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 Michael, good night: to-morrow, with your earliest, 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 OтH., DES., and Attend. Enter IAGO. Cas. Welcome, Iago: we must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 't is 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 alarum 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. you. Iago. O! they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for 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! 't is 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. lago. 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 [Exit CASSIO. As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool, Roderigo, To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd Potations pottle deep; and he 's to watch. Three lads of Cyprus, noble, swelling spirits, 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, 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. 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! Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song. [Wine brought in. Iago. I learned it in England, where (indeed) they are most potent in potting; your Dane, your German, and your swagbellied Hollander, ― Drink, ho! are nothing to your English. Cas. Is your Englishman so exquisite 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. King Stephen was a worthy peer, His breeches cost him but a crown; 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 must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved. Iago. It is true, good lieutenant. any man of quality, no offence to the general, nor 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. Gentlemen, let's look Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk: this is 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 th' other: 't is pity of him. On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: He'll watch the horologe a double set, If drink rock not his cradle. 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. lago. How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Aside to him. [Exit RODERIGO. Mon. And 't is 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, Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! Help! Help! What's the matter, lieutenant? teach me my duty? Iago. Away, I say! [Aside to ROD.] go out, and cry -a Nay! good lieutenant, mutiny. [Exit ROD. 1 alas, gentlemen! Montano, Sir; Diablo, ho! Help, ho! Lieutenant, Help, masters! Here's a goodly watch, indeed! [Bell rings. The town will rise: God's will! lieutenant, hold! Oth. Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. What is the matter here? Mon. 'Zounds! I bleed still: I am hurt to the death. [He faints. Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant! Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you: hold, for shame! Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that, |