The Tragedy Of Othello, The Moor Of Venice

1 Enter Montano and two Gentlemen.
2 MONTANO.
3 What from the cape can you discern at sea?
4 FIRST GENTLEMAN.
5 Nothing at all, it is a high-wrought flood.
6 I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
7 Descry a sail.
8 MONTANO.
9 Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.
10 A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.
11 If it hath ruffian’d so upon the sea,
12 What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
13 Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?
14 SECOND GENTLEMAN.
15 A segregation of the Turkish fleet.
16 For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
17 The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds,
18 The wind-shak’d surge, with high and monstrous main,
19 Seems to cast water on the burning Bear,
20 And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole;
21 I never did like molestation view
22 On the enchafed flood.
23 MONTANO.
24 If that the Turkish fleet
25 Be not enshelter’d, and embay’d, they are drown’d.
26 It is impossible to bear it out.
27 Enter a third Gentleman.
28 THIRD GENTLEMAN.
29 News, lads! Our wars are done.
30 The desperate tempest hath so bang’d the Turks
31 That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice
32 Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
33 On most part of their fleet.
34 MONTANO.
35 How? Is this true?
36 THIRD GENTLEMAN.
37 The ship is here put in,
38 A Veronessa; Michael Cassio,
39 Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
40 Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,
41 And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
42 MONTANO.
43 I am glad on’t. ’Tis a worthy governor.
44 THIRD GENTLEMAN.
45 But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
46 Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
47 And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
48 With foul and violent tempest.
49 MONTANO.
50 Pray heavens he be;
51 For I have serv’d him, and the man commands
52 Like a full soldier. Let’s to the sea-side, ho!
53 As well to see the vessel that’s come in
54 As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
55 Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
56 An indistinct regard.
57 THIRD GENTLEMAN.
58 Come, let’s do so;
59 For every minute is expectancy
60 Of more arrivance.
61 Enter Cassio.
62 CASSIO.
63 Thanks you, the valiant of this warlike isle,
64 That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
65 Give him defence against the elements,
66 For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
67 MONTANO.
68 Is he well shipp’d?
69 CASSIO.
70 His bark is stoutly timber’d, and his pilot
71 Of very expert and approv’d allowance;
72 Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
73 Stand in bold cure.
74 [_Within._] A sail, a sail, a sail!
75 Enter a Messenger.
76 CASSIO.
77 What noise?
78 MESSENGER.
79 The town is empty; on the brow o’ the sea
80 Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!”
81 CASSIO.
82 My hopes do shape him for the governor.
83 [_A shot._]
84 SECOND GENTLEMAN.
85 They do discharge their shot of courtesy.
86 Our friends at least.
87 CASSIO.
88 I pray you, sir, go forth,
89 And give us truth who ’tis that is arriv’d.
90 SECOND GENTLEMAN.
91 I shall.
92 [_Exit._]
93 MONTANO.
94 But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv’d?
95 CASSIO.
96 Most fortunately: he hath achiev’d a maid
97 That paragons description and wild fame,
98 One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
99 And in the essential vesture of creation
100 Does tire the ingener.
101 Enter second Gentleman.
102 How now? Who has put in?
103 SECOND GENTLEMAN.
104 ’Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
105 CASSIO.
106 He has had most favourable and happy speed:
107 Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
108 The gutter’d rocks, and congregated sands,
109 Traitors ensteep’d to clog the guiltless keel,
110 As having sense of beauty, do omit
111 Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
112 The divine Desdemona.
113 MONTANO.
114 What is she?
115 CASSIO.
116 She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
117 Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;
118 Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
119 A se’nnight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
120 And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
121 That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
122 Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,
123 Give renew’d fire to our extincted spirits,
124 And bring all Cyprus comfort!
125 Enter Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia.
126 O, behold,
127 The riches of the ship is come on shore!
128 Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
129 Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
130 Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
131 Enwheel thee round!
132 DESDEMONA.
133 I thank you, valiant Cassio.
134 What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
135 CASSIO.
136 He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught
137 But that he’s well, and will be shortly here.
138 DESDEMONA.
139 O, but I fear—How lost you company?
140 [_Within._] A sail, a sail!
