But I’ll set down213 the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.OTHELLO Come, let us to the castle.—To Desdemona
News, friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drowned.
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?—
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus:
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
I prattle220 out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts221. I prithee, good Iago,
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers222.
Bring thou the master223 to the citadel:
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge225 much respect.— Come, Desdemona,
Once more, well met at Cyprus.Exeunt Othello and Desdemona
[with Attendants. Iago and Rodorigo remain]
IAGO Do thou meet me presently at theTo an Attendant
harbour.—as he exits
Come hither. If thou be’st valiant — as they sayTo Rodorigo
base229 men being in love have then a nobility in their natures
more than is native to them — list230 me: the lieutenant tonight
watches on the court of guard231 is on duty at the guardhouse. First, I must tell thee this:
Desdemona is directly232 in love with him.RODORIGO With him? Why, ’tis not possible.IAGO Lay thy finger thus234, and let thy soul be instructed.
Mark me235 with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for
bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him still for
prating237? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be
fed: and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?
When the blood is made dull239 with the act of sport, there
should be a game240 to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh
appetite, loveliness in favour241, sympathy in years, manners
and beauties, all which the Moor is defective in. Now,
for want of these required conveniences243, her delicate
tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge244,
disrelish245 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 pregnant247 and unforced position—
who stands so eminent in the degree248 of this fortune as Cassio
does? A knave very voluble249, no further conscionable than
in putting on the mere form of civil and humane250 seeming
for the better compass251 of his salt and most hidden loose
affection? Why, none, why, none. A slipper252 and subtle knave,
a finder of occasion253, that has an eye can stamp and
counterfeit advantages254, though true advantage never
present itself: a devilish knave. Besides, the knave is
handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that
folly257 and green minds look after. A pestilent complete knave,
and the woman hath found him already.RODORIGO I cannot believe that in her: she’s full of most
blessed condition260.IAGO Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks is made of 261
grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never have loved
the Moor. Blessed pudding263! Didst thou not see her paddle
with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?RODORIGO Yes, that I did, but that was but courtesy.IAGO Lechery, by this hand: an index266 and obscure
prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met
so near with their lips that their breaths embraced together.
Villainous thoughts, Rodorigo! When these mutabilities269 so
marshal the way, hard270 at hand comes the master and main
exercise271, th’incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you
ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you272
tonight: for the command, I’ll lay’t upon you273. Cassio knows
you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do you find some occasion
to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his 275
discipline, or from what other course you please, which the
time shall more favourably minister277.RODORIGO Well.IAGO Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler279, and haply
may strike at you: provoke him that he may, for even out
of that will I cause these281 of Cyprus to mutiny, whose
qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the
displanting283 of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to
your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer284 them,
and the impediment most profitably removed, without the
which there were no expectation of our prosperity286.RODORIGO I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity287.IAGO I warrant288 thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I
must fetch his289 necessaries ashore. Farewell.RODORIGO Adieu.Exit
IAGO That Cassio loves her, I do well believe’t:
That she loves him, ’tis apt292 and of great credit.
The Moor — howbeit that I endure him not293 —
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona
A most dear296 husband. Now, I do love her too,
Not out of absolute lust — though peradventure297
I stand accountant298 for as great a sin —
But partly led to diet299 my revenge,
For that300 I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leaped into301 my seat, the thought whereof
Doth — like a poisonous mineral — gnaw my inwards:
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am evened 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 Venice308, whom I trace
For309 his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip310,
Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb311 —
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap312 too —
Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me
For making him egregiously314 an ass
And practising upon315 his peace and quiet
Even to madness. ’Tis here316, but yet confused:
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.Exit
Act 2 Scene 2 running scene 5
Location: Cyprus
Enter Othello’s Herald with a proclamationHERALD It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant
general, that upon certain tidings now arrived, importing
the mere perdition3 of the Turkish fleet, every man put
himself into triumph4: some to dance, some to make bonfires,
each man to what sport and revels his addition5 leads him, for
besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his
nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All
offices8 are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this
present hour of five till the bell have told9 eleven. Bless the isle
of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!Exit
[Act 2 Scene 3] running scene 6
Location: Cyprus (the citadel)
Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio and AttendantsOTHELLO Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight:
Let’s teach ourselves that honourable stop2
Not to outsport discretion3.CASSIO Iago hath direction what to do,
But notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to’t.OTHELLO Iago is most honest.
Michael, goodnight: tomorrow with your earliest8
Let me have speech with you.—
Come, my dear love,To D
esdemona
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue10:
That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.—
Goodnight.Exeunt [Othello, Desdemona and Attendants]
Enter IagoCASSIO Welcome, Iago: we must to the watch.IAGO Not this hour, lieutenant: ’tis not yet ten o’th’clock.
