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And this, and this, the greatest difcords be

[Kifling ber

Jage. 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; That e'er our hearts fhall make ! Fled from her with, and yet faid,now I Lago. O, you are well tun'd now! may; [nigh, But I'll let down the pegs that make this mufic, She that, being anger'd, her revenge being As honeft as I am. [Afide Bade her wrong stay, and her difpleasure

Ay;

She that in wisdom never was fo frail,

tail 1;

She that could think, and ne'er difclofe her
See fuitors following, and not look behind;
She was a wight,-if ever fuch wight

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

To change the cod's head for the falmon's How do our old acquaintance of this ifle ?-
[mind, Honey, you shall be well defir'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 difembark my coffers:
Bring thou the mafter to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.-Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

were,

Def. To do what?

Iago. To fuckle fools, and chronicle small beer 2. Def. O mott lame and impotent conclufion! Do not learn of him, Æmilia, though he be thy husband. How fay you, Caffio? is he not a moft profane 3 and liberal 4 counfellor ?

Caf. He fpeaks home, madam; you may relifh him more in the foldier, than in the fcholar.

[Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'ft valiant; as (they fay) bafe men, being in love, have then a nobility in Iago. [Afide.] He takes her by the palm: Ay, their natures more than is native to them,-lift well faid, whiper: with as little a web as this, me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the will I enfnare as great a fly as Catlio. Ay, court of guard 7-First, I muft tell thee this, fmile upon her, do; I will gyves thee in thine-Defdemona is directly in love with him. own courtship. You fay true; 'tis fo, indeed: Rod. With him! why, 'tis not poflible. if fuch tricks as thefe ftrip you out of your lieu- Iago. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy foul be tenantry, it had been better you had not kifs'd your inftructed. Mark me with what violence the first three fingers fo oft, which now again you are lov'd the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her moft apt to play the fir in. Very good; well fantastical lies: And will the love him still for kifs'd! an excellent courtesy! 'tis fo indeed. prating? let not thy difcreet heart think it. Yet again your fingers to your lips? 'would, they were clyfter-pipes for your fake !The Moor, I know his trumpet.

Caf. 'Tis truly fo.

Def. Let's meet him, and receive him.
Caf. Lo, where he comes!

Enter Othello, and Attendants.

Oth. O my fair warrior!

Def. My dear Othello!

[Trumpet.

Otb. It gives me wonder great as my content,
To fee you here before me. O my foul's joy!
If after every tempeft come fuch calmness,
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
And let the labouring bark climb hills of feas,
Olympus high; and duck again as low

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

Def. The heavens forbid,
But that our loves and comforts should encreafe,
Even as our days do grow!

Oth. Amen to that, fweet powers!-
I cannot fpeak enough of this content,
It stops me here; it is too much of joy ;

Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of fport, there fhould be,again to inflame it, and to give fatiety a fresh appetite,-lovelinefs in favour; fympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: Now, for want of thefe required conveniences, her delicate tendernefs will find itself abus'd, begin to heave the gorge, difrelifh and abhor the Moor; very nature will inftruct her in it, and compel her to fome fecond choice. Now, fir, this granted, (as it is a moft pregnant and unforc'd pofition) who ftands fo eminently in the degree of this fortune, as Caffio does; a knave very voluble; no farther confcionable, than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane feeming, for the better compaffing of his falt and moft hidden loofe affection? Why, none; why, none: A flippery and subtle knave; a finder out of occafions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never prefent itfelf: A devilish knave! Befides, the knave is handfome, young; and hath all those requifites in him, that folly and green minds 9 look after: A peftilent complete knave; and the woiman hath found him already.

2 i. e. to keep the accounts of a household.
4 i. e. a licentious talker.

3 i. e.

si. e. catch,

I i. e. to exchange a delicacy for coarfer fare. grofs of language, of expreflion broad and brutal. thackle. i. c. out of method, without any fettled order of difcourfe. 7 i. e. the place where the guard muters. 8i, c, on thy mouth, to ftop it while thou art liftening to a wifer man. 9 Minds not yet fully formed.

