To th' platform, masters, come, let's set the watch.

 

[The Gentlemen follow Cassio off.]

 

IAGO.

You see this fellow that is gone before:

He's a soldier fit to stand by Caesar

And give direction; and do but see his vice,

'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,

The one as long as th' other. 'Tis pity of him.

I fear the trust Othello puts him in,

On some odd time of his infirmity,

Will shake this island.

MON.

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.

MON.

It were well

The general were put in mind of it.

Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature

Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,

And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?

 

Enter Roderigo.

 

IAGO [Aside to him.]

How now, Roderigo?

I pray you, after the lieutenant, go.

 

[Exit Roderigo.]

 

MON.

And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor

Should hazard such a place as his own second

With one of an ingraft infirmity;

It were an honest action to say

So to the Moor.

IAGO.

Not I, for this fair island.

I do love Cassio well; and would do much

To cure him of this evil.

[Cry within:

 

»Help! help!«]

But hark, what noise?

 

Enter Cassio pursuing Roderigo.

 

CAS. ['Zounds,] you rogue! you rascal!

MON. What's the matter, lieutenant?

CAS. A knave teach me my duty? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.

ROD. Beat me?

CAS. Dost thou prate, rogue?

 

[Striking Roderigo.]

 

MON. Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

 

[Staying him.]

 

CAS. Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.

MON. Come, come – you're drunk.

CAS. Drunk?

 

[They fight.]

 

IAGO [Aside to Roderigo.]

Away, I say; go out and cry a mutiny.

 

[Exit Roderigo.]

Nay, good lieutenant – [God's will], gentlemen –

Help ho! – lieutenant – sir – Montano – [sir] –

Help, masters! – Here's a goodly watch indeed!

 

[A bell rung.]

 

Who's that which rings the bell? Diablo, ho!

The town will rise. [God's will], lieutenant, [hold]!

You'll be asham'd for ever.

 

Enter Othello and [Gentlemen with weapons].

 

OTH.

What is the matter here?

MON.

['Zounds,] I bleed still,

I am hurt to th' death. He dies.

 

[Assailing Cassio again.]

 

OTH.

Hold, for your lives!

IAGO.

Hold ho! Lieutenant – sir – Montano – gentlemen –

Have you forgot all place of sense and duty?

Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame!

OTH.

Why, how now ho? from whence ariseth this?

Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that

Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?

For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl.

He that stirs next to carve for his own rage

Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.

Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle

From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?

Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,

Speak: who began this? On thy love, I charge thee!

IAGO.

I do not know. Friends all, but now, even now;

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom

Devesting them for bed; and then, but now

(As if some planet had unwitted men),

Swords out, and tilting one at other's [breast],

In opposition bloody. I cannot speak

Any beginning to this peevish odds;

And would in action glorious I had lost

Those legs that brought me to a part of it.

OTH.

How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?

CAS.

I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak.

OTH.

Worthy Montano, you were wont to be civil;

The gravity and stillness of your youth

The world hath noted, and your name is great

In mouths of wisest censure. What's the matter

That you unlace your reputation thus,

And spend your rich opinion for the name

Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.

MON.

Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.

Your officer, Iago, can inform you –

While I spare speech, which something now offends me –

Of all that I do know, nor know I aught

By me that's said or done amiss this night,

Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,

And to defend ourselves it be a sin

When violence assails us.

OTH.

Now by heaven,

My blood begins my safer guides to rule,

And passion, having my best judgment collied,

Assays to lead the way. ['Zounds,] if I stir,

Or do but lift this arm, the best of you

Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know

How this foul rout began; who set it on;

And he that is approv'd in this offense,

Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,

Shall lose me. What, in a town of war,

Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,

To manage private and domestic quarrel?

In night, and on the court and guard of safety?

'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?

MON.

If partially affin'd, or [leagu'd] in office,

Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,

Thou art no soldier.

IAGO.

Touch me not so near;

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth

Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio;

Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth

Shall nothing wrong him. [Thus] it is, general:

Montano and myself being in speech,

There comes a fellow crying out for help,

And Cassio following him with determin'd sword

To execute upon him.