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ACT II.
Scene I. A sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quay.
Enter Montano and two Gentlemen.[5314]
Mon. What from the cape can you discern at sea?
First Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood;[5315]
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,[5316]
Descry a sail.[5317]
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,[5316]
Descry a sail.[5317]
Mon. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;[5317][5318] 5
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:[5317]
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,[5317][5319]
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,[5317][5320]
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?[5317][5321]
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:[5317]
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,[5317][5319]
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,[5317][5320]
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?[5317][5321]
Sec. Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet:[5322] 10
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,[5323]
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;[5324]
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,[5325]
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:[5326] 15
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood.
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,[5323]
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;[5324]
The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,[5325]
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:[5326] 15
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood.
Enter a third Gentleman.[5329]
Third Gent. News, lads! our wars are done.[5330][5331][5332] 20
The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,[5333]
That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice[5334][5335]
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance[5334][5336]
On most part of their fleet.[5337]
The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,[5333]
That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice[5334][5335]
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance[5334][5336]
On most part of their fleet.[5337]
Mon. How! is this true?
Third Gent. The ship is here put in,[5338][5339][5340] 25
A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,[5338][5340]
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,[5341]
Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,[5342]
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,[5338][5340]
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,[5341]
Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,[5342]
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.[5343] 30
Third Gent. But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted[5344]
With foul and violent tempest.
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted[5344]
With foul and violent tempest.
Mon. Pray heavens he be;[5345]
For I have served him, and the man commands 35
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho![5346]
As well to see the vessel that's come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue[5347][5348]
An indistinct regard.[5347][5349]
For I have served him, and the man commands 35
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho![5346]
As well to see the vessel that's come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue[5347][5348]
An indistinct regard.[5347][5349]
Third Gent. Come, let's do so; 40
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.
Enter Cassio.[5350]
Cas. Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,[5351]
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens[5352]
Give him defence against the elements,[5353] 45
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.[5354]
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens[5352]
Give him defence against the elements,[5353] 45
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.[5354]
Mon. Is he well shipp'd?
[A cry within: 'A sail, a sail, a sail!'
Enter a fourth Gentleman.[5359]
Cas. What noise?[5360]
Fourth Gent. The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea[5361]
Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'[5362]
Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'[5362]
Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governor. 55
[Guns heard.[5363]
Cas. I pray you, sir, go forth,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
Sec. Gent. I shall. [Exit.[5366]
Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived? 60
Re-enter second Gentleman.
How now! who has put in?[5369] 65
Sec. Gent. 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.[5366]
Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed:[5370]
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,[5371]
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,[5372]
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,[5373] 70
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by[5374]
The divine Desdemona.
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,[5371]
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,[5372]
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,[5373] 70
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by[5374]
The divine Desdemona.
Mon. What is she?
Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,[5375]
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago; 75
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,[5376]
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,[5377] 80
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,[5378]
And bring all Cyprus comfort.
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago; 75
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,[5376]
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,[5377] 80
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,[5378]
And bring all Cyprus comfort.
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, Iago, Roderigo, and Attendants.[5379]
O, behold,
The riches of the ship is come on shore![5380]
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.[5381]
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,[5382] 85
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!
The riches of the ship is come on shore![5380]
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.[5381]
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,[5382] 85
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!
Des. I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?[5383]
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?[5383]
Cas. He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught[5384]
But that he's well and will be shortly here. 90
But that he's well and will be shortly here. 90
Des. O, but I fear—How lost you company?[5385]
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies[5386]
Parted our fellowship—But, hark! a sail.
Parted our fellowship—But, hark! a sail.
[A cry within: 'A sail, a sail!' Guns heard.[5387]
Cas. See for the news. [Exit Gentleman.[5389]95
Good ancient, you are welcome. [To Emilia] Welcome, mistress:[5390]
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy. [Kissing her.[5391]
Good ancient, you are welcome. [To Emilia] Welcome, mistress:[5390]
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy. [Kissing her.[5391]
Iago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips[5392] 100
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,[5393]
You'ld have enough.[5394]
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,[5393]
You'ld have enough.[5394]
Desd. Alas, she has no speech.
Iago. In faith, too much;[5395]
I find it still when I have list to sleep:[5396]
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, 105
She puts her tongue a little in her heart[5397]
And chides with thinking.
I find it still when I have list to sleep:[5396]
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant, 105
She puts her tongue a little in her heart[5397]
And chides with thinking.
Emil. You have little cause to say so.[5398]
Iago. Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,[5399][5400]
Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,[5399] 110
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,[5399]
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.[5399][5401]
Bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchens,[5399] 110
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,[5399]
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.[5399][5401]
Des. O, fie upon thee, slanderer![5402]
Emil. You shall not write my praise.
Iago. No, let me not.
Des. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?[5403]
Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
For I am nothing if not critical.
For I am nothing if not critical.
