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I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

Cas.

Let me go, sir, Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Mon. Come, come, you're drunk. Cas. Drunk! [They fight. lago, 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, in[Bell rings. Who's that that rings the bell?-Diablo, ho! The town will rise, God's will, lieutenant! You will be shamed for ever. [hold; Enter OTHELLO and Attendants. Oth. What is the matter here? Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death; Oth. Hold, for your lives. [he dies. Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano, gentlemen,

deed!

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! [ariseth this? Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence 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 natter,

masters?

Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, Speak, who began this? on thy love I charge thee. [even now, Iago. I do not know ;-friends all but 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 These 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.

A wicker'd bottle. § Darkened.

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 sometime 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 col·
lied §,

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 approved || 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!
'Tis monstrous.-Iago, who began it?
Mon. If partially affined T, or leagued in
office,

Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

lago.

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 determined
sword,

To execute upon him: Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause;
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
Lest, by his clamour, (as it so fell out,)
The town might fall in fright: he, swift of
foot,
{ther

Outran my purpose; and I return'd the raFor that I heard the clink and fall of swords, And Cassio high in oath; which, till to-night, I ne'er might say before: when I came back, (For this was brief,) I found them close to

gether,

At blow and thrust; even as again they were,
When you yourself did part them.
More of this matter can I not report:-
But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,-
As men in rage strike those that wish them
best,-

Yet, surely, Cassio, I believe, received,
From him that fled, some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pass.
Oth.
I know, lago;
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio:-Cassio, I love thee,
But never more be officer of mine.-

Care of one's self.
Related by nearness of office.

ti. e., You have thus forgot yourself. Convicted by proof.

Enter DESDEMONA, attended.
Look if my gentle love be not raised up;
I'll make thee an example.
Des.
What's the matter, dear?
Oth. All's well now, sweeting; Come away
Sir, for your harts,
[to bed.
Myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off.
[To MONTANO, who is led off.
Iago, look with care about the town;
And silence those whom this vile brawl dis-
tracted.-

Come, Desdemona; 'tis the soldier's life,
To have their balmy slumbers waked with
strife.

[Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO.
Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
Cas. Ay, past all surgery.
Iugo. Marry, heaven forbid!
Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O,
I have lost my reputation! I have lost the im-
mortal part, sir, of myself, and what remains is
bestial. My reputation, Iago! my reputation!
lago. As I am an honest man, I thought
you had received some bodily wound; there
is more offence in that than in reputation.
Reputation is an idle and most false imposi-
tion; oft got without merit, and lost without
deserving: You have lost no reputation at
all, unless you repute yourself such a loser.
What, man! there are ways to recover the
general again: You are but now cast in his
mood *, a punishment more in policy than in
malice; even so as one would beat his of-
fenceless dog, to affright an imperious lion:
sue to him again, and he's yours.

Cas. I will rather sue to be despised, than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet, an officer. Drunk and speak parrott! and squabble, swagger, swear! and discourse fustlan with one's own shadow !-0, thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee-devil!

Iago. What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you? Cas. I know not.

lago. Is it possible?

Cas. I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, revel, pleasure, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!

Iago. Why, but you are now well enough: How came you thus recovered?

Cas. It hath pleased the devil, drunkenness, to give place to the devil, wrath: one unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself.

Iago. Come, you are too severe a moraler: As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen; but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

Cas. I will ask him for my place again; he

Dismissed in his anger. § Liberal, bountiful,

Even.

shall tell me I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O strange !Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil.

lago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

Cas. I have well approved it, sir.—I drunk! Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time, man. I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the general;-I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement, of her parts and graces;-confess yourself freely to her; importune her; she'll help to put you in your place again: she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed, a disposition, that she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested This broken joint, between you and her husband, entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

Cas. You advise me well.

Iago. I protest, in the sincerity of love, and honest kindness.

Cas. I think it freely; and, betimes in the morning, I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here. Iago. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I must to the watch. Cas. Good night, honest Iago.

[Exit CASSIO. Iago. And what's he then, that says-I play

the villain?
When this advice is free, I give, and honest,
Probal to thinking, and (indeed) the course
To win the Moor again? For, 'tis most easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit; she's framed as fruitful Ş
As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor,-were't to renounce his
baptism,

All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,-
His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function. How am I then a
villain,

To counsel Cassio to this parallel || course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will their blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: For while this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,-
That she repeals ** him for her body's lust;
And, by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
+ Talk idly.
Bet or wager.
** Recails.

¶ Tempt.

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Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee, And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:

Though other things grow fair against the sun, Yet fruits that blossom first, will first be ripe: Content thyself awhile.-By the mass, 'tis morning; [short.Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem Retire thee; go where thon art billeted: Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter: Nay, get thee gone. [Exit ROD.] Two things are to be done,→→

My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on :

Myself, the while, to draw the Moor apart,
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife-Ay, that's the way;
Dull not device by coldness and delay. [Erit.

ACT III.

SCENE I. Before the Castle. Enter CASSIO, and some Musicians. Cas. Masters, play here, I will content your pains, [row, general. [Music. Something that's brief; and bid-good-morEnter Clown.

Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been at Naples, that they speak i'the nose thus ?

1 Mus. How, sir, how!

Clo. Are these I pray you, called wind instruments?

1 Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir. Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail.

1 Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir? Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, of all loves, to make no more noise with it.

1 Mus. Well, sir, we will not.

Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard, to't again: but, as they say, to hear music, the general does not greatly care.

