A
  Sea-port
  in
  Cyprus．An
  open
  place
  near
  the
  quay
  ［Enter
  MONTANO
  and
  two
  Gentlemnen］
  MONTANO
  What
  from
  the
  capecan
  you
  discernat
  sea？
  First
  Gentleman
  Nothing
  at
  all：it
  is
  a
  highwroughtflood；
  I
  cannot，’twixtthe
  heaven
  and
  the
  main，
  Descrya
  sail．
  MONTANO
  Methinks
  the
  wind
  hath
  spoke
  aloud
  at
  land；
  A
  fuller
  blast．ne’ershook
  our
  battlements：
  If
  it
  hath
  ruffian’dso
  upon
  the
  sea，
  What
  ribsof
  oak，when
  mountains
  melt
  on
  them，
  Can
  hold
  the
  mortise？What
  shall
  we
  hear
  of
  this？
  Second
  Gentleman
  A
  segregationof
  the
  Turkish
  fleet：
  For
  do
  but
  stand
  upon
  the
  foamingshore，
  The
  chidden
  billow
  seems
  to
  pelt
  the
  clouds
  ；
  The
  wind－shaked
  surge，with
  high
  and
  monstrous
  mane，
  seems
  to
  cast
  water
  on
  the
  burning
  bear，
  And
  quenchthe
  guards
  of
  the
  ever-fixed
  pole：
  I
  never
  did
  like
  molestationview
  On
  the
  ehchafedflood
  MONTANO
  If
  that
  the
  Turkish
  fleet
  Be
  not
  enshelter’dand
  embay’d，they
  are
  drown’d：
  It
  is
  impossible
  they
  bear
  it
  out．
  ［Enter
  a
  third
  Gentleman］
  Third
  Gentleman
  News，lads！our
  wars
  are
  done．
  The
  desperatetempest
  hath
  so
  bang’d．the
  Turks，
  That
  their
  designment
  halts．：a
  noble
  ship
  of
  Venice
  Hath
  seen
  a
  grievouswreckand
  sufferance
  On
  most
  part
  of
  their
  fleet．
  MONTANO
  How！is
  this
  true？
  Third
  Gentleman
  The
  ship
  is
  here
  put
  in，
  A
  Veronesa；Michael
  Cassio，
  Lieutenant
  to
  the
  warlikeMoor
  Othello，
  Is
  come
  on
  shore：the
  Moor
  himself
  at
  sea，
  And
  is
  in
  full
  commission
  here
  for
  Cyprus．
  MONTANO
  I
  am
  glad
  on’t；’tis
  a
  worthygovernor．
  Third
  Gentleman
  But
  this
  same
  Cassio，though
  he
  speak
  of
  comfort
  Touchingthe
  Turkish
  loss，yet
  he
  looks
  sadly，
  And
  prays
  the
  Moor
  be
  safe；for
  they
  were
  parted
  With
  foul
  and
  violent
  tempest．
  MONTANO
  Pray
  heavens
  he
  be；
  For
  I
  have
  served
  him，and
  the
  man
  commands
  Like
  a
  full
  soldier
  Let’s
  to
  the
  seaside，ho！
  As
  well
  to
  see
  the
  vessel
  that’s
  come
  in
  As
  to
  throw
  out
  our
  eyes
  forbrave
  Othello，
  Even
  till
  we
  make
  the
  main
  and
  the
  aerialblue
  An
  indistinctregard．
  Third
  Gentleman
  Come，let’s
  do
  so：
  For
  every
  minute
  is
  expectancy
  Of
  more
  arrivance．
  ［Enter
  CASSIO］
  CASSIO
  Thanks，you
  the
  valiant
  of
  this
  warlike
  isle，
  That
  so
  approve
  the
  Moor！O，let
  the
  heavens
  Give
  him
  defence
  against
  the
  elements，
  For
  I
  have
  lost
  us
  him
  on
  a
  dangerous
  sea．
  MONTANO
  Is
  he
  well
  shipp’d？
  CASSIO
  His
  barkis
  stoulytimber’d，his
  pilot
  Of
  very
  expert
  and
  approved
  allowance；
  Therefore
  my
  hope，not
  surfeitedto
  death，
  Stand
  in
  boldcure．
  ［A
  cry
  within
  ‘A
  sail，a
  sail，a
  sail’！Enter
  a
  fourthGentleman］
  CASSIO
  What
  noise？
  Fourth
  Gentleman
  The
  town
  is
  empty；on
  the
  browo’the
  sea
  Stand
  ranks
  of
  people，and
  they
  cry’A
  sail！’
  CASSIO
  My
  hopes
  do
  shape
  him
  for
  the
  governor
  ［Guns
  heard］
  Second
  Gentlemen
  They
  do
  discharge
  their
  shot
  of
  courtesy：
  Our
  friends
  at
  least．
  CASSIO
  I
  prayyou，sir，go
  forth，
  And
  give
  us
  truth
  who’tis
  that
  is
  arrived．
  Second
  Gentleman
  I
  shall．
  ［Exit］
  MONTANO
  But，good
  lieutenant，is
  general
  wived？
  CASSIO
  Most
  fortunately：he
  hath
  achieved
  a
  maid
  That
  paragons
  descriptionand
  wildfame；
  One
  that
  excelsthe
  quirksof
  blazoningpens，
  And
  in
  the
  essentialvestureof
  creation
  Does
  tirethe
  ingener
  ［Re-enter
  second
  Gentleman］
  How
  now！who
  has
  put
  in
  Second
  Gentleman
  ‘Tis
  one
  Iago，ancient
  to
  the
  general
  CASSIO
  Has
  had
  favourable
  and
  happy
  speed
  ：
  Tempests
  themselves，high
  seas，and
  howling
  winds，
  The
  gutter’drocks
  and
  congregatedsands——
  Traitorsensteep’dto
  clogthe
  guiltlesskeel，——
  As
  having
  sense
  of
  beauty，do
  omit
  Their
  mortal
  natures，letting
  go
  safely
  by
  The
  divineDesdemona．
  MONTANO
  What
  is
  she？
  CASSIO
  She
  that
  I
  spakeof，our
  great
  captain’s
  captain，
  Left
  in
  the
  conduct
  of
  the
  boldIago，
  Whose
  footing
  here
  anticipatesour
  thoughts
  A
  se’nnight’sspeed．Great
  Jove，Othello
  guard，
  And
  swellhis
  sail
  with
  thineown
  powerful
  breath，
  That
  he
  may
  blessthis
  baywith
  his
  tall
  ship，
  Make
  love’s
  quick
  pantsin
  Desdemona’s
  arms，
  Give
  renew’d
  fire
  to
  our
  extinctedspirits
  And
  bring
  all
  Cyprus
  comfort！
  ［Enter
  DESDEMONA，EMILIA，IAGO，RODERIGO，and
  Attendants］
  O，behold，
  The
  riches
  of
  the
  ship
  is
  come
  on
  shore！
  Ye
  men
  of
  Cyprus，
  let
  her
  have
  your
  knees．
  Hail
  to
  thee，lady！and
  the
  grace
  of
  heaven，
  Before，behind
  thee，and
  on
  every
  hand，
  Enwheelthee
  round！
  DESDEMONA
  I
  thank
  you，valiantCassio．
  What
  tidingscan
  you
  tell
  me
  of
  my
  lord？
  CASSIO
