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.

14601341Iag. And what's he then, that sayes I play the villaine,

14621342When this aduice is free I giue, and honest,

14631343Proball to thinking, and indeed the course,

14641344To win the Moore agen? For tis most easie

14661345The inclining Desdemona to subdue,

14671346In any honest suite, she's fram'd as fruitfull,

14681347As the free Elements: and then for her

14691348To win the Moore. wer't to renounce his baptisme,

14701349All seales and symbols of redeemed sin,

14711350His soule is so infetter'd to her loue,

14721351That she may make, vnmake, doe what she list,

14731352Euen as her appetite shall play the god

14741353With his weake function: how am I then a villaine?

14751354To counsell Cassio to this parrallell course.

14761355Directly to his good: diuinity of hell,

14771356When diuells will their blackest sins put on,

14781357They doe suggest at first with heauenly shewes,

14791358As I doe now: for while this honest foole

14801359Plyes Desdemona to repaire his fortunes,

14811360And she for him, pleades strongly to the Moore:

14821361I'le poure this pestilence into his eare,

14831362That she repeales him for her bodyes lust;

14841363And by how much she striues to doe him good,

14851364She shall vndoe her credit with the Moore,

14861365So will I turne her vertue into pitch,

14871366And out of her owne goodnesse make the net

14881367That shall enmesh em all: Enter Roderigo.

14891368How now Roderigo?

14911369Rod. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but

14921370one that filles vp the cry: my money is almost spent, I ha bin to night

14941371exceedingly well cudgeld: I thinke the issue will be, I shall haue so

14951372much experience for my paines, as that comes to, and no money at

14961373all, and with that wit returne to Venice.

14981374Iag. How poore are they, that ha not patience?

14991375What wound did euer heale, but by degrees?

15001376Thou knowest we worke by wit, and not by wichcraft,

15011377And wit depends on dilatory time.

15021378Do'st not goe well? Cassio has beaten thee,

15031379And thou, by that small hurt, hast casheird Cassio,

15041380Tho other things grow faire against the sun,

15051381But fruites that blosome first, will first be ripe,

15061382Content thy selfe awhile; bi'the masse tis morning;

15071383Pleasure, and action, make the houres seeme short:

15081384Retire thee, goe where thou art bill ted,

15091385Away I say, thou shalt know more hereafter:

15101386Nay get thee gon. Some things are to be done,

15121387My wife must moue for Cassio to her mistris,

15131388I'le set her on.

1389My selfe awhile, to draw the Moore apart,

15141390And bring him iumpe, when he may Cassio finde,

15151391Soliciting his wife: I, that's the way,

15161392Dull not deuise by coldnesse and delay.