141 CASSIO.
142 The great contention of the sea and skies
143 Parted our fellowship. But, hark! a sail.
144 [_Guns within._]
145 SECOND GENTLEMAN.
146 They give their greeting to the citadel.
147 This likewise is a friend.
148 CASSIO.
149 See for the news.
150 [_Exit Gentleman._]
151 Good ancient, you are welcome. [_To Emilia._] Welcome, mistress.
152 Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
153 That I extend my manners; ’tis my breeding
154 That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
155 [_Kissing her._]
156 IAGO.
157 Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
158 As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
159 You would have enough.
160 DESDEMONA.
161 Alas, she has no speech.
162 IAGO.
163 In faith, too much.
164 I find it still when I have list to sleep.
165 Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
166 She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
167 And chides with thinking.
168 EMILIA.
169 You have little cause to say so.
170 IAGO.
171 Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
172 Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,
173 Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
174 Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.
175 DESDEMONA.
176 O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
177 IAGO.
178 Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
179 You rise to play, and go to bed to work.
180 EMILIA.
181 You shall not write my praise.
182 IAGO.
183 No, let me not.
184 DESDEMONA.
185 What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?
186 IAGO.
187 O gentle lady, do not put me to’t,
188 For I am nothing if not critical.
189 DESDEMONA.
190 Come on, assay.—There’s one gone to the harbour?
191 IAGO.
192 Ay, madam.
193 DESDEMONA.
194 I am not merry, but I do beguile
195 The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.—
196 Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
197 IAGO.
198 I am about it, but indeed, my invention
199 Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze,
200 It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,
201 And thus she is deliver’d.
202 If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
203 The one’s for use, the other useth it.
204 DESDEMONA.
205 Well prais’d! How if she be black and witty?
206 IAGO.
207 If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
208 She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
209 DESDEMONA.
210 Worse and worse.
211 EMILIA.
212 How if fair and foolish?
213 IAGO.
214 She never yet was foolish that was fair,
215 For even her folly help’d her to an heir.
216 DESDEMONA.
217 These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’ the alehouse. What
218 miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?
219 IAGO.
220 There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,
221 But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
222 DESDEMONA.
223 O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But what praise
224 couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one that in the
225 authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice
226 itself?
227 IAGO.
228 She that was ever fair and never proud,
229 Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
230 Never lack’d gold and yet went never gay,
231 Fled from her wish, and yet said, “Now I may”;
232 She that, being anger’d, her revenge being nigh,
233 Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;
234 She that in wisdom never was so frail
235 To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail;
236 She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,
237 See suitors following and not look behind;
238 She was a wight, if ever such wight were—
239 DESDEMONA.
240 To do what?
241 IAGO.
242 To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
243 DESDEMONA.
244 O most lame and impotent conclusion!—Do not learn of him, Emilia,
245 though he be thy husband.—How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane
246 and liberal counsellor?
247 CASSIO.
248 He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the soldier than in
249 the scholar.
250 IAGO.
251 [_Aside._] He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. With as
252 little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile
253 upon her, do. I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true,
254 ’tis so, indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your
255 lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers
256 so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good;
257 well kissed, an excellent courtesy! ’Tis so, indeed. Yet again your
258 fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
259 [_Trumpets within._]
260 The Moor! I know his trumpet.
261 CASSIO.
262 ’Tis truly so.
