And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die, 'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear, My soul hath her content so absolute, Des. The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow! Oth. Amen to that, sweet powers! I cannot speak enough of this content; Iago [aside]. [Kissing her. O, you are well tun'd now! But I'll set (2) down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am. Oth. Come, let us to the castle. News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd. How does my old acquaintance of this isle?— Honey, you shall be well desir'd in Cyprus; I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet, In mine own comforts.-I prithee, good Iago, Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers: He is a good one, and his worthiness Does challenge much respect.-Come, Desdemona, [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'st valiant,-as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them,-list me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard :-first, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him. Rod. With him! why, 'tis not possible. Iago. Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies: and will she love him still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be,-again to inflame it, and to give satiety a fresh appetite,-loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted,—as it is a most pregnant and unforced position, who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden. loose affection? why, none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave; a finder of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after: a pestilent complete knave; and the woman hath found him already. Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she's full of most blessed condition. Iago. Blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor: blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that? Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy. Iago. Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breaths embraced together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion: pish!-But, sir, be you ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Cassio knows you not:-I'll not be far from you: do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course (23) you please, which the time shall more favourably minister. Rod. Well. Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires, by the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity. Rod. I will do this, if I(24) can bring it to any opportunity. Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. Rod. Adieu. Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,- [Exit. For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too; Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, And practising upon his peace and quiet Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd: [Exit. SCENE II. A street. Enter a Herald with a proclamation; People following. Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction (26) leads him: for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial:-so much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open; and there. is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello! [Exeunt. SCENE III. A hall in the castle. Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants. Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night: Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop, Not to outsport discretion. Cas. Iago hath direction what to do; But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest Let me have speech with you.-Come, my dear love,— The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; [To Desdemona. That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.— Good night. [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. 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. 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. lago. Well, happiness to their sheets! 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 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: I'll drink for you. 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. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. 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 [Exit. As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo, |