Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
Before, behind thee, and on every hand, `
` Enwheel thee round! `
` DESDEMONA. I thank you, valiant Cassio. `
` What tidings can you tell me of my lord? `
` CASSIO. He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught `
` But that he's well and will be shortly here. `
` DESDEMONA. O, but I fear- How lost you company? `
` CASSIO. The great contention of the sea and skies `
` Parted our fellowship- But, hark! a sail. `
` A cry within, "A sail, a sail!" Guns `
` heard. `
` SECOND GENTLEMAN. They give their greeting to the citadel; `
` This likewise is a friend. `
` CASSIO. See for the news. `
` Exit `
` Gentleman. `
` Good ancient, you are welcome. [To Emilia.] Welcome, `
` mistress. `
` Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, `
` That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding `
` That gives me this bold show of courtesy. Kisses `
` her. `
` IAGO. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips `
` As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, `
` You'ld have enough. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, she has no speech. `
` IAGO. In faith, 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. `
` EMILIA. You have little cause to say so. `
` IAGO. Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors, `
` Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, `
` Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, `
` Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds. `
` DESDEMONA. 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. `
` EMILIA. You shall not write my praise. `
` IAGO. No, let me not. `
` DESDEMONA. 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. `
` DESDEMONA. Come on, assay- There's one gone to the harbor? `
` IAGO. Ay, madam. `
` DESDEMONA. I am not merry, but I do beguile `
` The thing I am by seeming otherwise. `
` Come, how wouldst thou praise me? `
` IAGO. I am about it, but indeed my invention `
` Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze; `
` It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors, `
` And thus she is deliver'd. `
` If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, `
` The one's for use, the other useth it. `
` DESDEMONA. Well praised! How if she be black and witty? `
` IAGO. If she be black, and thereto have a wit, `
` She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit. `
` DESDEMONA. Worse and worse. `
` EMILIA. How if fair and foolish? `
` IAGO. She never yet was foolish that was fair, `
` For even her folly help'd her to an heir. `
` DESDEMONA. These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' `
` the `
` alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul `
` and `
` foolish? `
` IAGO. There's none so foul and foolish thereunto, `
` But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. `
` DESDEMONA. O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But `
` what `
` praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one `
` that `
` in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of `
` very `
` malice itself? `
` IAGO. 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 in wisdom never was so frail `
` To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail; `
` 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- `
` DESDEMONA. To do what? `
` IAGO. To suckle fools and chronicle small beer. `
` DESDEMONA. 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 counselor? `
` CASSIO. He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the `
` soldier than in the scholar. `
` IAGO. [Aside.] He takes her by the palm; ay, well said, `
` whisper. `
` With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as `
` Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve 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 kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are `
` most apt to play the sir in. Very good. Well kissed! an `
` excellent `
` courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your `
` lips? `
` Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpet `
` within.] `
` The Moor! I know his trumpet. `
` CASSIO. 'Tis truly so. `
` DESDEMONA. Let's meet him and receive him. `
` CASSIO. Lo, where he comes! `
` `
` Enter Othello and Attendants. `
` `
` OTHELLO. O my fair warrior! `
` DESDEMONA. My dear Othello! `
` OTHELLO. 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 laboring 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. `
` DESDEMONA. The heavens forbid `
` But that our loves and comforts should increase, `
` Even as our days do grow! `
` OTHELLO. Amen to that, sweet powers! `
` I cannot speak enough of this content; `
` It stops me here; it is too much of joy. `
` And this, and this, the greatest discords be Kisses `
` her. `
` That e'er our hearts shall make! `
` IAGO. [Aside.] O, you are well tuned now! `
` But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, `
` As honest as I am. `
` OTHELLO. Come, let us to the castle. `
` News, friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd. `
` How does my old acquaintance of this isle? `
` Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus; `
` I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet, `
` I prattle out of fashion, and I dote `
` In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago, `
` Go to 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. `
` Exeunt all but Iago and `
` Roderigo. `
` IAGO. Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. Come hither. If `
` thou `
` be'st valiant- as they say base men being in love have then a `
` nobility in their natures more than is native to them- list `
` me. `
` The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First, `
` I `
` must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him. `
` RODERIGO. With him? Why, 'tis not possible. `
` IAGO. Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark `
` me `
` with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging `
` and `
` telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him still for `
` prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be `
` fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? `
` When `
` the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should `
` be, `
` again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, `
` loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners, and `
` beauties- `
` all which the Moor is defective in. Now, for want of these `
` required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find `
` itself `
` abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the `
` Moor; `
` very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some `
` second `
` choice. Now sir, this granted- as it is a most pregnant and `
` unforced position- who stands so eminently in the degree of `
` this `
` fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble; no further `
` conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and `
` humane `
` seeming, for the better compass of his salt and most hidden `
` loose `
` affection? Why, none, why, none- a slipper and subtle knave, `
` a `
` finder out of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and `
` counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present `
