Othello

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.