1 Mus. We have none such, sir, Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away: Go; vanish into air; away. [Exeunt Musicians. Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

Cas. Pr'ythee, keep up thy quilletst. There's a poor piece of gold for thee; if the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife, be stirring, tell her, there's one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: Wilt thou do this? [hither,

Clo. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir I shall seem to notify unto her. [Exit. Enter IAGO.

Cas. Do, good my friend.-In happy time, Iago.

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am sorry

For your displeasure; but all will soon be well.

The general, and his wife, are talking of it; And she speaks for you stoutly: The Moor replies,

That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus,
And great affinity; and that, in wholesome
wisdom,
[he loves yon;

He might not but refuse you: but he protests
And needs no other suitor, but his likings,
To take the saf'st occasion by the front,
To bring you in again.
Cas.
Yet, I beseech you,—
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.

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SCENE II. A Room in the Castle.
Enter OTHELLO, Isco, and Gentlemen.
Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;
And, by him, do my duties to the state:
That done, I will be walking on the works,

• Just at the time. Nice distinctions. The displeasure you have incurred from Othello.

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SCENE III. Before the Castle. Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA. Des. Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do All my abilities in thy behalf.

Emil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves
As if the case were his.
[my husband
Des. O, that's an honest fellow.-Do not
doubt, Cassio,

But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were..

Cas.
Bounteous roadam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant..
Des. O, sir, I thank you: You do love my
lord:
[assured,
You have known him long; and be you well
He shall in strangeness stand no further off
Than in a politic distance.

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Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,
That he hath left part of his grief with me;
I suffer with him. Good. love, call him back.
Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some
Des. But shall't be shortly? [other time.
Oth.
The sooner, sweet, for you.
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth.
No, not to-nigh..
Des. To-morrow dinner, then?
Oth.

I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel.
Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tues-
day morn;
[morn;
Or Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday
I pray thee, name the time; but let it not
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason,
(Save that, they say, the wars must make ex-
amples

Out of their best ‡,) is not almost a fault
To incur a private check: When shall he

Cas.
Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
That, I being absent, and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.
Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia here,
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;
I'll watch him fame*, and talk him out of pa-1
tience;

His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does [Cassio;
With Cassio's suit: Therefore be merry,
For thy solicitor shall rather die,
Than give thy cause away.
Enter OTHELLO, and IAGO, at a distance.
Emil.
Madam, here comes

My lord.

Cas.

Des.

Madam, I'll take my leave.

And hear me speak.

Why, stay, [ease, Cas. Madam, not now; I am very ill at Unfit for mine own purposes.

Des.

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Well, well, [Exit CASSIO. Ha! I like not that. Oth. What dost thou say? Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if I know not [wife? Oth. Was not that Cassio parted from my Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it,

what.

That he would steal away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.
Oth.

I do believe 'twas he.
Des. How now, my lord?

I have been talking with a suitor here,,

A man that languishes in your displeasure.

come?

Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you could ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on. What! Mi-
chael Cassio,
[time,
That came a wooing with you; and many a
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much.

Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come
I will deny thee nothing. [when he will;
Des.
Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you
Or sue to you to do peculiar profit [warm;
To your own person: Nay, when I have a
suit,

Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poize and difficulty,
And fearful to be granted.

Oth.
I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
To leave me but a little to myself. flord.
Des. Shall I deny you? no: Farewell, my
Oth, Farewell, my Desdemona: I will
come to thee straight. [teach you;
Des. Emilia, come :-Be it as your fancies
Whate'er you be, I am obedient.

[Exit, with EMILIA. Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch

my soul,

But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.

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Iago. My noble lord.

Oth.

What dost thou say, Iago?

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Iago. Oth.

Think, my lord? Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean something:

[that, I heard thee say but now,-Thou lik'dst not When Cassio left my wife; What did'st not like?

And, when I told thee-he was of my counsel In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, Indeed?

[ther, And didst contract and purse thy brow togeAs if thou then had'st shut up in thy brain Some horrible conceit: If thou dost love me, Show me thy thought.

Iago. My lord, you know I love you. Oth. I think, thou dost: And-for I know thou art full of love and [them breath,And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st Therefore these stops of thine fright me the

honesty,

more:

For such things, in a false disloyal knave,
Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just,
They are close denotements, working from the
That passion cannot rule.
[heart,
Iago.
For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest.
Oth. I think so too.
Iago. Men should be what they seem ;
Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem
[seem.
Oth. Certain, men should be what they
lago.
Why then,

none !

I think that Cassio is an honest man.
Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this:
I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings.
As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst
The worst of words.
[of thoughts
Iago.
Good my lord, pardon me:
Though I am bound to every act of duty,
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to,
Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile

and false,

As where's that palace, whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so But some uncleanly apprehensions [pure,

* Courts of Inquiry.

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Out of his scattering and unsure observance:
It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdomi,
To let you know my thoughts.

Oth.
What dost thou mean?
lago. Good name, in man, and woman,
dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis some-
thing, nothing;
[thousands;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to
But he, that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.

Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought.
Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your
hand;

Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. Ha!

Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock [bliss,

The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
But, 0, what damned minutes tells he o'er,
Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly
Oth. O misery!
[loves!

Iago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich

enough;

But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor:-
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

Oth.

Why? why is this? Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt, [goat, Is-once to be resolved: Exchange me for a When I shall turn the business of my soul To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous, [pany, say-my wife is fair, feeds well, loves comIs free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;

To

Where virtue is, these are more virtuous §: Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw The smallest fear, or doubt of her revolt; For she had eyes, and chose me: No, Iago; I'll see, before I doubt; when I doubt, prove + Conjectures. Endless, unbounded. "Which makes fair gifts fairer."

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