thoughts, Rodorigo! 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.

Iago. Sir, he's rash, and very sudden in choler: and, haply may strike at you. Provoke him, that he may; for even out of that will I cause those of Cyprus to mutiny: whose qualification shall come into no true taste again, but by 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 impediments most profitably removed, without which there was no expectation of our prosperity.

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

Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewel.

Rod. Adieu.

[Exit.

Manet IAGO.

Jago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe: 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 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

Hath leapt 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 evened 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 brach of Venice, whom I trace
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
Abuse him to the Moor in the right 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,
Even to madness. 'Tis here-but yet confused;
Knavery's plain face is never seen, 'till used.

SCENE-The Street.

Enter Herald with a Proclamation. (44)

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arrived 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 mind leads him. For, besides this 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 have told eleven. Bless the isle of Cyprus, and our noble General Othello!

[Exit.

SCENE-the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard toLet's teach ourselves that honourable stop, [night: Not to out-sport discretion.

(44) I take the herald to be the same as the widow in Hudibras, drawn in fig. 23; by a reference to which figure her draperies will be seen to be not unlike a herald's coat.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do:
But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to't.

Oth. Iago is most honest:

[liest

Michael, good-night. To-morrow, with your earLet me have speech with you. Come, my dear The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; [love, That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. Good-night. [Exeunt Othello and Desdemona.

Enter IAGO.

Cas. Welcome, lago; we must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant: 'tis not yet ten o'th'clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona: whom let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night with her and she is sport for Jove. Cas. She's a most exquisite lady.

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

Cas. Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.

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

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

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

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection.

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets: come, lieutenant, I have a stoup 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.

Iago. Oh, 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.

Iago. What, man? 'tis a night of revels, the gallants desire it.

Cas. Where are they?

Iago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Cassio.
Iago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, (45)

(45) One cup. It is scarcely necessary to repeat what has been so often noticed, that the upper part of Cassio's (or Talgol's) person resembles a drinking-glass, or cup reversed; and the streaks of light thereon, which have themselves also the likeness of a drinking-glass, may be the other cup which Iago would fain fasten upon him.