Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. Oth. What is the matter here? Mont. I bleed still, I am hurt, but not to th' Oth. Hold, for your lives. [death. Iago. Hold, ho! lieutenant-Sir-Montanogentlemen Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? this? Are we turned Turks? and to ourselves do that Swords out, and tilting one at other's breasts, (50) It has been already observed, that the upper part of Cassio's person is like a bell. Any beginning to this peevish odds ; The world hath noted, and your name is great And spend your rich opinion, for the name Your officer lago can inform you, While I spare speech, which something now offends Of all that I do know; nor know I aught By me that's said or done amiss this night, [me, 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 cholered, Assays to lead the way. If once I stir, Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know Tho' he had twinned with me both at a birth, Mont. If partially affined, or leagued in office, Iago. Touch me not so near: I'd rather have this tongue cut from my mouth The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot, For that I heard the clink and fall of swords, And Cassio high in oath; I ne'er might say before. which till to-night 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 cannot I report. But men are men; the best sometimes forget: As men in rage strike those that wish them best, From him that fled some strange indignity, Oth. I know, lago, 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 raised up: Des. What's the matter? Oth. All is well, sweeting, come away to bed. Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon. Lead him off. Iago, look with care about the town, [(51) And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted. [Exeunt. (51) Myself will be your surgeon. This alludes to the circumstance that Othello's body and Montano's are nearly the same in their prototypes; so that one may be said to restore or make good the other. Manent IAGO and CASSIO. Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant? Iago. Marry, Heaven forbid! Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! oh, 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 had thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense 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 fright an imperious lion. Sue to him again, and he's 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? oh thou invincible spirit of wine! if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil. |