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  • Title: Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)
  • Editor: Donald Bailey
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-466-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Donald Bailey
    Peer Reviewed

    Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)

    31
    The Moore of Venice.

    1165To Desdemona, hath to night caroust
    Potations pottle deepe, and hee's to watch
    Three lads of Cypres, noble swelling spirits,
    That hold their honour, in a wary distance,
    The very Elements of this warlike Isle,
    1170Haue I to night flustred with flowing cups,
    And the watch too: now mongst this flocke of drunkards,
    I am to put our Cassio in some action,
    That may offend the Isle; Enter Montanio, Cassio, and others.
    But here they come:
    If consequence doe but approoue my dreame,
    My boate sailes freely, both with winde and streame.
    Cas. Fore God they haue giuen me a rouse already.
    Mon. Good faith a little one, not past a pint,
    As I am a souldier. Iag. Some wine ho:
    And let me the Cannikin clinke, clinke,
    And let me the Cannikin clinke, clinke:
    A Souldier's a man, a life's but a span,
    1185Why then let a souldier drinke. ---Some wine boyes,
    Cas. Fore God an excellent song.
    Iag. I learn'd it in England, where indeed they are most potent
    in potting: your Dane, your Germaine, and your swag-bellied Hol-
    1190lander; drinke ho, are nothing to your English.
    Cas. Is your English man so expert in his drinking?
    Iag. Why he drinkes you with facillity, your Dane dead drunke:
    1195he sweats not to ouerthrow your Almaine; he giues your Hollander
    a vomit, ere the next pottle can be fild.
    Cas. To the health of our Generall.
    Mon. I am for it Leiutenant, and I will doe you iustice.
    1200Iag. O sweete England, ---King Stephen was a worthy peere,
    His breeches cost him but a crowne,
    He held'em sixpence all too deere,
    With that he cald the Taylor lowne,
    1205He was a wight of high renowne,
    And thou art but of low degree,
    Tis pride that puls the Countrey downe,
    Then take thine owd cloke about thee. ---Some wine ho.
    Cas.
    E 4