She that, being anger'd, her revenge being]
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure

Ay;

She that in wisdom never was fo frail,

To change the cod's head for the falmon's 10
tail 1;
[mind,

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

were,

Def. To do what?

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

How do our old acquaintance of this isle?—
Honey, you fhall be well defir'd in Cyprus,

I have found great love amongst them. O my fweet,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote

In mine own comforts.-I pr'ythee, good Iago,
15 Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:
Bring thou the mafter to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much refpe&t.-Come, Defdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

Iago. To fuckle fools, and chronicle small beer 2. Def. O most lame and impotent conclufion!Do not learn of him, Æmilia, though he be thy husband.-How fay you, Caffio? is he not a most 20 profane 3 and liberal 4 counsellor?

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

[Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'ft valiant; as (they say) bafe men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them,-lift

The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard 7:-First, I must tell thee this, -Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Rod. With him! Why, 'tis not poffible.

Iago. [Afide.] He takes her by the palm: Ay, well faid, whisper: with as little a web as this, 25 me. will I enfnare as great a fly as Caffio. Ay, fmile upon her, do; I will gyve 5 thee in thine own courtship. You fay true; 'tis fo, indeed: if fuch tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kiss'd your 30 three fingers fo oft, which now again you are most apt to play the fir in. Very good; well kifs'd! an excellent courtesy! 'tis fo indeed. 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!

Lagu. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy foul be inftructed. Mark me with what violence the first lov'd the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantaftical lies: And will the love him ftill for prating? let not thy difcreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she [Trumpet. 35 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 fatiety a fresh appetite,-loveliness in favour; fympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is de40fective in: Now, for want of thefe required con

Oth. 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 most happy; for, I fear,
My foul hath her content so abfolute,

That not another comfort like to this

Succeeds in unknown fate.

Def. The heavens forbid,

veniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abus'd, begin to heave the gorge, difrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will inftruct her in it, and compel her to fome second choice. Now, 45 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 50 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

But that our loves and comforts should encrease, 55 prefent itself: A devilish knave! Befides, the

Even as our days do grow!

Otb. Amen to that, sweet powers!

I cannot speak enough of this content,

It stops me here; it is too much of joy;

1 i. e. to exchange a delicacy for coarfer fare.

grofs of language, of expreffion broad and brutal.

knave is handsome, young; and hath all those requifites in him, that folly and green minds 9 look after: A peftilent complete knave; and the woman hath found him already.

2 i. c. to keep the accounts of a boufebold. 3 i. e.

4 i. e. a licentious talker. 5 i. e. catch, fhackle.

i. e. out of method, without any fettled order of difcourfe. 7 i. e. the place where the guard mufters. 3 i. e. on thy mouth, to stop it while thou art listening to a wiser man.

yet fully formed.

9 Minds not

Red.

Red. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtefy. Jago. 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 these mutualities fo marshal the way, hard at hand comes the mafter and main exercife, the incorporate conclufion : 15 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

Or, failing fo, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,-
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash?
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Caffio on the hip;
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb 9,-
For I 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 madness. "Tis here, but yet confus'd;
Knavery's plain face is never seen, 'till us’d. [Exit.

SCENE II.
A Street.

Enter Herald, with a proclamation.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and va

fome occafion to anger Caffio, either by fpeaking 20liant general, that, upon certain tidings now ar

too loud, or tainting his difcipline 3; or from what other courfe you please, which the time fhall more favourably minifter.

Rod. Well.

Jago. Sir, he is rafh, and very fudden 4 in 25 choler; and, haply, with his truncheon may strike at you: Provoke him, that he may: for, even out of that, will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny ;[ whofe qualification fhall come into no true taste 5 again, but by the difplanting of Caffio. So fhall you 30 have a fhorter journey to your defires, by the means I fhall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our profperity.

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

Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I muft fetch his neceffaries afhore. Farewel.

35

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 should
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 hlefs
the ifle of Cyprus, and our noble general Othello.
[Exit.