263 DESDEMONA.
264 Let’s meet him, and receive him.
265 CASSIO.
266 Lo, where he comes!
267 Enter Othello and Attendants.
268 OTHELLO.
269 O my fair warrior!
270 DESDEMONA.
271 My dear Othello!
272 OTHELLO.
273 It gives me wonder great as my content
274 To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!
275 If after every tempest come such calms,
276 May the winds blow till they have waken’d death!
277 And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
278 Olympus-high, and duck again as low
279 As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die,
280 ’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
281 My soul hath her content so absolute
282 That not another comfort like to this
283 Succeeds in unknown fate.
284 DESDEMONA.
285 The heavens forbid
286 But that our loves and comforts should increase
287 Even as our days do grow!
288 OTHELLO.
289 Amen to that, sweet powers!
290 I cannot speak enough of this content.
291 It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
292 And this, and this, the greatest discords be [_They kiss._]
293 That e’er our hearts shall make!
294 IAGO.
295 [_Aside._] O, you are well tun’d now,
296 But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
297 As honest as I am.
298 OTHELLO.
299 Come, let us to the castle.—
300 News, friends, our wars are done, the Turks are drown’d.
301 How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
302 Honey, you shall be well desir’d in Cyprus;
303 I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
304 I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
305 In mine own comforts.—I prithee, good Iago,
306 Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
307 Bring thou the master to the citadel;
308 He is a good one, and his worthiness
309 Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,
310 Once more well met at Cyprus.
311 [_Exeunt Othello, Desdemona and Attendants._]
312 IAGO.
313 Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be’st
314 valiant—as, they say, base men being in love have then a nobility in
315 their natures more than is native to them—list me. The lieutenant
316 tonight watches on the court of guard: first, I must tell thee this:
317 Desdemona is directly in love with him.
318 RODERIGO.
319 With him? Why, ’tis not possible.
320 IAGO.
321 Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what
322 violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her
323 fantastical lies. And will she love him still for prating? Let not thy
324 discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And what delight shall
325 she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act
326 of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a
327 fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and
328 beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these
329 required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused,
330 begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor, very nature
331 will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now sir,
332 this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position) who
333 stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? a
334 knave very voluble; no further conscionable than in putting on the mere
335 form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt
336 and most hidden loose affection? Why, none, why, none! A slipper and
337 subtle knave, a finder out of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and
338 counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a
339 devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all
340 those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after. A
341 pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.
342 RODERIGO.
343 I cannot believe that in her, she is full of most blessed condition.
344 IAGO.
345 Blest fig’s end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been
346 blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst
347 thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?
348 RODERIGO.
349 Yes, that I did. But that was but courtesy.
350 IAGO.
351 Lechery, by this hand. An index and obscure prologue to the history of
352 lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips that their
353 breaths embrac’d together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! When these
354 mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main
355 exercise, the incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by
356 me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight. For the command,
357 I’ll lay’t upon you. Cassio knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do
358 you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or
359 tainting his discipline, or from what other course you please, which
360 the time shall more favourably minister.
361 RODERIGO.
362 Well.
363 IAGO.
364 Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler, and haply with his
365 truncheon may strike at you: provoke him that he may, for even out of
366 that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall
367 come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So
368 shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall
369 then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed,
370 without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
371 RODERIGO.
372 I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.
373 IAGO.
374 I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his
375 necessaries ashore. Farewell.
376 RODERIGO.
377 Adieu.
378 [_Exit._]
379 IAGO.
380 That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
381 That she loves him, ’tis apt, and of great credit:
382 The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
383 Is of a constant, loving, noble nature;
384 And, I dare think, he’ll prove to Desdemona
385 A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,
386 Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure
387 I stand accountant for as great a sin)
388 But partly led to diet my revenge,
389 For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
390 Hath leap’d into my seat. The thought whereof
391 Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,
392 And nothing can or shall content my soul
393 Till I am even’d with him, wife for wife,
394 Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
395 At least into a jealousy so strong
396 That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,
397 If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
398 For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
399 I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
400 Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb
401 (For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too)
402 Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
403 For making him egregiously an ass
404 And practicing upon his peace and quiet
405 Even to madness. ’Tis here, but yet confus’d.
406 Knavery’s plain face is never seen till us’d.
407 [_Exit._]