Rod.

Rod. I cannot believe that in her; fhe is full off Or, failing fo, yet that I put the Moor moft blefs'd condition .

Iago. Blefs'd figs' end! the wine the drinks is made of grapes: if he had been blefs'd, the would never have lov'd the Moor: Biefs'd pudding! Didit thou not fee her paddle in the palm of his hand? didft not mark that?

Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtefy. Jugo. Lechery, by this hand! an index, and obfcure prologue 2 to the hiftory of luft and foul thoughts. They met fo near with their lips, that their breaths embrac'd together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! When thefe mutualities fo marthal the way, hard at hand comes the mafter and main exercife, the incorporate conclufion : Pish-But, fir, be you rul'd by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night;| for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Caffio knows you not ;-I'll not be far from you: Do you find fome occafion to anger Caffio, either by fpeaking too loud, or tainting his difcipline 3; or from what other courfe you pleafe, which the time shall more favourably minifter.

Rod. Well.

Iago. Sir, he is rafh, and very fudden in choler; and, haply, with his truncheon may ftrike at you: Provoke him, that he may: for, even out of that, will I caufe thefe of Cyprus to mutiny whofe qualification fhall come into no true tafte 5 again, but by the difplanting of Caflio. So fhall you! have a fhorter journey to your defires, by the means I thall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our profperity.

Rod. I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.

Lugo. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I muft fetch his neceflaries afhore. Parewel.

Rad. Adieu.

[Exit.

Iago. That Caffio loves her, I do well believe it;
That the loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit:
The Moor-howbeit that I endure him not,-
Is of a conftant, loving, noble nature▷
And, I dare think, he'll prove to Deídemona
A moft dear husband. Now I do love her too;
Not out of abfolute luft, (though, peradventure,
I ftand: ccountant for as great a fin)
But partly led to diet my revenge,
For that I do fufpect the lufty Moor
Hath leap'd into my feat: The thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards:
And nothing can or fhall content my foul,
'Till I am even with him, wife for wife;

At least into a jealousy fo ftrong

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,-
If this poor trath of Venice, whom I trash 7
For his quick hunting, ftand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Caffio on the hips;
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb 9,—
For 1 fear Caffio with my night-cap too;
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me,
For making him egregiously an afs,
And practifing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madnefs. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd;
Knavery's plain face is never feen, 'till us'd. [Exa.
SCENE II.

A Street.

Enter Herald, with a proclamation.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now ?riv'd, importing the mere 10 perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; fome to dance, fome to make bonfires, each man to what fport and revels his addiction leads him; for, befides thefe beneficial news, it is the celebration

of his nuptials: So much was his pleasure thould

be proclaimed. All offices are open; and there
is full liberty of feafting, from this prefent hour of
five, 'till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bles
the ifle of Cyprus, and our noble general Othello.
[Exiz.

SCENE
The Cafle.

III.

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Caffio, and Attendants.
Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to
night:

Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to out-fport difcretion.

Caf. Iago hath direction what to do ;
But, notwithstanding, with my perfonal eye
Will I look to 't.

Oth. Iago is most honeft.

Michael, good night: To-morrow, with your earlieft,

[love; Let me have fpeech with you.-Come, my dear The purchafe made, the fruits are to enfue;

[To Defdemana. That profit 's yet to come 'twixt me and you— Good night. [Exeunt Othello and Defdemona, Enter Iago.