Des. Come on, assay—There's one gone to the harbour?[5404] 120
Iago. Ay, madam.
Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
Iago. I am about it; but indeed my invention[5405][5406] 125
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;[5405][5407]
It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,[5405][5408]
And thus she is deliver'd.[5405][5409]
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,[5410]
The one's for use, the other useth it.[5410][5411] 130
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;[5405][5407]
It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,[5405][5408]
And thus she is deliver'd.[5405][5409]
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,[5410]
The one's for use, the other useth it.[5410][5411] 130
Des. Well praised! How if she be black and witty?[5412]
Iago. If she be black, and thereto have a wit,[5410]
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.[5410][5413]
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.[5410][5413]
Des. Worse and worse.
Emil. How if fair and foolish?[5414] 135
Iago. She never yet was foolish that was fair;[5410][5415]
For even her folly help'd her to an heir.[5410][5415][5416]
For even her folly help'd her to an heir.[5410][5415][5416]
Des. These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh[5417][5418]
i' the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her[5417]
that's foul and foolish?[5414][5417] 140
i' the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her[5417]
that's foul and foolish?[5414][5417] 140
Iago. There's none so foul, and foolish thereunto,[5410]
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.[5410][5419]
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.[5410][5419]
Des. O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best.[5420]
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman
indeed, one that in the authority of her merit did justly[5421][5422] 145
put on the vouch of very malice itself?[5421][5423]
But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman
indeed, one that in the authority of her merit did justly[5421][5422] 145
put on the vouch of very malice itself?[5421][5423]
Iago. She that was ever fair and never proud,[5410]
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,[5410]
Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,[5410]
Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may;'[5410] 150
She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,[5410][5424]
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;[5410]
She that in wisdom never was so frail[5410]
To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;[5410]
She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,[5410][5425] 155
See suitors following and not look behind;[5410][5426]
She was a wight, if ever such wight were,—[5410][5427][5428]
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,[5410]
Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,[5410]
Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may;'[5410] 150
She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,[5410][5424]
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;[5410]
She that in wisdom never was so frail[5410]
To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;[5410]
She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,[5410][5425] 155
See suitors following and not look behind;[5410][5426]
She was a wight, if ever such wight were,—[5410][5427][5428]
Des. To do what?[5428]
Iago. To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.[5410]
Des. O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn[5429] 160
of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you,[5429]
Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?[5429][5430]
of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you,[5429]
Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?[5429][5430]
Cas. He speaks home, madam: you may relish him[5431]
more in the soldier than in the scholar.[5431][5432]
more in the soldier than in the scholar.[5431][5432]
Iago. [Aside] He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,[5433]165
whisper: with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great[5434]
a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve thee[5435]
in thine own courtship. You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if[5436]
such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it[5437]
had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so[5438] 170
oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in.[5439]
Very good; well kissed! an excellent courtesy! 'tis so,[5440]
indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? would they[5441]
were clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpet within.] The[5442]
Moor! I know his trumpet. 175
whisper: with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great[5434]
a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve thee[5435]
in thine own courtship. You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if[5436]
such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it[5437]
had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so[5438] 170
oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in.[5439]
Very good; well kissed! an excellent courtesy! 'tis so,[5440]
indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? would they[5441]
were clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpet within.] The[5442]
Moor! I know his trumpet. 175
Cas. 'Tis truly so.
Des. Let's meet him and receive him.
Cas. Lo, where he comes!
Enter Othello and Attendants.[5443]
Oth. O my fair warrior!
Des. My dear Othello!
Oth. It gives me wonder great as my content 180
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy![5444]
If after every tempest come such calms,[5445]
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death![5446]
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus-high and duck again as low 185
As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,[5447]
'Twere now to be most happy; for I fear,
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy![5444]
If after every tempest come such calms,[5445]
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death![5446]
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus-high and duck again as low 185
As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,[5447]
'Twere now to be most happy; for I fear,
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
Des. The heavens forbid 190
But that our loves and comforts should increase,[5448]
Even as our days do grow!
But that our loves and comforts should increase,[5448]
Even as our days do grow!
Oth. Amen to that, sweet powers![5449]
I cannot speak enough of this content;
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
And this, and this, the greatest discords be [Kissing her.[5450]195
That e'er our hearts shall make!
I cannot speak enough of this content;
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
And this, and this, the greatest discords be [Kissing her.[5450]195
That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iago. [Aside] O, you are well tuned now![5451][5452]
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,[5452][5453]
As honest as I am.[5452]
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,[5452][5453]
As honest as I am.[5452]
Oth. Come, let us to the castle.[5454]
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.[5455]
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?[5456] 200
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,[5457]
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,[5458]
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:[5459] 205
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.[5455]
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?[5456] 200
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,[5457]
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,[5458]
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:[5459] 205
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.
[Exeunt all but Iago and Roderigo.[5460]