Enter a third GENTLEMAN.

3 Gent. News, lords! our wars are done; The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks, [Venice That their designment halts: A noble ship of Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance On most part of their fleet.

Mon. How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in, A Veronese; Michael Cassio, Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello, Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at sea, And is in full commission here for Cyprus. Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor. 3 Gent. But this same Cassio,-though he speak of comfort, Touching the Turkish loss,-yet he looks sadly, [parted And prays the Moor be safe; for they were With foul and violent tempest.

Mon. 'Pray heaven he be;

For I have serv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full soldier. Let's to the sea-side, ho!

As well to see the vessel that's come in,
As throw out our eyes for brave Othello;
Even till we make the main, and the aerial
An indistinct regard.
[blue,

3 Gent. Come, let's do so; For every minute is expectancy Of more arrivance.

Enter CASSIO.

Cas. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike

isle,

That so approve the Moor; O, let the heavens
Give him defence against the elements,
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea!
Mon. Is he well shipp'd?

Cas. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his
pilot

Of very expert and approv'd allowance ;+
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure.

[Within.] A sail, a sail, a sail!

Enter another GENTLEMAN.

Cas. What noise?

4 Gent. The town is empty; on the brow

o'the sea

Stand ranks of people, and they cry—a sail.
Cas. My hopes do shape him for the gover-

nor.

2 Gent. They do discharge their shot of cour-
tesy:
[Guns heard.

Our friends, at least.

Cas. I pray you, Sir, go forth, And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd. 2 Gent. I shall.

[Exit. Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general

wiv'd?

Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a
maid

That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in the essential vesture of creation,
Does bear all excellency -How now? who
has put in?

Re-enter second GENTLEMAN.

2 Gent. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general. Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed: [winds, Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling * Complete.

947
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,-
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,-
As having scase of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mon. What is she?

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain s captain,

guard,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A se'enight's speed.-Great Jove, Othello
[breath;
And swell his sail with thine own powerful
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort !-O, behold,
Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO,
und Attendants.

The riches of the ship is come on shore!
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees;—
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round.

What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Des. I thank you, valiant Cassio.

Cus. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.
Des. O, but I fear;-How lost you com-
pany?

Cas. The great contention of the sea and Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a sail. skies [Cry within, Á sail, à sail! Then Guns heard.

2 Gent. They give their greeting to the citaThis likewise is a friend.

[del
Good ancient, you are welcome;-Welcome
Cas. See for the news. [Exit GENTLEMAN
mistress:-
[To EMILIA

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners: 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
[Kissing her

lago. Sir, would she give you so much o
her lips,

As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You'd have enough.

Des. Alas, she has no speech.
lago. In faith, too much;

I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emil. You have little cause to say so.
lago. Come on, come on; you are pictures
out of doors,
[chens,
Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kit-
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives
in your beds.

Des. O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

lago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk; You rise to play, and go to bed to work. Emil. You shall not write my praise. lago. No, let me not.

Des. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?

lago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
For I am nothing, if not critical.

Des. Come on, assay :-There's one gone to
the harbour.
lago. Ay, madam.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile

+ Allowed and approved expertness,

Des. Well praised! How if she be black and witty?

Iago. If she be black, and thereto have
wit,

She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
Des. Worse and worse.

Emil. How, if fair and foolish?

a

lago. She never yet was foolish that was fair;

For even her folly help'd her to an heir.

Des. These are old fond paradoxes, to make fools laugh i' the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish? Iago. There's none so foul, and foolish thereunto,

But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

Des. O heavy ignorance-thou praisest the worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed! ons, that, in the anthority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of every malice itself?

Iago. She that was ever fair, and never
proud;

Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud;
Never lack'd gold, and yet went never gay;
Fled from her wish, and yet said,- now I may;
She that, being anger'd, her

nigh,

revenge

being

Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly:
She, that in wisdom never was so frail,

To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
She that could think, and ne'er disclose

mind,

See suitors following, and not look behind;
She was a wight,-if ever such wight were,-
Des. To do what?

her

Iago. To suckle fools, and zhronicle small beer.

Des. O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy hus band.-How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal + counsellor ?

Cas. He speaks home madam; you may relish him more in the soldier, than in the scholar.

lago. [Aside.] He takes her by the palm: Ay, well said, whisper: with as little a web as this, will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve‡ thee in thine own courtship. You say true; 'tis so indeed if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenancy, it had been better you had no kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again, you are most apt to play the Sir in. § Very good; well kissed! an excellent courtesy ! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? would that they were clyster pipes for your sake![Trumpet.] The Moor, I know his

trumpet.

Cas. Tis truly so.

Des. Let's meet him and receive him.

Cas. Lo, where he comes:

Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants.

Oth. O my fair warrior!

Des. My dear Othello!

Oth. It gives me wonder great as my com
tent,

To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have waken'd
death!

And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas,
Olympus-high; and duck again as low

As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
My soul hath her content so absolute,
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.

