ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

Cyprus.

A Platform before the Town.

Enter MONTANO, CASSIO, and JULIO.

Cas. Thanks to 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 him on a dangerous sea!
Mont. Is he well shipped?

Cas. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot Of very expert and approved allowance;

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,

Stand in bold cure.

[Without.] A sail! a sail! a sail!

Cas. What noise?

Enter ANTONIO.

[A cannon fired.

Ant. The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry-a sail!

I

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governor.

pray you, sir, go forth,

And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.

Jul. I shall.

[Exeunt ANTONIO and JULIO.

Mont. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived? Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achieved 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.

Enter JULIO and ANTONIO.

Now, who has put in?

Jul. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general.

Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed. Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds, As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their common natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mont. What is she?

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's cap tain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago.→

O behold,

The riches of the ship is come on shore !—

Enter IAGO, DESDEMONA, RODERIGO, EMILIA,
MARCO, and Paulo.

Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of Heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!

Des. I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

Cas. He is not yet arrived;-nor know I aught,
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.
Des. O, but I fear-How lost you company?
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship :—
[Without.] A sail! a sail!

[Cannon fired.

Cas. But, hark! a sail :-See for the news.

[Exit ANTONIO.

Good ancient, you are welcome :- Welcome, mis[To EMILIA, kissing her.

tress.

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,

That I extend my manners: 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

Iago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips,
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You'd have enough.

Des. Alas, she has no speech!
Iago. I know, too much;

I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emil. You have little cause to say so.

Iago. Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,

Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your
beds.

Des. 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. Emil. You shall not write my praise.

Iago. No, let me not.

Des. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?

Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to❜t;

For I am nothing, if not critical.

Des. Come on, assay :-There's one gone to the harbour?

Cas. Ay, madam.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.

Come, what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed; one that, in the authority of her merits, did justly put on the vouch of very malice it self?

Iago. I am about it; but, indeed, my invention Comes from my pate, as birdlime does from frieze,

It plucks out brain and all: But my muse labours,
And thus she is deliver'd.—

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 revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly;
She that could think, and ne'er disclose her mind,
See suitors following, and not look behind;
She was a wight,-if ever such wight were,-
Des. To do what?

Lago. To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer. Des. O most lame and impotent conclusion!-Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor ?

Cas. He speaks home, madam; you may relish him more in the soldier, than in the scholar.

CASSIO takes DESDEMONA by the hand, to introduce her to the Gentlemen of Cyprus ; he talks with her during IAGO's speech.

Iago. [Aside.] He takes her by the palm: Ay, well said, whisper:-As little a web as this will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio:-Ay, smile upon her, do :-I I will give thee in 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 kiss'd your three fingers so oft.

[Cannon fired.-Trumpet sounds. The Moor:-I know his trumpet.

Des. Let's meet him, and receive him.

Enter OTHELLO, ANTONIO, LUCA, GIOVANNI,
LORENZO, and CANNO.

Oth. O my fair warrior!

Des. My dear Othello!

Oth. It gives me wonder great as my content, To see you here before me.-O my soul's joy !If after every tempest come such calms,

May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus-high; and duck again as low

As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
My soul hath her content so absolute,

That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.

Des. The heavens forbid,

But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow!

Oth. Amen to that, sweet powers!—

And this, and this, the greatest discord be

That e'er our hearts shall make !

[Embracing her

Iago. [Aside. O, you are well tuned now!
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.

Oth. Come, let's to the castle.

News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.

How do our old acquaintance of the isle ?-
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
I've found great love amongst them. O my sweet,-
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote

In mine own comforts.-I pr'ythee, good Iago,
Go 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! [Trumpet sounds. [Exeunt all but IAGO and Roderigo.

Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour.Come hither:-list me.- -The lieutenant to-night