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fore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the
night with her; and she 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

creature.

Lago. What an eye she has! methinks, it founds a parley of provocation.

Caf. An inviting eye; and yet, methinks, right modeft.

Iago. And, when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

Caf. She is, indeed, perfection.

Iago. Well, happiness to their fheets! Come,

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Iago. I learn'd it in England, where (indeed) they are moft 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 sweats not to overthrow

without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of the black Othello.

Caf. Not to-night, good Iago; I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well 20 with courtesy would invent fome other custom of entertainment.

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

Caf. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and 25 that was craftily qualified too 1, and, behold, what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.

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,

His breeches coft him but a crown z
He beld them fix-pence all too dear,
With that be call'd the taylor-6 lown.
He was a wight of bigb renown,

And thou art but of low degree:
"Tis pride that pulls the country down,
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

Iago. What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the 30 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 diflikes 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,

Caf. Why, this is a more exquifite fong than the other.

Iago. Will you hear it again?

Caf. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his 35 place, that does thofe things.-Well,-Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved,. and there be fouls must not be faved. Iago. It's true, good lieutenant.

Caf. For mine own part,-no offence to the

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

outward,

To Defdemona hath to-night carouz'd
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble fwelling 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,
And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of
drunkards,

Am I to put our Caffio in fome action

That may offend the ifle.-But here they come :
If confequence do but approve my dream,
My boat fails freely, both with wind and stream.

Enter Caffio, Montano, and Gentlemen.

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, 45 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 drunk; this is my ancient ;-this is my right hand, and this is my left hand:-I am not drunk 50 now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.

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All. Excellent well.

Caf. Why, very well then you must not think then that I am drunk.

[Exit. Mont. To the platform, masters; come, let's fet the watch.

Iago. You fee this fellow, that is gone before;-
He is a foldier, fit to ftand by Cæfar
And give direction: and do but see his vice;

1 i. e. fly mixed with water. 2 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. e. a worthy fellow. • i. e. forry fellow, paltry wretch.

'Tis

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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 tirs next to carve forth his own rage, Holds his foul light; he dies upon his motion.10 Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the inle From her propriety 5.What is the matter, masters?

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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 rascal!
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,

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

[Staying him.

[They fight.

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,-

351

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 sham'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 faid or done amiss this night;
Unless 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 safer guides to rule;
And paffion, having my beft 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
50 How this foul rout began, who fet 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 ftrikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours. 2 i. e. an i firmity rooted, jettied in his conftitution. 3 A triggen bottle is a bottle covered with wicker. 4 i. e. he shall die. He may be fuppofed to say this as he renews the fight. si.c.

from her regular and proper ftate. 6 i. e. in their quarters; at their lodging. 7 i. e. you have thus forgot yourfelf. * i. e. flacken, or loosen, put in danger of dropping; or perhaps strip of its ornaments. 9 i.e. throw away and fquander a reputation fo valuable as yours. 10 Care of one's felf. Othello means, that paffion has difcoloured his judgment. To colly anciently fignified to bejmut, to blacken as with coal. The word is till ufed in the midland counties. 12 i, e. he that is convicted, by proof, of having been engaged in this offence.

'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.

lags. 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 speech,
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 pause;
Myself 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 beft fometimes forget:
Though Caffio did fome little wrong to him,-
As men in rage ftrike those that with them best,-
Yet, furely, Caffio, I believe, receiv'd,
From him that fied, some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pass.

Oth. 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 Desdemona, attended.

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

I'll make thee an example.

Def. What is the matter, dear?

Ipute yourself such 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 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!

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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 should, with joy, revel, pleasure, 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 defpife 30 myself.

Iage. 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, fuch 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 strange !-Every inor

bed.

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 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 furgery.
Jago. Marry, heaven forbid !

Caf. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have loft my reputation! I have loft the immortal 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 shall do. Our general's wife is now the general;-I may 50 fay fo in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himfelf to the contemplation, mark, and denotement, of her parts and graces :-confefs yourfelf freely to her; importune her; fhe'll help to put you in your place again: fhe is of so 55 free, fo kind, fo apt, fo bleffed a difpofition, that The holds it a vice in her goodness, not to do more than the 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 honest 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 most 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

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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.

Caf. You advise me well.

lago. I proteft, in the fincerity of love, and honeft kindness.

Caf. I think it freely; and, betimes in the morning, I will befeech the virtuous Desdemona 5 to undertake for me: I am defperate of my fortunes, if they check me here. Iago. You are in the right. tenant; I muft to the watch.

Good night, lieu

Caf. Good night, honest Iago. [Exit Caffio.
Iago. And what's he then, that says-I play the
villain?

When this advice is free 1 I give, and honest,
Probable to thinking, and (indeed) the course
To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy
The inclining Defdemona to fubdue
In any honeft fuit; fhe's fram'd as fruitful
As the free elements 2: And then for her
To win the Moor,—were't to renounce his baptism,
All feals and fymbols of redeemed fin,-
His foul is fo enfetter'd to her love,

That she may make, unmake, do what she lift,
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function. How am I then a villain,
To counsel Caffio to this parallel 3 course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will their blackest fins put on,
They do fuggeft at first with heavenly fhews,
As I do now: For, while this honest fool,
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this peftilence into his ear,—
That the repeals 5 him for her body's luft;
And, by how much the ftrives to do him good,

She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch;
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all. How now, Roderigo?
Enter Roderigo.

