.

625583Du. Be it, as you shall priuately determine,

626584Either for stay or going, the affaires cry hast,

627585And speede must answer, you must hence to night,

627.1586Desd. To night my Lord?

627.2587Du. This night.

629588Oth. With all my heart.

630589Du. At ten i'the morning here weel meete againe.

631590Othello, leaue some officer behind,

632591And he shall our Commission bring to you,

633592With such things else of quality or respect,

634593As doth concerne you.

635594Oth. Please your Grace, my Ancient,

636595A man he is of honesty and trust,

637596To his conueyance I assigne my wife,

638597With what else needefull your good Grace shall thinke,

639598To be sent after me.

640599Du. Let it be so:

641600Good night to euery one, and noble Seignior,

642601If vertue no delighted beauty lacke,

643602Your son in law is farre more faire then blacke.

6446031 Sena. Adue braue Moore, vse Desdemona well.

645604Bra. Looke to her Moore, haue a quicke eye to see,

646605She has deceiu'd her father, may doe thee. Exeunt.

647606Oth. My life vpon her faith: honest Iago,

648607My Desdemona must I leaue to thee,

649608I preethee let thy wife attend on her,

650609And bring her after in the best aduantage;

651610Come Desdemona, I haue but an houre

652611Of loue, of worldly matters, and direction,

653612To spend with thee, we must obey the time.

654613Rod. Iago. Exit Moore and Desdemona.

655614Iag, What saiest thou noble heart?

656615Rod. What will I doe thinkest thou?

657616Iag. Why goe to bed and sleepe.

658617Rod. I will incontinently drowne my selfe.

659618Iag. Well, if thou doest, I shall neuer loue thee after it,

619Why, thou silly Gentleman.

661620Rod. It is sillinesse to liue, when to liue is a torment, and then we

662621haue a prescription, to dye when death is our Physition.

664622Iag. I ha look'd vpon the world for foure times seuen yeares,

665623and since I could distinguish betweene a benefit, and an iniury, I ne-

666624uer found a man that knew how to loue himselfe: ere I would say

667625I would drowne my selfe, for the loue of a Ginny Hen, I would

669626change my humanity with a Baboone.

670627Rod. What should I do? I confesse it is my shame to be so fond,

671628but it is not in my vertue to amend it.

672629Iag. Vertue? a fig, tis in our selues, that wee are thus, or thus,

673630our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are Gardiners, so that

674631if we will plant Nettles, or sow Lettice, set Isop, and weed vp Time;

676632supply it with one gender of hearbes, or distract it with many; ei-

677633ther to haue it sterrill with Idlenesse, or manur'd with Industry, why

678634the power, and corrigible Authority of this, lies in our wills. If the

679635ballance of our liues had not one scale of reason, to poise another of

680636sensuality; the blood and basenesse of our natures, would conduct

682637vs to most preposterous conclusions. But wee haue reason to coole

683638our raging motions, our carnall stings, our vnbitted lusts; whereof

684639I take this, that you call loue to be a sect, or syen.

686640Rod. It cannot be.

687641Iag. It is meerly a lust of the blood, and a permission of the will:

688642Come, be a man; drowne thy selfe? drowne Cats and blinde Pup-

689643pies: I professe me thy friend, and I confesse me knit to thy deser-

690644uing, with cables of perdurable toughnesse; I could neuer better

691645steede thee then now. Put money in thy purse; follow these warres,

693646defeate thy fauour with an vsurp'd beard; I say, put money in thy

694647purse. It cannot be, that Desdemona should long continue her loue

695648vnto the Moore, --- put money in thy purse, -- nor he to her; it was

696649a violent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable seque-

697650stration: put but money in thy purse. ---These Moores are change-

699651able in their wills: --- fill thy purse with money. The food that to

700652him now, is as lushious as Locusts, shall be to him shortly as acerbe

701653as the Colloquintida. When shee is sated with his body, shee will

703654finde the error of her choyce; shee must haue change, shee must.

655Therefore put money in thy purse: if thou wilt needes damme

704656thy selfe, doe it a more delicate way then drowning; make all

705657the money thou canst. If sanctimony, and a fraile vow, betwixt an

707658erring Barbarian, and a super subtle Venetian, be not too hard for my

708659wits, and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enioy her; therefore make

709660money, --- a pox a drowning, tis cleane out of the way: seeke thou

710661rather to be hang'd in compassing thy ioy, then to bee drowned, and

712662goe without her.

713663Rod. Wilt thou be fast to my hopes?

715664Iag. Thou art sure of me ---goe, make money --- I haue told

716665thee often, and I tell thee againe, and againe, I hate the Moore, my

717666cause is harted, thine has no lesse reason, let vs be communicatiue in

718667our reuenge against him: If thou canst cuckold him, thou doest thy

719668selfe a pleasure, and me a sport. There are many euents in the womb

721669of Time, which will be deliuered. Trauerce, go, prouide thy money,

722670we will haue more of this to morrow, Adiue.

