Enter IAGO. CAS. Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch. IAGO. Not this hour, Lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock. Our General cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is sport for Jove. CAS. She's a most exquisite lady. IAGO. And, I'll warrant her, full of game. 20 CAS. Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature. IAGO. What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley to provocation. CAS. An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest. IAGO. And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? CAS. She is, indeed, perfection. IAGO. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, Lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello. 30 CAS. Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and CAS. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was IAGO. What, Man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants desire it. CAS. Where are they? IAGO. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. CAS. I'll do 't; but it dislikes me. IAGO. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, 41 [exit. As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo, ACT II 1 skilfully diluted. ACT II Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out, 50 And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards, Am I to put our Cassio in some action That may offend the Isle. But here they come : Re-enter CASSIO; with him MONTANO and Gentlemen; 60 CAS. 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already. MON. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. IAGO. Some wine, ho! [sings.] And let me the canakin clink, clink ; And let me the canakin clink! A soldier's a man ; A life's but a span ; Why, then let a soldier drink! Some wine, Boys! CAS. 'Fore God, an excellent song. 70 IAGO. I learn'd it in England, where, indeed, they are CAS. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? CAS. To the health of our General! MON. I am for it, Lieutenant; and I'll do you justice. 80 [sings.] King Stephen was a worthy Peer, His breeches cost him but a crown; With that he call'd the tailor lown. He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree: 'Tis pride that pulls the country down Some wine, ho! CAS. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. 90 CAS. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, God's above all; and there be souls must be sav'd, and there be souls must not be sav❜d. IAGO. It's true, good Lieutenant. CAS. For mine own part-no offence to the General, nor any man of quality-I hope to be sav'd. IAGO. And so do I too, Lieutenant. ΙΟΙ CAS. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the Lieutenant is to be sav'd before the Ancient. Let's have no more of this; let's to our affairs.-Forgive us our sins!-Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, Gentlemen, I am drunk: this is my Ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak well enough. ALL. Excellent well. CAS. Why, very well, then; you must not think, then, that I am drunk. [exit. MON. To the platform, Masters; come, let's set the watch. ACT II Sc. III IAGO. You see this fellow that is gone before: He is a soldier fit to stand by Cæsar And give direction; and do but see his vice: "Tis to his virtue a just equinox, The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him. I fear the trust Othello puts him in, On some odd time of his infirmity, 120 ACT II MON. Sc. III But is he often thus? IAGO. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: If drink rock not his cradle. I pray you, after the Lieutenant; go. [Exit RODERIGO. Should hazard such a place as his own second It were an honest action to say So to the Moor. IAGO. Not I, for this fair Island: I do love Cassio well; and would do much To cure him of this evil- But, hark! what noise? IAGO [aside to RODERIGO.] Away, I say; go out, and cry Let me go, Sir, Come, come, you're drunk. [They fight. a mutiny! 1 a bundle of twigs. [Exit RODERIGO. Nay, good Lieutenant-alas, Gentlemen!— [Bell rings. Who's that which rings the bell ?—Diablo, ho! 150 IAGO. Hold, ho! Lieutenant-Sir-Montano-Gentlemen! Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold! the General speaks to you; hold, hold, for OTн. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this? From her propriety. What is the matter, Masters? 160 Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee. IAGO. I do not know: friends all but now, even now, In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom Those legs that brought me to a part of it! 170 ACT II |