The Bodleian First Folio

Reference: tt2r - Tragedies, p. 319

Left Column

the Moore of Venice.

[1080]

presenr present houre of fiue, till the Bell haue told eleuen.

Blesse the Isle of Cyprus, and our Noble Generall Othel lo .

Exit.

[Act 2, Scene 3] Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants. Othe. Good Michael, looke you to the guard to night. Let's teach our selues that Honourable stop,

[1085]

Not to out‑sport discretion. Cas. Iago, hath direction what to do. But notwithstanding with my personall eye Will I looke to't. Othe. Iago, is most honest:

[1090]

Michael, goodnight. To morrow with your earliest, Let me haue speech with you. Come my deere Loue, The purchase made, the fruites are to ensue, That profit's yet to come 'tweene me, and you. Goodnight. Exit. Enter Iago. Cas.

[1095]

Welcome Iago: we must to the Watch. Iago.

Not this houre Lieutenant: 'tis not yet ten

o'th'clocke. Our Generall cast vs thus earely for the

loue of his Desdemona: Who, let vs not therefore blame;

he hath not yet made wanton the night with her: and

[1100]

she is sport for Ioue.

Cas.

She's a most exquisite Lady.

Iago.

And Ile warrant her, full of Game.

Cas.

Indeed she s a most fresh and delicate creature.

Iago. What an eye she ha's?

[1105]

Me thinkes it sounds a parley to prouocation. Cas. An inuiting eye: And yet me thinkes right modest. Iago. And when she speakes, Is it not an Alarum to Loue? Cas.

[1110]

She is indeed perfection. Iago.

Well: happinesse to their Sheetes. Come Lieu

tenant, I haue a stope of Wine, and heere without are a

brace of Cyprus Gallants, that would faine haue a mea

sure to the health of blacke Othello.

Cas.

[1115]

Not to night, good Iago, I haue very poore,

and vnhappie Braines for drinking. I could well wish

Curtesie would inuent some other Custome of enter

tainment.

Iago.

Oh, they are our Friends: but one Cup, Ile

[1120]

drinke for you.

Cassio.

I haue drunke but one Cup to night, and that

was craftily qualified too: and behold what inouation

it makes heere. I am infortunate in the infirmity, and

dare not taske my weakenesse with any more.

Iago.

[1125]

What man? 'Tis a night of Reuels, the Gal

lants desire it.

Cas.

Where are they?

Iago. Heere, at the doore: I pray you call them in. Cas. Ile do't, but it dislikes me. Exit. Iago.

[1130]

If I can fasten but one Cup vpon him With that which he hath drunke to night alreadie, He'l be as full of Quarrell, and offence As my yong Mistris dogge. Now my sicke Foole Rodorigo,

[1135]

Whom Loue hath turn'd almost the wrong side out, To Desdemona hath to night Carrows'd. Potations, pottle‑deepe; and he's to watch. Three else of Cyprus, Noble swelling Spirites, (That hold their Honours in a wary distance,

[1140]

The very Elements of this Warrelike Isle) Haue I to night fluster'd with flowing Cups, And they Watch too.

Image

[full image]

Right Column

Now 'mongst this Flocke of drunkards Am I put to our Cassio in some Action

[1145]

That may offend the Isle. But here they come. Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen. If Consequence do but approue my dreame, My Boate sailes freely, both with winde and Streame. Cas. 'Fore heauen, they haue giuen me a rowse already. Mon.

Good‑faith a litle one: not past a pint, as I am a

[1150]

Souldier.

Iago.

Some Wine hoa.

And let me the Cannakin clinke, clinke: And let me the Cannakin clinke. A Souldiers a man: Oh, mans life's but a span,

[1155]

Why then let a Souldier drinke.

Some Wine Boyes.

Cas.

'Fore Heauen: an excellent Song.

Iago.

I learn'd it in England: where indeed they are

most potent in Potting. Your Dane, your Germaine,

[1160]

and your swag‑belly'd Hollander, (drinke hoa) are

nothing to your English.

Cassio.

Is your Englishmen so exquisite in his drin

king?

Iago.

Why, he drinkes you with facillitie, your Dane

[1165]

dead drunke. He sweates not to ouerthrow your Al

maine. He giues your Hollander a vomit, ere the next

Pottle can be fill'd.

Cas.

To the health of our Generall.

Mon.

I am for it Lieutenant: and Ile do you Iustice.

Iago.

[1170]

Oh sweet England.

King Stephen was and‑a worthy Peere, His Breeches cost him but a Crowne, He held them Six pence all to deere, With that he cal'd the Tailor Lowne:

[1175]

He was a wight of high Renowne, And thou art but of low degree: 'Tis Pride that pulls the Country downe, And take thy awl'd Cloake about thee.

Some Wine hoa.

Cassio.

[1180]

Why this is a more exquisite Song then the o

ther.

Iago.

Will you heare't againe?

Cas.

No: for I hold him to be vnworthy of his Place,

that do's those things. Well: heau'ns aboue all: and

[1185]

there be soules must be saued, and there be soules must

not be saued.

Iago.

It's true, good Lieutenant.

Cas.

For mine owne part, no offence to the Generall,

nor any man of qualitie: I hope to be saued.

Iago.

[1190]

And so do I too Lieutenant.

Cassio.

I: (but by your leaue) not before me. The

Lieutenant is to be saued before the Ancient. Let's haue

no more of this: let's to our Affaires. Forgiue vs our

sinnes: Gentlemen let's looke to our businesse. Do not

[1195]

thinke Gentlemen, I am drunke: this is my Ancient, this

is my right hand, and this is my left. I am not drunke

now: I can stand well enough, and I speake well enough.

Gent.

Excellent well.

Cas.

Why very well then: you must not thinke then,

[1200]

that I am drunke.

Exit. Monta.

To th'Platforme (Masters) come, let's set the

Watch.

Iago. You see this Fellow, that is gone before, He's a Souldier, fit to stand by Cæsar,

[1205]

And giue direction. And do but see his vice, 'Tis to his vertue, a iust Equinox, tt3 The

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Scena Secunda. [Act 2, Scene 2] Enter Othello's, Herald with a Proclamation. Herald.

It is Othello's pleasure, our Noble and Vali

ant Generall. That vpon certaine tydings now arriu'd,

importing the meere perdition of the Turkish Fleete:

euery man put himselfe into Triumph. Some to daunce,

[1075]

some to make Bonfires, each man, to what Sport and

Reuels his addition leads him. For besides these bene

ficiall Newes, it is the Celebration of his Nuptiall. So

much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offi

ces are open, & there is full libertie of Feasting from this

[1080]

presenr present houre of fiue, till the Bell haue told eleuen.

Blesse the Isle of Cyprus, and our Noble Generall Othel lo .

Exit.

Download the digital text of the play

                                
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      <lb n="1079"/>ces are open, &amp; there is full libertie of Feasting from this<pb facs="FFimg:axc0829-0.jpg" n="319"/>
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         <choice>
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      <lb n="1081"/>Blesse the Isle of Cyprus, and our Noble Generall<hi rend="italic">Othel
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   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
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The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.

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Reference: tt2r - Tragedies, p. 319