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 our 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 Attend. Enter IAGO. 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. 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 alarm 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. O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'l drink for you. Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified too 38, 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? Fago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. [Exit Cassio. Iugo. 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 out ward, To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch: 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: Re-enter CASSIO, with him MONTANO, and Gen tlemen. Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already 40 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: A soldier's a man; A life's but a span; Why then, let a soldier drink. Some wine, boys! [Sings. [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 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! 41 King Stephen was a worthy peer, His breeches cost him but a crown; He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree: Some wine, ho! Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. Iago. Will you hear it 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 that 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 hand: 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. |