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. lago. O, 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. [Exit 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 craftily qualified-] Slily mixed with water. Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch: 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 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. 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 3 The very elements-] As quarrelsome as the discordia semina rerum; as quick in opposition as fire and water. 4 If consequence do but approve my dream,] Every scheme sub sisting only in the imagination may be termed a dream. given me a rouse, &c.] A rouse appears to be a quantity of liquor rather too large. 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 a worthy peer, He was a wight of high renown, 'Tis pride that pulls the country down, 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. 6 I'll do you justice.] i. e. drink as much as you do. 7 King Stephen, &c.] These stanzas are taken from an old song, which the reader will find recovered and preserved in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry. 8 a worthy peer,] A worthy peer is a worthy lord, a title frequently bestowed upon kings in our old romances. lown.] Sorry fellow, paltry wretch. 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; The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him. On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. Mon. But is he often thus? Jago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: He'll watch the horologe a double set,' If drink rock not his cradle. Mon. It were well, The general were put in mind of it. And looks not on his evils; Is not this true? He'll watch the horologe a double set, &c.] If he have no drink, he'll keep awake while the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours. Enter RODERigo. lago. How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Aside. [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:2 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? Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.3 Rod. Beat me! Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Mon. Cas. Drunk! Iago. Away, I say! Nay, good lieutenant, 2 Come, come, you're drunk. [They fight. go out, and cry-a mutiny. Aside to ROD. who goes out. alas, gentlemen, — ingraft infirmity:] An infirmity rooted, settled in his constitution. › — into a twiggen bottle.] i. e. a wickered bottle. |