And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of

drunkards, Am I to put our Cassio in some action That may

offend the isle :-But here they come: If consequence do but approve my dream, My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

Re-enter Cassio, with him Montano, and

Gentlemen. Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse : already.

Mon. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. Iago. Some wine, ho! And let me the canakin clink, clink; (Sings

. And let me the canakin clink:

A soldier's a man ;

A life's but a span ;
Why then, let u soldier drink.
Some wine, boys !

[Wine brought it. Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song.

Iago. I learned it in England, where, (indeed) 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?

Iago. 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.

2 A little more than enough.

Cas. To the health of our general.

Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you
justice.
Iago. O sweet England !
King Stephen was a worthy peer,4

His breeches cost him but a crown ;
He held them sirpence all too dear,

With that he calld the tailor-lown.s
He was a wight of high renown,

And thou art but of low degree:
'Tis pride that pulls the country down,

Then take thine auld cloak about thee.

Some wine, ho !

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

Tago. 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.

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 us our sins !-Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk; this is my

3 Drink as much as you do.

s Clown.

4 A worthy fellow.

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.

Jago. 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 ; 'Tis to his virtue 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. Mon.

But is he often thus ?
Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
He'll watch the horologe a double set,"
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 RODERIGO.

6 While the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty

hours.

Mon. 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 to the Moor.
Iago.

Not I, for this fair island :
I do love Cassio well ; and would do much
To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noise ?

[Cry within.--Help! help!

Re-enter Cassio, driving in RODERIGO.
Cas. You rogue! you rascal!
Mon.

What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty!
I'll beat the knave into a twiggen: bottle.

Rod. Beat me!
Cas.
Dost thou prate, rogue ?

[Striking RODERIGO. Mon.

Nay, good lieutenant;

[Staying him. I pray you, sir, hold your hand. Cas.

Let me go, sir,
Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mon.

Come, come, you're drunk. Cas. Drunk !

[They fight. Iago. 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 ! bold;
You will be sham'd for ever.

Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. Oth.

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 ? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for

shame! Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth

this? Are we turn’d 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 From her propriety.—What is the matter, masters?Honest Iago, that look’st dead with grieving, Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee. Iago. I do not know ;-friends all but now, even

now, In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom Devesting them for bed : and then, but now, (As if some planet had unwitted men,) Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, In opposition bloody. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds;