300

Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure

I stand accountant for as great a sin,
But partly led to diet my revenge,

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof

Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards;

And nothing can or shall content my soul

Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife;

Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor

At least into a jealousy so strong

That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,

If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash

311

For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,

Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb;

For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;

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

For making him egregiously an ass

And practising upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused: 319

Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.

Scene II.
A street.

[Exit.

Enter a Herald with a proclamation; People following. Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him: for,

besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration
of his nuptial. So much was his pleasure should
be proclaimed. All offices are open, and there
is full liberty of feasting from this present hour 10
of five till the bell have told eleven. Heaven
bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general
Othello!

[Exeunt.

Scene III.

A hall in the castle.

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night :
Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to outsport discretion.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do;

Oth.

But notwithstanding with my personal eye
Will I look to't.

Iago is most honest.

Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest
Let me have speech with you. Come, my dear love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;

That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.

Good night.

[Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants.

Enter lago.

Cas. Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.
lago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the
clock. Our general cast us thus early for the
love of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore

blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night
with her, and she is sport for Jove.

Cas. She's a most exquisite lady.
Iago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game.
Cas. Indeed she's a most fresh and delicate creature.
lago. What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a
parley to provocation.

Cas. An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.
Iago. And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to

love?

Cas. She is indeed perfection.

20

lago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black 30 Othello.

Cas. Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

lago. O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for you.

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the 40 infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.

lago. What, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants desire it.

Cas. Where are they?

lago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me.

[Exit. lago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him,

With that which he hath drunk to-night already,
He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
50
As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool

Roderigo,

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,
To Desdemona hath to-night caroused

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 of

drunkards,

Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle. But here they come :
If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

60

Re-enter Cassio; with him Montano and Gentlemen ;
Servants following with wine.

Cas. 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.
Mon. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I

A life's but a span;

Why then let a soldier drink.

Some wine, boys!

Cas. 'Fore God, an excellent song.

lago. I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander, Drink, ho!— are nothing to your English.

Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?
Iago. Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane 80
dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your
Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit ere
the next pottle can be filled.

Cas. To the health of our general!
Mon. I am for it, lieutenant, and I'll do you justice.
lago. O sweet England!

[Sings]

King Stephen was a worthy peer,

His breeches cost him but a crown;

He held them sixpence all too dear,
With that he call'd the tailor lown.

He was a wight of high renown,
And thou art but of low degree :
'Tis pride that pulls the country down;
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

Some wine, ho!

Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the cther.

lago. Will you hear't again?

Cas. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things.

90

Well: God's above IoO

all; and there be souls must be saved, and there
be souls must not be saved.

lago. It's true, good lieutenant.

Cas. For mine own part-no offence to the general, nor any man of quality-I hope to be saved.