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| <title>SCENE III. A hall in the castle. | |
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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 3 | |
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| <H3>SCENE III. A hall in the castle.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=2>Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=3>Not to outsport discretion.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=4>Iago hath direction what to do;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=5>But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=6>Will I look to't.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=7> Iago is most honest.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>Let me have speech with you.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To DESDEMONA</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=10>Come, my dear love,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>Good night.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter IAGO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=14>Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=15>Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=16>clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=18>he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>she is sport for Jove.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=20>She's a most exquisite lady.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=21>And, I'll warrant her, fun of game.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=22>Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=23>What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=24>provocation.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=25>An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=26>And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=27>She is indeed perfection.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=28>Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=29>have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>the health of black Othello.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=32>Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=33>unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>courtesy would invent some other custom of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>entertainment.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=36>O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=38>I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=40>it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>and dare not task my weakness with any more.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=42>What, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=43>desire it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=44>Where are they?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=45>Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=46>I'll do't; but it dislikes me.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=47>If I can fasten but one cup upon him,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>With that which he hath drunk to-night already,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>He'll be as full of quarrel and offence</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=50>As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=51>Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=52>To Desdemona hath to-night caroused</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>That hold their honours in a wary distance,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=56>The very elements of this warlike isle,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=57>Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=59>Am I to put our Cassio in some action</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=60>That may offend the isle.--But here they come:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>If consequence do but approve my dream,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter CASSIO; with him MONTANO and Gentlemen; servants following with wine</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=63>'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=64>Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=65>a soldier.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=66>Some wine, ho!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Sings</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=67>And let me the canakin clink, clink;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=68>And let me the canakin clink</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>A soldier's a man;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>A life's but a span;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>Why, then, let a soldier drink.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=72>Some wine, boys!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=73>'Fore God, an excellent song.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=74>I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=76>your swag-bellied Hollander--Drink, ho!--are nothing</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>to your English.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=78>Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=79>Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=80>drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=82>can be filled.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=83>To the health of our general!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=84>I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=85>O sweet England!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=86>King Stephen was a worthy peer,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>His breeches cost him but a crown;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>He held them sixpence all too dear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>With that he call'd the tailor lown.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=90>He was a wight of high renown,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>And thou art but of low degree:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=92>'Tis pride that pulls the country down;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=93>Then take thine auld cloak about thee.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=94>Some wine, ho!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=95>Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=96>Will you hear't again?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=97>No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=98>does those things. Well, God's above all; and there</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=99>be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>It's true, good lieutenant.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=101>For mine own part,--no offence to the general, nor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=102>any man of quality,--I hope to be saved.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=103>And so do I too, lieutenant.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=104>Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=105>lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>have no more of this; let's to our affairs.--Forgive</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>us our sins!--Gentlemen, let's look to our business.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=109>ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=111>speak well enough.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>All</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=112>Excellent well.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=113>Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am drunk.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=114>To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=115>You see this fellow that is gone before;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>And give direction: and do but see his vice;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=118>'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=120>I fear the trust Othello puts him in.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=121>On some odd time of his infirmity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>Will shake this island.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=123>But is he often thus?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=124>'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=125>He'll watch the horologe a double set,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>If drink rock not his cradle.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=127>It were well</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=128>The general were put in mind of it.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=129>Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>And looks not on his evils: is not this true?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=132>[Aside to him] How now, Roderigo!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=133>I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=134>And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=135>Should hazard such a place as his own second</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=136>With one of an ingraft infirmity:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=137>It were an honest action to say</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=138>So to the Moor.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=139> Not I, for this fair island:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=140>I do love Cassio well; and would do much</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=141>To cure him of this evil--But, hark! what noise?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Cry within: 'Help! help!'</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=142>You rogue! you rascal!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=143>What's the matter, lieutenant?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=144>A knave teach me my duty!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=146>Beat me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=147> Dost thou prate, rogue?</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Striking RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=148>Nay, good lieutenant;</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Staying him</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=149>I pray you, sir, hold your hand.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=150>Let me go, sir,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=152>Come, come,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>you're drunk.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=154>Drunk!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>They fight</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=155>[Aside to RODERIGO] Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=156>Nay, good lieutenant,--alas, gentlemen;--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>Help, ho!--Lieutenant,--sir,--Montano,--sir;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>Help, masters!--Here's a goodly watch indeed!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Bell rings</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=159>Who's that which rings the bell?--Diablo, ho!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>You will be shamed for ever.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=162>What is the matter here?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=163>'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Faints</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=164>Hold, for your lives!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=165>Hold, ho! Lieutenant,--sir--Montano,--gentlemen,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=166>Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=168>Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>He that stirs next to carve for his own rage</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=174>Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=178>I do not know: friends all but now, even now,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=179>In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=180>Devesting them for bed; and then, but now--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=181>As if some planet had unwitted men--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=182>Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=183>In opposition bloody. I cannot speak</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>Any beginning to this peevish odds;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>And would in action glorious I had lost</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>Those legs that brought me to a part of it!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=187>How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=188>I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=189>Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>The gravity and stillness of your youth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=191>The world hath noted, and your name is great</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=193>That you unlace your reputation thus</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=194>And spend your rich opinion for the name</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=195>Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=196>Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=197>Your officer, Iago, can inform you,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=198>While I spare speech, which something now</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=199>offends me,--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>Of all that I do know: nor know I aught</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=201>By me that's said or done amiss this night;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=202>Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=203>And to defend ourselves it be a sin</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=204>When violence assails us.