724671Rod. Where shall we meete i'th morning.

725672Iag. At my lodging.

726673Rod. I'le be with thee betimes.

727674Iag. Go to, farewell: ---doe you heare Roderigo?

727.1675Rod. what say you?

727.2676Iag. No more of drowning, doe you heare?

727.3677Rod. I am chang'd. Exit Roderigo.

727.4678Iag. Goe to, farewell, put money enough in your purse:

729679Thus doe I euer make my foole my purse:

730680For I mine owne gain'd knowledge should prophane,

731681If I would time expend with such a snipe,

732682But for my sport and profit: I hate the Moore,

733683And tis thought abroad, that twixt my sheetes

734684Ha's done my office; I know not, if't be true ---

735685Yet I, for meere suspition in that kind,

736686Will doe, as if for surety: he holds me well,

737687The better shall my purpose worke on him.

738688Cassio's a proper man, let me see now,

739689To get this place, and to make vp my will,

740690A double knauery --- how, how, --- let me see,

741691After some time, to abuse Othelloe's eare,

742692That he is too familiar with his wife:

743693He has a person and a smooth dispose,

744694To be suspected, fram'd to make women false:

745695The Moore a free and open nature too,

746696That thinkes men honest, that but seemes to be so:

747697And will as tenderly be led bit'h nose --- as Asses are:

749698I ha't, it is ingender'd: Hell and night

750699Must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light.

706What from the Cape can you discerne at Sea?

754707Gent. Nothing at all, it is a high wrought flood,

755708I cannot twixt the hauen and the mayne

756709Descry a saile.

757710Mon. Me thinkes the wind does speake aloud at land,

758711A fuller blast ne're shooke our Battlements:

759712If ic ha ruffiand so vpon the sea.

760713What ribbes of Oake, when the huge mountaine mes lt,

761714Can hold the morties, --- What shall we heare of this?

762715Gent. A segregation of the Turkish Fleete:

763716For doe but stand vpon the banning shore,

764717The chiding billow seemes to pelt the cloudes,

765718The winde shak'd surge, with high and monstrous mayne,

766719Seemes to cast water, on the burning Beare,

767720And quench the guards of th'euer fired pole,

768721I neuer did, like molestation view,

769722On the inchafed flood.

770723Mon. If that the Turkish Fleete

771724Be not inshelter'd, and embayed, they are drown'd,

772725It is impossible they beare it out.

774727Gent. Newes Lords, your warres are done:

775728The desperate Tempest hath so bang'd the

Turke,

776729That their designement halts: Another shippe of Venice hath seene

730A greeuous wracke and sufferance

778731On most part of the Fleete.

779732Mon. How, is this true?

780733Gent. The shippe is heere put in:

734A Veronessa, Michael Cassi}o,

781735Leiutenant to the warlike Moore Othello,

782736Is come ashore: the Moore himselfe at Sea,

783737And is in full Commission here for Cypres,

785738Mon. I am glad on't, tis a worthy Gouernour.

786739Gent. But this same Cassio, tho he speake of comfort,

787740Touching the Turkish losse, yet he lookes sadly,

788741And prayes the Moore be safe, for they were parted,

789742With foule and violent Tempest.

790743Mon. Pray Heauen he be:

791744For I haue seru'd him, and the man commands

792745Like a full Souldier:

746Lets to the sea side, ho,

793747As well to see the vessell that's come in,

794748As to throw out our eyes for braue Othello.

797749Gent. Come, lets doe so,

798750For euery minute is expectancy

799751Of more arriuance, Enter Cassio.

801752Cas. Thankes to the valiant of this worthy Isle,

802753That so approue the Moore, and let the heauens

803754Giue him defence against their Elements,

804755For I haue lost him on a dangerous sea.

805756Mon. Is he well shipt?

806757Cas. His Barke is stoutly timberd, and his Pilate

807758Of very expert and approu'd allowance,

808759Therefore my hope's not surfeited to death,

809760Stand in bold cure. Enter a Messenger.

810761Mess. A saile, a saile, a saile.

811762Cas. What noyse?

812763Mess. The Towne is empty, on the brow o'th sea,

813764otand ranckes of people, and they cry a sayle.

814765Cas. My hopes doe shape him for the guernement.

815766Gen. They doe discharge the shot of courtesie,

816767Our friend at least. A shot.

817768Cas. I pray you sir goe forth,

818769And giue vs truth, who tis that is arriu'd.

819770Gent. I shall. Exit.

820771Mon. But good Leiutenant, is your Generall wiu'd?

821772Cas. Most fortunately, he hath atchieu'd a maide,

822773That parragons description, and wild fame:

823774One that excells the blasoning pens,

824775And in the essentiall vesture of creation,

824.1776Does beare all excellency: --- now, who has put in?