40

[Exit.

But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye

Will I look to 't.

Oth. Iago is most honest.

Rod. Adieu.
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 Defdemona
A moft dear husband. Now I do love her too;
Not out of abfolute luft, (though, peradventure,
I ftand accountant 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;

Caf. Welcome, lago: We must to the watch. Jage. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: Our general caft us thus early, for the 155love of his Defdemona: whom let us not there

i.e. qualities, difpofition of mind. 2 Indexes were formerly prefixed to books. 3 i. e. throwing a flur upon his difcipline. 4 Sudder, is precipitately violent. 5 i. c. whofe refentment shall not be fo qualified or tempered, as to be well taffed, as not to retain fame bitterness. A trifling, infignificant fellow may, in fome refpects, very well be called trafh. 7 To trash a bound is a term of hunting ftill 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 wrestling. 9 Rank garb may mean grofsly, i. e. without mincing the matter. 10 Mare in this place fignifies entire. That is, appointed us to our ftations, according us only means dijmiffed us, or get rid of car

to Dr. Johnfon; whereas Mr. Steevens thinks, that caf company.

fore

fore blame: he hath not yet made wanton_the
night with her; and the is sport for Jove.
Caf. She's a moft exquifite lady.

Lage. And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

Caf. Indeed, he is a most fresh and delicate 5

Iago. I learn'd it in England, where (indeed) they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your 10 German, and your fwag-bellied Hollander,Drink, ho!-are nothing to your English.

Caj. Is your Englishman fo exquifite in his drinking?

Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your

lieutenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here 15 Dane dead drunk; he fweats not to overthrow

20justice.

Caf. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and 25 that was craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.

Iago. What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the 30 Some wine, ho! gallants defire it.

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong fide 40 general, nor any man of quality, I hope to be

Caf. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a roufe 355) already.

Mont. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, As I am a foldier.

1 i. e. fly mixed with water. * i. e. As quarrelfome as the difcordia femina rerum; as quick in oppofition as fire and water. 3 A roufe appears to be a quantity of liquor rather too large. 4 Thefe ftanzas are taken from an old fong, which the reader will find in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry. i. c. a worthy fellow. • i. e. forry fellow, paltry wretch.

Have you forgot all fenfe of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! [this? Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence arifeth 5 Are we turn'd Turks: and to ourselves do that, Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites? For Chriftian fhame, put by this barbarous brawl: He that ftirs next to carve forth his own rage, Holds his foul light; he dies upon his motion.10 Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle From her propriety 5.What is the matter, masters?

In quarter and in terms like bride and groom Divefting them for bed: and then, but now, (As if fome planet had unwitted men) 20 Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, In oppofition bloody. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds; And 'would in action glorious I had loft Thefe legs, that brought me to a part of it! Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot 7 ?

To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noife? 25
[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.
Red. Beat me!

Caf. Doft thou prate, rogue ?
Mont. Nay, good lieutenant;

I pray you, fir, hold your hand.

Caf. Let me go, fir,

[Staying him.

Caf. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
The gravity and ftillness of your youth
30 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
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
Mont. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;
Your officer, Iago, can inform you————
While I fpare fpeech, which fomething now of
fends me,-

35

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mont. Come, come, you're drunk.
Caf. Drunk?
[They fight.
Iago. Away, I fay! go out, and cry-a mutiny.40
[Afide to Rod.
[Exit Roderigo.

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?

Mont. I bleed ftill, I am hurt to the death;he dies 4.

Oth. Hold, for your lives.

Of all that I do know: nor know I aught,
By me that 's said or done amiss this night;
Unlefs felf-charity 10 be fometime a vice:
And to defend ourselves it be a fin,
When violence affails us.

Oth. Now, by heaven,

45 My blood begins my fafer guides to rule;
And paffion, having my best judgment collied ",
Affays 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
5cHow this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approv'd 12 in this offence,
Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall lofe me.-What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brim-full of fear,

Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant,—fir,-Montano, 55 To manage private and domestic quarrel,
-gentlemen,-

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

1 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, jettied in his constitution.

