Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,
To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd

Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:

Three else (27) 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, followed by MONTANO, Gentlemen, and Servant with wine.

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:

[Sings.

A soldier's a man ;

O, man's life's but a span ;

Why, then, let a soldier drink.

Some wine, boys!

Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song.

Iago. I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied 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; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle can be filled. Cas. To the health of our general!

Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.
Iago. O sweet England!

King Stephen was and(28) a worthy peer,

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 wight 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 't 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 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, nor 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; the lieutenant is to be saved 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. 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.

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?

Enter RODERIGO.

Iago. How now, Roderigo!

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

[Aside to him. [Exit Roderigo.

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

With one of an ingraft infirmity:

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?

[Cry within,-" Help! help!"(29)

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.

Iago. Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny!

[Aside to Roderigo, who goes out.

Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen ;

Let me go, sir,

Come, come, you're drunk.

[They fight.

Help, ho!-Lieutenant,―sir,-Montano,—sir ;—(30)
Help, masters!-Here's a goodly watch indeed! [Bell rings.
Who's that which rings the bell ?-Diablo, ho!

The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold;
You will be sham'd for ever.(31)

Oth.

Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants.

What is the matter here?

Mon. Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.(32) Oth. Hold, for your lives!

Iago. Hold, ho! Lieutenant, sir,-Montano,-gentle

men,

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty ?(33)
Hold! (34) the general speaks to you; hold, for shame!
Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.-
Silence that dreadful bell! it frights the isle

From her propriety.—What is the matter, masters ?—
Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
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
Devesting them for bed; and then, but now
(As if some planet had unwitted men),
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And would in action glorious I had lost

Those legs that brought me to a part of it!

Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
Cas. I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;

The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great

In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus,

And spend your rich opinion for the name

Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:

Your officer, Iago, can inform you,

While I spare speech, which something now offends me,—
Of all that I do know: nor know I aught

By me that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,

And to defend ourselves it be a sin

When violence assails us.

Oth.

Now, by heaven,

My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
And passion, having my best judgment collied,
Assays to lead the way :-if I once stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approv'd in this offence,

Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall lose me.-What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,

In night, and on the court and guard of safety! (3)
'Tis monstrous.-Iago, who began 't?

Mon. If partially affin'd, or leagu'd (36) in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,

Thou art no soldier.

Iago.

Touch me not so near:

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
Montano and myself being in speech,
There comes a fellow crying out for help;
And Cassio following him with determin'd sword,
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman