ACTISCENEI。Venice。Astreet。EnterRODERIGOandIAGORODERIGOTush!nevertellme;ItakeitmuchunkindlyThatthou,Iago,whohasthadmypurseAsifthestringswerethine,shouldstknowofthis。IAGO’Sblood,butyouwillnothearme:
IfeverIdiddreamofsuchamatter,Abhorme。RODERIGOThoutold’stmethoudidstholdhiminthyhate。IAGODespiseme,ifIdonot。Threegreatonesofthecity,Inpersonalsuittomakemehislieutenant,Off—capp’dtohim:and,bythefaithofman,Iknowmyprice,Iamworthnoworseaplace:
Buthe;aslovinghisownprideandpurposes,Evadesthem,withabombastcircumstanceHorriblystuff’dwithepithetsofwar;
And,inconclusion,Nonsuitsmymediators;for,’Certes,’sayshe,’Ihavealreadychosemyofficer。’
Andwhatwashe?
Forsooth,agreatarithmetician,OneMichaelCassio,aFlorentine,Afellowalmostdamn’dinafairwife;
Thatneversetasquadroninthefield,NorthedivisionofabattleknowsMorethanaspinster;unlessthebookishtheoric,WhereinthetogedconsulscanproposeAsmasterlyashe:mereprattle,withoutpractise,Isallhissoldiership。Buthe,sir,hadtheelection:
AndI,ofwhomhiseyeshadseentheproofAtRhodes,atCyprusandonothergroundsChristianandheathen,mustbebe—lee’dandcalm’dBydebitorandcreditor:thiscounter—caster,He,ingoodtime,musthislieutenantbe,AndI——Godblessthemark!——hisMoorship’sancient。RODERIGOByheaven,Iratherwouldhavebeenhishangman。IAGOWhy,there’snoremedy;’tisthecurseofservice,Prefermentgoesbyletterandaffection,Andnotbyoldgradation,whereeachsecondStoodheirtothefirst。Now,sir,bejudgeyourself,WhetherIinanyjusttermamaffinedTolovetheMoor。RODERIGOIwouldnotfollowhimthen。IAGOO,sir,contentyou;
Ifollowhimtoservemyturnuponhim:
Wecannotallbemasters,norallmastersCannotbetrulyfollow’d。YoushallmarkManyaduteousandknee—crookingknave,That,dotingonhisownobsequiousbondage,Wearsouthistime,muchlikehismaster’sass,Fornoughtbutprovender,andwhenhe’sold,cashier’d:
Whipmesuchhonestknaves。OthersthereareWho,trimm’dinformsandvisagesofduty,Keepyettheirheartsattendingonthemselves,And,throwingbutshowsofserviceontheirlords,DowellthrivebythemandwhentheyhavelinedtheircoatsDothemselveshomage:thesefellowshavesomesoul;
AndsuchaonedoIprofessmyself。For,sir,ItisassureasyouareRoderigo,WereItheMoor,IwouldnotbeIago:
Infollowinghim,Ifollowbutmyself;
Heavenismyjudge,notIforloveandduty,Butseemingso,formypeculiarend:
ForwhenmyoutwardactiondothdemonstrateThenativeactandfigureofmyheartIncomplimentextern,’tisnotlongafterButIwillwearmyheartuponmysleeveFordawstopeckat:IamnotwhatIam。RODERIGOWhatafullfortunedoesthethicklipsoweIfhecancarry’tthus!IAGOCallupherfather,Rousehim:makeafterhim,poisonhisdelight,Proclaimhiminthestreets;incenseherkinsmen,And,thoughheinafertileclimatedwell,Plaguehimwithflies:thoughthathisjoybejoy,Yetthrowsuchchangesofvexationon’t,Asitmaylosesomecolour。RODERIGOHereisherfather’shouse;I’llcallaloud。IAGODo,withliketimorousaccentanddireyellAswhen,bynightandnegligence,thefireIsspiedinpopulouscities。RODERIGOWhat,ho,Brabantio!SigniorBrabantio,ho!IAGOAwake!what,ho,Brabantio!thieves!thieves!
thieves!
Looktoyourhouse,yourdaughterandyourbags!
Thieves!thieves!
BRABANTIOappearsabove,atawindowBRABANTIOWhatisthereasonofthisterriblesummons?
Whatisthematterthere?RODERIGOSignior,isallyourfamilywithin?IAGOAreyourdoorslock’d?BRABANTIOWhy,whereforeaskyouthis?IAGO’Zounds,sir,you’rerobb’d;forshame,putonyourgown;
Yourheartisburst,youhavelosthalfyoursoul;
Evennow,now,verynow,anoldblackramIstoppingyourwhiteewe。Arise,arise;
Awakethesnortingcitizenswiththebell,Orelsethedevilwillmakeagrandsireofyou:
Arise,Isay。BRABANTIOWhat,haveyoulostyourwits?RODERIGOMostreverendsignior,doyouknowmyvoice?BRABANTIONotIwhatareyou?RODERIGOMynameisRoderigo。BRABANTIOTheworserwelcome:
Ihavechargedtheenottohauntaboutmydoors:
InhonestplainnessthouhastheardmesayMydaughterisnotforthee;andnow,inmadness,Beingfullofsupperanddistemperingdraughts,Uponmaliciousbravery,dostthoucomeTostartmyquiet。RODERIGOSir,sir,sir,——BRABANTIOButthoumustneedsbesureMyspiritandmyplacehaveinthempowerTomakethisbittertothee。RODERIGOPatience,goodsir。BRABANTIOWhattell’stthoumeofrobbing?thisisVenice;
Myhouseisnotagrange。RODERIGOMostgraveBrabantio,InsimpleandpuresoulIcometoyou。IAGO’Zounds,sir,youareoneofthosethatwillnotserveGod,ifthedevilbidyou。Becausewecometodoyouserviceandyouthinkweareruffians,you’llhaveyourdaughtercoveredwithaBarbaryhorse;
you’llhaveyournephewsneightoyou;you’llhavecoursersforcousinsandgennetsforgermans。BRABANTIOWhatprofanewretchartthou?IAGOIamone,sir,thatcomestotellyouyourdaughterandtheMoorarenowmakingthebeastwithtwobacks。BRABANTIOThouartavillain。IAGOYouare——asenator。BRABANTIOThisthoushaltanswer;Iknowthee,Roderigo。RODERIGOSir,Iwillansweranything。But,I
beseechyou,If’tbeyourpleasureandmostwiseconsent,AspartlyIfinditis,thatyourfairdaughter,Atthisodd—evenanddullwatcho’thenight,Transported,withnoworsenorbetterguardButwithaknaveofcommonhire,agondolier,TothegrossclaspsofalasciviousMoor——
Ifthisbeknowntoyouandyourallowance,Wethenhavedoneyouboldandsaucywrongs;
Butifyouknownotthis,mymannerstellmeWehaveyourwrongrebuke。DonotbelieveThat,fromthesenseofallcivility,Ithuswouldplayandtriflewithyourreverence:
Yourdaughter,ifyouhavenotgivenherleave,Isayagain,hathmadeagrossrevolt;
Tyingherduty,beauty,witandfortunesInanextravagantandwheelingstrangerOfhereandeverywhere。Straightsatisfyyourself:
Ifshebeinherchamberoryourhouse,LetlooseonmethejusticeofthestateForthusdeludingyou。BRABANTIOStrikeonthetinder,ho!
Givemeataper!callupallmypeople!
Thisaccidentisnotunlikemydream:
Beliefofitoppressesmealready。
Light,Isay!light!
ExitaboveIAGOFarewell;forImustleaveyou:
Itseemsnotmeet,norwholesometomyplace,Tobeproduced——as,ifIstay,Ishall——
AgainsttheMoor:for,Idoknow,thestate,Howeverthismaygallhimwithsomecheque,Cannotwithsafetycasthim,forhe’sembark’dWithsuchloudreasontotheCypruswars,Whichevennowstandinact,that,fortheirsouls,Anotherofhisfathomtheyhavenone,Toleadtheirbusiness:inwhichregard,ThoughIdohatehimasIdohell—pains。
Yet,fornecessityofpresentlife,Imustshowoutaflagandsignoflove,Whichisindeedbutsign。Thatyoushallsurelyfindhim,LeadtotheSagittarytheraisedsearch;
AndtherewillIbewithhim。So,farewell。
ExitEnter,below,BRABANTIO,andServantswithtorchesBRABANTIOItistootrueanevil:gonesheis;
Andwhat’stocomeofmydespisedtimeIsnoughtbutbitterness。Now,Roderigo,Wheredidstthouseeher?Ounhappygirl!
WiththeMoor,say’stthou?Whowouldbeafather!
Howdidstthouknow’twasshe?OshedeceivesmePastthought!Whatsaidshetoyou?Getmoretapers:
Raiseallmykindred。Aretheymarried,thinkyou?RODERIGOTruly,Ithinktheyare。BRABANTIOOheaven!Howgotsheout?Otreasonoftheblood!
Fathers,fromhencetrustnotyourdaughters’
mindsBywhatyouseethemact。IstherenotcharmsBywhichthepropertyofyouthandmaidhoodMaybeabused?Haveyounotread,Roderigo,Ofsomesuchthing?RODERIGOYes,sir,Ihaveindeed。BRABANTIOCallupmybrother。O,wouldyouhadhadher!
Someoneway,someanother。DoyouknowWherewemayapprehendherandtheMoor?RODERIGOIthinkIcandiscoverhim,ifyouplease,Togetgoodguardandgoalongwithme。BRABANTIOPrayyou,leadon。AteveryhouseI’llcall;
Imaycommandatmost。Getweapons,ho!
Andraisesomespecialofficersofnight。
On,goodRoderigo:I’lldeserveyourpains。
ExeuntSCENEII。Anotherstreet。EnterOTHELLO,IAGO,andAttendantswithtorchesIAGOThoughinthetradeofwarIhaveslainmen,YetdoIholditverystuffo’theconscienceTodonocontrivedmurder:IlackiniquitySometimestodomeservice:nineortentimesIhadthoughttohaveyerk’dhimhereundertheribs。OTHELLO’Tisbetterasitis。IAGONay,butheprated,AndspokesuchscurvyandprovokingtermsAgainstyourhonourThat,withthelittlegodlinessIhave,Ididfullhardforbearhim。But,Iprayyou,sir,Areyoufastmarried?Beassuredofthis,Thatthemagnificoismuchbeloved,AndhathinhiseffectavoicepotentialAsdoubleastheduke’s:hewilldivorceyou;
OrputuponyouwhatrestraintandgrievanceThelaw,withallhismighttoenforceiton,Willgivehimcable。OTHELLOLethimdohisspite:
MyserviceswhichIhavedonethesignioryShallout—tonguehiscomplaints。’Tisyettoknow,——
Which,whenIknowthatboastingisanhonour,Ishallpromulgate——IfetchmylifeandbeingFrommenofroyalsiege,andmydemeritsMayspeakunbonnetedtoasproudafortuneAsthisthatIhavereach’d:forknow,Iago,ButthatIlovethegentleDesdemona,IwouldnotmyunhousedfreeconditionPutintocircumscriptionandconfineForthesea’sworth。But,look!whatlightscomeyond?IAGOThosearetheraisedfatherandhisfriends:
Youwerebestgoin。OTHELLONotIImustbefound:
Myparts,mytitleandmyperfectsoulShallmanifestmerightly。Isitthey?IAGOByJanus,Ithinkno。
EnterCASSIO,andcertainOfficerswithtorchesOTHELLOTheservantsoftheduke,andmylieutenant。
Thegoodnessofthenightuponyou,friends!
Whatisthenews?CASSIOThedukedoesgreetyou,general,Andherequiresyourhaste—post—hasteappearance,Evenontheinstant。OTHELLOWhatisthematter,thinkyou?CASSIOSomethingfromCyprusasImaydivine:
Itisabusinessofsomeheat:thegalleysHavesentadozensequentmessengersThisverynightatoneanother’sheels,Andmanyoftheconsuls,raisedandmet,Areattheduke’salready:youhavebeenhotlycall’dfor;
When,beingnotatyourlodgingtobefound,ThesenatehathsentaboutthreeseveralguestsTosearchyouout。OTHELLO’TiswellIamfoundbyyou。
Iwillbutspendawordhereinthehouse,Andgowithyou。
ExitCASSIOAncient,whatmakeshehere?IAGO’Faith,heto—nighthathboardedalandcarack:
Ifitprovelawfulprize,he’smadeforever。CASSIOIdonotunderstand。IAGOHe’smarried。CASSIOTowho?
Re—enterOTHELLOIAGOMarry,to——Come,captain,willyougo?OTHELLOHavewithyou。CASSIOHerecomesanothertrooptoseekforyou。IAGOItisBrabantio。General,beadvised;
Hecomestobadintent。
EnterBRABANTIO,RODERIGO,andOfficerswithtorchesandweaponsOTHELLOHolla!standthere!RODERIGOSignior,itistheMoor。BRABANTIODownwithhim,thief!
TheydrawonbothsidesIAGOYou,Roderigo!come,sir,Iamforyou。OTHELLOKeepupyourbrightswords,forthedewwillrustthem。
Goodsignior,youshallmorecommandwithyearsThanwithyourweapons。BRABANTIOOthoufoulthief,wherehastthoustow’dmydaughter?
Damn’dasthouart,thouhastenchantedher;
ForI’llrefermetoallthingsofsense,Ifsheinchainsofmagicwerenotbound,Whetheramaidsotender,fairandhappy,SooppositetomarriagethatsheshunnedThewealthycurleddarlingsofournation,Wouldeverhave,toincurageneralmock,RunfromherguardagetothesootybosomOfsuchathingasthou,tofear,nottodelight。
Judgemetheworld,if’tisnotgrossinsenseThatthouhastpractisedonherwithfoulcharms,AbusedherdelicateyouthwithdrugsormineralsThatweakenmotion:I’llhave’tdisputedon;
’Tisprobableandpalpabletothinking。
IthereforeapprehendanddoattachtheeForanabuseroftheworld,apractiserOfartsinhibitedandoutofwarrant。
Layholduponhim:ifhedoresist,Subduehimathisperil。OTHELLOHoldyourhands,Bothyouofmyinclining,andtherest:
Wereitmycuetofight,IshouldhaveknownitWithoutaprompter。WherewillyouthatIgoToanswerthisyourcharge?BRABANTIOToprison,tillfittimeOflawandcourseofdirectsessionCalltheetoanswer。OTHELLOWhatifIdoobey?
Howmaythedukebetherewithsatisfied,Whosemessengersarehereaboutmyside,UponsomepresentbusinessofthestateTobringmetohim?FirstOfficer’Tistrue,mostworthysignior;
Theduke’sincouncilandyournobleself,Iamsure,issentfor。BRABANTIOHow!thedukeincouncil!
Inthistimeofthenight!Bringhimaway:
Mine’snotanidlecause:thedukehimself,Oranyofmybrothersofthestate,Cannotbutfeelthiswrongas’tweretheirown;
Forifsuchactionsmayhavepassagefree,Bond—slavesandpagansshallourstatesmenbe。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Acouncil—chamber。TheDUKEandSenatorssittingatatable;OfficersattendingDUKEOFVENICEThereisnocompositioninthesenewsThatgivesthemcredit。FirstSenatorIndeed,theyaredisproportion’d;
Myletterssayahundredandsevengalleys。DUKEOFVENICEAndmine,ahundredandforty。SecondSenatorAndmine,twohundred:
Butthoughtheyjumpnotonajustaccount,——
Asinthesecases,wheretheaimreports,’Tisoftwithdifference——yetdotheyallconfirmATurkishfleet,andbearinguptoCyprus。DUKEOFVENICENay,itispossibleenoughtojudgment:
Idonotsosecuremeintheerror,ButthemainarticleIdoapproveInfearfulsense。Sailor[Within]What,ho!what,ho!what,ho!FirstOfficerAmessengerfromthegalleys。
EnteraSailorDUKEOFVENICENow,what’sthebusiness?SailorTheTurkishpreparationmakesforRhodes;
SowasIbidreportheretothestateBySigniorAngelo。DUKEOFVENICEHowsayyoubythischange?FirstSenatorThiscannotbe,Bynoassayofreason:’tisapageant,Tokeepusinfalsegaze。WhenweconsiderTheimportancyofCyprustotheTurk,Andletourselvesagainbutunderstand,ThatasitmoreconcernstheTurkthanRhodes,Somayhewithmorefacilequestionbearit,Forthatitstandsnotinsuchwarlikebrace,ButaltogetherlackstheabilitiesThatRhodesisdress’din:ifwemakethoughtofthis,WemustnotthinktheTurkissounskilfulToleavethatlatestwhichconcernshimfirst,Neglectinganattemptofeaseandgain,Towakeandwageadangerprofitless。DUKEOFVENICENay,inallconfidence,he’snotforRhodes。FirstOfficerHereismorenews。
EnteraMessengerMessengerTheOttomites,reverendandgracious,SteeringwithduecoursetowardstheisleofRhodes,Havethereinjointedthemwithanafterfleet。FirstSenatorAy,soIthought。Howmany,asyouguess?MessengerOfthirtysail:andnowtheydorestemTheirbackwardcourse,bearingwithfrankappearanceTheirpurposestowardCyprus。SigniorMontano,Yourtrustyandmostvaliantservitor,Withhisfreedutyrecommendsyouthus,Andpraysyoutobelievehim。DUKEOFVENICE’Tiscertain,then,forCyprus。
MarcusLuccicos,isnotheintown?FirstSenatorHe’snowinFlorence。DUKEOFVENICEWritefromustohim;post—post—hastedispatch。FirstSenatorHerecomesBrabantioandthevaliantMoor。
EnterBRABANTIO,OTHELLO,IAGO,RODERIGO,andOfficersDUKEOFVENICEValiantOthello,wemuststraightemployyouAgainstthegeneralenemyOttoman。
ToBRABANTIO
Ididnotseeyou;welcome,gentlesignior;
Welack’dyourcounselandyourhelptonight。BRABANTIOSodidIyours。Goodyourgrace,pardonme;
NeithermyplacenoraughtIheardofbusinessHathraisedmefrommybed,nordoththegeneralcareTakeholdonme,formyparticulargriefIsofsoflood—gateando’erbearingnatureThatitenglutsandswallowsothersorrowsAnditisstillitself。DUKEOFVENICEWhy,what’sthematter?BRABANTIOMydaughter!O,mydaughter!DUKEOFVENICESenatorDead?BRABANTIOAy,tome;
Sheisabused,stol’nfromme,andcorruptedByspellsandmedicinesboughtofmountebanks;
Fornaturesopreposterouslytoerr,Beingnotdeficient,blind,orlameofsense,Sanswitchcraftcouldnot。DUKEOFVENICEWhoe’erhebethatinthisfoulproceedingHaththusbeguiledyourdaughterofherselfAndyouofher,thebloodybookoflawYoushallyourselfreadinthebitterletterAfteryourownsense,yea,thoughourpropersonStoodinyouraction。BRABANTIOHumblyIthankyourgrace。
Hereistheman,thisMoor,whomnow,itseems,Yourspecialmandateforthestate—affairsHathhitherbrought。DUKEOFVENICESenatorWeareverysorryfor’t。DUKEOFVENICE[ToOTHELLO]What,inyourownpart,canyousaytothis?BRABANTIONothing,butthisisso。OTHELLOMostpotent,grave,andreverendsigniors,Myverynobleandapprovedgoodmasters,ThatIhaveta’enawaythisoldman’sdaughter,Itismosttrue;true,Ihavemarriedher:
TheveryheadandfrontofmyoffendingHaththisextent,nomore。RudeamIinmyspeech,Andlittlebless’dwiththesoftphraseofpeace:
Forsincethesearmsofminehadsevenyears’
pith,Tillnowsomeninemoonswasted,theyhaveusedTheirdearestactioninthetentedfield,AndlittleofthisgreatworldcanIspeak,Morethanpertainstofeatsofbroilandbattle,AndthereforelittleshallIgracemycauseInspeakingformyself。Yet,byyourgraciouspatience,Iwillaroundunvarnish’dtaledeliverOfmywholecourseoflove;whatdrugs,whatcharms,Whatconjurationandwhatmightymagic,ForsuchproceedingIamchargedwithal,Iwonhisdaughter。BRABANTIOAmaidenneverbold;
Ofspiritsostillandquiet,thathermotionBlush’datherself;andshe,inspiteofnature,Ofyears,ofcountry,credit,everything,Tofallinlovewithwhatshefear’dtolookon!
Itisajudgmentmaim’dandmostimperfectThatwillconfessperfectionsocoulderrAgainstallrulesofnature,andmustbedrivenTofindoutpractisesofcunninghell,Whythisshouldbe。IthereforevouchagainThatwithsomemixturespowerfulo’ertheblood,Orwithsomedramconjuredtothiseffect,Hewroughtuponher。DUKEOFVENICETovouchthis,isnoproof,WithoutmorewiderandmoreoverttestThanthesethinhabitsandpoorlikelihoodsOfmodernseemingdopreferagainsthim。FirstSenatorBut,Othello,speak:
DidyoubyindirectandforcedcoursesSubdueandpoisonthisyoungmaid’saffections?