Caf. Welcome, lago: We must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: Our general caft us 11 thus early, for the love of his Deidemona: whom let us not there

3 i. e. throw refentiment tha!l 6 A trifling. in

1 i. e. qualities, difpofition of mind. 2 Indexes were formerly prefixed to books. ing a flur upon his difcipline. 4 Sudden, is precipitately violent. 5 i. c. whole not be fo qualified or tempered, as to be well tafled, as not to retain fome bitterness. fignificant fellow may, in fome refpects, very well be called troja. 7 To trafh a hound is a term of hunting still ufed in the North, and perhaps not uncommon in other parts of England. It is, to correct, to rate. 8 A phrafe from the art of wreftiing 9 Rank garb may mean grosty, 10 Mere in this place fignifies entire. 11 That is, appointed us to our stations, according to Dr. Johnson; whereas Mr, Steevens thinks, that cajî us only means dif miffed us, or got rid of our company.

i. e. without mincing the matter.

fore

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Jago. And, when the speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

Caf. She is, indeed, perfection.

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

Gaf. Not to-night, good Iago; I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well with courtesy would invent fome other cuftom of entertainment.

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

Caf. 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 infirmity, and dare not tafk my weakness with any more.

And let me the canakin clink, clink;
And let me the canakin clink:

A foldier's a man ;
A life's but a fpan;
Why then, let a foldier drink.
Some wine, boys!

Caf. 'Fore heaven, an excellent fong.

Iago. I learn'd it in England, where (indeed) they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your fwag-bellied Hollander,Drink, bo are nothing to your English.

Caf. Is your Englishman fo exquifite in his drinking?

Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead drunk; he fweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle can be fill'd.

Caf. To the health of our general.

Mont. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice. Iago. O fweet England!

4 King Stephen was a worthy peer 5,

His breeches coft him but a crown;
He held them fix-pence all too dear,
With that be call'd the taylor-6 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.

Iage. What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the Some wine, ho! gallants defire it.

Caf. Where are they?

Iago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.| Caf. I'll do 't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Caffio. Iago. If I can faften but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk to-night already, He'll be as full of quarrel and offence

As my young miftrefs' dog. Now, my fick fool, Roderigo,

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong fide outward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carouz'd
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble (welling fpirits,
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this warlike ifle 2,-
Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,

Caf. Why, this is a more exquisite fong than

the other.

Iago. Will you hear it again?

Caf. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place, that does thofe things.-Well,-Heaven's above all; and there be fouls that must be saved, and there be fouls must not be saved. Iago. It's true, good lieutenant.

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

Iago. And fo I do too, lieutenant.

Caf. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be faved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this: let's to our affairs.--Forgive us our fins!-Gentlemen, let's look to our bufinefs. Do not think, gentlemen, I am

And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunk; this is my ancient ;-this is my right

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i. c. flily mixed with water. 2 i. e. As quarrelfome as the difcordia femina rerum; as quick is oppofition as fire and water. 3 A roufe appears to be a quantity of liquor rather too large. 4 The fe stanzas are taken from an old fong, which the reader will find in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry. 5 Lo̟ a worthy fellow.

i. e. forry fellow, paltry wretch.

Tis to his virtue a just equinox,

The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him,
I fear, the truft Othello puts him in,
On fome odd time of his infirmity,
Will thake this ifland.

Mont. But is he often thus ?

Jago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his fleep:
He'll watch the horologe a double fet,
If drink rock not his cradle '.

Mant. It were well,

The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps, he fees it not; or his good-nature

Prizes the virtue that appears in Caffio,
And looks not on his evils; Is not this true?
Enter Roderigo.

Lago. How now, Roderigo ?

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

[Exit Rod.

Mont. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor
Should hazard fuch a place, as his own fecond,
With one of an ingraft infirmity 2:

It were an honest action to say fo
Unto the Moor.

Jago. Not 1, for this fair ifland :

I do love Caflio well; and would do much
To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noife?

[Cry within,-Help! help!
Re-enter Caffio, driving in Roderigo,

Caf. You rogue! you rafcal!
Mont. What's the matter, lieutenant ?
Caf. A knave!--teach me my duty!
I'll beat the knave into a twiggen 3 bottle.
Rod. Beat me!

