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? lago. 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.1 lago. O sweet England! King Stephen was a worthy peer,2 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. Let's Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. have no more of this; let's to our affairs.-Forgive (1) Drink as much as you do. us our sins!-Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk; this is my 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. 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 the other: 'tis pity of him. Will shake this island. Mon. But is he often thus? lago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: He'll watch the horologe a double set,1 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? [Aside I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Exit Rod. Mon. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor Should hazard such a place, as his own second, With one of an ingraft2 infirmity: It were an honest action, to say So to the Moor. (1) While the clock strikes two rounds, or fourand-twenty hours. (2) Rooted, settled. 2 Iago. Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant? Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty! Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Mon. Come, come, you're drunk. Cas. Drunk! [They fight. lago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny! [Aside to Rod. who goes out. Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,Help, ho-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir ;Help, masters!—Here's a goodly watch, indeed! [Bell rings. 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. lago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano,gentlemen, Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? (1) A wicker bottle. Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth Are we turn'd Turks; and to ourselves do that, Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, now, In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom The world hath noted, and your name is great Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger; Your officer, lago, can inform you- While I spare speech, which something now offends me Of all that I do know: nor know I aught (1) i. e. You have thus forgot yourself. By me that's said or done amiss this night; When violence assails us. Oth. Now, by heaven, Or do but lift this arm, the best of you Mon. If partially affin'd,4 or leagu'd in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, Thou art no soldier. Iago. Touch me not so near: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth, The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot, (1) Care of one's self. (2) Darkened. (4) Related by nearness of office. |