Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits, And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunk- That may offend the isle:-But here they come : [ards, Re-enter CASS10, 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; A soldier's a man: A life's but a span; Why then, let a soldier drink. Some wine, boys! Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song. [Sings. [Wine brought in. 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. Čas. 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! • The very elements-] As quarrelsome as the discordia semina rerum; as quick in opposition as fire and water.-JOHNSON. If consequence do but approve my dream,] Every scheme subsisting only in the imagination may be termed a dream.-JOHNSON. a rouse,] i. e. A bumper, a large glass.-NARES. I'll do you justice.] i. e. Drink as much as you do.-STEEVENS. King Stephen was a worthy peer, He was a wight of high renown, 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. before ; Iago. You see this fellow, that is gone — a worthy peer, ] i. e. A worthy lord; a title frequently bestowed upon kings in our old romances. These two stanzas are taken from an old song, which the reader will find in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry.-RITSON and JOHNSON. lown.] i. e. Sorry fellow. 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? Iago. '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. Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature And looks not on his evils; Is not this true? Enter RODERIGO. Iago. 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 :b 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? [Cry within,-Help! help! Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODerigo. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle." Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue? [Striking RODERIGO. ■ 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. STEEVENS. b ingraft infirmity;] An infirmity rooted, settled in his constitution. JOHNSON. e-into a twiggen bottle.] i. e. A wickered bottle.-STEEVENS. Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny. Nay, good lieutenant, alas, gentlemen,- [Bell rings. Who's that that rings the bell?-Diablo,d ho! Oth. Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. What is the matter here? Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death;-he dies. Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant,-sir, Montano,-gentleHave you forgot all sense of place and duty? [men, Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! For christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl: From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?— Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee. d Diablo,] A contraction of Diavolo, the Italian word for Devil.— M. MASON. e He dies.] i. e. He shall die. f propriety.-]i. e. Regular and proper state. The ringing the bell, which is mentioned above, was a common practice formerly when any great affray happened in a town. At Paris the Tocsin is still rung as often as fires or disturbances break out.-MALONE and STEEVENS. Iago. I do not know ;-friends all but now, even now, Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? And spend your rich opinion, for the name Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger; While I spare speech, which something now offends me ;- And to defend ourselves it be a sin, When violence assails us. Oth. Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule; Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know And he that is approv'd in this offence, 8 In quarter,] i. e. On our station. h unlace-] i. e. Loosen. Put in danger of dropping; or perhaps, strip off its ornaments.-JOHNSON. collied,] i. e. Blackened, deformed. · approv'd-] That is, convicted by proof. |