Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups, 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 : My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. Enter CASSIO, MONTANO, and Gentlemen. Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already. Mont. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, As I am a soldier. lago. Some wine, ho! And let me the canakin clink, clink; And let me the eanakin clink: A soldier's a man; A life's but a span ; Why then, let a soldier drink. Some wine, boys! Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song. 411 [IAGO sings. 419 lago. I learn'd 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 exquisite in his drinking? Lago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane Eij Dane dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle can be fill'd. Cas. To the health of our general. 430 Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice. lago. O sweet England ! King Stephen was a worthy peer, He was a wight of high renown, Some wine, ho! 440 Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. lago. 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. lago. It's true, good lieutenant. 450 Cas. For mine own part,-no offence to the general, nor any man of quality,—I hope to be saved. lago. And so I do too, lieutenant. Cas. 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 ancient ;-this is my right hand, and this is my left hand:-I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. All. Excellent well. 461 Cas. Why, very well then you must not think then that I am drunk. [Exit. Mont. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. Iago. 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 in him, 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 horologe a double set, If drink rock not his cradle. Mont. It were well, 470 The general were put in mind of it, Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature 480 Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio, Enter RODERIGO. lago. How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Exit ROD. Mont. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor It were an honest action, to say so lago. Not I, for this fair island: I do love Cassio well; and would do much To cure him of this evil. 490 But, hark! what noise ? [Cry within,-Help! help! Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! Mont. What's the matter, lieutenant ? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. Cas. Dost thou prate, rogue? Mont. Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand. [Staying him. 500 Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Mont. Come, come, you're drunk. Cas. Drunk? [They fight. Jago. Away, I say! go out, and cry—a mutiny. Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen, Help, ho!-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir ;- [Bell rings. The town will rise: Fie, fie, lieutenant! hold; 510 You will be sham'd for ever. Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. Oth. What is the matter here? Mont. 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? shame! Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this? 5.20 Are we turn'd Turks; and to ourselves do that, lago. |