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thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand ? didst not mark that?

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Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.

lago. Lechery, by this hand! an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breaths embrac'd together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion: Pish!-But, sir, be you rul'd by me I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Cassio knows you not ;-I'll not be far from you: Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod. Well.

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Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler; and, haply, with his truncheon may strike at you : Provoke him, that he may for, even out of that, will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true taste again, but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires, by the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

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Rod. I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.

lego.

lago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewel. [Exit.

Rod. Adieu.

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lago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit: The Moor-howbeit that I endure him not,Is of a constant, loving, noble nature; And, I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemona A most dear husband. Now I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust (though, peradventure, I stand accountant for as great a sin), But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

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Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul,
'Till I am even with him, wife for wife;
Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,→
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip;
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb,-
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward

me,

For making him egregiously an ass,

And practising upon his peace and quiet

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Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd; Knavery's plain face is never seen, 'till us'd. [Exit.

SCENE II.

A Street. Enter Herald, with a Proclamation.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arriv'd, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him; for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials: So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open; and there is full liberty of feasting, from this present hour of five, 'till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus, and our noble general Othello!

[Exit.

SCENE III.

The Castle. Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to

night :

Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,

Not to out-sport discretion.

Cas.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do ;

But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye

Will I look to't.

Oth. Iago is most honest.

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Michael, good night: To-morrow, with your earliest, Let me have speech with you.-Come, my dear love; The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue ;

[TO DESD.

That profit's yet to come 'twixt me and you.—

Good night.

[Exeunt OTHEL. and DESDEM.

Enter IAGO.

We must to the watch. lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten ist us thus early, for the love m let us not therefore blame; wanton the night with her; and

Cas. Welcome, Iago Iago. Not this ho o'clock: Our gener of his Desdemona : he hath not yet made she is sport for Jove.

Cas. She's a most exquisite lady.

lago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

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Cas. Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate crea

ture.

Iago. What an eye she has! methinks, it sounds a parley of provocation.

Cas. An inviting eye; and yet, methinks, right modest.

Iago. And, when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection.

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lago. Well,.happiness to their sheets! Come, lieu

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tenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of the black Othello.

Cas. Not to-night, good Iago; I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. -380

lago. O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for you.

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to night, and that was craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more. lago. What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it.

Cas. Where are they?

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lago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit CASSIO. lago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk to-night already, He'll be as full of quarrel and offence

As my young mistress' dog.

Roderigo,

Now, my sick fool,

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out

ward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carouz'd

Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,

That hold their honours in a wary distance,

The very elements of this warlike isle,—

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