828778Gent. Tis one Iago, ancient to the Generall,

829779He has had most fauourable and happy speede,

830780Tempests themselues, by seas, and houling windes,

831781The guttered rocks, and congregated sands,

832782Traitors enscerped; to clog the guiltlesse Keele,

833783As hauing sence of beauty, do omit

834784Their common natures, letting goe safely by

835785The diuine Desdemona.

836786Mon. What is she?

837787Cas. She that I spoke of, our great Captains Captaine,

839788Left in the conduct of the bold Iago.

840789Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts

841790A sennights speede ---great Ioue Othello guard,

842791And swell his saile with thine owne powerfull breath,

843792That he may blesse this Bay with his tall shippe,

844793And swiftly come to Desdemona's armes.

845795Giue renewd fire,

796To our extincted spirits.

845.1797And bring all Cypresse comfort, ---O behold

848798The riches of the ship is come ashore.

849799Ye men of Cypres, let her haue your knees:

850800Haile to thee Lady: and the grace of heauen,

851801Before, behinde thee, and on euery hand,

852802Enwheele thee round.

853803Desd. I thanke you valiant Cassio:

854804What tidings can you tell me of my Lord?

855805Cas. He is not yet arriued, nor know I ought,

856806But that hee's well, and will be shortly here.

857807Desd. O but I feare: ---how lost you company?

859809Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies

860810Parted our fellowship: but harke, A saile.

862811Gent. They giue their greeting to the Cittadell,

863812This likewise is a friend.

864813Cas. So speakes this voice:

865814Good Ancient, you are welcome, welcome Mistresse,

866815Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,

867816That I extend my manners, tis my breeding,

868817That giues me this bold shew of courtesie.

869818Iag. For would she giue you so much of her lips,

870819As of her tongue, she has bestowed on me,

871820You'd haue enough.

872821Des. Alas! shee has no speech.

873822Iag. I know too much.

874823I finde it, I; for when I ha list to sleepe,

875824Mary, before your Ladiship I grant,

876825She puts her tongue a little in her heart,

877826And chides with thinking.

878827Em. You ha little cause to say so.

879828Iag. Come on, Come on, you are Pictures out adores:

880829Bells in your Parlors: Wildcats in your Kitchins:

881830Saints in your iniuries: Diuells being offended:

882831Players in your houswifery; and houswiues in your beds.

884832O fie vpon thee slanderer.

885833Iag. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turke,

886834You rise to play, and goe to bed to worke.

887835Em. You shall not write my praise.

888836Iag. No, let me not.

889837Desd. What wouldst thou write of me,

890838If thou shouldst praise me?

891839Iag. O gentle Lady, doe not put me to't,

892840For I am nothing, if not Criticall.

893841Desd. Come on, assay ---there's one gone to the Harbor?

895842Iag. I Madam.

896843Desd. I am not merry, but I doe beguile

897844The thing I am, by seeming otherwise:

898845Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

899846Iag. I am about it, but indeed my inuention

847Comes from my pate, as birdlime does from freeze,

900848It plucks out braine and all: but my Muse labors,

901849And thus she is deliuer'd:

903850If she be faire and wise, fairenesse and wit;

904851The one's for vse, the other vsing it.

905852Desd. Well praisde: how if she be blacke and witty?

907853Iag, If she be blacke, and thereto haue a wit,

908854Shee'le finde a white, that shall her blacknesse hit.

909855Desd. Worse and worse.

910856Em. How if faire and foolish?

911857Iag. She neuer yet was foolish, that was faire,

912858For euen her folly helpt her, to a haire.

913859Des. These are old paradoxes, to make fooles laugh i'the Alehouse,

914860What miserable praise hast thou for her,

915861That's foule and foolish?

916862Iag. There's none so foule, and foolish thereunto,

917863But does foule prankes, which faire and wise ones doe.

918864Desd. O heauy ignorance, that praises the worst best: but what

919865praise couldst thou bestow on a deseruing woman indeed? one,

920866that in the authority of her merrits, did iustly put on the vouch of

921867very malice it selfe?

923868Iag. She that was euer faire, and neuer proud,

924869Had tongue at will, and yet was neuer lowd,

925870Neuer lackt gold, and yet went neuer gay,

926871Fled from her wish, and yet said, now I may:

927872She that being angred, her reuenge being nigh,

928873Bad her wrong stay, and her displeasure flye;

929874She that in wisedome, neuer was so fraile,

930875To change the Codshead for the Salmons taile.

931876She that could thinke, and ne're disclose her minde,

933877She was a wight, if euer such wight were.

934878Des. To doe what?

935879Iag. To suckle fooles, and chronicle small Beere.

936880Des. O most lame and impotent conclusion:

937881Doe not learne of him Emillia, tho he be thy husband;

938882How say you Cassio, is he not a most prophane and liberall

939883Counsellour?

940884Cas. He speakes home Madam, you may rellish him

941885More in the Souldier then in the Scholler.

942886Iag. He takes her by the palme; I well sed, whisper: as little a

943887webbe as this will ensnare as great a Flee as Cassio. I smile vpon

944888her, doe: I will catch you in your owne courtesies: you say true,

945889tis so indeed. If such trickes as these strip you out of your Leiute-

946890nantry, it had beene better you had not rist your three fingers so oft,

948891which now againe, you are most apt to play the sir in: good, well

949892kist, an excellent courtesie; tis so indeed: yet againe, your fingers at

950893your lips? Would they were Clisterpipes for your sake. --- The

953894Moore, I know his Trumpet. Trumpets within.

954896Cas. Tis truely so.

955897Des. Lets meete him, and receiue him.

956898Cas. Loe, where he comes.

958899Oth. O my faire Warriour.

959900Des. My deare Othello.

960901Oth. It giues me wonder great as my content,

961902To see you here before me: O my soules ioy,

963903If after euery tempest, come such calmenesse,

964904May the winds blow, till they haue wakened death,

965905And let the labouring Barke clime hills of seas,

966906Olympus high, and duck againe as low,

967907As hell's from Heauen: If it were now to dye,

968908T'were now to be most happy, for I feare

969909My soule hath her content so absolute,

970910That not another comfort, like to this

971911Succeeds in vnknowne Fate,

972912Des. The Heauens forbid,

973913But that our loues and comforts should increase,

975914Euen as our dayes doe growe.

976915Oth. Amen to that sweete power,

977916I cannot speake enough of this content,

978917It stops me heere, it is too much of ioy:

979918And this, and this, the greatest discord be, they kisse.

980919That ere our hearts shall make.

981920Iag. O, you are well tun'd now,

982921But I'le set downe the pegs, that make this musique,

922As honest as I am.

983923Oth. Come, let vs to the Castle:

984924Newes friends, our warres are done, the Turks are drownd:

986925How doe our old acquaintance of the Isle;

987926Honny, you shall be well desir'd in Cypres;

988927I haue found great loue amongst them: O my sweete,

989928I prattle out of fashion, and I dote,

990929In mine one comforts: I preethee good Iago,

991930Goe to the Bay, and disimbarke my Coffers;

992931Bring thou the Master to the Cittadell;

993932He is a good one, and his worthinesse,

994933Does challenge much respect: come Desdemona,

995934Once more well met at Cypres. Exit.

997935Iag. Doe thou meete me presently at the Harbour: come hither,

998936If thou beest valiant, as they say, base men being in loue, haue then

999937a Nobility in their natures, more then is natiue to them --- list me,

1000938the Leiutenant to night watches on the Court of Guard: first I will

1001939tell thee, this Desdemona is directly in loue with him.

1003940Rod. With him? why tis not possible.

1004941Iag. Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soule be instructed: marke

1005942me, with what violence she first lou'd the Moore, but for bragging,

1006943and telling her fantasticall lies; and will she loue him still for pra-

1007944ting? let not the discreet heart thinke so. Her eye must be fed, and

1008945what delight shall she haue to look on the Diuell? When the blood

1010946is made dull with the act of sport, there should be againe to inflame

1011947it, and giue saciety a fresh appetite. Loue lines in fauour, sympathy

1012948in yeares, manners and beauties; all which the Moore is defectiue in:

1013949now for want of these requir'd conueniences, her delicate tender-

1015950nesse will finde it selfe abus'd, beginne to heaue the gorge, disrellish

1016951and abhorre the Moore, very nature will instruct her to it, and com-

1017952pell her to some second choice: now sir, this granted, as it is a most

1018953pregnant and vnforced position, who stands so eminently in the de-

1019954gree of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knaue very voluble, no farder

1021955conscionable, then in putting on the meere forme of ciuill and hand-

1022956seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and hidden affecti-

1023957ons: A subtle slippery knaue, a finder out of occasions; that has an

1025958eye, can stampe and counterfeit the true aduantages neuer present

1026959themselues. Besides, the knaue is handsome, yong, and hath all those

1028960requisites in him that folly and green mindes look after; a pestilent

1029961compleate knaue, and the woman has found him already.

1031962Rod. I cannot beleeue that in her, shee's full of most blest con-

1033963dition.

1033.1963.1Iag. Blest figs end: the wine shee drinkes is made of grapes: if

1034964she had beene blest, she would neuer haue lou'd the Moore. Didst

1036965thou not see her paddle with the palme of his hand?

1038966Rod. Yes, but that was but courtesie.

