I have't--it is engendered---hell and night light. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE, the Capital City of Cyprus. Enter MONTANO Governor of Cyprus, and Gentle men. ΜΟΝΤΑΝΟ. WHAT from the Cape can you discern at sea ? 1 Gent. Nothing at all, it is a high-wrought I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main [flood; Defery a fail. Mont. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements: [land; If it hath ruffianed fo upon the fea, [them, (20) What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on (20) What ribs of oak, when the huge mountains me't, Can hold the mortife?] This is an arbitrary change of Mr Pope's, without any authority or reason, but the fmoothing the verification. But, I am afraid, this great critic was dreaming of mountains at land; and thefe, he thought, could not well melt on ribs of oak (i. e. ships at fea.) But our Poet happens to mean, waves as big as mountains; and thefe are often known to melt on thips: nor is any metaphor more common in poetry. So, again, afterwards, in this very play; And let the lab'ring bark climb hills of feas -and anon beheld The strong-ribbed bark through liquid mountains cuts. Like as we fee the wrathful fer from far, Treil. and Cref In a great mountain heaped, with hideous noife, With thousand billows beat against the flips." Locrine. Can hold the mortife? what fhall we hear of this? On the enchafed flood. Mont. If that the Turkish fleet Be not enfheltered, and embayed, they're drowned; It is impoffible to bear it out. 3 Enter a third Gentleman. Gent. News, Lords, our wars are done: The defperate tempeft hath fo banged the Turks, That their defignment halts. (21) A noble ship of Venice Hath feen a grievous wreck and fufferance. And fo Beaumont and Fletcher in their Elder Brother; In all which paffages our Poets have but imitated their predeceffors the Claflics. Πορφύρεον δ' άρα κῦμα περισάθη ἔρει ἴσον; - * Αλλοθεν αλλα φέροντα In montis fpeciem curvari, et crefcere vifus. Ovid. Met. l. xv. (21) -Another hip of Venice id. Trift. 1. 1. El. z. Hath feen a grievous wreck, &c.] But no fhip, before this, has arrived, or brought any account of the Turkish fleet's diftrefs: how then can this be called another ship? Oh, On most part of the fleet. Mont. How! is this true? 3 Gent. The fhip is here put in, (22) A. Veronella; Michael Caffio, Lieutenant of the warlike Moor Othello, of coinfort Touching the Turkish lofs, yet he looks fadly, Mont. Pray Heavens he be: For I have ferved him, and the man commands As well to fee the veffel that's come in, As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello, Gent. Come, let's do so; For every minute is expectancy but the eldest Quarto has called it fo; and, if there be a various reading, Mr Pope is pretty good at taking the wrong one. The two elder Folios, and the Quarto in 163, read, as I have restored to the text; (22) -A noble fhip of Venice. The fhip is here put in; A Veroneffo, Michael Caffio, &c] But Michael Caffio was no Veronefe; we find, from other paffages in the play, he was of Rome. I read with the beft copies, only altering the pointing; The thip is here put in, A Veroneja; i. e. A veffel properly belonging to the state of Verona, but in the fervice of Venice: and Verona, I believe, does, by the Adige, fend down fhips to the Adriatic. Enter CASSIO. Caf. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike ifle, That fo approve the Mcor: Oh, let the heavens Give him defence against the elements, For I have loft him on a dangerous fea. Caf. His bark is ftoutly timbered, and his pilot Of very expert and approved allowance; Therefore my hopes, not furfeited to death, Stand in bold cure. Within.] A fail, a fail, a fail! Gent. The town is empty; on the brow of the fea Stand ranks of people, and they cry, a fail! Caf. My hopes do fhape him for the governor. Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy: Our friends at leaft. Caf. I pray you, Sir, go forth, And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived. Gent. I fhall. [Exit. Mont. But, good Lieutenant, is your general wived? Caf. Molt fortunately, he hath atchieved a maid That paragons defcription and wild fame: One that excels the quirks of blaz'ning pens, And in the effential vefture of creation Does bear all excellency―― Enter Gentleman. How now? who has put in? Gent. 'Tis one Iago, Ancient to the General. Caf. H'as had moft favourable and happy fpeed: Tempefts themselves, high feas, and howling winds, The guttered rocks, and congregated fands, (Traitors enfteeped to clog the guiltless keel) As having fenfe of beauty, do omit Mont. What is the? Caf. She that I fpake of, our great Captain's Left in the conduct of the bold Iago, [Captain, Whole footing here anticipates our thoughts, A fennight's fpeed. Great Jove, Othello guard ! And fwell his fail with thine own powerful breath, That he may blefs this bay with his tall fhip, Make Love's quick pants in Defdemona's arms, Give renewed fire to our extinguished spirits, And bring all Cyprus comfort Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, RODORIGO, and EMILIA. O behold! The riches of the fhip is come on fhore: You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees. Def. I thank you, valiant Caffio: What tidings can you tell me of my Lord? Gent. They give this greeting to the citadel: Caf. See for the news: Good Ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mi ftrefs. [To Emilia. Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, That I extend my manners. 'Tis my breeding, |