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Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop,

Not to outsport discretion.

CASSIO.

Iago hath direction what to do;

But notwithstanding with my personal eye

Will I look to't.

OTHELLO.

Iago is most honest.

Michael, good night. Tomorrow with your earliest

Let me have speech with you. Come, my dear love,

The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;

That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.

Good night.

Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants.

Enter Iago.

CASSIO. Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

IAGO.

Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock.

Our

general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona; who let

us not therefore blame. He hath not yet made wanton the night

with her, and she is sport for Jove.

CASSIO.

She's a most exquisite lady.

IAGO.

And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

CASSIO.

Indeed she's a most fresh and delicate creature.

IAGO.

What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.

CASSIO.

An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.

IAGO.

And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

CASSIO.

She is indeed perfection.

IAGO.

Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a

stope of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants

that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.

CASSIO.

Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains

for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other

custom of entertainment.

IAGO.

O, they are our friends! But one cup; I'll drink for you.

CASSIO.

I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily

qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here. I am

unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.

IAGO.

What, man! 'Tis a night of revels, the gallants desire it.

CASSIO.

Where are they?

IAGO.

Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.

CASSIO.

I'll do't, but it dislikes me.

Exit.

IAGO.

If I can fasten but one cup upon him,

With that which he hath drunk tonight already,

He'll be as full of quarrel and offense

As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo,

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,

To Desdemona hath tonight caroused

Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch.

Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,

That hold their honors in a wary distance,

The very elements of this warlike isle,

Have I tonight fluster'd with flowing cups,

And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,

Am I to put our Cassio in some action

That may offend the isle. But here they come.

If consequence do but approve my dream,

My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

Re-enter Cassio; with him Montano and Gentlemen;

Servants following with wine.

CASSIO.

'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.

MONTANO.

Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier.

IAGO.

Some wine, ho!

[Sings.] "And let me the canakin clink, clink;

And let me the canakin clink.

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