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=205>Now, by heaven,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=206>My blood begins my safer guides to rule;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=207>And passion, having my best judgment collied,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=208>Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=209>Or do but lift this arm, the best of you</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=211>How this foul rout began, who set it on;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=212>And he that is approved in this offence,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=214>Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=216>To manage private and domestic quarrel,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>In night, and on the court and guard of safety!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>MONTANO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=219>If partially affined, or leagued in office,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>Thou art no soldier.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=222>Touch me not so near:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=223>I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=224>Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=225>Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=226>Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=227>Montano and myself being in speech,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>There comes a fellow crying out for help:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=229>And Cassio following him with determined sword,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=231>Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>Myself the crying fellow did pursue,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>Lest by his clamour--as it so fell out--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>I ne'er might say before. When I came back--</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>For this was brief--I found them close together,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=240>At blow and thrust; even as again they were</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>When you yourself did part them.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>More of this matter cannot I report:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=243>But men are men; the best sometimes forget:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>As men in rage strike those that wish them best,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>From him that fled some strange indignity,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>Which patience could not pass.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=249>I know, Iago,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>But never more be officer of mine.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter DESDEMONA, attended</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=253>Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>I'll make thee an example.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>DESDEMONA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=255>What's the matter?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech74><b>OTHELLO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=256>All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=258>Lead him off.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>To MONTANO, who is led off</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=259>Iago, look with care about the town,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech75><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=263>What, are you hurt, lieutenant?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech76><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=264>Ay, past all surgery.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech77><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=265>Marry, heaven forbid!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech78><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=266>Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=267>my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=268>myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>Iago, my reputation!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech79><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=270>As I am an honest man, I thought you had received</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>deserving: you have lost no reputation at all,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>there are ways to recover the general again: you</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=277>are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=278>policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=280>to him again, and he's yours.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech80><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=281>I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=285>fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>let us call thee devil!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech81><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=288>What was he that you followed with your sword? What</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=289>had he done to you?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech82><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=290>I know not.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech83><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=291>Is't possible?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech84><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=292>I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=293>a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=295>their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=296>revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech85><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=297>Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=298>recovered?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech86><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=299>It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=300>to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=301>another, to make me frankly despise myself.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech87><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=302>Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=303>the place, and the condition of this country</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=304>stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=305>but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech88><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=306>I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=307>I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=308>such an answer would stop them all. To be now a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=309>sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=310>beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=311>unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech89><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=312>Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=313>if it be well used: exclaim no more against it.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=314>And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech90><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=315>I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech91><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=316>You or any man living may be drunk! at a time, man.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=317>I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=318>is now the general: may say so in this respect, for</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=319>that he hath devoted and given up himself to the</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=320>contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=321>graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=322>her help to put you in your place again: she is of</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=323>so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=324>she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=325>than she is requested: this broken joint between</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=326>you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=327>fortunes against any lay worth naming, this</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=328>crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech92><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=329>You advise me well.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech93><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=330>I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech94><b>CASSIO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=331>I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=332>beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=333>I am desperate of my fortunes if they cheque me here.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech95><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=334>You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=335>must to the watch.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=336>CASSIO: Good night, honest Iago.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech96><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=337>And what's he then that says I play the villain?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=338>When this advice is free I give and honest,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=339>Probal to thinking and indeed the course</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=340>To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=341>The inclining Desdemona to subdue</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=342>In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=343>As the free elements. And then for her</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=344>To win the Moor--were't to renounce his baptism,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=345>All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=346>His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=347>That she may make, unmake, do what she list,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=348>Even as her appetite shall play the god</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=349>With his weak function. How am I then a villain</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=350>To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=351>Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=352>When devils will the blackest sins put on,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=353>They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=354>As I do now: for whiles this honest fool</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=355>Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=356>And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=357>I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=358>That she repeals him for her body's lust;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=359>And by how much she strives to do him good,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=360>She shall undo her credit with the Moor.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=361>So will I turn her virtue into pitch,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=362>And out of her own goodness make the net</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=363>That shall enmesh them all.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Re-enter RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=364>How now, Roderigo!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech97><b>RODERIGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=365>I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=366>hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=367>almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=368>cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=369>have so much experience for my pains, and so, with</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=370>no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech98><b>IAGO</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=371>How poor are they that have not patience!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=372>What wound did ever heal but by degrees?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=373>Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=374>And wit depends on dilatory time.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=375>Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=376>And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=377>Though other things grow fair against the sun,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=378>Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=379>Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=380>Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=381>Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=382>Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=383>Nay, get thee gone.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit RODERIGO</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=384>Two things are to be done:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=385>My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=386>I'll set her on;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=387>Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=388>And bring him jump when he may Cassio find</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=389>Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=390>Dull not device by coldness and delay.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit</i></p> | |
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