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.

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;

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!

[Sings.

[Wine brought in.

Cas. 'Fore heaven, 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.

2 A little more than enough.

2

Cas. To the health of our general.

Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.3

lago. O sweet England!

King Stephen was a worthy peer,4

His breeches cost him but a crown;

He held them sixpence all too dear,
With that he call'd the tailor-lown.s
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 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 that 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, or 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.-Forgive us our sins!-Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk; this is my 4 A worthy fellow.

3 Drink as much as you do.

s Clown.

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.

Jago. 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. How now, Roderigo?

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

[Aside.

[Exit RODERIGO.

While the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty

hours.

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.

[Aside to ROD. who goes out.

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.

Mon.

Cas. Drunk!

Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny.

Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,—

Help, ho!-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir;

Help, masters!—Here's a goodly watch, indeed!

[Bell rings.

7 Rooted, settled.

8 A wicker'd bottle.

VOL. X.

Ꮓ

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.

Oth.

Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants.

What is the matter here?

Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death ;-he

dies.

Oth. Hold, for your lives.

Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano,gentlemen,

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty ?

Hold, 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;