Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
A soldier's a man; `
` O, man's life's but a span; `
` Why then let a soldier drink." `
` `
` Some wine, boys! `
` CASSIO. 'Fore God, an excellent song. `
` IAGO. I learned it in England, where indeed they are most `
` potent in `
` potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied `
` Hollander- `
` Drink, ho!- are nothing to your English. `
` CASSIO. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? `
` IAGO. Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk; he `
` sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander `
` a `
` vomit ere the next pottle can be filled. `
` CASSIO. To the health of our general! `
` MONTANO. I am for it, lieutenant, and I'll do you justice. `
` IAGO. O sweet England! `
` `
` [Sings.] "King Stephen was and-a worthy peer, `
` His breeches cost him but a crown; `
` He held them sixpence all too dear, `
` With that he call'd the tailor lown. `
` `
` "He was a wight of high renown, `
` And thou art but of low degree. `
` 'Tis pride that pulls the country down; `
` Then take thine auld cloak about thee." `
` `
` Some wine, ho! `
` CASSIO. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. `
` IAGO. Will you hear't again? `
` CASSIO. No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that `
` does `
` those things. Well, God's above all, and there be souls must `
` be `
` saved, and there be souls must not be saved. `
` IAGO. It's true, good lieutenant. `
` CASSIO. For mine own part- no offense to the general, nor any `
` man `
` of quality- I hope to be saved. `
` IAGO. And so do I too, lieutenant. `
` CASSIO. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant `
` is to `
` be saved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this; `
` let's to `
` our affairs. God forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let's look `
` to `
` our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk: this is my `
` ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not `
` drunk now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. `
` ALL. Excellent well. `
` CASSIO. Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am `
` drunk. `
` Exit. `
` MONTANO. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. `
` IAGO. You see this fellow that is gone before; `
` He is 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 the other. 'Tis pity of him. `
` I fear the trust Othello puts him in `
` On some odd time of his infirmity `
` Will shake this island. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` MONTANO. 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- But, hark! What noise? `
` A cry within, "Help, `
` help!" `
` `
` Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo. `
` `
` CASSIO. 'Zounds! You rogue! You rascal! `
` MONTANO. What's the matter, lieutenant? `
` CASSIO. A knave teach me my duty! But I'll beat the knave into `
` a `
` twiggen bottle. `
` RODERIGO. Beat me! `
` CASSIO. Dost thou prate, rogue? Strikes `
` Roderigo. `
` MONTANO. Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand. `
` CASSIO. Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. `
` MONTANO. Come, come, you're drunk. `
` CASSIO. 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 `
` rings. `
` Who's that that rings the bell?- Diablo, ho! `
` The town will rise. God's will, lieutenant, hold! `
` You will be shamed forever. `
` `
` Re-enter Othello and Attendants. `
` `
` OTHELLO. What is the matter here? `
` MONTANO. 'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death. `
` Faints. `
` OTHELLO. 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, hold, for shame! `
` OTHELLO. 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 look'st 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! `
` OTHELLO. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? `
` CASSIO. I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak. `
` OTHELLO. Worthy Montano, you were wont 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. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. Now, by heaven, `
` My blood begins my safer guides to rule, `
` And passion, having my best judgement collied, `
` Assays to lead the way. If I once 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 approved 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? `
` MONTANO. If partially affined, or leagued 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 determined sword, `
` To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman `
` Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause. `
` Myself the crying fellow did pursue, `
` Lest by his clamor- as it so fell out- `
` The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot, `
` Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather `
` For that I heard the clink and fall of swords, `
` And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight `
` I ne'er might say before. When I came back- `
` For this was brief- I found them close together, `
` At blow and thrust, even as again they were `
` When you yourself did part them. `
`
` O, man's life's but a span; `
` Why then let a soldier drink." `
` `
` Some wine, boys! `
` CASSIO. 'Fore God, an excellent song. `
` IAGO. I learned it in England, where indeed they are most `
` potent in `
` potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied `
` Hollander- `
` Drink, ho!- are nothing to your English. `
` CASSIO. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking? `
` IAGO. Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk; he `
` sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander `
` a `
` vomit ere the next pottle can be filled. `
` CASSIO. To the health of our general! `
` MONTANO. I am for it, lieutenant, and I'll do you justice. `
` IAGO. O sweet England! `
` `
` [Sings.] "King Stephen was and-a worthy peer, `
` His breeches cost him but a crown; `
` He held them sixpence all too dear, `
` With that he call'd the tailor lown. `
` `
` "He was a wight of high renown, `
` And thou art but of low degree. `
` 'Tis pride that pulls the country down; `
` Then take thine auld cloak about thee." `
` `
` Some wine, ho! `
` CASSIO. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. `
` IAGO. Will you hear't again? `
` CASSIO. No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that `
` does `
` those things. Well, God's above all, and there be souls must `
` be `
` saved, and there be souls must not be saved. `
` IAGO. It's true, good lieutenant. `
` CASSIO. For mine own part- no offense to the general, nor any `
` man `
` of quality- I hope to be saved. `
` IAGO. And so do I too, lieutenant. `
` CASSIO. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant `
` is to `
` be saved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this; `
` let's to `
` our affairs. God forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let's look `
` to `
` our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk: this is my `
` ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not `
` drunk now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough. `
` ALL. Excellent well. `
` CASSIO. Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am `
` drunk. `
` Exit. `
` MONTANO. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. `
` IAGO. You see this fellow that is gone before; `
` He is 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 the other. 'Tis pity of him. `
` I fear the trust Othello puts him in `
` On some odd time of his infirmity `
` Will shake this island. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` MONTANO. 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- But, hark! What noise? `
` A cry within, "Help, `
` help!" `
` `
` Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo. `
` `
` CASSIO. 'Zounds! You rogue! You rascal! `
` MONTANO. What's the matter, lieutenant? `
` CASSIO. A knave teach me my duty! But I'll beat the knave into `
` a `
` twiggen bottle. `
` RODERIGO. Beat me! `
` CASSIO. Dost thou prate, rogue? Strikes `
` Roderigo. `
` MONTANO. Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand. `
` CASSIO. Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. `
` MONTANO. Come, come, you're drunk. `
` CASSIO. 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 `
` rings. `
` Who's that that rings the bell?- Diablo, ho! `
` The town will rise. God's will, lieutenant, hold! `
` You will be shamed forever. `
` `
` Re-enter Othello and Attendants. `
` `
` OTHELLO. What is the matter here? `
` MONTANO. 'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death. `
` Faints. `
` OTHELLO. 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, hold, for shame! `
` OTHELLO. 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 look'st 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! `
` OTHELLO. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? `
` CASSIO. I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak. `
` OTHELLO. Worthy Montano, you were wont 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. `
` MONTANO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. Now, by heaven, `
` My blood begins my safer guides to rule, `
` And passion, having my best judgement collied, `
` Assays to lead the way. If I once 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 approved 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? `
` MONTANO. If partially affined, or leagued 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 determined sword, `
` To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman `
` Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause. `
` Myself the crying fellow did pursue, `
` Lest by his clamor- as it so fell out- `
` The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot, `
` Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather `
` For that I heard the clink and fall of swords, `
` And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight `
` I ne'er might say before. When I came back- `
` For this was brief- I found them close together, `
` At blow and thrust, even as again they were `
` When you yourself did part them. `
`