Caf. Doft thou prate, rogue ?
Mont. Nay, good lieutenant;
I pray you, fir, hold your hand.

Caf. Let me go, fir,

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mant. Come, come, you're drunk.
Caf. Drunk?

Have you forgot all fenfe of place and duty ? a
Hold, hold the general fpeaks to you; hold, for
fhame!

[this?
Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence arifeth
Are we turn'd Turks: and to ourselves do that,
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottorites ?
For Chriftian fhame, put by this barbarous braw) ·
He that ftirs next to carve forth his own rage,
Holds his foul light; he dies upon his motion-
Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the ille
From her propriety 5.-

matters ?

-What is the matter,

Honeft Lago, that look'st dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee,
Jago. I do not know ;-friends all but now,

even now,

6

In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
Divetting them for bed: and then, but now,
(As if fome planet had unwitted men)
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
In oppofition bloody. I cannot ípeak
Any beginning to this peevith odds;
And 'would in action glorious I had loft
Thefe legs, that brought me to a part of it!
Otb. How comes it, Michael, you are this
forgot 7 ?

Caf. I pay 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 wifeft cenfure; What's the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus,
And spend your rich opinion 9, for the name
[Staying him. Of a night-brawler? Give me anfwer to it.
Mont. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;
Your officer, lago, can inform you
While I fpare fpeech, which fomething now of
fends me,-

[They fight.

Of all that I do know: nor know I aught,
Iago. Away, I fay! go out, and cry-a mutiny. By me that 's faid or done amifs this night;
[Alide to Rod. Unless felf-charity 10 be fometime a vice
[Exit Roderigo. And to defend ourselves it be a fin,
When violence affails us.

Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,-
Help, ho!-Lieutenant,-fir,-Montano,-fir ;--
Help, mafters! Here's a goodly watch, indeed!
Who's that that rings the bell -Diablo, ho!

[Bell rings.

The town will rife: Fie, fie, lieutenant! hold;

You will be fham'd for ever.

Enter Othello, and Attendants.

Oth. What is the matter here?

Oth. Now, by heaven,

My blood begins my fafer guides to rule ;
And paßion, having my beft judgment collied "
Aflays to lead the way: if I once stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall fink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who fet it on;
And he that is approv'd 12 in this offence,

Mont. I bleed ftill, I am hurt to the death;-Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,

he dies 4.

Oth. Hold, for your lives.

Shall lofe me.-What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brim-full of fear,

Iago. Hold, hold, licutenant,-fir,-Montano, To manage private and domestic quarrel,

bottle.

-gentlemen,-—-—-

6

In night, and on the court and guard of fafety!

i. e. If he have no drink, he'll keep awake while the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours. 2 i. e. an infirmity rooted, fettled in his conftitution. 3 A twiggen bottle is a wicker'd 4 i. e. he fhall die. He may be fuppofed to fay this as he renews the fight. 51. e. from her regular and proper flute. i. e. in their quarters; at their lodging. 7 i. c. you have thus forgot yourself. 8 i. e. flacken, or loofen, put in danger of dropping; or perhaps ftrip of its or 9 i. e. throw away and fquander a reputation fo valuable as yours. io Care of II Othello means, that paflion has difcoloured his judgment. To colly anciently figrified to befmut, to blacken as with coal. The word is ftill used in the midland counties. 12 1. c. he that is convicted, by proof, of having been engaged in this offence.

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:

'Tis monsterous.-Iago, who began 't?

Mon. If partially affin'd 1, or leagu'd in office, Thon doft deliver more or less than truth, Thou art no foldier.

lago. Touch me not so near :

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth,
Than it thould do offence to Michael Caffio;
Yet, I perfuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him.-Thus it is, general.
Montano and myfelf being in fpeech,
There comes a fellow, crying out for help;
And Caffio following him with determin'd fword,
To execute upon him: Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Caffio, and entreats his paute;
Myfelf the crying fellow did pursue,
Left, by his clamour (as it fo fell out)

The town might fall in fright: he, fwift of foot,
Out-ran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of (words,
And Caffio high in oath; which, till to-night,
1 ne'er might fay before: When I came back,
(For this was brief) I found them close together,
At blow, and thruit; even as again they were,
When you yourself did part them.