Rod. I do follow here in the chace, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry.My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgel'd; and, I think, the issue 10 will be—I shall have so much experience for my pains and fo, with no money at all, and a little more wit, return to Venice.

Iago. How poor are they, that have not patience! What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? 15 Thou know'ft, we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;

And wit depends on dilatory time.

Does 't not go well? Caffio hath beaten thee, And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Caffio: 20 Though other things grow fair against the fun, Yet fruits, that bloffom first, will first be ripe: Content thyfelf a while.-By the mafs, 'tis morn

ing:

Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem short.— 25 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted: Away, I fay; thou shalt know more hereafter: Nay, get thee gone.[Exit Roderige. Two things are to be done,

My wife must move for Caffio to her mistress; 30 I'll fet her on;

Myfelf, the while, will draw the Moor apart,
And bring him jump when he may Caffio find
Soliciting his wife :-Ay, that's the way;
Dull not device by coldnefs and delay.

[Exit,

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1i. e. has an appearance of honest openness, of frank good-will.

2 Liberal, bountiful, as the

elements, out of which all things are produced. 3 i. e. a course level, and even with his defign.

4 Peftilence, for poifon.

5 That is, recals him.

7 The venereal difeafe first appeared at the fiege of Naples.

A metaphor from taking birds in mehes.

that

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that attends the general's wife, be stirring, tell her, there's one Caffio entreats her a little favour of speech: Wilt thou do this?

Clown. She is ftirring, fir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.

Enter Iago.

[Exit Clown. 5

Caf. Do, good my friend.-In happy time, Iago.
Iago. You have not been a-bed then?
Caf. Why, no; the day had broke
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
To fend in for your wife: My suit to her
Is, that he will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me fome access.

Iago. I'll fend her to you presently:
And I'll devife a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.

[Exit.

Caf. I humbly thank you for 't. I never knew A Florentine more kind and honeft. Enter Emilia.

Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am forry

For your displeasure; but all will foon be well.
The general, and his wife, are talking of it;

Def. O, that's an honeft fellow.-Do not doubt,
Caffio,

But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.

Caf. Bounteous madam,
Whatever fhall become of Michael Caffio,
He's never any thing but your true fervant.
Def. O, fir, I thank you: You do love my

lord,

[affur'd, 10 You have known him long; and be you well He fhall in ftrangeness stand no farther off Than in a politic distance.

Caf. Ay, but, lady,

That policy may either last so long,

15 Or feed upon fuch nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itfelf fo out of circumstance,
That, I being abfent, and my place supply'd,
My general will forget my love and service.

Def. Do not doubt that; before Æmilia here, 20I give thee warrant of thy place: affure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it

To the laft article: my lord fhall never reft; I'll watch him tame 1, and talk him out of patience;

And the speaks for you ftoutly: The Moor replies, 25 His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;

That he, you hurt, is of great fame in Cyprus,
And great affinity; and that, in wholsome wisdom,
He might not but refuse you: but, he protefts, hel

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I'll intermingle every thing he does
With Caffio's fuit: Therefore be merry, Caffio;
For thy folicitor fhall rather die,
Than give thy cause away.

Enter Othello, and Iago, at a distance.
Emil. Madam, here comes my lord.

Caf. Madam, I'll take my leave.

Def. Why, stay, and hear me speak.

Caf. Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease,

35 Unfit for mine own purposes.

[Excunt. 40

Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot; And, by him, do my duties to the ftate: That done, I will be walking on the works, Repair there to me.

45

Lago. Well, my good lord, I'll do 't.
[fee't? 50
Oth. This fortification, gentlemen,-shall we
Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship.

SCENE

[Exeunt.

III.

Another Room in the Caffle.

Enter Defdemena, Caffio, and Æmilia.

Def. Be thou affur'd, good Caffio, I will do

All my abilities in thy behalf.

[husband,

Def. Well, do your discretion.

logo. Ha! I like not that. Otb. What doft thou say?

[Exit Caffio.

[what.

Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if I know not Oth. Was not that Caffio parted from my wife? Iago. Caffio, my lord? No, fure, I cannot

think it,

That he would fteal away fo guilty-like,

Seeing you coming.

Oth. I do believe, 'twas he.

Def. How now, my lord?

I have been talking with a fuitor here,

A man that languishes in your displeasure.

Oth. Who is 't, you mean?

Def. Why, your lieutenant Caffio. Good my

lord,

If I have any grace, or power to move you,
His prefent reconciliation take;

For, if he be not one that truly loves you,

55 That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning, I have no judgment in an honeft face:

I pr'ythee, call him back.

Oth. Went he hence now?

Def. Ay, footh; fo humbled,

Emil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves my 60 That he hath left part of his grief with me, As if the cafe were his.

To fuffer with him: Good love, call him back.

It is faid, that the ferocity of beafts, infuperable and irreclaimable by any other means, is fubdued by keeping them from sleep. 2 Cunning, for defign, or purpose, simply. 3 Y 2

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