Rod. What fay you?

Iago. No more of drowning, do you hear.

Rod. I am changed. I'll fell all my land.

lago. Go to; farewell: put money enough in your

purse.

[Exit RODERIGO.

Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,
If I would time expend with such a snipe,
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor;
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not, if't be true;
But I, for mere fufpicion in that kind,
Will do, as if for furety. He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Caffio's a proper man: Let me fee now;
To get his place, and to plume up my will;
A double knavery, -How? how?-Let me fee :-
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear,
That he is too familiar with his wife :-
He hath a person, and a smooth difpofe,
To be suspected; fram'd to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest, that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by the nose,

As alles are.

I have't; -it is engender'd :--Hell and night

Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.

[Exit.

ACT ACT II. SCENE I.

A Sea-port Town in Cyprus. A Platform.

Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen.

Mon. What from the cape can you difcern at sea? 1. Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,

Descry a fail,

Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er fhook our battlements:

If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,

What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortife? what shall we hear of this?

2. Gent. A fegregation of the Turkish fleet:
For do but stand upon the foaming fhore,
The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds;
The wind-fhak'd furge, with high and monstrous main,
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,

And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:

I never did like molestation view

On th' enchaf'd flood.

Mon.

If that the Turkish fleet

Be not inshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impoffible they bear it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

3. Gent. News, lords! our wars are done;

The defperate tempeft hath fo bang'd the Turks,

That

That their designment halts: A noble ship of Venice

Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance

On most part of their fleet...
Mon.

How! is this true?

3. Gent. The ship is here put in,

A Veronesé; Michael Caffio,

Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at fea,
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
3. Gent. But this fame Caffio,though he speak of com-

fort,

Touching the Turkish lofs,-yet he looks fadly,
And prays the Moor be fafe; for they were parted

With foul and violent tempest.

Mon.

'Pray heaven he be;

For I have serv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full foldier. Let's to the fea-fide, ho!
As well to fee the vessel that's come in,

As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello;

Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue,

Caf. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike ifle,

That so approve the Moor; O, let the heavens
Give him defence against the elements,

For I have loft him on a dangerous sea!

Mon. Is he well shipp'd?

Caf. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot

Of

Of very expert and approv'd allowance;
Therefore my hopes, not furfeited to death,

Stand in bold cure.

[Within.]

A fail, a fail, a fail!

Enter another Gentleman.

Caf. What noise ?

4. Gent. The town is empty; on the brow o'the sea

Stand ranks of people, and they cry-a fail...

Caf. My hopes do shape him for the governour.
2. Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy;...

Our friends, at least.
Caf.

[Guns beard.

I pray you, fir, go forth,

And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd.

2. Gent. I shall.

[Exit.

Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd?

Caf. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid

That paragons description, and wild fame;

One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in the essential vesture of creation,

Does bear all excellency.-How now? who has put in?

2. Gent. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general.

Caf. He has had most favourable and happy speed:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated fands,-
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,
As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their mortal natures, letting go fafely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mon.

Caf. She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A se'nnight's speed.-Great Jove, Othello guard,
And swell his fail with thine own powerful breath;
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort!-O, behold,

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, ond

Attendants.

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,

Enwheel thee round!

Def.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

I thank you, valiant Caffio.

Caf. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.

Def. O, but I fear;-How lost you company?
Caf. The great contention of the sea and skies

Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a fail.

[Cry within. A fail, a fail! Then guns beard.

2. Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel;

This likewise is a friend.

Caf.

See for the news.

[Exit Gentleman.

Good ancient, you are welcome;-Welcome, mistress:

[To EMILIA.

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,