  He
  is
  not
  yet
  arrived：nor
  know
  I
  aught
  But
  that
  he’s
  well
  and
  will
  be
  shortly
  here．
  DESDEMONA
  O，but
  I
  fear——How
  lost
  you
  company？
  CASSIO
  The
  great
  contention
  of
  the
  sea
  and
  skies
  Partedour
  fellowship——But，hark！a
  sail．
  ［Within’A
  sail，a
  sail！’Guns
  heard］
  Second
  Gentleman
  They
  give
  their
  greetingto
  the
  citadel；This
  likewiseis
  a
  friend
  CASSIO
  See
  fot
  the
  news．
  ［Exit
  Gentleman］
  Good
  ancient，you
  are
  welcome．
  ［To
  EMILIA］
  Welcome，mistress．
  Let
  it
  not
  gallyour
  patience，good
  Iago，
  That
  I
  extend
  my
  manners；’tismy
  breeding
  That
  gives
  me
  this
  boldshow
  of
  courtesy．
  ［Kissing
  her］
  IAGO
  Sir，would
  she
  give
  you
  so
  much
  of
  her
  lips
  As
  of
  her
  tongue
  she
  oftbestowson
  me，
  You’ll
  have
  enough．
  DESDEMONA
  Alas，she
  has
  no
  speech．
  IAGO
  In
  faith，too
  much；
  I
  find
  it
  still，when
  I
  have
  listto
  sleep：
  Marry，before
  your
  ladyship，I
  grant
  ，
  She
  puts
  her
  tongue
  a
  little
  in
  her
  heart，
  And
  chideswith
  thinking．
  EMILIM
  You
  have
  little
  causeto
  say
  so．
  IAGO
  Come
  on，come
  on；you
  are
  pictures
  out
  of
  doors，
  Bells
  in
  your
  parlors，wild-cats
  in
  your
  kitchens，
  Saintsm
  your
  injuries，devils
  being
  offended，
  Players
  in
  your
  housewifery，and
  housewives’in
  your
  beds．
  DESDEMONA
  O，fie
  upon
  thee，slanderer！
  IAGO
  Nay，it
  is
  true，or
  else
  I
  am
  a
  Turk
  ：
  You
  rise
  to
  play
  and
  go
  to
  bed
  to
  work．
  EMILIA
  You
  shall
  not
  write
  my
  praise
  IAGO
  No，let
  me
  not.
  DESDEMONA
  What
  wouldstthouwrite
  of
  me，if
  thou
  shouldst
  prsise
  me？
  IAGO
  O
  gentle
  lady，do
  not
  put
  me
  to’t；
  For
  I
  am
  nothing，if
  not
  critical．
  DFSDEMONA
  Come
  on
  assay．There’s
  one
  gone
  to
  the
  harbour？
  IAGO
  Ay，madam．
  DESDEMONA
  I
  am
  not
  merry；but
  I
  do
  beguile
  The
  thing
  I
  am，by
  seeming
  otherwise．
  Come，how
  wouldst
  thou
  praise
  me？
  IAGO
  I
  am
  about
  it；but
  indeed
  my
  invention
  Comes
  from
  my
  pate
  as
  birdlime
  does
  from
  frize;
  It
  plucks
  out
  brains
  and
  all:
  but
  my
  Muse
  labours,
  And
  thus
  She
  is
  deliver’d,
  The
  one’s
  for
  use,
  the
  other
  useth
  it.
  DESDEMONA
  Well
  praised!How
  if
  she
  be
  black
  and
  witty?
  IAGO
  If
  she
  be
  black,
  and
  thereto
  have
  a
  wit,
  She’ll
  find
  a
  white
  that
  shall
  her
  blackness
  fit.
  DESDEMONA
  Worse
  and
  worse.
  EMILIA
  How
  if
  fair
  and
  foolish？
  IAGO
  She
  never
  yet
  was
  foolish
  that
  was
  fair；
  For
  even
  her
  folly
  help’d
  her
  to
  an
  heir．
  DESDEMONA
  These
  are
  old
  fond
  paradoxes
  to
  make
  fools
  laugh
  i’
  the
  alehouse．What
  miserable
  praise
  hast
  thou
  for
  her
  that’s
  foul
  and
  foolish？
  IAGO
  There’s
  none
  so
  foul
  and
  foolish
  thereunto，
  But
  does
  foul
  pranks
  which
  fair
  and
  wise
  ones
  do．
  DESDEMONA
  O
  heavy
  ignorance！thou
  praisest
  the
  worst
  best．
  But
  what
  praise
  couldst
  thou
  bestow
  on
  a
  deserving
  womani
  ndeed，one
  that，in
  the
  authority
  of
  hermerit，did
  justly
  put
  on
  the
  vouch
  of
  very
  malice
  itself？
  IAGO
  She
  that
  was
  ever
  fair
  and
  never
  proud．
  Had
  tongue
  at
  will
  and
  yet
  was
  never
  loud，
  Never
  lack’d
  gold
  and
  yet
  went
  never
  gay
  ，
  Fled
  from
  her
  wish
  and
  yet
  said
  ‘Now
  I
  may，’
  She
  that
  being
  anger’d，
  her
  revengebeing
  nigh，
  Bade
  her
  wrong
  stay
  and
  her
  displeasure
  fly，
  She
  that
  in
  wisdomnever
  was
  so
  frail
  To
  change
  the
  cod’s
  head
  for
  the
  salmon’s
  tail；
  She
  that
  could
  think
  and
  ne’er
  disclose
  her
  mind，
  See
  suitorsfollowing
  and
  not
  look
  behind，
  She
  was
  a
  wight，if
  ever
  such
  wight
  were，——
  DESDEMONA
  To
  do
  what？
  IAGO
  To
  suckle
  fools
  and
  chronicle
  small
  beer．
  DESDEMONA
  O
  most
  lame
  and
  impotentconclusion！Do
  not
  learn
  of
  him，Emilia，though
  he
  be
  thy
  husband．How
  say
  you，
  Cassio？is
  he
  not
  a
  most
  profaneand
  liberal
  counsellor？
  CASSIO
  He
  speaks
  home，madam：You
  may
  relish
  him
  more
  in
  the
  soldier
  than
  in
  the
  scholar．
  IAGO
  [Aside]
  He
  takes
  her
  by
  the
  palm：ay，well
  said，
  whisper
  ：
  with
  as
  little
  a
  web
  as
  this
  will
  I
  ensnare
  as
  great
  a
  flyas
  Cassio．Ay，smile
  upon
  her，do；I
  will
  gyve
  theein
  thine
  own
  courtship．
  You
  say
  true；’tis
  so，
  indeed：
  if
  such
  tricks
  as
  these
  strip
  you
  out
  of
  your
  lieutenantry，it
  had
  been
  better
  you
  had
  not
  kissed
  your
  three
  fingers
  so
  oft，
  which
  now
  again
  you
  are
  most
  apt
  to
  play
  the
  sir
  in
  ．Very
  good；well
  kissed！an
  excellent
  courtesy！’tis
  so，
  indeed．Yet
  again
  your
  fingers
  to
  your
  lips
  ？would
  they
  were
  clyster－pipes
  for
  your
  sake！
  [Trumpet
  within]
  The
  Moor！
  I
  know
  his
  trumpet．
  CASSIO
  ‘Tis
  truly
  so．
  DESDEMONA
  Let’s
  meet
  him
  and
  receivehim．
  CASSIO
  Lo，
  where
  he
  comes！
  [Enter
  OTHELLO
  and
  Attendants]
  OTHELLO
  O
  my
  fair
  warrior！
  DESDEMONA
  My
  dear
  Othello！
  OTHELLO
  It
  gives
  me
  wondergreat
  as
  my
  content
  To
  see
  you
  here
  before
  me．
  O
  my
  soul’s
  joy！
  If
  after
  every
  tempest
  come
  such
  calms，
  May
  the
  winds
  blowtill
  they
  have
  waken’d
  death！
  And
  let
  the
  labouring
  bark
  climb
  hills
  of
  seas
  Olympus-high
  and
  duckagain
  as
  low
  As
  hell’sfrom
  heaven！If
  it
  were
  now
  to
  die，
  ‘Twerenow
  to
  be
  most
