Act 2, scene 3

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 outsport 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 your earliest        
Let me have speech with you.  [To DESDEMONA.]  Come, my dear love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
That profit’s yet to come ’twixt me and you.
Good night.  [Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants.]

  Enter IAGO.        

  CAS:  Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

  IAGO:  Not this hour, lieutenant; ’tis not yet ten o’ the clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona, who 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 alarum to love?

  CAS:  She is indeed perfection.

  IAGO:  Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of 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 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.]

  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,
To Desdemona hath to-night carous’d
Potations pottle deep; and he’s to watch.
Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,        
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this war-like 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.  Servant following with wine.

  CAS:  ’Fore God, 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;
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!

  CAS:  ’Fore God, 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!

King Stephen was a worthy peer,
  His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,
  With that he call’d the tailor lown.
He was a wight of high renown,
  And thou art but of low degree:
’Tis pride that pulls the country down,
  Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

Some wine, ho!

  CAS:  Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

  IAGO:  Will you hear ’t again?

  CAS:  No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, God’s above all; and there be souls 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. God 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.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in,
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
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?

  Enter RODERIGO.

  IAGO:  [Aside to him.]  How now, Roderigo!        
I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.  [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;
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?

  CAS:  A knave teach me my duty!
I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.

  ROD:  Beat me!        

  CAS:        Dost thou prate, rogue?  [Striking RODERIGO.]

  MON:  [Staying him.]  Nay, good lieutenant;
I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

  CAS:        Let me go, sir,
Or I’ll knock you o’er the mazzard.        

  MON:        Come, come; you’re drunk.

  CAS:  Drunk!  [They fight.]

  IAGO:  [Aside to RODERIGO.]  Away, I say! go out, and cry a mutiny.  [Exit RODERIGO.]
Nay, good lieutenant! God’s will, gentlemen!
Help, ho! Lieutenant! sir! Montano! sir!        
Help, masters! Here’s a goodly watch indeed!  [Bell rings.]
Who’s that that rings the bell? Diablo, ho!
The town will rise: God’s will! lieutenant, hold!
You will be sham’d for ever.

  Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants.        

  OTH:        What is the matter here?

  MON:  ’Zounds! I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.

  OTH:  Hold, for your lives!

  IAGO:  Hold, ho, lieutenant! Sir! Montano! gentlemen!
Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?        
Hold! the general speaks to you; hold for shame!

  OTH:  Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
Are we turn’d Turks, and to ourselves do that
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl;        
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
Silence that dreadful bell! it frights the isle
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
Honest Iago, that look’st dead with grieving,        
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.

  IAGO:  I do not know; friends all but now, even now,
In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
Devesting them for bed; and then, but now,—
As if some planet had unwitted men,—        
Swords out, and tilting one at other’s breast,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds,
And would in action glorious I had lost
Those legs that brought me to a part of it!        

  OTH:  How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?

  CAS:  I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.

  OTH:  Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great        
In mouths of wisest censure: what’s the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

  MON:  Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;        
Your officer, Iago, can inform you,
While I spare speech, which something now offends me,
Of all that I do know; nor know I aught
By me that’s said or done amiss this night,
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,        
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us.

  OTH:        Now, by heaven,
My blood begins my safer guides to rule,
And passion, having my best judgment collied,        
Assays to lead the way. If I once stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approv’d in this offence,        
Though he had twinn’d with me—both at a birth—
Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!        
’Tis monstrous. Iago, who began ’t?

  MON:  If partially affin’d, or leagu’d in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

  IAGO:        Touch me not so near;        
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
Montano and myself being in speech,        
There comes a fellow crying out for help,
And Cassio following with determin’d sword
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause;
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,        
Lest by his clamour, as it so fell out,
The town might fall in fright; he, swift of foot,
Outran my purpose, and I return’d the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
And Cassio high in oath, which till to-night        
I ne’er might say before. When I came back,—
For this was brief,—I found them close together,
At blow and thrust, even as again they were
When you yourself did part them.
More of this matter can I not report:        
But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
Yet, surely Cassio, I believe, receiv’d
From him that fled some strange indignity,        
Which patience could not pass.

  OTH:        I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.        

  Enter DESDEMONA, attended.

Look! if my gentle love be not rais’d up;
[To CASSIO.]  I’ll make thee an example.

  DES:        What’s the matter?

  OTH:  All’s well now, sweeting; come away to bed.        
Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon.
Lead him off.  [MONTANO is led off.]
Iago, look with care about the town,
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
Come, Desdemona; ’tis the soldiers’ life,        
To have their balmy slumbers wak’d with strife.  [Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO.]

  IAGO:  What! are you hurt, lieutenant?

  CAS:  Ay; past all surgery.

  IAGO:  Marry, heaven forbid!

  CAS:  Reputation, reputation, reputation! O! I have lost my reputation. I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!        

  IAGO:  As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more offence in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving: you have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What! man; there are ways to recover the general again; you are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to him again, and he is yours.

  CAS:  I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk! and speak parrot! and squabble, swagger, swear, and discourse fustian with one’s own shadow! O thou invisible spirit of wine! if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!

  IAGO:  What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?

  CAS:  I know not.

  IAGO:  Is ’t possible?        

  CAS:  I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God! that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains; that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts.

  IAGO:  Why, but you are now well enough; how came you thus recovered?

  CAS:  It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself.

  IAGO:  Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen, but since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

  CAS:  I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.        

  IAGO:  Come, come; good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

  CAS:  I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!

  IAGO:  You or any man living may be drunk at some time, man. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general: I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune her; she’ll help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, that she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

  CAS:  You advise me well.

  IAGO:  I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.        

  CAS:  I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here.

  IAGO:  You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I must to the watch.

  CAS:  Good night, honest Iago!  [Exit.]

  IAGO:  And what’s he then that says I play the villain?
When this advice is free I give and honest,        
Probal to thinking and indeed the course
To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit; she’s fram’d as fruitful
As the free elements. And then for her        
To win the Moor, were ’t to renounce his baptism,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
His soul is so enfetter’d to her love,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god        
With his weak function. How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,        
As I do now; for while this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear
That she repeals him for her body’s lust;        
And, by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.        

  Re-enter RODERIGO.

        How now, Roderigo!

  ROD:  I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains; and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

  IAGO:  How poor are they that have not patience!
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?        
Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witch-craft,
And wit depends on dilatory time.
Does ’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,
And thou by that small hurt hast cashiered Cassio.
Though other things grow fair against the sun,        
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:
Content thyself awhile. By the mass, ’tis morning;
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:        
Nay, get thee gone.  [Exit RODERIGO.]  Two things are to be done,
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I’ll set her on;
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find        
Soliciting his wife: ay, that’s the way:
Dull not device by coldness and delay.  [Exit.]  

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