1039967Iag. Lechery, by this hand: an Index and prologue to the hi-

1040968story of lust and foule thoughts: they met so neere with their lips,

1041969that their breathes embrac'd together. When these mutualities

1043970so marshall the way, hand at hand, comes the maine exercise, the in-

1044971corporate conclusion. But sir, be you rul'd by mee, I haue brought

1046972you from Venice: watch you to night, for your command I'le lay't

1047973vpon you, Cassio knowes you not, I'le not be farre from you, do you

1048974finde some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or

1050975tainting his discipline, or from what other cause you please; which

1051976the time shall more fauourably minister.

1053977Rod. Well.

1054978Iag. Sir he is rash, and very suddain in choler, and haply with his

1055979Trunchen may strike at you; prouoke him that he may, for euen out

1056980of that, will I cause these of Cypres to mutiny, whose quallification

1057981shall come into no true trust again't, but by the displanting of Cassio:

1058982So shall you haue a shorter iourney to your desires by the meanes I

1060983shal then haue to prefer them, & the impediment, most profitably re-

1061984mou'd, without which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

1063985Rod. I will doe this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.

1065986Iag. I warrant thee, meete me by and by at the Cittadell; I must

1066987fetch his necessaries ashore. --- Farewell.

1068988Rod. Adue. Exit.

1069989Iag. That Cassio loues her, I doe well beleeue it;

1070990That she loues him, tis apt and of great credit;

1071991The Moore howbe't, that I indure him not,

1072992Is of a constant, noble, louing nature;

1073993And I dare thinke, hee'le proue to Desdemona,

1074994A most deere husband: now I doe loue her too,

1075995Not out of absolute lust, tho peraduenture.

1076996I stand accountant for as great a sin,

1077997But partly lead to diet my reuenge,

1078998For that I doe suspect the lustfull Moore,

1079999Hath leap'd into my seate, the thought whereof

10801000Doth like a poisonous minerall gnaw my inwards,

10811001And nothing can, nor shall content my soule,

10821002Till I am euen with him, wife, for wife:

10831003Or failing so, yet that I put the Moore,

10841004At least, into a Iealousie so strong,

10851005That Iudgement cannot cure; which thing to doe,

10861006If this poore trash of Venice, whom I crush,

10871007For his quicke hunting, stand the putting on,

10881008I'le haue our Michael Cassio on the hip,

10891009Abuse him to the Moore, in the ranke garbe,

10901010(For I feare Cassio, with my nightcap to)

10911011Make the Moore thanke me, loue me, and reward me,

10921012For making him egregiously an Asse,

10931013And practising vpon his peace and quiet,

10941014Euen to madnesse: tis here, but yet confus'd,

10951015Knaueries plaine face is neuer seene, till vs'd.

10981018It is Othello's pleasure; our noble and valiant Generall, that vpon

10991019certaine tidings now arriued, importing the meere perdition of the

11001020Turkish Fleete; that euery man put himselfe into triumph: Some to

11011021dance, some make bonefires; each man to what sport and Re-

11031022uels his minde leades him; for besides these beneficiall newes, it

11041023is the celebration of his Nuptialls: So much was his pleasure

11051024should bee proclaimed. All Offices are open, and there is full

11061025liberty, from this present houre of fiue, till the bell hath told

11071026eleuen. Heauen blesse the Isle of Cypres, and our noble Generall

11081027Othello.

11111029Oth. Good Michael, looke you to the guard to night,

11121030Lets teach our selues the honourable stoppe,

11131031Not to out sport discretion.

11141032Cas. Iago hath directed what to doe:

11151033But notwithstanding with my personall eye

11161034Will I looke to it.

11171035Oth. Iago is most honest,

11181036Michael good night, to morrow with your earliest,

11191037Let me haue speech with you, come my deare loue,

11201038The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue,

11211039The profits yet to come twixt me and you,

11221040Good night. Exit Othello and Desdemona.

11241042Cas. Welcome Iago, we must to the watch.

11251043Iag. Not this houre Leiutenant, tis not yet ten aclock: our Ge-

11261044nerall cast vs thus early for the loue of his Desdemena. who let vs

11271045not therefore blame, hee hath not yet made wanton the night with

11281046her; and she is sport for Ioue.

11301047Cas. She is a most exquisite Lady.

11311048Iag. And I'le warrant her full of game.

11321049Cas. Indeede she is a most fresh and delicate creature.

11331050Iag. What an eye she has?

11341051Me thinkes it sounds a parly of prouocation.

11351052Cas. An inuiting eye, and yet me thinkes right moddest.

11371053Iag. And when she speakes, tis an alarme to loue.

1054Cas. It is indeede perfection.

11401055Iag. Well, happinesse to their sheetes ---come Leiutenant, I

11411056haue a stope of Wine, and heere without are a brace of Cypres Gal-

11421057lants, that would faine haue a measure to the health of the blacke

11431058Othello.

11441059Cas. Not to night, good Iago; I haue very poore and vnhappy

11451060braines for drinking: I could well wish courtesie would inuent some

11461061other custome of entertainement.

11481062Iag. O they are our friends, ---but one cup: I'le drink for you.