  happy；for，I
  fear，
  My
  soul
  hath
  her
  content
  so
  absolute
  That
  not
  another
  comfort
  like
  to
  this
  Succeedsin
  unknown
  fate．
  DESDEMONA
  The
  heavens
  forbid
  But
  that
  our
  loves
  and
  comforts
  should
  increase，
  Even
  as
  our
  days
  do
  grow！
  OTHELLO
  Amento
  that，sweet
  powers！
  I
  cannot
  speak
  enought
  of
  this
  content；
  It
  stops
  me
  here；it
  is
  too
  much
  of
  joy：
  And
  this，and
  this，
  the
  greatest
  discords
  be
  [kissing
  her]
  That
  e’er
  our
  hearts
  shall
  make！
  IAGO
  [Aside]
  O，you
  are
  well
  tunednow！
  But
  I’ll
  set
  down
  the
  pegs
  that
  make
  this
  music，
  As
  honest
  as
  I
  am．
  OTHELLO
  Come，let
  us
  to
  the
  castle．
  News，friends；our
  wars
  are
  done，the
  Turks
  are
  drown’d
  ．
  How
  does
  my
  old
  acquaintanceof
  this
  isle？
  Honey，you
  shall
  be
  well
  desired
  in
  Cyprus；
  I
  have
  found
  great
  love
  amongstthem．O
  my
  sweet，
  I
  prattleout
  of
  fashion，
  and
  I
  dote
  In
  mine
  own
  comforts
  ．I
  prithee，good
  Iago，
  Go
  to
  the
  bay
  and
  disembark
  my
  coffers
  ：
  Bring
  thou
  the
  master
  to
  the
  citadel；
  He
  is
  a
  good
  one，
  and
  his
  worthiness
  Does
  challenge
  much
  respect．Come，Desdemona，
  Once
  more，well
  met
  at
  Cyprus．
  [Exeunt
  OTHELLO，DESDEMONA，and
  Attendants]
  IAGO
  Do
  thou
  meet
  me
  presently
  at
  the
  harbour．Come
  hither．
  If
  thou
  be’st
  valiant，——as，they
  say，base
  men
  being
  in
  love
  have
  then
  a
  nobility
  in
  their
  natures
  more
  than
  is
  native
  to
  them
  ——list
  me．The
  lieutenant
  tonight
  watches
  on
  the
  court
  of
  guard
  ：——first，I
  must
  tell
  thee
  this——Desdemona
  is
  directly
  in
  love
  with
  him．
  RODERIGO
  With
  him！why，’tis
  not
  possible
  IAGO
  Lay
  thy
  finger
  thus，and
  let
  thy
  soul
  be
  instructed．
  Mark
  me
  with
  what
  violence
  she
  first
  loved
  the
  Moor，
  but
  for
  braggingand
  telling
  her
  fantasticallies：
  and
  will
  she
  love
  him
  still
  for
  prating？let
  not
  thy
  discreet
  heart
  think
  it．Her
  eye
  must
  be
  fed；
  and
  what
  delight
  shall
  she
  have
  to
  look
  on
  the
  devil？
  When
  the
  blood
  is
  made
  dull
  with
  the
  act
  of
  sport，there
  should
  be，again
  to
  in
  flame
  it
  and
  to
  give
  satiety
  a
  fresh
  appetite，loveliness
  in
  favour，
  sympathy
  in
  years，manners
  and
  beauties；all
  which
  the
  Moor
  is
  defective
  in：now，for
  want
  of
  these
  required
  conveniences，
  her
  delicate
  tendemess
  will
  find
  itself
  abused，begin
  to
  heave
  the
  gorge，
  disrelish
  and
  abhor
  the
  Moor；very
  nature
  will
  instruct
  her
  in
  it
  and
  compel
  her
  to
  some
  second
  choice．Now，sir，this
  granted，——as
  it
  is
  a
  most
  pregnantand
  unforced
  position——who
  stands
  so
  eminent
  in
  the
  degree
  of
  this
  fortune
  as
  Cassio
  does？a
  knave
  very
  voluble；
  no
  further
  conscionablethan
  in
  putting
  on
  the
  mere
  form
  of
  civil
  and
  humane
  seeming
  ，
  for
  the
  better
  compassing
  of
  his
  saltand
  most
  hidden
  loose
  affection？why，
  none；