Our general cast15 us thus early for the love of his Desdemona,
who let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made
wanton17 the night with her, and she is sport for Jove.CASSIO She’s a most exquisite18 lady.IAGO And, I’ll warrant her, full of game19.CASSIO Indeed, she’s a most fresh and delicate20 creature.IAGO What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley21 to
provocation.CASSIO An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest.IAGO And when she speaks, is it not an alarum23 to love?CASSIO She is indeed perfection.IAGO Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I
have a stoup26 of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus
gallants27 that would fain have a measure to the health of
black Othello.CASSIO Not tonight, good Iago: I have very poor and
unhappy30 brains for drinking: I could well wish courtesy
would invent some other custom of entertainment.IAGO O, they are our friends. But one cup: I’ll drink for
you.CASSIO I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was
craftily qualified34 too, and behold what innovation it makes
here: I am infortunate35 in the infirmity and dare not task my
weakness with any more.IAGO What, man? ’Tis a night of revels: the gallants
desire it.CASSIO Where are they?IAGO Here at the door. I pray you call them in.CASSIO I’ll do’t, but it dislikes me40.Exit
IAGO If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence43
As my young mistress’ dog44. Now, my sick fool Rodorigo,
Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,
To Desdemona hath tonight caroused46
Potations pottle-deep47; and he’s to watch:
Three else of Cyprus, noble swelling48 spirits —
That hold their honours in a wary distance49,
The very elements50 of this warlike isle —
Have I tonight flustered51 with flowing cups,
And they watch52 too. Now, ’mongst this flock of drunkards
Am I to put our Cassio in some action53
That may offend the isle.— But here they come:
Enter Cassio, Montano and Gentlemen Servants following with wine
If consequence do but approve55 my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream56.CASSIO ’Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse57 already.MONTANO Good faith, a little one, not past a pint, as I am a
soldier.IAGO Some wine, ho!Sings
And let me the cannikin60 clink, clink, And let me the cannikin clink.
A soldier’s a man,
O, man’s life’s but a span63:Why, then, let a soldier drink.
Some wine, boys!CASSIO ’Fore heaven, an excellent song.IAGO I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent 67
in potting: your Dane, your German, and
your swag-bellied68 Hollander— Drink, ho!— are nothing to your
English.CASSIO Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking?IAGO Why, he drinks72
you with facility, your Dane dead drunk: he sweats not to overthrow your Almain73: he gives
your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle74 can be filled.CASSIO To the health of our general!MONTANO I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you justice76.IAGO O sweet England!Sings
King Stephen78 was and-a worthy peer,His breeches cost him but a crown79:He held80 them sixpence all too dear,With that he called the tailor lown81.He was a wight of high renown,And thou art but of low degree:’Tis pride that pulls the country down:
Then take thy auld85 cloak about thee.
Some wine, ho!CASSIO Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.IAGO Will you hear’t again?CASSIO No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that
does those things. Well, heav’n’s above all, and there be souls
must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.IAGO It’s true, good lieutenant.CASSIO For mine own part — no offence to the general, nor
any man of quality94 — I hope to be saved.IAGO And so do I too, lieutenant.CASSIO 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. Forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let’s look
to 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 I speak well
enough.GENTLEMEN Excellent well.CASSIO Why, very well then: you must not think then, that I
am drunk.Exit
MONTANO To th’platform106, masters. Come, let’s set the watch.Starts to leave
[Exeunt Gentlemen?]
IAGO You see this fellow that is gone before:To Montano
He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
And give direction. And do but see his vice:
’Tis to his virtue a just equinox110,
The one as long as th’other. ’Tis pity of111 him.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island.MONTANO But is he often thus?IAGO ’Tis evermore his prologue to his sleep:
He’ll watch the horologe a double set117,
If drink rock not his cradle.MONTANO 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 RodorigoIAGO How now, Rodorigo?Aside to Rodorigo
I pray you, after the lieutenant, go.[Exit Rodorigo]
MONTANO And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place as his own second127
With one of an ingraft128 infirmity:
It were an honest action to say 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.—Cry within
But, hark! What noise?
Enter Cassio pursuing RodorigoCASSIO You rogue! You rascal!MONTANO What’s the matter, lieutenant?CASSIO A knave136 teach me my duty?
I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle137.RODORIGO Beat me?CASSIO Dost thou prate, rogue?Strikes Rodorigo
MONTANO Nay, good lieutenant:Stops him
I pray you, sir, hold141 your hand.CASSIO Let me go, sir,
Or I’ll knock you o’er the mazzard143.MONTANO Come, come, you’re drunk.CASSIO Drunk?They fight
IAGO Away, I say: go out and cry aAside to Rodorigo
mutiny.—[Exit Rodorigo]
Nay, good lieutenant— Alas, gentlemen—
Othello Page 7