SCENE 1. A Seaport Town in CYPRUS. A Platform. Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen.

Mon. What from the cape can you discern at sea? 1 Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail.

Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at land: A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements: If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,

What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortise? what shall we hear of this?
2 Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet:

For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds;
The wind-shak'd surge, with high and monstrous main,
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,

And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
I never did like molestation view

On th' enchaf'd flood.

Mon.

If that the Turkish fleet

Be not inshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impossible they bear it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

3 Gent. News, lords! our wars are done; The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks, That their designment halts: A noble ship of Venice Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance

On most part of their fleet.

Mon.

How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in,

A Veronesé; Michael Cassio,

Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at sea,
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
3 Gent. But this same Cassio,-though he speak of
comfort,

Touching the Turkish loss,-yet he looks sadly,
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest.

Mon.
'Pray heaven he be;
For I have serv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full soldier. Let's to the sea-side, ho!
As well to see the vessel that's come in,

As throw out our eyes for brave Othello;

Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue,
An indistinct regard.

3 Gent.

Come, let's do so; .

For every minute is expectancy

Of more arrivance.

Enter CASSIO.

Cas. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike isle, That so approve the Moor; O let the heavens Give him defence against the elements,

For I have lost him on a dangerous sea!

Mon. Is he well shipp'd?

Cas. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot

Of very expert and approv'd allowance;

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure.

[Within]

A sail, a sail, a sail!

Enter another Gentleman.

Cas. What noise?

4 Gent. The town is empty: on the brow o'the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry-a sail.

Cus. My hopes do shape him for the governor.
2 Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy;

Our friends, at least.
Cas.

[Guns heard.

I pray you, sir, go forth, And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd.

2 Gent. I shall.

[Exit.

Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd? Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid That paragons description, and wild fame; One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And, in the essential vesture of creation,

Does bear all excellency.-How now? who has put in? Re-enter second Gentleman.

2 Gent. "Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,-
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,-
As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mon.

What is she?

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's captain, Left in the conduct of the bold Ïago;

Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A se'nnight's speed.-Great Jove, Othello guard,
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath;
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort!-O, behold,

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants.

The riches of the ship is come on shore!

Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees;-
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,

Enwheel thee round!

my

lord?

Des.
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of
Cas. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.
Des. O, but I fear ;-How lost you company?
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a sail.

[Cry within, A sail, a sail! Then Guns heard. 2 Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend.

Cas.

See for the news.—

[Exit Gentleman.

[To Emilia.

Good ancient, you are welcome;-Welcome, mis

tress :

Let it not gall your patience, good lago,

That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding

That gives me this bold show of courtesy. [Kissing her, lago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips, As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,

You'd have enough.

Des.

Alas, she has no speech.

Iago. In faith, too much;

I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emil.

You have little cause to say so. lage. Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors, Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens, Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,

[beds.

Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your

Des. O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk;

You rise to play, and go to bed to work.

Emil. You shall not write my praise.

lago.

No, let me not. Des. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't; [praise me? For I am nothing, if not critical.

Des. Come on, assay:-There's one gone to the harbour?

lago. Ay, madam.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

lago. I am about it; but, indeed, my invention Comes from my pate, as birdlime does from frize, It plucks out brains and all: But my muse labours, And thus she is deliver'd.

If she be fair and wise,-fairness, and wit,

The one's for use, the other useth it.

Des. Well prais'd! How if she be black and witty? Iago. If she be black, and thereto have a wit, She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.

Des. Worse and worse.

Emil. How, if fair and foolish?

Iago. She never yet was foolish that was fair; For even her folly help'd her to an heir.

Des. These are old fond paradoxes, to make fools laugh i'the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish?

lago. There's none so foul, and foolish thereunto, But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

Des. O heavy ignorance!-thou praisest the worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? one, that, in the authority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself? lago. She that was ever fair, and never proud; Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud; Never lack'd gold, and yet went never gay; Fled from her wish, and yet said,-now 1 may; She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh, Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly; She, that in wisdom never was so frail,

To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;