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| <title>SCENE I. A Sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quay. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">Othello, the Moore of Venice | |
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| | <A href="/Shakespeare/othello/">Othello</A> | |
| | Act 2, Scene 1 | |
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| <H3>SCENE I. A Sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quay.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>What from the cape can you discern at sea?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>First Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=2>Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=3>I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>Descry a sail.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=5>Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=6>A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=7>If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>Second Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=10>A segregation of the Turkish fleet:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>For do but stand upon the foaming shore,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>seems to cast water on the burning bear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=16>I never did like molestation view</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>On the enchafed flood.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=18>If that the Turkish fleet</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>It is impossible they bear it out.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter a third Gentleman</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>Third Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=21>News, lads! our wars are done.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=22>The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=23>That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=24>Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=25>On most part of their fleet.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=26>How! is this true?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>Third Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=27>The ship is here put in,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=28>A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>And is in full commission here for Cyprus.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=32>I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>Third Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=33>But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>With foul and violent tempest.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=37>Pray heavens he be;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=38>For I have served him, and the man commands</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=40>As well to see the vessel that's come in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=42>Even till we make the main and the aerial blue</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=43>An indistinct regard.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>Third Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=44>Come, let's do so:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>For every minute is expectancy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=46>Of more arrivance.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter CASSIO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=47>Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>Give him defence against the elements,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=50>For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=51>Is he well shipp'd?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=52>His bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>Of very expert and approved allowance;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>Stand in bold cure.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>A cry within 'A sail, a sail, a sail!'</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter a fourth Gentleman</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=56>What noise?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>Fourth Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=57>The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=59>My hopes do shape him for the governor.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Guns heard</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>Second Gentlemen</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=60>They do discharge their shot of courtesy:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>Our friends at least.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=62>I pray you, sir, go forth,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>Second Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=64>I shall.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=65>But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=66>Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>That paragons description and wild fame;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>And in the essential vesture of creation</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>Does tire the ingener.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter second Gentleman</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=71>How now! who has put in?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>Second Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=72>'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=73>Has had most favourable and happy speed:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=74>Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>As having sense of beauty, do omit</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=78>Their mortal natures, letting go safely by</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=79>The divine Desdemona.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=80>What is she?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=81>She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=82>Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=83>Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=84>A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=85>And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=86>That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>And bring all Cyprus comfort!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=90>O, behold,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>The riches of the ship is come on shore!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=92>Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=93>Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=94>Before, behind thee, and on every hand,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=95>Enwheel thee round!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=96>I thank you, valiant Cassio.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=97>What tidings can you tell me of my lord?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=98>He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=99>But that he's well and will be shortly here.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>O, but I fear--How lost you company?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=101>The great contention of the sea and skies</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=102>Parted our fellowship--But, hark! a sail.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Within 'A sail, a sail!' Guns heard</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>Second Gentleman</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=103>They give their greeting to the citadel;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=104>This likewise is a friend.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=105>See for the news.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit Gentleman</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=106>Good ancient, you are welcome.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To EMILIA</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=107>Welcome, mistress.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=109>That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>That gives me this bold show of courtesy.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Kissing her</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=111>Sir, would she give you so much of her lips</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=112>As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=113>You'll have enough.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=114>Alas, she has no speech.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=115>In faith, too much;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>I find it still, when I have list to sleep:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=118>She puts her tongue a little in her heart,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>And chides with thinking.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>EMILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=120>You have little cause to say so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=121>Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=123>Saints m your injuries, devils being offended,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=124>Players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=125>O, fie upon thee, slanderer!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=126>Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=127>You rise to play and go to bed to work.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>EMILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=128>You shall not write my praise.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=129>No, let me not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=130>What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>praise me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=132>O gentle lady, do not put me to't;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>For I am nothing, if not critical.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=134>Come on assay. There's one gone to the harbour?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=135>Ay, madam.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=136>I am not merry; but I do beguile</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=138>Come, how wouldst thou praise me?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=139>I am about it; but indeed my invention</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=140>Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=141>It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=142>And thus she is deliver'd.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=143>If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=144>The one's for use, the other useth it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=145>Well praised! How if she be black and witty?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=146>If she be black, and thereto have a wit,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=147>She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=148>Worse and worse.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>EMILIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=149>How if fair and foolish?