11501063Cas. I ha drunke but one cup to night, and that was craftily qua-

11511064lified to, and behold what innouation it makes here: I am vnfor-

11521065tunate in the infirmity, and dare not taske my weakenesse with

11531066any more.

11541067Iag. What man, tis a night of Reuells, the Gallants desire it.

11561068Cas. Where are they?

11571069Iag. Here at the dore, I pray you call them in.

11581070Cas. I'le do't, but it dislikes me. Exit.

11591071Iag. If I can fasten but one cup vpon him,

11601072With that which he hath drunke to night already,

11611073Hee'll be as full of quarrell and offence,

11621074As my young mistris dog: ---Now my sicke foole Roderigo,

11641075Whom loue has turn'd almost the wrong side outward,

11651076To Desdemona, hath to night caroust

11661077Potations pottle deepe, and hee's to watch

11671078Three lads of Cypres, noble swelling spirits,

11681079That hold their honour, in a wary distance,

11691080The very Elements of this warlike Isle,

11701081Haue I to night flustred with flowing cups,

11711082And the watch too: now mongst this flocke of drunkards,

11731083I am to put our Cassio in some action,

11741084That may offend the Isle; Enter Montanio, Cassio, and others.

1085But here they come:

11761086If consequence doe but approoue my dreame,

11771087My boate sailes freely, both with winde and streame.

11781088Cas. Fore God they haue giuen me a rouse already.

11791089Mon. Good faith a little one, not past a pint,

1090As I am a souldier. Iag. Some wine ho:

11821091And let me the Cannikin clinke, clinke,

11831092And let me the Cannikin clinke, clinke:

11841093A Souldier's a man, a life's but a span,

11851094Why then let a souldier drinke. ---Some wine boyes,

11871095Cas. Fore God an excellent song.

11881096Iag. I learn'd it in England, where indeed they are most potent

11891097in potting: your Dane, your Germaine, and your swag-bellied Hol-

11901098lander; drinke ho, are nothing to your English.

11921099Cas. Is your English man so expert in his drinking?

11941100Iag. Why he drinkes you with facillity, your Dane dead drunke:

11951101he sweats not to ouerthrow your Almaine; he giues your Hollander

11961102a vomit, ere the next pottle can be fild.

11981103Cas. To the health of our Generall.

11991104Mon. I am for it Leiutenant, and I will doe you iustice.

12001105Iag. O sweete England, ---King Stephen was a worthy peere,

12021106His breeches cost him but a crowne,

12031107He held'em sixpence all too deere,

12041108With that he cald the Taylor lowne,

12051109He was a wight of high renowne,

12061110And thou art but of low degree,

12071111Tis pride that puls the Countrey downe,

12081112Then take thine owd cloke about thee. ---Some wine ho.

12101113Cas. Fore God this is a more exquisite song then the other.

12121114Iag. Will you hear't agen?

12131115Cas. No, for I hold him vnworthy of his place, that does those

12141116things: well, God's aboue all, and there bee soules that must bee

12161117saued.

12171118Iag. It is true good Leiutenant.

12181119Cas. For mine own part, no offence to the Generall, nor any man

12191120of quality, I hope to be saued.

12201121Iag. And so doe I Leiutenant.

12211122Cas. I, but by your leaue, not before me; the Leiutenant is to be

12221123saued before the Ancient. Let's ha no more of this, let's to our af-

12231124faires: God forgiue vs our sins: Gentlemen, let's looke to our busi-

12241125nesse; Doe not thinke Gentlemen I am drunke, this is my Ancient,

12251126this is my right hand, and this is my left hand: I am not drunke now,

12271127I can stand well enough, and speake well enough.

12281128All. Excellent well.

12291129Cas. Very well then: you must not thinke, that I am drunke. Ex.

12311130Mon. To the plotforme maisters. Come, let's set the watch.

12331131Iag. You see this fellow that is gone before,

12341132He is a Souldier fit to stand by Caesar,

12351133And giue direction: and doe but see his vice,

12361134Tis to his vertue, a iust equinox,

12371135The one as long as th'other: tis pitty of him,

12381136I feare the trust Othello put him in,

12391137On some odde time of his infirmity,

12401138Will shake this Island.

12411139Mon. But is he often thus.

12421140Iag. Tis euermore the Prologue to his sleepe:

12431141Hee'le watch the horolodge a double set,

12441142If drinke rocke not his cradle.

12451143Mon. Twere well the Generall were put in minde of it,

12471144Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature,

12481145Praises the vertues that appeares in Cassio,

12491146And looke not on his euills: is not this true?

12511147Iag. How now Roderigo, Enter Roderigo.

12521148I pray you after the Leiutenant, goe. Exit Rod.

12531149Mon. And tis great pitty that the noble Moore

12541150Should hazard such a place, as his owne second,

12551151With one of an ingraft infirmity:

12561152It were an honest action to say so to the Moore.

