Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

Iago. Will your hear't again?

Cas. No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does these things. Well-Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

Iugo. It's true, good lieutenant.

Cas. For mine own part, (no offence to the general, nor 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 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. I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. (47) Gent. Excellent well.

Cas. Why, very well then: you must not think then that I am drunk.

Manent IAGO and MONTANO.

[Exit.

Mont. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.

(47) Cassio's legs, in his prototype, are straddling out one from the other, like those of a drunken man.

'Tis to his virtues 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.

Mont. But is he often thus ?

Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep,

He'll watch the horologue a double set,

If drink rock not his cradle.

Mont. 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 RODORIGO.

Iago. How now, Rodorigo?

I pray you, after the lieutenant, go. [Exit. Rod.
Mont. 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
Unto the Moor.

Iago. Not I, for this fair island;

I do love Cassio well, and would do much
To cure him of this evil.

Hark, what noise?

[Within, Help! help!

Re-enter CASSIO, pursuing RODORIGO.
Cas. You rogue! you rascal!

Mont. What's the matter, lieutenant ?

Cas. A knave teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. (48)

Rod. Beat me

Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue? Mont. Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

[Staying him.

Cas. Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the

mazzard. (49)

Mont. Come, come, you're drunk.

Cas. Drunk?-

[They fight.

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

[Exit Rodorigo. Nay, good lieutenant--Alas, gentlemenHelp, ho!-lieutenant--Sir--Montano—Help, masters! here's a goodly watch, indeedWho's that who rings the bell-diable, ho! [Bell rings. The town will rise. Fie, fie, lieutenant! hold: You will be ashamed for ever.

(48) A twiggen bottle. Observe the person of Rodorigo in the moon, as covered with streaks of light resembling twigs.

(49) Knock you o'er the mazzard. Vide the streak of light, or mark as of a blow on or near Montano's mouth, in fig. 101, and more particularly in its prototype.

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-Montano—

gentlemen

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?
The general speaks to you-hold, hold, for shame---
Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth

this?

Are we turned 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 (50)
From her propriety. What is the matter?
Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.
Iago. I do not know; friends all, but now, ev'n
In quarter and in terms like bride and groom [now
Divesting them for bed; and then, but now
(As if some planet had unwitted men,)
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breasts,
In opposition bloody. I can't speak

(50) It has been already observed, that the upper part of Cassio's person is like a bell.

Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And 'would in action glorious I had lost
Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
Cas. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil:
The gravity and stillness of your youth

The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure. What's the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus,

And spend your rich opinion, for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

Mont. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;

Your officer Iago 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
How this foul rout began; who set it on ;
And he that is approved in this offence,