` itself- a devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, `
` young, `
`
` Enwheel thee round! `
` DESDEMONA. I thank you, valiant Cassio. `
` What tidings can you tell me of my lord? `
` CASSIO. He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught `
` But that he's well and will be shortly here. `
` DESDEMONA. O, but I fear- How lost you company? `
` CASSIO. The great contention of the sea and skies `
` Parted our fellowship- But, hark! a sail. `
` A cry within, "A sail, a sail!" Guns `
` heard. `
` SECOND GENTLEMAN. They give their greeting to the citadel; `
` This likewise is a friend. `
` CASSIO. See for the news. `
` Exit `
` Gentleman. `
` Good ancient, you are welcome. [To Emilia.] Welcome, `
` mistress. `
` Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, `
` That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding `
` That gives me this bold show of courtesy. Kisses `
` her. `
` IAGO. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips `
` As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, `
` You'ld have enough. `
` DESDEMONA. Alas, she has no speech. `
` IAGO. In faith, 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. `
` EMILIA. You have little cause to say so. `
` IAGO. Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors, `
` Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, `
` Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, `
` Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds. `
` DESDEMONA. 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. `
` EMILIA. You shall not write my praise. `
` IAGO. No, let me not. `
` DESDEMONA. 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. `
` DESDEMONA. Come on, assay- There's one gone to the harbor? `
` IAGO. Ay, madam. `
` DESDEMONA. I am not merry, but I do beguile `
` The thing I am by seeming otherwise. `
` Come, how wouldst thou praise me? `
` IAGO. I am about it, but indeed my invention `
` Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze; `
` It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors, `
` And thus she is deliver'd. `
` If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, `
` The one's for use, the other useth it. `
` DESDEMONA. Well praised! How if she be black and witty? `
` IAGO. If she be black, and thereto have a wit, `
` She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit. `
` DESDEMONA. Worse and worse. `
` EMILIA. How if fair and foolish? `
` IAGO. She never yet was foolish that was fair, `
` For even her folly help'd her to an heir. `
` DESDEMONA. These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' `
` the `
` alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul `
` and `
` foolish? `
` IAGO. There's none so foul and foolish thereunto, `
` But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. `
` DESDEMONA. O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But `
` what `
` praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, one `
` that `
` in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of `
` very `
` malice itself? `
` IAGO. 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 in wisdom never was so frail `
` To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail; `
` 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- `
` DESDEMONA. To do what? `
` IAGO. To suckle fools and chronicle small beer. `
` DESDEMONA. 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 counselor? `
` CASSIO. He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the `
` soldier than in the scholar. `
` IAGO. [Aside.] He takes her by the palm; ay, well said, `
` whisper. `
` With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as `
` Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve 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 kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are `
` most apt to play the sir in. Very good. Well kissed! an `
` excellent `
` courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your `
` lips? `
` Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpet `
` within.] `
` The Moor! I know his trumpet. `
` CASSIO. 'Tis truly so. `
` DESDEMONA. Let's meet him and receive him. `
` CASSIO. Lo, where he comes! `
` `
` Enter Othello and Attendants. `
` `
` OTHELLO. O my fair warrior! `
` DESDEMONA. My dear Othello! `
` OTHELLO. 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 laboring 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. `
` DESDEMONA. The heavens forbid `
` But that our loves and comforts should increase, `
` Even as our days do grow! `
` OTHELLO. Amen to that, sweet powers! `
` I cannot speak enough of this content; `
` It stops me here; it is too much of joy. `
` And this, and this, the greatest discords be Kisses `
` her. `
` That e'er our hearts shall make! `
` IAGO. [Aside.] O, you are well tuned now! `
` But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, `
` As honest as I am. `
` OTHELLO. Come, let us to the castle. `
` News, friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd. `
` How does my old acquaintance of this isle? `
` Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus; `
` I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet, `
` I prattle out of fashion, and I dote `
` In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago, `
` Go to 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. `
` Exeunt all but Iago and `
` Roderigo. `
` IAGO. Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. Come hither. If `
` thou `
` be'st valiant- as they say base men being in love have then a `
` nobility in their natures more than is native to them- list `
` me. `
` The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First, `
` I `
` must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him. `
` RODERIGO. With him? Why, 'tis not possible. `
` IAGO. Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark `
` me `
` with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging `
` and `
` telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him still for `
` prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be `
` fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? `
` When `
` the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should `
` be, `
` again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, `
` loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners, and `
` beauties- `
` all which the Moor is defective in. Now, for want of these `
` required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find `
` itself `
` abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the `
` Moor; `
` very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some `
` second `
` choice. Now sir, this granted- as it is a most pregnant and `
` unforced position- who stands so eminently in the degree of `
` this `
` fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble; no further `
` conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and `
` humane `
` seeming, for the better compass of his salt and most hidden `
` loose `
` affection? Why, none, why, none- a slipper and subtle knave, `
` a `
` finder out of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and `
` counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present `
` itself- a devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, `
` young, `
`