12581153Iag. Nor I, for this faire Island:

12591154I doe loue Cassio well, and would doe much, Helpe, helpe, within.

12601155To cure him of this euill: but harke, what noyse.

12621157Cas. Zouns, you rogue, you rascall.

12631158Mon. What's the matter Leiutenant?

12641159Cas. A knaue, teach mee my duty: but I'le beate the knaue into

12651160a wicker bottle.

12661161Rod. Beate me?

12671162Cas. Doest thou prate rogue?

12681163Mon. Good Leiutenant; pray sir hold your hand.

12701164Cas. Let me goe sir, or ile knocke you ore the mazzard.

12721165Mon. Come, come, you are drunke.

12731166Cas. Drunke? they fight.

12741167Iag. Away I say, goe out and cry a muteny. A bell rung.

12751168Nay good Leiutenant: godswill Gentlemen,

12761169Helpe ho, Leiutenant: Sir Montanio, sir,

12771170Helpe maisters, here's a goodly watch indeed,

12781171Who's that that rings the bell? Diablo --- ho,

12791172The Towne will rise, godswill Leiutenant, hold,

12801173You will be sham'd for euer.

12821175Oth. What is the matter here?

12831176Mon. Zouns, I bleed still, I am hurt, to the death:

12841177Oth. Hold, for your liues.

12851178Iag. Hold, hold Leiutenant, sir Montanio, Gentlemen,

12861179Haue you forgot all place of sence, and duty:

12871180Hold, the Generall speakes to you; hold, hold, for shame.

12881181Oth. Why how now ho, from whence arises this?

12891182Are we turn'd Turkes, and to our selues doe that,

12901183Which Heauen has forbid the Ottamites:

12911184For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawle;

12921185He that stirres next, to carue forth his owne rage,

12931186Holds his soule light, he dies vpon his motion;

12941187Silence that dreadfull bell, it frights the Isle

12951188From her propriety: what's the matter masters?

12961189Honest Iago, that lookes dead with grieuing,

12971190Speake, who began this, on thy loue I charge thee.

12981191Iag. I doe not know, friends all but now, euen now,

12991192In quarter, and in termes, like bride and groome,

13001193Deuesting them to bed, and then but now,

13011194As if some plannet had vnwitted men,

13021195Swords out, and tilting one at others breast,

13031196In opposition bloody. I cannot speake

13041197Any beginning to this peeuish odds;

13051198And would in action glorious, I had lost

13061199These legges, that brought me to a part of it.

13071200Oth. How came it Michael, you were thus forgot?

13081201Cas. I pray you pardon me, I cannot speake.

13091202Oth. Worthy Montanio, you were wont to be ciuill,

13101203The grauity and stilnesse of your youth,

13111204The world hath noted, and your name is great,

13121205In men of wisest censure: what's the matter

13131206That you vnlace your reputation thus,

13141207And spend your rich opinion, for the name

13151208Of a night brawler? giue me answer to't?

13161209Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger,

13171210Your Officer Iago can informe you,

13181211While I spare speech, which something now offends me,

13191212Of all that I doe know, nor know I ought

13201213By me, that's sed or done amisse this night,

13211214Vnlesse selfe-charity be sometime a vice,

13221215And to defend our selues it be a sinne,

13231216When violence assayles vs.

13241217Oth. Now by heauen

13251218My blood begins my safer guides to rule,

13261219And passion hauing my best iudgement coold,

13271220Assayes to leade the way. Zouns, if I stirre,

13281221Or doe but lift this arme, the best of you

13291222Shall sinke in my rebuke: giue me to know

13301223How this foule rout began, who set it on,

13311224And he that is approou'd in this offence,

13321225Tho he had twin'd with me, both at a birth,

13331226Shall loose me; what, in a Towne of warre,

13341227Yet wild, the peoples hearts brim full of feare,

13351228To mannage priuate and domesticke quarrels,

13361229In night, and on the Court and guard of safety?

13371230Tis monstrous. Iago, who began?

13381231Mon. If partiality affin'd, or league in office,

13391232Thou doest deliuer, more or lesse then truth,

13401233Thou art no souldier.

13411234Iag. Touch me not so neere,

13421235I had rather ha this tongue out from my mouth,

13431236Then it should doe offence to Michael Cassio:

13441237Yet I perswade my selfe to speake the truth,

13451238Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is Generall:

13461239Montanio and my selfe being in speech,

13471240There comes a fellow, crying out for helpe,

13481241And Cassio following him with determin'd sword,

13491242To execute vpon him: Sir this Gentleman

13501243Steps in to Cassio, and intreates his pause;

13511244My selfe the crying fellow did pursue,

13521245Lest by his clamour, as it so fell out,

13531246The Towne might fall in fright: he swift of foote,

13541247Out ran my purpose: and I returnd the rather,

13551248For that I heard the clinke and fall of swords:

13561249And Cassio high in oaths, which till to night,

13571250I ne're might see before: when I came backe,

13581251For this was briefe, I found them close together,

13591252At blow and thrust, euen as agen they were,

13601253When you your selfe did part them.