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=150>She never yet was foolish that was fair;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>For even her folly help'd her to an heir.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=152>These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=154>her that's foul and foolish?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=155>There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=157>O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=161>She that was ever fair and never proud,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=162>Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=163>Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=164>Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may,'</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>She that being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=166>Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>She that in wisdom never was so frail</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>See suitors following and not look behind,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>She was a wight, if ever such wight were,--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=172>To do what?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=173>To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=174>O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>counsellor?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=178>He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=179>the soldier than in the scholar.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=180>[Aside] He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=181>whisper: with as little a web as this will I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=182>ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=183>her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>been better you had not kissed your three fingers so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=187>oft, which now again you are most apt to play the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=188>sir in. Very good; well kissed! an excellent</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=189>courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Trumpet within</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=191>The Moor! I know his trumpet.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=192>'Tis truly so.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=193>Let's meet him and receive him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=194>Lo, where he comes!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter OTHELLO and Attendants</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=195>O my fair warrior!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196> My dear Othello!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=197>It gives me wonder great as my content</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=198>To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=199>If after every tempest come such calms,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=201>And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>Olympus-high and duck again as low</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=203>As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=205>My soul hath her content so absolute</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>That not another comfort like to this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=207>Succeeds in unknown fate.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=208>The heavens forbid</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=209>But that our loves and comforts should increase,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>Even as our days do grow!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=211>Amen to that, sweet powers!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=212>I cannot speak enough of this content;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>It stops me here; it is too much of joy:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>And this, and this, the greatest discords be</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Kissing her</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=215>That e'er our hearts shall make!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=216>[Aside] O, you are well tuned now!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>As honest as I am.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=219> Come, let us to the castle.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>are drown'd.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=222>How does my old acquaintance of this isle?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=223>Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=224>I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=225>I prattle out of fashion, and I dote</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>Go to the bay and disembark my coffers:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>Bring thou the master to the citadel;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=229>He is a good one, and his worthiness</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=231>Once more, well met at Cyprus.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=232>Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>hither. If thou be'st valiant,-- as, they say, base</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>men being in love have then a nobility in their</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>natures more than is native to them--list me. The</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>lieutenant tonight watches on the court of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>guard:--first, I must tell thee this--Desdemona is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>directly in love with him.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=239>With him! why, 'tis not possible.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=240>Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=243>and will she love him still for prating? let not</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>and what delight shall she have to look on the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=249>sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=253>disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>instruct her in it and compel her to some second</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>choice. Now, sir, this granted,--as it is a most</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=256>pregnant and unforced position--who stands so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=258>does? a knave very voluble; no further</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=259>conscionable than in putting on the mere form of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>of his salt and most hidden loose affection? why,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>present itself; a devilish knave. Besides, the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>knave is handsome, young, and hath all those</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>requisites in him that folly and green minds look</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>after: a pestilent complete knave; and the woman</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>hath found him already.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=270>I cannot believe that in her; she's full of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>most blessed condition.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=272>Blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>not mark that?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=277>Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=278>Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=280>so near with their lips that their breaths embraced</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=281>together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>the master and main exercise, the incorporate</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=285>have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>you not. I'll not be far from you: do you find</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=288>some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=289>too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>other course you please, which the time shall more</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=291>favourably minister.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=292>Well.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=293>Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=295>even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=296>mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=297>taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=298>shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=299>the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=300>impediment most profitably removed, without the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=301>which there were no expectation of our prosperity.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=302>I will do this, if I can bring it to any</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=303>opportunity.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=304>I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=305>I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=306>Adieu.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=307>That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=308>That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=309>The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=310>Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=311>And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=312>A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=313>Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=314>I stand accountant for as great a sin,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=315>But partly led to diet my revenge,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=316>For that I do suspect the lusty Moor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=317>Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=318>Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=319>And nothing can or shall content my soul</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=320>Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=321>Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=322>At least into a jealousy so strong</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=323>That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=324>If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=325>For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=326>I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=327>Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=328>For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=329>Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=330>For making him egregiously an ass</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=331>And practising upon his peace and quiet</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=332>Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=333>Knavery's plain face is never seen tin used.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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