OrcameitbyrequestandsuchfairquestionAssoultosoulaffordeth?OTHELLOIdobeseechyou,SendfortheladytotheSagittary,Andletherspeakofmebeforeherfather:
Ifyoudofindmefoulinherreport,Thetrust,theofficeIdoholdofyou,Notonlytakeaway,butletyoursentenceEvenfalluponmylife。DUKEOFVENICEFetchDesdemonahither。OTHELLOAncient,conductthem:youbestknowtheplace。
ExeuntIAGOandAttendantsAnd,tillshecome,astrulyastoheavenIdoconfessthevicesofmyblood,SojustlytoyourgraveearsI’llpresentHowIdidthriveinthisfairlady’slove,Andsheinmine。DUKEOFVENICESayit,Othello。OTHELLOHerfatherlovedme;oftinvitedme;
Stillquestion’dmethestoryofmylife,Fromyeartoyear,thebattles,sieges,fortunes,ThatIhavepassed。
Iranitthrough,evenfrommyboyishdays,Totheverymomentthathebademetellit;
WhereinIspakeofmostdisastrouschances,OfmovingaccidentsbyfloodandfieldOfhair—breadthscapesi’theimminentdeadlybreach,OfbeingtakenbytheinsolentfoeAndsoldtoslavery,ofmyredemptionthenceAndportanceinmytravels’history:
Whereinofantresvastanddesertsidle,Roughquarries,rocksandhillswhoseheadstouchheavenItwasmyhinttospeak,——suchwastheprocess;
AndoftheCannibalsthateachothereat,TheAnthropophagiandmenwhoseheadsDogrowbeneaththeirshoulders。ThistohearWouldDesdemonaseriouslyincline:
Butstillthehouse—affairswoulddrawherthence:
Whicheverasshecouldwithhastedispatch,She’ldcomeagain,andwithagreedyearDevourupmydiscourse:whichIobserving,Tookonceaplianthour,andfoundgoodmeansTodrawfromheraprayerofearnestheartThatIwouldallmypilgrimagedilate,Whereofbyparcelsshehadsomethingheard,Butnotintentively:Ididconsent,Andoftendidbeguileherofhertears,WhenIdidspeakofsomedistressfulstrokeThatmyyouthsuffer’d。Mystorybeingdone,Shegavemeformypainsaworldofsighs:
Sheswore,infaith,twasstrange,’twaspassingstrange,’Twaspitiful,’twaswondrouspitiful:
Shewish’dshehadnotheardit,yetshewish’dThatheavenhadmadehersuchaman:shethank’dme,Andbademe,ifIhadafriendthatlovedher,Ishouldbutteachhimhowtotellmystory。
Andthatwouldwooher。UponthishintIspake:
ShelovedmeforthedangersIhadpass’d,AndIlovedherthatshedidpitythem。
ThisonlyisthewitchcraftIhaveused:
Herecomesthelady;letherwitnessit。
EnterDESDEMONA,IAGO,andAttendantsDUKEOFVENICEIthinkthistalewouldwinmydaughtertoo。
GoodBrabantio,Takeupthismangledmatteratthebest:
MendotheirbrokenweaponsratheruseThantheirbarehands。BRABANTIOIprayyou,hearherspeak:
Ifsheconfessthatshewashalfthewooer,Destructiononmyhead,ifmybadblameLightontheman!Comehither,gentlemistress:
DoyouperceiveinallthisnoblecompanyWheremostyouoweobedience?DESDEMONAMynoblefather,Idoperceivehereadividedduty:
ToyouIamboundforlifeandeducation;
MylifeandeducationbothdolearnmeHowtorespectyou;youarethelordofduty;
Iamhithertoyourdaughter:buthere’smyhusband,Andsomuchdutyasmymothershow’dToyou,preferringyoubeforeherfather,SomuchIchallengethatImayprofessDuetotheMoormylord。BRABANTIOGodbewi’you!Ihavedone。
Pleaseityourgrace,ontothestate—affairs:
Ihadrathertoadoptachildthangetit。
Comehither,Moor:
IheredogivetheethatwithallmyheartWhich,butthouhastalready,withallmyheartIwouldkeepfromthee。Foryoursake,jewel,IamgladatsoulIhavenootherchild:
Forthyescapewouldteachmetyranny,Tohangclogsonthem。Ihavedone,mylord。DUKEOFVENICELetmespeaklikeyourself,andlayasentence,Which,asagriseorstep,mayhelptheseloversIntoyourfavour。
Whenremediesarepast,thegriefsareendedByseeingtheworst,whichlateonhopesdepended。
TomournamischiefthatispastandgoneIsthenextwaytodrawnewmischiefon。
WhatcannotbepreservedwhenfortunetakesPatienceherinjuryamockerymakes。
Therobb’dthatsmilesstealssomethingfromthethief;
Herobshimselfthatspendsabootlessgrief。BRABANTIOSolettheTurkofCyprususbeguile;
Weloseitnot,solongaswecansmile。
HebearsthesentencewellthatnothingbearsButthefreecomfortwhichfromthencehehears,ButhebearsboththesentenceandthesorrowThat,topaygrief,mustofpoorpatienceborrow。
Thesesentences,tosugar,ortogall,Beingstrongonbothsides,areequivocal:
Butwordsarewords;IneveryetdidhearThatthebruisedheartwaspiercedthroughtheear。
Ihumblybeseechyou,proceedtotheaffairsofstate。DUKEOFVENICETheTurkwithamostmightypreparationmakesforCyprus。Othello,thefortitudeoftheplaceisbestknowntoyou;andthoughwehavethereasubstituteofmostallowedsufficiency,yetopinion,asovereignmistressofeffects,throwsamoresafervoiceonyou:youmustthereforebecontenttoslubbertheglossofyournewfortuneswiththismorestubbornandboisterousexpedition。OTHELLOThetyrantcustom,mostgravesenators,HathmadetheflintyandsteelcouchofwarMythrice—drivenbedofdown:IdoagniseAnaturalandpromptalacrityIfindinhardness,anddoundertakeThesepresentwarsagainsttheOttomites。
Mosthumblythereforebendingtoyourstate,Icravefitdispositionformywife。
Duereferenceofplaceandexhibition,WithsuchaccommodationandbesortAslevelswithherbreeding。DUKEOFVENICEIfyouplease,Be’tatherfather’s。BRABANTIOI’llnothaveitso。OTHELLONorI。DESDEMONANorI;Iwouldnottherereside,ToputmyfatherinimpatientthoughtsBybeinginhiseye。Mostgraciousduke,Tomyunfoldinglendyourprosperousear;
Andletmefindacharterinyourvoice,Toassistmysimpleness。DUKEOFVENICEWhatwouldYou,Desdemona?DESDEMONAThatIdidlovetheMoortolivewithhim,MydownrightviolenceandstormoffortunesMaytrumpettotheworld:myheart’ssubduedEventotheveryqualityofmylord:
IsawOthello’svisageinhismind,AndtohishonourandhisvaliantpartsDidImysoulandfortunesconsecrate。
Sothat,dearlords,ifIbeleftbehind,Amothofpeace,andhegotothewar,TheritesforwhichIlovehimarebereftme,AndIaheavyinterimshallsupportByhisdearabsence。Letmegowithhim。OTHELLOLetherhaveyourvoices。
Vouchwithme,heaven,Ithereforebegitnot,Topleasethepalateofmyappetite,Nortocomplywithheat——theyoungaffectsInmedefunct——andpropersatisfaction。
Buttobefreeandbounteoustohermind:
Andheavendefendyourgoodsouls,thatyouthinkIwillyourseriousandgreatbusinessscantForsheiswithme:no,whenlight—wing’dtoysOffeather’dCupidsealwithwantondullnessMyspeculativeandofficedinstruments,Thatmydisportscorruptandtaintmybusiness,Lethousewivesmakeaskilletofmyhelm,AndallindignandbaseadversitiesMakeheadagainstmyestimation!DUKEOFVENICEBeitasyoushallprivatelydetermine,Eitherforherstayorgoing:theaffaircrieshaste,Andspeedmustanswerit。FirstSenatorYoumustawayto—night。OTHELLOWithallmyheart。DUKEOFVENICEAtninei’themorningherewe’llmeetagain。
Othello,leavesomeofficerbehind,Andheshallourcommissionbringtoyou;
WithsuchthingselseofqualityandrespectAsdothimportyou。OTHELLOSopleaseyourgrace,myancient;
Amanheisofhonestandtrust:
TohisconveyanceIassignmywife,WithwhatelseneedfulyourgoodgraceshallthinkTobesentafterme。DUKEOFVENICELetitbeso。
