Meet me by and by at the citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

ROD. Adieu.

 

Exit.

 

IAGO.

That Cassio loves her, I do well believe't;

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 do love her too,

Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure

I stand accomptant for as great a sin),

But partly led to diet my revenge,

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor

Hath leap'd 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 even'd 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 trash 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 [rank] 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 practicing upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here; but yet confus'd,

Knavery's plain face is never seen till us'd.

 

Exit.

 

 

Scene II

Enter Othello's Herald with a proclamation; [people following].

 

HER. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arriv'd, 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 [addiction] leads him; for besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaim'd. All offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven. [Heaven] bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!

 

Exeunt.

 

 

[Scene III]

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.

 

OTH.

Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night.

Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop,

Not to outsport discretion.

CAS.

Iago hath direction what to do;

But notwithstanding with my personal eye

Will I look to't.

OTH.

Iago is most honest.

Michael, good night. To-morrow with your earliest

Let me have speech with you.

 

[To Desdemona.]

 

Come, my dear love,

The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;

That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you. –

Good night.

 

Exit [with Desdemona and Attendants].

Enter Iago.

 

CAS. Welcome, Iago; 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; who 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.

IAGO. 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 stope of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of 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. O, they are our friends – but one cup, I'll drink for you.

CAS.