3 A twiggen bottle is a bottle covered with wicker. 4 i. e. he shall die. He may be supposed to say this as he renews the fight. from her regular and proper ftate. 6 i. e. in their quarters; at their lodging. forgot yourself.

si.c. 7 i. e. you have thus i.e. flacken, or loofen, put in danger of dropping; or perhaps ftrip of its ornaments. 9 i.e. throw away and fquander a reputation fo valuable as yours. 1 Othello means, that paffion has difcoloured his judgment. To colly anciently fignified to befmut, to

blacken as with coal. The word is ftill ufed in the midland counties.

proof, of having been engaged in this offence.

10 Care of one's felf.

12 i. e. he that is convicted, by

'Tis

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

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

Iago. Touch me not fo near:

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth,
Than it should do offence to Michael Caffio;
Yet, I perfuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him.-Thus it is, general.
Montano and myself being in fpeech,
There comes a fellow, crying out for help;
And Caffio following him with determin'd sword,
To execute upon him: Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Caffio, and entreats his paufe;
Myfelf the crying fellow did pursue,
Left, by his clamour (as it fo fell out)
The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
Out-ran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of fwords,
And Caffio high in oath; which, till to-night,
I ne'er might fay before: When I came back,
(For this was brief) I found them close together,
At blow, and thruft; even as again they were,
When you yourself did part them.

More of this matter can I not report:-
But men are men; the best fometimes forget:
Though Caffio did fome little wrong to him,
As men in rage ftrike thofe that wish them best,-
Yet, furely, Caffio, I believe, receiv'd,
From him that fied, some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pafs.

Otb. I know, Iago,

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 Defdemona, attended.

Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up ;

I'll make thee an example.

Def. What is the matter, dear?

What, man! there

pute yourself fuch a lofer. 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 5 offenceless dog, to affright an imperious lion: fue to him again, and he's yours.

Caf. I will rather fue to be defpis'd, than to deceive fo good a commander, with fo flight, fa drunken, and fo indifcreet an officer. Drunk? Icand 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 theedevil!

Caf. I know not.

Jago. Is it poffible?

Caf. I remember a mafs of things, but nothing 20 diftinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore.O, that men fhould put an enemy in their mouths, to fteal away their brains! that we fhould, with joy, revel, pleafure, and applaufe, transform ourfelves into beafts!

25 Iago. 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 hews me another, to make me frankly despise 30 myself.

Iago. 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 35 own good.

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

Oth. All's well now, fweeting: Come away to 40 and prefently a beast! O ftrange!-Every inor

bed.

Sir, for your hurts, myfelf will be your furgeon :

Lead him off.
[To Mentano, who is led off.
Jago, look with care about the town;
And filence those whom this vile brawl distracted.--45
Come, Desdemona; 'tis the foldiers' life,
To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife.
[Ex. Manent Iago and Caffio.
Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
Caf. Ay, paft all surgery.
Iago. Marry, heaven forbid !

Caf. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have loft my reputation! I have loft the immorta part, fir, of myself, and what remains is bestial.My reputation, Iago, my reputation.

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

Iago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well ufed; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think, you think I love you.

Caf. I have well approv'd it, fir.—I drunk! Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at fome time, man. I tell you what you fhall do. Our general's wife is now the general;-I may So fay fo in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement, of her parts and graces :-confess yourself freely to her; importune her; fhell help to put you in your place again: fhe is of fo 55 free, fo kind, so apt, so blessed a difpofition, that The holds it a vice in her goodness, not to do more than fhe is requested: This broken joint, between you and her husband, intreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this

Iago. As I am an honeft man, I had thought you had receiv'd fome bodily wound; there is more offence in that, than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and moft falfe impofition; oft got without merit, and loft without deferving: 60 crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was You have loft no reputation at all, unless you re-l before.

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

3 Y

Caf.