Goodnighttoeveryone。
ToBRABANTIO
And,noblesignior,Ifvirtuenodelightedbeautylack,Yourson—in—lawisfarmorefairthanblack。FirstSenatorAdieu,braveMoor,useDesdemonawell。BRABANTIOLooktoher,Moor,ifthouhasteyestosee:
Shehasdeceivedherfather,andmaythee。
ExeuntDUKEOFVENICE,Senators,Officers,&;cOTHELLOMylifeuponherfaith!HonestIago,MyDesdemonamustIleavetothee:
Iprithee,letthywifeattendonher:
Andbringthemafterinthebestadvantage。
Come,Desdemona:IhavebutanhourOflove,ofworldlymattersanddirection,Tospendwiththee:wemustobeythetime。
ExeuntOTHELLOandDESDEMONARODERIGOIago,——IAGOWhatsay’stthou,nobleheart?RODERIGOWhatwillIdo,thinkestthou?IAGOWhy,gotobed,andsleep。RODERIGOIwillincontinentlydrownmyself。IAGOIfthoudost,Ishallneverlovetheeafter。Why,thousillygentleman!RODERIGOItissillinesstolivewhentoliveistorment;andthenhaveweaprescriptiontodiewhendeathisourphysician。IAGOOvillainous!Ihavelookedupontheworldforfourtimessevenyears;andsinceIcoulddistinguishbetwixtabenefitandaninjury,Ineverfoundmanthatknewhowtolovehimself。EreIwouldsay,I
woulddrownmyselffortheloveofaguinea—hen,I
wouldchangemyhumanitywithababoon。RODERIGOWhatshouldIdo?Iconfessitismyshametobesofond;butitisnotinmyvirtuetoamendit。IAGOVirtue!afig!’tisinourselvesthatwearethusorthus。Ourbodiesareourgardens,tothewhichourwillsaregardeners:sothatifwewillplantnettles,orsowlettuce,sethyssopandweedupthyme,supplyitwithonegenderofherbs,ordistractitwithmany,eithertohaveitsterilewithidleness,ormanuredwithindustry,why,thepowerandcorrigibleauthorityofthisliesinourwills。Ifthebalanceofourliveshadnotonescaleofreasontopoiseanotherofsensuality,thebloodandbasenessofournatureswouldconductustomostpreposterousconclusions:butwehavereasontocoolourragingmotions,ourcarnalstings,ourunbittedlusts,whereofItakethisthatyoucalllovetobeasectorscion。RODERIGOItcannotbe。IAGOItismerelyalustofthebloodandapermissionofthewill。Come,beaman。Drownthyself!drowncatsandblindpuppies。IhaveprofessedmethyfriendandIconfessmeknittothydeservingwithcablesofperdurabletoughness;Icouldneverbettersteadtheethannow。Putmoneyinthypurse;followthouthewars;defeatthyfavourwithanusurpedbeard;Isay,putmoneyinthypurse。
ItcannotbethatDesdemonashouldlongcontinueherlovetotheMoor,——putmoneyinthypurse,——norhehistoher:itwasaviolentcommencement,andthoushaltseeananswerablesequestration:——putbutmoneyinthypurse。TheseMoorsarechangeableintheirwills:fillthypursewithmoney:——thefoodthattohimnowisaslusciousaslocusts,shallbetohimshortlyasbitterascoloquintida。Shemustchangeforyouth:whensheissatedwithhisbody,shewillfindtheerrorofherchoice:shemusthavechange,shemust:thereforeputmoneyinthypurse。Ifthouwiltneedsdamnthyself,doitamoredelicatewaythandrowning。Makeallthemoneythoucanst:ifsanctimonyandafrailvowbetwixtanerringbarbarianandasupersubtleVenetiannottoohardformywitsandallthetribeofhell,thoushaltenjoyher;thereforemakemoney。Apoxofdrowningthyself!itiscleanoutoftheway:
seekthourathertobehangedincompassingthyjoythantobedrownedandgowithouther。RODERIGOWiltthoubefasttomyhopes,ifIdependontheissue?IAGOThouartsureofme:——go,makemoney:——I
havetoldtheeoften,andIre—telltheeagainandagain,I
hatetheMoor:mycauseishearted;thinehathnolessreason。Letusbeconjunctiveinourrevengeagainsthim:ifthoucanstcuckoldhim,thoudostthyselfapleasure,measport。Therearemanyeventsinthewomboftimewhichwillbedelivered。
Traverse!go,providethymoney。Wewillhavemoreofthisto—morrow。Adieu。RODERIGOWhereshallwemeeti’themorning?IAGOAtmylodging。RODERIGOI’llbewiththeebetimes。IAGOGoto;farewell。Doyouhear,Roderigo?RODERIGOWhatsayyou?IAGONomoreofdrowning,doyouhear?RODERIGOIamchanged:I’llgosellallmyland。
ExitIAGOThusdoIevermakemyfoolmypurse:
ForImineowngain’dknowledgeshouldprofane,IfIwouldtimeexpendwithsuchasnipe。
Butformysportandprofit。IhatetheMoor:
Anditisthoughtabroad,that’twixtmysheetsHehasdonemyoffice:Iknownotif’tbetrue;
ButI,formeresuspicioninthatkind,Willdoasifforsurety。Heholdsmewell;
Thebettershallmypurposeworkonhim。
Cassio’saproperman:letmeseenow:
TogethisplaceandtoplumeupmywillIndoubleknavery——How,how?Let’ssee:——
Aftersometime,toabuseOthello’searThatheistoofamiliarwithhiswife。
HehathapersonandasmoothdisposeTobesuspected,framedtomakewomenfalse。
TheMoorisofafreeandopennature,Thatthinksmenhonestthatbutseemtobeso,AndwillastenderlybeledbythenoseAsassesare。
Ihave’t。Itisengender’d。HellandnightMustbringthismonstrousbirthtotheworld’slight。
ExitACTIISCENEI。ASea—portinCyprus。Anopenplacenearthequay。EnterMONTANOandtwoGentlemenMONTANOWhatfromthecapecanyoudiscernatsea?FirstGentlemanNothingatall:itisahighwroughtflood;
Icannot,’twixttheheavenandthemain,Descryasail。MONTANOMethinksthewindhathspokealoudatland;
Afullerblastne’ershookourbattlements:
Ifithathruffian’dsouponthesea,Whatribsofoak,whenmountainsmeltonthem,Canholdthemortise?Whatshallwehearofthis?SecondGentlemanAsegregationoftheTurkishfleet:
Fordobutstanduponthefoamingshore,Thechiddenbillowseemstopelttheclouds;
Thewind—shakedsurge,withhighandmonstrousmane,seemstocastwaterontheburningbear,Andquenchtheguardsoftheever—fixedpole:
IneverdidlikemolestationviewOntheenchafedflood。MONTANOIfthattheTurkishfleetBenotenshelter’dandembay’d,theyaredrown’d:
Itisimpossibletheybearitout。
EnterathirdGentlemanThirdGentlemanNews,lads!ourwarsaredone。
Thedesperatetempesthathsobang’dtheTurks,Thattheirdesignmenthalts:anobleshipofVeniceHathseenagrievouswreckandsufferanceOnmostpartoftheirfleet。MONTANOHow!isthistrue?ThirdGentlemanTheshipishereputin,AVeronesa;MichaelCassio,LieutenanttothewarlikeMoorOthello,Iscomeonshore:theMoorhimselfatsea,AndisinfullcommissionhereforCyprus。MONTANOIamgladon’t;’tisaworthygovernor。ThirdGentlemanButthissameCassio,thoughhespeakofcomfortTouchingtheTurkishloss,yethelookssadly,AndpraystheMoorbesafe;fortheywerepartedWithfoulandviolenttempest。MONTANOPrayheavenshebe;
ForIhaveservedhim,andthemancommandsLikeafullsoldier。Let’stotheseaside,ho!
Aswelltoseethevesselthat’scomeinAstothrowoutoureyesforbraveOthello,EventillwemakethemainandtheaerialblueAnindistinctregard。ThirdGentlemanCome,let’sdoso:
ForeveryminuteisexpectancyOfmorearrivance。
EnterCASSIOCASSIOThanks,youthevaliantofthiswarlikeisle,ThatsoapprovetheMoor!O,lettheheavensGivehimdefenceagainsttheelements,ForIhavelostushimonadangeroussea。MONTANOIshewellshipp’d?CASSIOHisbarkisstoutlytimber’d,hispilotOfveryexpertandapprovedallowance;
Thereforemyhopes,notsurfeitedtodeath,Standinboldcure。
Acrywithin’Asail,asail,asail!’
