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 offence 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. – 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?
[Cry within, – "Help! help!"]
[Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.]
CASSIO
You rogue! you rascal!
MONTANO
What's the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO
A knave teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.