Iago. And so do I too, lieutenant. Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this; let's to our affairs. God forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let's look to IIO our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk: this is my ancient: this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak well enough.

All. Excellent well.

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.

lago. You see this fellow that is gone before;

Mon.

He is a soldier fit to stand by Cæsar

And give direction: and do but see his vice;

'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,

The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.

I fear the trust Othello puts him in

On some odd time of his infirmity

Will shake this island.

120

But is he often thus?

130

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

Mon.

It were well

The general were put in mind of it.
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?

Enter Roderigo.

Iago. [Aside to him] How now, Roderigo!

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. (Exit Roderigo.

Mon. And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor

Should hazard such a place as his own second

With one of an ingraft infirmity :

It were an honest action to say

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So to the Moor.

Iago.

Not I, for this fair island :

I do love Cassio well, and would do much

To cure him of this evil :-But, hark! what noise ?

[A cry within: 'Help! help!'

Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.

Cas. 'Zounds! you rogue! you rascal!

Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant ?

Cas. A knave teach me my duty! But I'll beat the

knave into a wicker bottle.

Rod. Beat me!

Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue?

[Striking Roderigo. 150

Mon. Nay, good lieutenant; 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.

lago. [Aside to Roderigo] Away, I say; go out, and cry a

mutiny.

[Exit Roderigo.

Nay, good lieutenant! God's will, gentlemen!
Help, ho!-Lieutenant, sir, - Montano,-sir ;-

Help, masters!-Here's a goodly watch indeed!

[A bell rings.

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

The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold; 160
You will be shamed for ever.

Oth.

Re-enter Othello and Attendants.

What is the matter here?

[Faints.

Mon. 'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.

Oth. Hold, for your lives!

lago. Hold, ho! Lieutenant, - sir, - Montano, - gentle

men,

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?
Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!

Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites ?

For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:

He that stirs next to carve for his own rage

171

Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters ?
Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.

lago. I do not know: friends all but now, 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
Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot

180

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 matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus,
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

190

Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
Your officer, Iago, 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 sometimes a vice,
And to defend ourselves it be a sin

200

When violence assails us.

Oth.

Now, by heaven,

My blood begins my safer guides to rule, And passion, having my best judgement collied, Assays to lead the way: if I once stir, 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 approved in this offence, Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth, 210 Shall lose me. What, in a town of war, Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear, To manage private and domestic quarrel, In night, and on the court and guard of safety! 'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began 't? Mon. If partially affined, or leagued in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,

Thou art no soldier.

lago.

Touch me not so near:

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
Montano and myself being in speech,

There comes a fellow crying out for help,

220

And Cassio following him with determined 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,

229

Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
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 together,

At blow and thrust; even as again they were

When you yourself did part them.
More of this matter cannot I report :

But men are men; the best sometimes forget :
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

240

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

I know, Iago,

Oth.

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.