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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. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo ! when these mutualities 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 you please °, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod. Well.

Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler, and, haply, with his truncheon 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 wbich there were no expectation of our prosperity.

Rod. I will do this, if I 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.

[Exit. Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit: The Moor-howbeit that I endure him not,Is of a constant, loving, noble nature; And, I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemona A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, (though, peradventure, I stand accountant for as great a sin) But partly led to diet my revenge,

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an INDEX, and OBSCURE prologue) Respecting “index," see “ Hamlet,” A. iii. sc. 4, Vol. v. p. 555. The 4to, 1622, omits “obscure ;” and “ villainous thoughts” lower down.

when these MUTUALITIES] The folio misprints “mutualities” of the 4tos, mutabilities; and in Iago's next speech it onits “ with his truncheon."

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For that I do suspect the lustful Moor?
Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof
Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards,
And nothing can, or shall, content my soul,
Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife;
Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,-
If this poor brach of Venice, whom I trash
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,-
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip;
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb',-
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me,
For making him egregiously an ass,
And practising upon his peace and quiet,
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd :
Knavery's plain face is never seen, till us’d.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

A Street.

Enter a Herald', with a proclamation : People following.

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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

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the LUSTFUL Moor] So both the 4tos : the folio, lusty. & Till I am EVEN'D with him,] “Even'd” is the reading of the folio, and of the 4to, 1630 : the 4to, 1622, has even.

9 If this poor BRACH of Venice, whom I TRASH] So the corr. fo. 1632, and so far it agrees with Warburton's suggestion to substitute “brach” for trash of the old copies: the emendation of " trash,” at the end of the line, for trace of the folio, 1623, and crush of the 4to, 1622, is not equally required, since “trash" and trace were used somewhat synonymously, as a mode of keeping back braches, i. e. dogs, who hunted too quickly. Iago speaks of Roderigo as a poor hound, who was so eager in the chase, that it was necessary to restrain him: nevertheless the Rev. Mr. Dyce is for trash, instead of “brach," against, as we think, the most evident probability : see “ Remarks,” p. 237.

- in the Rank garb,] So both the 4tos: the folio, “ the right garb.” 2 Enter a Herald,] He is called “Othello's Herald” in the folio, and in the 4to, 1630.

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what sport and revels his addiction leads him'; for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials. 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 hath 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 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 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 'twixt me and you.-
Good night.

[Exeunt OTH., Des., and Attendants.

Enter Lago.

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: 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 is a most fresh and delicate creature.

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his ADDICTION leads him ;] The 4to, 1622, “ his mind leads him.” In the next line both the 4tos. have “nuptials " for nuptial of the folio.

Iago. What an eye she has ! methinks, it sounds a parley of 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 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. Oh! 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.

[E.cit 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 outward,
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,

a 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.

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a parley of provocation.) The folio alone has “parley to provocation.” – is it not an alarum to love?] The 4tos. put it affirmatively, “'lis an alarum to love."

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; [Sings.
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!

[Wine brought in. 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 Englishman?

Cas. Is your Englishman so exquisite 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. Oh sweet England !

King Stephen was a worthy peer",

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

With that he call’d the tailor - loun.

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a

9

2

they have given me a Rouse already.) Respecting the word 'rou se,” see Vol. v. p. 483. We have had the verb “ carous'd” on the preceding page. " A life's but a span;] Thus both the 4tos. The folio reads

“ Oh man's life's but a span." - are nothing to your Englishman.] It is only English in the 4tos. and folios, but Cassio's next inquiry, “ Is your Englishman,” &c. shows that we ought to read “ Englishman" in Iago's speech : it is, besides, made “ Englishman” in the corr. fo. 1632.

— $0 EXQUISITE in his drinking ?] In the folio, and in the 4to, 1630, the word is “ exquisite :" in the 4to, 1622, expert.

* King Stephen was a worthy peer,] The ballad, from which these two stanzas are quoted, is to be found entire in Percy's “ Reliques," Vol. i. p. 208, edit. 1812. In Camden’s “Remains," is a story respecting the breeches of William Rufus, but

VOL. VI.

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