most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

Ro. I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.

Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

Ro. Adieu.

[Exit.

Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit:
The Moor,-howbeit that I endure him not,-
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature;

And, I dare think, he 'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now I do love her too;
Not out of absolute lust, (though, peradventure,
I stand accountant for as great a sin)
But partly led to diet my revenge,

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul,
Till I am even with him, wife for wife;
Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong

That judgment cannot cure: which thing to do,-
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash 1

For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,

1 To trash signifies to place a stone on a hound's neck to prevent him from outstripping his companions.

I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip; 1
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb,

For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, For making him egregiously an ass,

And practising upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:
Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.

[Exit.

SCENE 11.

A street.

Enter HERALD, with a proclamation; people following.

3

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph ;` some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him; for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials: so much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open; and there is full liberty of feasting, from this present hour of five, till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus, and our noble general, Othello!

[Exeunt.

In allusion to the practice of wrestlers.

2. In the grossest manner.

3 Intire.

• Rooms in the castle.

SCENE III.

A hall in the castle.

Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guara tʊ

night:

Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop,
Not to outsport discretion.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do;

But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to 't.

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.

[Exeunt Oth. Des. and Attend.

That profit's yet to come 'twixt me and you.

Good night.

Enter IAGO.

Cas. Welcome, Iago: we must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: our general cast1 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.

■ Dismissed.

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'll drink for you.

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night. and that was craftily qualified1 too, and, behoid, 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.

Slyly mixed with water.

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 out

ward,

To Desdemona hath to-night caroused
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,
That hold their honors in a wary distance,

The

very elements of this warlike isle,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.
If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

Re-enter CASSIO; with him MONTANO and Gentlemen.

1

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.

A jovial draught.