Iago. I do not know. Friends all, but now, even now In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom Divesting them for bed; and then, but now, (As if some planet had unwitted men)

m

1 Swords out, and tilting one at other's breaft,

In oppofition bloody, I cannot fpeak
"
Any beginning to this peeyifh odds,

And would, in action glorious I had loft

These legs that brought me to a part of it!

Oth. How P came it, Michael, you P were thus forgot? Caf. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.

Oth. Worthy Montano, you were a wont be civil,

The gravity and ftillness of your youth

The world hath noted; and your name is great
In mouths of wifeft cenfure. 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 't.
Mont. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.

Your officer Iago can inform you,

While I fpare speech, which fomething now offends me,
Of all that I do know; nor know I aught

By me that's faid or done amifs this night,
Unless felf-charity be fometimes a vice,

The qu's and C. to for for.
The 2d q. omits then.

S

• So the qu's and C; the rest, thofe for these.

P So the qu's; the reft, comes for come; and are for were.

9 The fo's and R. wont to be civil.
The 1ft q. men for mouths.
The qu's and C. Sometime.

And

And to defend ourselves it be a fin,

When violence affails us.

Oth. Now, by heaven,

t

My blood begins my fafer guides to rule;
And paffion, having my beft judgment collied,
Affays to lead the way. If I once ftir,
Or do but lift this arm, the beft of you
Shall fink in my rebuke.
How this foul rout began;

And he that is approv'd in

Give me to know

who fet it on;

this offence,

Tho' he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
* Shall r loofe me, -What, in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brim-full of fear,
To manage private and domeftick quarrels

2

In night, and on the court and guard of safety! 'Tis monftrous. blaga, who began 't?

e

Mont. If, partially affin'd, or leagu'd in office," Thou doft deliver more or less than truth,

lago. Touch me not so near:

f

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Caffio:

h

Yet I perfuade myself, to speak the truth

Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, General:
Montano and inyfelf being in fpeech,

There comes a fellow crying out for help,

And Caffe following * him with determin'd sword,
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Caffio, and intreats his paufe;
Myself the crying fellow did purfue,
Left by his clamour (as it fo fell out)

The town might fall in fright. He, fwift of foot,
Out-ran my purpose: and I return'd" the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of fwords,

And Cassie high in " oath; which 'till to-night
I ne'er might fay 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 P can I not report

But men are men; the best fometimes forget;
Though Caffio did fome little wrong to him,

As men in rage ftrike those that wish them beft,

f The qu's, out for cut,

8 The 2d q. of bis for from my.

h After speak the three laft fo's and R. and so.

iThe fo's and R. This for Thus,

So all before P; he and the rest, except C. amit bim,

* So all before P; he and the reft, except C. omit and.

1 The 1ft f, then for the.

m The ift q. oaths.

n The 1ft q. fee for fag.

• So the qu's and C; the reft, cannot I.report.

P Second q, them.

Yet,

Yet, furely, Caffio, I believe, receiv'd

From him that fled fome ftrange indignity
Which patience could not pass.

Oth. I know, lago,,

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Caffio, Caffio, I love thee,
But never more be officer of mine.

Enter Desdemona attended.

Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up.

I'll make thee an example.

Oth. All's well now, Sweeting; " come away to bed. Sir, for your hurts, myfelf will be your furgeon.

Lead him off.

Iago, look with care about the town,

And filence thofe whom this vile brawl distracted.

Come, Defdemona, 'tis the foldiers' life,

To have their balmy flumbers wak'd with ftrife. [Exeunt.

--

Caf. Reputation, reputation, reputation! oh, I have loft my reputation! I have loft the immortal part, fir, of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation

lago. As I am an honeft man, I thought you had receiv'd fome bodily wound; there is more offence in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle, and most falfe impofition; oft got without merit, and loft without deferv ing. You have loft no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a lofer, What, man? there are 4 ways to recover the General again. You are but now caft in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even fo as one would beat his offencelefs dog, to affright an imperious lion, Sue to him again, and he's yours.

с

Caf. I will rather fue to be despis'd, than to deceive fo good a commander, with fo light, fo drunken and fo indifcreet an officer. Drunk, and & fpeak Parrot, and fquabble, fwagger, fwear? and discourse fuftian with one's own fha