But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow!

Des. The heavens forbid,

Oth. Amen to that, sweet powers!—
I cannot speak enough of this content,
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
And this, and this, the greatest discords be,
[Kissing her,

That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iugo. O, you are well tun'd now!
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
[Aside.

As honest as I am.

Oth. Come, let's to the castle.-
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks
are drown'd.

How do our old acquaintance of this isle?-
Honey, you shall be well desir'd* in Cyprus,
I have found great love amongst them. O

my sweet,

I prattle out of fashion,+ and I dote

In mine own comforts.-I pr'ythee, good Iago,
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
Does challenge much respect.-Come, Desde-
Once more well met at Cyprus.

[mona,

[Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, und Attendants.

Jago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'st valiant,-as (they say) base men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them,-list me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard :-First, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Rod. With him? why, 'tis not possible.

lago. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies: And will she love him still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed; and what de light shall she have to look on the devil When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be,-again to inflame it, and to give satiety a fresh appetite,-loveliness in favour; sympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: Now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now, Sir, this granted, (as it is a most pregnant and Much solicited by invitation. + Out of method, without order.

*Listen to me

saved.
[Exit CASSIO.
Iago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk to-night_al-
ready,

He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick
fool, Roderigo,

Whom love has turn'd' almost the wrong side
outward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this warlike isle,-
Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,
And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock

Cas. Why, very well, then: you must not think then that I am drunk. [Exit. Mon. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.

Iago. You see this fellow, that is gone be
fore;-

He is a soldier, fit to stand by Cesar
And give direction: and do but see his vice;
The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
"Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
I fear, the trust Othello puts him in,
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island.

Mon. But is he often thus?

Iago. "Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
If drink rock not his cradle.
He'll watch the horologe a double set á

Mon. It were well,

The general were put in mind of it.

And let me the cunakin clink, clink; [Sings. Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature

Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
And looks not on his evils; Is not this true?

* Slily mixed with water. † A little more than enough. While the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty

To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noise?

[Cry within,—Help! help!

Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO.

Cas. You rogue! you rascal!

Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty!
I'll beat the knave into a twiggen* bottle.
Rod. Beat me!

Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue?
[Striking RODERIGO.
Mon. Nay, good lieutenant, [Staying him.
I pray you, Sir, hold your hand.
Cas. Let me go, Sir,
Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mon. Come, come, you're drunk.
Cas. Drunk!

[They fight.
Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mu-
tiny!
[Aside to ROD. who goes out.
Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,-
Help, ho! - Lieutenant, — Sir,-Montano,
Help, masters!-Here's a goodly watch, in-
deed!
[Bell rings.
Who's that that rings the bell ?-Diablo, ho!
The town will rise, God's will, lieutenant!
You will be sham'd for ever.
[hold;

Sir ;

Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants.

Oth. What is the matter here?

Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;
Your officer, lago, can inform you-
While I spare speech, which something now
offends me ;-

Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
By me that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity* be sometime a vice;
And to defend ourselves it be a sin,
When violence assails us.

Oth. Now, by heaven,

My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
And passion, having my best judgement col-
Assays to lead the way: If once I stir, [lied,t
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approv'd in this offence,
Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a
Shall lose me.-What! in a town of war,
birth,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
'Tis monstrous.-Iago, who began it?

Mon. If partially affin'd,§ or leagu'd in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

lago. Touch me not so near: [mouth, I had rather have this tongue cut from my Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio; Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him.-Thus it is, general.

Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death;- Montano and myself being in speech,

he dies.

even now,

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
Devesting them for bed: and then, but now,
(As if some planet had unwitted men,)
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And 'would in action glorious I had lost
These legs, that brought me to a part of it!
Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus
forgot?t

Cas. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be
civil;

The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure; What's the mat-
That you unlace your reputation thus, [ter,
And spend your rich opinion, for the name
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.

There comes a fellow, crying out for help;
And Cassio following him with determin'd
sword,

To execute upon him: Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause;
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
Lest, by his clamour, (as it so fell out,)
The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
And Cassio high in oath; which, till to-night,
I ne'er might say before: when I came back,
(For this was brief,) I found them close toge-
ther,

At blow, and thrust: even as again they were,
More of this matter can I not report :—
When you yourself did part them.
But men are men; the best sometimes for-
get:-
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,-
As men in rage strike those that wish them
best,-

From him that fled, some strange indignity,
Yet, surely, Cassio, I believe, receiv'd,
Which patience could not pass.

Oth. I know, lago,

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio:-Cassio, 1 love
But never more be officer of mine.-- [thee;
Enter DESDEMONA, attended.

Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up ;-
I'll make thee an example.

Des. What's the matter, dear?
Oth. All's well now, sweeting; Come away
to bed.

Sir, for your hurts,
Myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off.
[To MONTANO who is led off.
Iago, look with care about the town;
And silence those whom this vile brawl dis-
tracted.-