More of this matter can I not report :

But men are men; the beft fometimes forget:
Though Caffio did fome little wrong to him,—
As men in rage strike those that with them bett,
Yet, furely, Caffio, I believe, receiv'd,
From him that fled, fome ftrange indignity,
Which patience could not pafs.

Oth. I know, lago,

Thy honefty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Caffio :--Caffio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine..

Enter Desdemona, attended.

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

Def. What is the matter, dear?

pute yourfelf fuch a lofer. What, man! there are ways to recover the general again: You are but now caft in his mood 2, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even fo as one would beat his offenceless dog, to affright an imperious lion: fue to him again, and he 's yours.

Caf. I will rather fue to be despis'd, than to deceive fo good a commander, with fo flight, fo drunken, and fo indifcreet an officer. Drunk? and fpeak parrot 3 and fquabble? fwagger? fwear and difcourfe fuftian with one's own fhadow ?---O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou haft no name to be known by, let us call thee→→→ devil!

Iago. What was he that you followed with your fword? What had he done to you?

Caf. I know not.

lago. Is it poffible?

Caf. I remember a mafs of things, but nothing diftinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O, that men fhould put an enemy in their mouths, to fteal away their brains! that we thould, with joy, revel, pleasure, and applaufe, transform ourfelves into beatts !

lago. Why, but you are now well enough; How came you thus recover'd?

Caf. It hath pleas'd the devil, drunkenness, to give place to the devil, wrath: one unperfectness [fhews me another, to make me frankly defpite myfelf.

Lugo. Come, you are too fevere a moraler: As the time, the place, and the condition of this country ftands, I could heartily with this had not befallen; but, fince it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

Caf. I will ask him for my place again; he thall tell me, I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, fuch an answer would ftop them all. To be now a fenfible man, by and by a fool,

Oth. All's well now, fweeting: Come away to and prefently a beaft! O ftrange!-Every inorbed.

dinate cup is unblefs'd, and the ingredient is a devil.

lago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well uted; exclaim no more againft it. And, good lieutenant, I think, you

Sir, for your hurts, myfelf will be your furgeon:~
Lead him off-
[To Montano, who is led off.
Iago, look with care about the town ;
And filence those whom this vile brawl diftracted.-think I love you.
Come, Desdemona; 'tis the foldiers' life,

To have their balmy flumbers wak'd with ftrife.

[Ex. Manent Iago and Caffio.
lago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant ?
Caf. Ay, paft all furgery.
Iago. Marry, heaven forbid !

Caf. I have well approv'd it, fir.-1 drunk ! Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at fome time, man. I tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the general;-I may fay fo in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and

Caf. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, denotement, of her parts and graces :-confefs have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal | yourself freely to her; importune her; the'll part, fir, of myself, and what remains is beftial.-help to put you in your place again: the is of fo My reputation, Iago, my reputation. free, fo kind, fo apt, fo bleffed a disposition, that

lago. As I am an honett man, I had thought the holds it a vice in her goodneis, not to do more you had receiv'd fome bodily wound; there is than fhe is requested: This broken joint, between more offence in that, than in reputation. Repu-you and her husband, intreat her to splinter; and, tation is an idle and most falfe imposition; oft my fortunes againit any lay worth naming, this got without merit, and loft without deferving: crack of your love fhall grow stronger than it was You have loft no reputation at all, unless you re- before.

Affin'd is bound by proximity of relationship; but here it means related by nearness of office. 2 i. c. ejected in his anger. 3 A phrafe fignifying to act foolishly and childishly.

Y y y

Caf.

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