Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to out-sport discretion.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do;
But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to 't.

Oth.

Iago is most honest.

Michael, good night: To-morrow, with our earliest, Let me have speech with you, Come, my dear

love.

[TO DESDEMONA. [Exeunt ОTH. DES. and Attend.

Enter IAGO.

Cas. Welcome, Iago: We must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: Our general cast' us thus early, for the love of his Desdemona; whom let us not therefore blame.

Cas. She's a most exquisite lady.

Iago. Come, lieutenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of the black Othello.

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

Iago. O, they are our friends; but one cup; drink for you.

2

I'll

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

more.

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.

I Dismissed.

2 Slily mixed with water.

Cas. I'll do 't; but it dislikes me. [Exit CASSIO. Iago. If I can fasten 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 mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool, Roderigo,

Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side out. ward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this warlike isle,

Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups, 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 :
If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

Re-enter CASSIO, with him MONTANO, and
Gentlemen.

Cas. 'Fore heaven, 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!

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.

[Sings.

3

Some wine, boys!

[Wine brought in.

Cas. That's an excellent song.

3 A little more than enough.

Iago. I learned it in England, where (indeed) they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your Hollander, Drink, ho! are nothing to your English.

Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?

Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead drunk; and can overthrow both your Almain and your Hollander.

Cus. To the health of our general.

Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice. +

4

Iago. O sweet England!

King Stephen was a worthy peer3,

His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,

With that he call'd the tailor-lown",

He was a right of high renown,

And thou art but of low degree:

'Tis pride that pulls the country down,
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

Some wine, ho!"

Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

Iago. Will you hear it again?

Cas. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place, that does those things. Well, - Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

Iago. It's true, good lieutenant.

Cas. For mine own part, no offence to the general, or any man of quality, I hope to be saved. Iago. And so do I too, lieutenant.

Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient.

4 Drink as much as you do.

• Clown.

5 A worthy fellow.

have no more of this; let's to our affairs.

Forgive

us our sins!. Gentlemen, let's look to our busiDo not think, gentlemen, I am drunk; this is

ness.

my ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left hand: 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.

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

Will shake this island.

Mon.

But is he often thus?

Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: He'll watch the horologe a double set',

If drink rock not his cradle.

Mon.
It were well,
The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,

And looks not on his evils: Is not this true?

I

Enter RODErigo.

Iago. How now, Roderigo?

pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

[Aside.

[Exit RODERigo. Mon. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor Should hazard such a place, as his own second,

7 While the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours.

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? [Cry within. Help! help!

Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODerigo.

Cas. You rogue! you rascal!

Mon.

What's the matter, lieutenant?

Cas. A knave! teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen' bottle.

Rod. Beat me!

Come, come, you 're drunk. [They fight.

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mon.

Cas. Drunk!

Iag. Away, I say! go out, and cry—a mutiny.

[Aside to ROD. who goes out.

Nay, good lieutenant, -alas, gentlemen,

Help, ho!

Lieutenant, sir, Montano,

sir,

Help, masters!

Here's a goodly watch, indeed! [Bell rings.

Who's that that rings the bell? The town will

Lieutenant hold, you will be sham'd for ever.

8 Rooted, settled.

9 A wicker'd bottle.