13611254More of this matter can I not report,

13621255But men are men, the best sometimes forget;

13631256Tho Cassio did some little wrong to him,

13641257As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

13651258Yet surely Cassio, I beleeue receiu'd

13661259From him that fled, some strange indignity,

13671260Which patience could not passe.

13681261Oth. I know Iago,

13691262Thy honesty and loue doth mince this matter,

13701263Making it light to Cassio: Cassio, I loue thee,

13711264But neuer more be Officer of mine. Enter Desdemona, with others.

13731265Looke if my Gentle loue be not raisde vp:

13741266I'le make thee an example.

13751267Desd. What is the matter?

13761268Oth. All's well now sweeting:

13771269Come away to bed: sir, for your hurts,

13781270My selfe will be your surgeon; leade him off;

13791271Iago, looke with care about the Towne,

13801272And silence those, whom this vile brawle distracted.

13811273Come Desdemona: tis the Souldiers life,

13821274To haue their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife,

13831275Iag, What are you hurt Leiutenant?

13841277Cas. I, past all surgery.

13851278Iag. Mary God forbid.

13861279Cas. Reputation, reputation, I ha lost my reputation:

13871280I ha lost the immortall part sir of my selfe,

13881281And what remaines is beastiall, my reputation,

13891282Iago, my reputation.

13901283Iag. As I am an honest man, I thought you had receiu'd some

13911284bodily wound, there is more offence in that, then in Reputation: re-

13921285putation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit,

13931286and lost without deseruing, You haue lost no reputation at all, vn-

13941287lesse you repute your selfe such a loser; what man, there are wayes

13961288to recouer the Generall agen: you are but now cast in his moode, a

13971289punishment more in pollicy, then in malice, euen so, as one would

13981290beate his offencelesse dog, to affright an imperious Lyon: sue to

14001291him againe, and hees yours.

14011292Cas. I will rather sue to be despis'd, then to deceiue so good a

14021293Commander, with so light, so drunken, and indiscreete an Officer:

14051294O thou inuisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to bee knowne

14061295by, let vs call thee Diuell.

14081296Iag. What was he, that you followed with your sword?

14091297What had he done to you?

14101298Cas. I know not.

14111299Iag. Ist possible?

14121300Cas. I remember a masse of things, but nothing distinctly; a

14131301quarrell, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an

14141302enemy in there mouthes, to steale away there braines; that wee

14151303should with ioy, Reuell, pleasure, and applause, transforme our

14161304selues into beasts.

14171305Iag. Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus

14181306recouered?

14191307Cas. It hath pleasde the Diuell drunkennesse, to giue place to

14201308the Diuell wrath; one vnperfectnesse, shewes me another, to make

14211309me frankely despise my selfe.

14221310Iag. Come, you are too seuere a morraler; as the time, the place,

14231311the condition of this Countrey stands, I could heartily wish, this

14241312had not so befalne; but since it is as it is, mend it, for your own good.

14261313Cas. I will aske him for my place againe, hee shall tell me I am a

14271314drunkard: had I as many mouthes as Hydra, such an answer would

14281315stop em all: to be now a sensible man, by and by a foole, and pre-

14291316sently a beast. Euery vnordinate cup is vnblest, and the ingredience

14311317is a diuell.

14321318Iag. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be

14331319well vs'd; exclaime no more against it; and good Leiutenant, I

14341320thinke you thinke I loue you.

14361321Cas. I haue well approou'd it sir, ---I drunke?

14371322Iag. You, or any man liuing may bee drunke at some time: I'le

14381323tell you what you shall do, --our Generals wife is now the Gene-

14391324rall; I may say so in this respect, for that he has deuoted and giuen vp

14401325himselfe to the contemplation, marke and deuotement of her parts

14421326and graces. Confesse your selfe freely to her, importune her, shee'll

14431327helpe to put you in your place againe: she is so free, so kind, so apt,

14441328so blessed a disposition, that shee holds it a vice in her goodnesse,

14451329not to doe more then shee is requested. This braule betweene

14471330you and her husband, intreate her to splinter, and my fortunes

14481331against any lay, worth naming, this cracke of your loue

14491332shall grow stronger then twas before.

14501333Cas. You aduise me well.

14511334Iag. I protest in the sincerity of loue and honest kindnesse.

14531335Cas. I thinke it freely, and betimes in the morning, will I be-

14541336seech the vertuous Desdemona, to vndertake for me; I am desperate

14551337of my fortunes, if they checke me here.

14561338Iag. You are in the right:

1339Good night Leiutenant, I must to the watch.

14581340Cas. Good night honest Iago. Exit.