Rod. What fay you?

Jago. 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 fome time, to abuse Othello's ear,

That he is too familiar with his wife :

He hath a person, and a smooth dispose,
To be fufpected; fram'd to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honeft, that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by the nose,

As ailes are.

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

Muft 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 discern at fea? 1. Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,

Defcry a fail,

Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at land
A fuller blaft ne'er fhook our battlements:
If it hath ruffian'd fo 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 feems to pelt the clouds ;
The wind-fhak'd furge, with high and monstrous main,
Seems to caft 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 infhelter'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 defignment 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 hip is here put in,

A Veronefé; Michael Caffio,

Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
Is come on fhore: the Moor himself's at fea,
And is in full commiffion here for Cyprus.
Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.

3. Gent. But this fame Caffio,-though he speak of comfort,

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 ferv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full foldier. Let's to the fea-fide, ho!
As well to fee the veffel that's come in,

As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello;
Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue,
An indiftinct regard.

Gent.

Come, let's do fo;

For every minute is expectancy

Of more arrivance.

Enter CASSIO.

Caf. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike isle,
That fo approve the Moor; O, let the heavens
Give him defence against the elements,

For I have loft him on a dangerous fea!
Mon. Is he well shipp'd?

Caf. His bark is ftoutly 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 fea 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 fhall.

[Exit.

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

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

That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,

And in the effential vesture of creation,

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

Re-enter fecond Gentleman.

2. Gent. 'Tis one Iago, 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 enfteep'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 fpake of, our great captain's captain, Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;

Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A fe'nnight's speed.-Great Jove, Othello guard,
And fwell 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!-0, behold,

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants.

The riches of the ship is come on fhore!
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.

I thank you, valiant Caffio.

What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
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 loft 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 2. Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel; This likewife is a friend.

beard.

Caf.

See for the news.

Good ancient, you are welcome ;—

[Exit Gentleman. -Welcome, mistress:

[To EMILIA.

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,

.3

That