EnterafourthGentlemanCASSIOWhatnoise?FourthGentlemanThetownisempty;onthebrowo’theseaStandranksofpeople,andtheycry’Asail!’CASSIOMyhopesdoshapehimforthegovernor。
GunsheardSecondGentlemenTheydodischargetheirshotofcourtesy:
Ourfriendsatleast。CASSIOIprayyou,sir,goforth,Andgiveustruthwho’tisthatisarrived。SecondGentlemanIshall。
ExitMONTANOBut,goodlieutenant,isyourgeneralwived?CASSIOMostfortunately:hehathachievedamaidThatparagonsdescriptionandwildfame;
Onethatexcelsthequirksofblazoningpens,AndintheessentialvestureofcreationDoestiretheingener。
Re—entersecondGentlemanHownow!whohasputin?SecondGentleman’TisoneIago,ancienttothegeneral。CASSIOHashadmostfavourableandhappyspeed:
Tempeststhemselves,highseas,andhowlingwinds,Thegutter’drocksandcongregatedsands——
Traitorsensteep’dtoclogtheguiltlesskeel,——
Ashavingsenseofbeauty,doomitTheirmortalnatures,lettinggosafelybyThedivineDesdemona。MONTANOWhatisshe?CASSIOShethatIspakeof,ourgreatcaptain’scaptain,LeftintheconductoftheboldIago,WhosefootinghereanticipatesourthoughtsAse’nnight’sspeed。GreatJove,Othelloguard,Andswellhissailwiththineownpowerfulbreath,Thathemayblessthisbaywithhistallship,Makelove’squickpantsinDesdemona’sarms,Giverenew’dfiretoourextinctedspiritsAndbringallCypruscomfort!
EnterDESDEMONA,EMILIA,IAGO,RODERIGO,andAttendantsO,behold,Therichesoftheshipiscomeonshore!
YemenofCyprus,letherhaveyourknees。
Hailtothee,lady!andthegraceofheaven,Before,behindthee,andoneveryhand,Enwheeltheeround!DESDEMONAIthankyou,valiantCassio。
Whattidingscanyoutellmeofmylord?CASSIOHeisnotyetarrived:norknowIaughtButthathe’swellandwillbeshortlyhere。DESDEMONAO,butIfear——Howlostyoucompany?CASSIOThegreatcontentionoftheseaandskiesPartedourfellowship——But,hark!asail。
Within’Asail,asail!’GunsheardSecondGentlemanTheygivetheirgreetingtothecitadel;
Thislikewiseisafriend。CASSIOSeeforthenews。
ExitGentlemanGoodancient,youarewelcome。
ToEMILIA
Welcome,mistress。
Letitnotgallyourpatience,goodIago,ThatIextendmymanners;’tismybreedingThatgivesmethisboldshowofcourtesy。
KissingherIAGOSir,wouldshegiveyousomuchofherlipsAsofhertonguesheoftbestowsonme,You’llhaveenough。DESDEMONAAlas,shehasnospeech。IAGOInfaith,toomuch;
Ifinditstill,whenIhavelisttosleep:
Marry,beforeyourladyship,Igrant,Sheputshertonguealittleinherheart,Andchideswiththinking。EMILIAYouhavelittlecausetosayso。IAGOComeon,comeon;youarepicturesoutofdoors,Bellsinyourparlors,wild—catsinyourkitchens,Saintsmyourinjuries,devilsbeingoffended,Playersinyourhousewifery,andhousewives’
inyourbeds。DESDEMONAO,fieuponthee,slanderer!IAGONay,itistrue,orelseIamaTurk:
Yourisetoplayandgotobedtowork。EMILIAYoushallnotwritemypraise。IAGONo,letmenot。DESDEMONAWhatwouldstthouwriteofme,ifthoushouldstpraiseme?IAGOOgentlelady,donotputmeto’t;
ForIamnothing,ifnotcritical。DESDEMONAComeonassay。There’sonegonetotheharbour?IAGOAy,madam。DESDEMONAIamnotmerry;butIdobeguileThethingIam,byseemingotherwise。
Come,howwouldstthoupraiseme?IAGOIamaboutit;butindeedmyinventionComesfrommypateasbirdlimedoesfromfrize;
Itplucksoutbrainsandall:butmyMuselabours,Andthussheisdeliver’d。
Ifshebefairandwise,fairnessandwit,Theone’sforuse,theotherusethit。DESDEMONAWellpraised!Howifshebeblackandwitty?IAGOIfshebeblack,andtheretohaveawit,She’llfindawhitethatshallherblacknessfit。DESDEMONAWorseandworse。EMILIAHowiffairandfoolish?IAGOSheneveryetwasfoolishthatwasfair;
Forevenherfollyhelp’dhertoanheir。DESDEMONATheseareoldfondparadoxestomakefoolslaughi’
thealehouse。Whatmiserablepraisehastthouforherthat’sfoulandfoolish?IAGOThere’snonesofoulandfoolishthereunto,Butdoesfoulprankswhichfairandwiseonesdo。DESDEMONAOheavyignorance!thoupraisesttheworstbest。
Butwhatpraisecouldstthoubestowonadeservingwomanindeed,onethat,intheauthorityofhermerit,didjustlyputonthevouchofverymaliceitself?IAGOShethatwaseverfairandneverproud,Hadtongueatwillandyetwasneverloud,Neverlack’dgoldandyetwentnevergay,Fledfromherwishandyetsaid’NowImay,’
Shethatbeinganger’d,herrevengebeingnigh,Badeherwrongstayandherdispleasurefly,ShethatinwisdomneverwassofrailTochangethecod’sheadforthesalmon’stail;
Shethatcouldthinkandne’erdisclosehermind,Seesuitorsfollowingandnotlookbehind,Shewasawight,ifeversuchwightwere,——DESDEMONATodowhat?IAGOTosucklefoolsandchroniclesmallbeer。DESDEMONAOmostlameandimpotentconclusion!
Donotlearnofhim,Emilia,thoughhebethyhusband。Howsayyou,Cassio?ishenotamostprofaneandliberalcounsellor?CASSIOHespeakshome,madam:Youmayrelishhimmoreinthesoldierthaninthescholar。IAGO[Aside]Hetakesherbythepalm:ay,wellsaid,whisper:withaslittleawebasthiswillI
ensnareasgreataflyasCassio。Ay,smileuponher,do;Iwillgyvetheeinthineowncourtship。
Yousaytrue;’tisso,indeed:ifsuchtricksasthesestripyououtofyourlieutenantry,ithadbeenbetteryouhadnotkissedyourthreefingerssooft,whichnowagainyouaremostapttoplaythesirin。Verygood;wellkissed!anexcellentcourtesy!’tisso,indeed。Yetagainyourfingerstoyourlips?wouldtheywereclyster—pipesforyoursake!
TrumpetwithinTheMoor!Iknowhistrumpet。CASSIO’Tistrulyso。DESDEMONALet’smeethimandreceivehim。CASSIOLo,wherehecomes!
EnterOTHELLOandAttendantsOTHELLOOmyfairwarrior!DESDEMONAMydearOthello!OTHELLOItgivesmewondergreatasmycontentToseeyouherebeforeme。Omysoul’sjoy!
Ifaftereverytempestcomesuchcalms,Maythewindsblowtilltheyhavewaken’ddeath!
AndletthelabouringbarkclimbhillsofseasOlympus—highandduckagainaslowAshell’sfromheaven!Ifitwerenowtodie,’Twerenowtobemosthappy;for,Ifear,MysoulhathhercontentsoabsoluteThatnotanothercomfortliketothisSucceedsinunknownfate。DESDEMONATheheavensforbidButthatourlovesandcomfortsshouldincrease,Evenasourdaysdogrow!OTHELLOAmentothat,sweetpowers!
Icannotspeakenoughofthiscontent;
Itstopsmehere;itistoomuchofjoy:
Andthis,andthis,thegreatestdiscordsbeKissingherThate’erourheartsshallmake!IAGO[Aside]O,youarewelltunednow!
ButI’llsetdownthepegsthatmakethismusic,AshonestasIam。OTHELLOCome,letustothecastle。
News,friends;ourwarsaredone,theTurksaredrown’d。
Howdoesmyoldacquaintanceofthisisle?
Honey,youshallbewelldesiredinCyprus;
Ihavefoundgreatloveamongstthem。Omysweet,Iprattleoutoffashion,andIdoteInmineowncomforts。Iprithee,goodIago,Gotothebayanddisembarkmycoffers:
Bringthouthemastertothecitadel;
Heisagoodone,andhisworthinessDoeschallengemuchrespect。Come,Desdemona,Oncemore,wellmetatCyprus。
ExeuntOTHELLO,DESDEMONA,andAttendantsIAGODothoumeetmepresentlyattheharbour。
Comehither。Ifthoube’stvaliant,——as,theysay,basemenbeinginlovehavethenanobilityintheirnaturesmorethanisnativetothem——listme。
Thelieutenanttonightwatchesonthecourtofguard:——first,Imusttelltheethis——Desdemonaisdirectlyinlovewithhim。RODERIGOWithhim!why,’tisnotpossible。IAGOLaythyfingerthus,andletthysoulbeinstructed。
MarkmewithwhatviolenceshefirstlovedtheMoor,butforbraggingandtellingherfantasticallies:
andwillshelovehimstillforprating?letnotthydiscreetheartthinkit。Hereyemustbefed;
andwhatdelightshallshehavetolookonthedevil?Whenthebloodismadedullwiththeactofsport,thereshouldbe,againtoinflameitandtogivesatietyafreshappetite,lovelinessinfavour,sympathyinyears,mannersandbeauties;allwhichtheMoorisdefectivein:now,forwantoftheserequiredconveniences,herdelicatetendernesswillfinditselfabused,begintoheavethegorge,disrelishandabhortheMoor;verynaturewillinstructherinitandcompelhertosomesecondchoice。Now,sir,thisgranted,——asitisamostpregnantandunforcedposition——whostandssoeminentinthedegreeofthisfortuneasCassiodoes?aknaveveryvoluble;nofurtherconscionablethaninputtingonthemereformofcivilandhumaneseeming,forthebettercompassingofhissaltandmosthiddenlooseaffection?
why,none;why,none:aslipperandsubtleknave,afinderofoccasions,thathasaneyecanstampandcounterfeitadvantages,thoughtrueadvantageneverpresentitself;adevilishknave。Besides,theknaveishandsome,young,andhathallthoserequisitesinhimthatfollyandgreenmindslookafter:apestilentcompleteknave;andthewomanhathfoundhimalready。RODERIGOIcannotbelievethatinher;she’sfullofmostblessedcondition。IAGOBlessedfig’s—end!thewineshedrinksismadeofgrapes:ifshehadbeenblessed,shewouldneverhavelovedtheMoor。Blessedpudding!Didstthounotseeherpaddlewiththepalmofhishand?
didstnotmarkthat?RODERIGOYes,thatIdid;butthatwasbutcourtesy。IAGOLechery,bythishand;anindexandobscureprologuetothehistoryoflustandfoulthoughts。Theymetsonearwiththeirlipsthattheirbreathsembracedtogether。Villanousthoughts,Roderigo!whenthesemutualitiessomarshaltheway,hardathandcomesthemasterandmainexercise,theincorporateconclusion,Pish!But,sir,beyouruledbyme:
I
havebroughtyoufromVenice。Watchyouto—night;
forthecommand,I’lllay’tuponyou。Cassioknowsyounot。I’llnotbefarfromyou:doyoufindsomeoccasiontoangerCassio,eitherbyspeakingtooloud,ortaintinghisdiscipline;orfromwhatothercourseyouplease,whichthetimeshallmorefavourablyminister。RODERIGOWell。IAGOSir,heisrashandverysuddenincholer,andhaplymaystrikeatyou:provokehim,thathemay;
forevenoutofthatwillIcausetheseofCyprustomutiny;whosequalificationshallcomeintonotruetasteagainbutbythedisplantingofCassio。
SoshallyouhaveashorterjourneytoyourdesiresbythemeansIshallthenhavetopreferthem;andtheimpedimentmostprofitablyremoved,withoutthewhichtherewerenoexpectationofourprosperity。RODERIGOIwilldothis,ifIcanbringittoanyopportunity。IAGOIwarrantthee。Meetmebyandbyatthecitadel:
Imustfetchhisnecessariesashore。Farewell。RODERIGOAdieu。
ExitIAGOThatCassiolovesher,Idowellbelieveit;
Thatsheloveshim,’tisaptandofgreatcredit:
TheMoor,howbeitthatIendurehimnot,Isofaconstant,loving,noblenature,AndIdarethinkhe’llprovetoDesdemonaAmostdearhusband。Now,Idolovehertoo;
Notoutofabsolutelust,thoughperadventureIstandaccountantforasgreatasin,Butpartlyledtodietmyrevenge,ForthatIdosuspectthelustyMoorHathleap’dintomyseat;thethoughtwhereofDoth,likeapoisonousmineral,gnawmyinwards;
AndnothingcanorshallcontentmysoulTillIameven’dwithhim,wifeforwife,Orfailingso,yetthatIputtheMoorAtleastintoajealousysostrongThatjudgmentcannotcure。Whichthingtodo,IfthispoortrashofVenice,whomItrashForhisquickhunting,standtheputtingon,I’llhaveourMichaelCassioonthehip,AbusehimtotheMoorintherankgarb——
ForIfearCassiowithmynight—captoo——
MaketheMoorthankme,lovemeandrewardme。
FormakinghimegregiouslyanassAndpractisinguponhispeaceandquietEventomadness。’Tishere,butyetconfused:
Knavery’splainfaceisneverseentinused。
ExitSCENEII。Astreet。EnteraHeraldwithaproclamation;PeoplefollowingHeraldItisOthello’spleasure,ournobleandvaliantgeneral,that,uponcertaintidingsnowarrived,importingthemereperditionoftheTurkishfleet,everymanputhimselfintotriumph;sometodance,sometomakebonfires,eachmantowhatsportandrevelshisaddictionleadshim:for,besidesthesebeneficialnews,itisthecelebrationofhisnuptial。Somuchwashispleasureshouldbeproclaimed。Allofficesareopen,andthereisfulllibertyoffeastingfromthispresenthouroffivetillthebellhavetoldeleven。HeavenblesstheisleofCyprusandournoblegeneralOthello!
ExeuntSCENEIII。Ahallinthecastle。EnterOTHELLO,DESDEMONA,CASSIO,andAttendantsOTHELLOGoodMichael,lookyoutotheguardto—night:
Let’steachourselvesthathonourablestop,Nottooutsportdiscretion。CASSIOIagohathdirectionwhattodo;
But,notwithstanding,withmypersonaleyeWillIlookto’t。OTHELLOIagoismosthonest。
Michael,goodnight:to—morrowwithyourearliestLetmehavespeechwithyou。
ToDESDEMONA
Come,mydearlove,Thepurchasemade,thefruitsaretoensue;
Thatprofit’syettocome’tweenmeandyou。
Goodnight。
ExeuntOTHELLO,DESDEMONA,andAttendantsEnterIAGOCASSIOWelcome,Iago;wemusttothewatch。IAGONotthishour,lieutenant;’tisnotyetteno’theclock。OurgeneralcastusthusearlyfortheloveofhisDesdemona;wholetusnotthereforeblame:
hehathnotyetmadewantonthenightwithher;
andsheissportforJove。CASSIOShe’samostexquisitelady。IAGOAnd,I’llwarranther,funofgame。CASSIOIndeed,she’samostfreshanddelicatecreature。IAGOWhataneyeshehas!methinksitsoundsaparleyofprovocation。CASSIOAninvitingeye;andyetmethinksrightmodest。IAGOAndwhenshespeaks,isitnotanalarumtolove?CASSIOSheisindeedperfection。IAGOWell,happinesstotheirsheets!Come,lieutenant,I
haveastoupofwine;andherewithoutareabraceofCyprusgallantsthatwouldfainhaveameasuretothehealthofblackOthello。CASSIONotto—night,goodIago:Ihaveverypoorandunhappybrainsfordrinking:Icouldwellwishcourtesywouldinventsomeothercustomofentertainment。IAGOO,theyareourfriends;butonecup:
I’lldrinkforyou。CASSIOIhavedrunkbutonecupto—night,andthatwascraftilyqualifiedtoo,and,behold,whatinnovationitmakeshere:Iamunfortunateintheinfirmity,anddarenottaskmyweaknesswithanymore。IAGOWhat,man!’tisanightofrevels:thegallantsdesireit。CASSIOWherearethey?IAGOHereatthedoor;Iprayyou,callthemin。CASSIOI’lldo’t;butitdislikesme。
ExitIAGOIfIcanfastenbutonecupuponhim,Withthatwhichhehathdrunkto—nightalready,He’llbeasfullofquarrelandoffenceAsmyyoungmistress’dog。Now,mysickfoolRoderigo,Whomlovehathturn’dalmostthewrongsideout,ToDesdemonahathto—nightcarousedPotationspottle—deep;andhe’stowatch:
ThreeladsofCyprus,nobleswellingspirits,Thatholdtheirhonoursinawarydistance,Theveryelementsofthiswarlikeisle,HaveIto—nightfluster’dwithflowingcups,Andtheywatchtoo。Now,’mongstthisflockofdrunkards,AmItoputourCassioinsomeactionThatmayoffendtheisle。——Butheretheycome:
Ifconsequencedobutapprovemydream,Myboatsailsfreely,bothwithwindandstream。
Re—enterCASSIO;withhimMONTANOandGentlemen;servantsfollowingwithwineCASSIO’ForeGod,theyhavegivenmearousealready。MONTANOGoodfaith,alittleone;notpastapint,asIamasoldier。IAGOSomewine,ho!
SingsAndletmethecanakinclink,clink;
AndletmethecanakinclinkAsoldier’saman;
Alife’sbutaspan;
Why,then,letasoldierdrink。
Somewine,boys!CASSIO’ForeGod,anexcellentsong。IAGOIlearneditinEngland,where,indeed,theyaremostpotentinpotting:yourDane,yourGerman,andyourswag—belliedHollander——Drink,ho!——arenothingtoyourEnglish。CASSIOIsyourEnglishmansoexpertinhisdrinking?IAGOWhy,hedrinksyou,withfacility,yourDanedeaddrunk;hesweatsnottooverthrowyourAlmain;
hegivesyourHollanderavomit,erethenextpottlecanbefilled。CASSIOTothehealthofourgeneral!MONTANOIamforit,lieutenant;andI’lldoyoujustice。IAGOOsweetEngland!
KingStephenwasaworthypeer,Hisbreechescosthimbutacrown;
Heheldthemsixpencealltoodear,Withthathecall’dthetailorlown。
Hewasawightofhighrenown,Andthouartbutoflowdegree:
’Tispridethatpullsthecountrydown;
Thentakethineauldcloakaboutthee。
Somewine,ho!CASSIOWhy,thisisamoreexquisitesongthantheother。IAGOWillyouhear’tagain?CASSIONo;forIholdhimtobeunworthyofhisplacethatdoesthosethings。Well,God’saboveall;andtherebesoulsmustbesaved,andtherebesoulsmustnotbesaved。IAGOIt’strue,goodlieutenant。CASSIOFormineownpart,——nooffencetothegeneral,noranymanofquality,——Ihopetobesaved。IAGOAndsodoItoo,lieutenant。CASSIOAy,but,byyourleave,notbeforeme;
thelieutenantistobesavedbeforetheancient。
Let’shavenomoreofthis;let’stoouraffairs。——Forgiveusoursins!——Gentlemen,let’slooktoourbusiness。
Donotthink,gentlemen。Iamdrunk:thisismyancient;thisismyrighthand,andthisismyleft:
Iamnotdrunknow;Icanstandwellenough,andspeakwellenough。AllExcellentwell。CASSIOWhy,verywellthen;youmustnotthinkthenthatIamdrunk。
ExitMONTANOTotheplatform,masters;come,let’ssetthewatch。IAGOYouseethisfellowthatisgonebefore;
HeisasoldierfittostandbyCaesarAndgivedirection:anddobutseehisvice;
’Tistohisvirtueajustequinox,Theoneaslongastheother:’tispityofhim。
IfearthetrustOthelloputshimin。
Onsomeoddtimeofhisinfirmity,Willshakethisisland。MONTANOButisheoftenthus?IAGO’Tisevermoretheprologuetohissleep:
He’llwatchthehorologeadoubleset,Ifdrinkrocknothiscradle。MONTANOItwerewellThegeneralwereputinmindofit。
Perhapsheseesitnot;orhisgoodnaturePrizesthevirtuethatappearsinCassio,Andlooksnotonhisevils:isnotthistrue?
EnterRODERIGOIAGO[Asidetohim]Hownow,Roderigo!
Iprayyou,afterthelieutenant;go。
ExitRODERIGOMONTANOAnd’tisgreatpitythatthenobleMoorShouldhazardsuchaplaceashisownsecondWithoneofaningraftinfirmity:
ItwereanhonestactiontosaySototheMoor。IAGONotI,forthisfairisland:
IdoloveCassiowell;andwoulddomuchTocurehimofthisevil——But,hark!whatnoise?
Crywithin:’Help!help!’
Re—enterCASSIO,drivinginRODERIGOCASSIOYourogue!yourascal!MONTANOWhat’sthematter,lieutenant?CASSIOAknaveteachmemyduty!
I’llbeattheknaveintoatwiggenbottle。RODERIGOBeatme!CASSIODostthouprate,rogue?
StrikingRODERIGOMONTANONay,goodlieutenant;
StayinghimIprayyou,sir,holdyourhand。CASSIOLetmego,sir,OrI’llknockyouo’erthemazzard。MONTANOCome,come,you’redrunk。CASSIODrunk!
TheyfightIAGO[AsidetoRODERIGO]Away,Isay;goout,andcryamutiny。
ExitRODERIGO
Nay,goodlieutenant,——alas,gentlemen;——
Help,ho!——Lieutenant,——sir,——Montano,——sir;
Help,masters!——Here’sagoodlywatchindeed!
BellringsWho’sthatwhichringsthebell?——Diablo,ho!
Thetownwillrise:God’swill,lieutenant,hold!
Youwillbeshamedforever。
Re—enterOTHELLOandAttendantsOTHELLOWhatisthematterhere?MONTANO’Zounds,Ibleedstill;Iamhurttothedeath。
FaintsOTHELLOHold,foryourlives!IAGOHold,ho!Lieutenant,——sir——Montano,——gentlemen,——
Haveyouforgotallsenseofplaceandduty?
Hold!thegeneralspeakstoyou;hold,hold,forshame!OTHELLOWhy,hownow,ho!fromwhenceariseththis?
Areweturn’dTurks,andtoourselvesdothatWhichheavenhathforbidtheOttomites?
ForChristianshame,putbythisbarbarousbrawl:
HethatstirsnexttocarveforhisownrageHoldshissoullight;hediesuponhismotion。