  why，
  none：a
  slipper
  and
  subtle
  knave，a
  finder
  of
  occasions，that
  has
  an
  eye
  can
  stampand
  counterfeitadvantages，
  though
  true
  advantage
  never
  present
  itself；a
  devilish
  knave．
  Besides，the
  knave
  is
  handsome，young，and
  hath
  all
  those
  requisitesin
  him
  that
  folly
  and
  green
  minds
  look
  after：a
  pestilentcomplete
  knave；and
  the
  woman
  hath
  found
  him
  already．
  RODERIGO
  I
  cannot
  believe
  that
  in
  her；
  she’s
  full
  of
  most
  blessed
  condition．
  IAGO
  Blessed
  fig’s-end！the
  wine
  she
  drinks
  is
  made
  of
  grapes：if
  she
  had
  been
  blessed，she
  would
  never
  have
  loved
  the
  Moor．
  Blessed
  pudding！Didst
  thou
  not
  see
  her
  paddle
  with
  the
  palm
  of
  his
  hand？
  didst
  not
  mark
  that？
  RODERIGO
  Yes，
  that
  I
  did；but
  that
  was
  but
  courtesy．
  IAGO
  Lechery，
  by
  this
  hand；
  an
  index
  and
  obscureprologue
  to
  the
  history
  of
  lust
  and
  foul
  thoughts．They
  met
  so
  near
  with
  their
  lips
  that
  their
  breaths
  embraced
  together．Villanous
  thoughts，
  Roderigo！when
  these
  mutualitiesso
  marshal
  the
  way，hard
  at
  hand
  comes
  the
  master
  and
  main
  exercise，the
  incorporate
  conclusion，Pish！But，sir，be
  you
  ruled
  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
  taintinghis
  discipline；or
  from
  what
  other
  course
  you
  please，which
  the
  time
  shall
  more
  favourably
  minister．
  RODERIGO
  Well．
  IAGO
  Sir，he
  is
  rash
  and
  very
  sudden
  in
  choler，and
  haply
  may
  strike
  at
  you：provokehim，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
  displantingof
  Cassio．So
  shall
  you
  have
  a
  shorter
  journey
  to
  your
  desires
  by
  the
  means
  I
  shall
  then
  have
  to
  prefer
  them；
  and
  the
  impedimentmost
  profitably
  removed，
  without
  the
  which
  there
  were
  no
  expectation
  of
  our
  prosperity
  RODERIGO
  I
  will
  do
  this，if
  I
  can
  bring
  it
  to
  any
  opportunity
  IAGO
  I
  warrant
  thee．Meet
  me
  by
  and
  by
  at
  the
  citadel：
  I
  must
  fetch
  his
  necessariesashore．Farewell．
  RODERIGO
  Adieu．
  [Exit]
  IAGO
  That
  Cassio
  loves
  her，I
  do
  well
  believe
  it；
  That
  she
  loves
  him，’tis
  apt
  and
  of
  great
  credit：
  The
  Moor，howbeitthat
  I
  endurehim
  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
  accountantfor
  as
  great
  a
  sin，
  But
  partly
  led
  to
  dietmy
  revenge，
  For
  that
  I
  do
  suspect
  the
  lusty
  Moor
  Hath
  leap’d
  into
  my
  seat；the
  thought
  whereof
  Doth，like
  a
  poisonous
  mineral，
  gnawmy
  inwards；
  And
  nothing
  can
  or
  shall
  content
  my
  soul
  Till
  I
  even’d
  with
  him，wife
  for
  wife，
  Or
  failing
  so，
  yet
  that
  I
  put
  the
  Moor
  At
  least
  into
  a
  jealousyso
  strong
  That
  judgment
  cannot
  cure．Which
  thing
  to
  do，
  If
  this
  poor
  trashof
  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
  rewardme．
  For
  making
  him
  egregiouslyan
  ass
  And
  practising
  upon
  his
  peace
  and
  quiet
  Even
  to
  madness．’Tis
  here，but
  yet
  confused：
  Knavery’splain
  face
  is
  never
  seen
  tinused．
  [Exit]