صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

That he is too familiar with his wife-
He hath a person, and a smooth dispose,
To be suspected: framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose,

As asses are: (38)

I have't-it is engendered-hell and night

Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. (39)

[Exit.

ACT II.

SCENE-The Capital City of Cyprus.

Enter MONTANO, Governor of Cyprus, and Gentlemen.

Montano. What from the Cape can you discern at sea?

(38) Observe the ass, in light, as drawn in fig. 69, just behind Othello's head. This figure is again repeatedly alluded to in the next act.

(39) Put money in thy purse; money, money. The frequent mention of money in this last scene has regard to this, that besides the circular spots of white light which are scattered over the person of Rodorigo, and have the appearance of coins, he has also at his side what resembles a purse full of them.

(40) 1 Gent. Nothing at all, it is a high wrought flood

I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main

Descry a sail.

Mont. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements: [land; If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,

What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortise? what shall we hear of this?
2 Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet;
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chiding billows seem to pelt the clouds; (41)
The wind-shak'd surge, with high and monstrous
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,

[main,

(40) I take the first Gentleman to be the same as Edmund in King Lear, (who being the same as Magnano in Hudibras, is drawn in fig. 19,) the outline of his breast and body marks the figure one, as introduced in fig. 85. The second Gentleman may be the same as Edgar, standing just by the former, on whose person is the mark of the figure 2, as introduced in fig. 85; and the outline of the figure 3, (also introduced in fig. 85,) may form the body, as the extension of it above may be conceived to form the face of the third gentleman, standing by the two former.

(41) It is not difficult to imagine the illumined and lower part of the moon, if its north side be placed uppermost, to resemble a sea and the smaller shadowed spots thereon, to be a fleet at a distance scattered upon it.

And quench the guards of th' ever fir'd pole;
I never did like molestation view

On the enchafed flood.

Mont. If that the Turkish fleet

Be not ensheltered, and embayed, they're drowned; It is impossible to bear it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

3 Gent. News, lords, our wars are done; The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks, That their designment halts. A noble ship of

Venice

Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance

On most part of the fleet.

Mont. How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in, A Veronessa; Michael Cassio,

Lieutenant of the warlike Moor Othello, (42)
Is come on shore; the Moor himself's at sea, (43)
As in the full commission here for Cyprus.

(42) Besides the large ship which the general form of the shadows of the moon exhibits, as drawn in fig. 72, other smaller likenesses to ships may be traced there, and such as may be supposed to belong severally to Cassio, Iago, and Othello, as lying within or near the same spaces of shadow which constitute their persons.

(43) Michael Cassio, from Mico; as alluding to the streaks of glittering light which mark his person.

Mont. I'm glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor. 3 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 With foul and violent tempest.

Mont. Pray Heavens he be:

For I have served him, and the man commands Like a full soldier. Let's to the sea-side,

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 ærial blue
An indistinct regard.

Gent. Come, let's do so;

For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.

Enter CASSIO.

Cas. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike isle,

That so approve the Moor: Oh, let the heavens Give him defence against the elements,

For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

Mont. Is he well shipped?

Cas. His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot

Of very expert and approved allowance;

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,

Stand in bold cure.

Within.] A sail, a sail, a sail!

Cas. What noise?

[sea

Gent. The town is empty; on the brow of the Stand ranks of people, and they cry, a sail!

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governor.

Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy; Our friends at least.

Cas. I pray you, sir, go forth,

And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.

Gent. I shall.

[Exit.

Mont. But, good lieutenant, is your general

wived?

Cas. Most fortunately, he hath achieved a maid That paragons description and wild fame: One that excels the quirks of blaz'ning pens, And in the essential vesture of creation

Does bear all excellency――

Enter Gentleman.

How now? who has put in?

Gent. 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general. Cas. He's had most favourable and happy speed: Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling

winds,

The guttered rocks, and congregated sands,
(Traitors ensteeped to clog the guiltless keel,
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting safe go by
The divine Desdemona.

« السابقةمتابعة »