Othello

ACT II. SCENE I. A seaport in Cyprus. An open place near the quay

Enter Montano and two Gentlemen.

  MONTANO. What from the cape can you discern at sea?  FIRST GENTLEMAN. Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood;    I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,    Descry a sail.  MONTANO. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;    A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements.    If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,    What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,    Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?  SECOND GENTLEMAN. A segregation of the Turkish fleet.    For do but stand upon the foaming shore,    The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;    The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,    Seems to cast water on the burning bear,    And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole.    I never did like molestation view    On the enchafed flood.  MONTANO. If that the Turkish fleet    Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;    It is impossible to bear it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

  THIRD GENTLEMAN. News, lads! Our wars are done.    The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,    That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice    Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance    On most part of their fleet.  MONTANO. How? Is this true?  THIRD GENTLEMAN. The ship is here put in,    A Veronesa. Michael Cassio,    Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,    Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,    And is in full commission here for Cyprus.  MONTANO. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.  THIRD GENTLEMAN. But this same Cassio, though he speak ofcomfort    Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly    And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted    With foul and violent tempest.  MONTANO. Pray heavens he be,    For I have served him, and the man commands    Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!    As well to see the vessel that's come in    As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,    Even till we make the main and the aerial blue    An indistinct regard.  THIRD GENTLEMAN. Come, let's do so,    For every minute is expectancy    Of more arrivance.

Enter Cassio.

  CASSIO. Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,    That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens    Give him defense against the elements,    For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.  MONTANO. Is he well shipp'd?  CASSIO. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot    Of very expert and approved allowance;    Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,    Stand in bold cure.                              A cry within, "A sail, a sail, asail!"

Enter a fourth Gentleman.

                        What noise?  FOURTH GENTLEMAN. The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea    Stand ranks of people, and they cry, "A sail!"  CASSIO. My hopes do shape him for the governor.                                                          Gunsheard.  SECOND GENTLEMAN. They do discharge their shot of courtesy —    Our friends at least.  CASSIO. I pray you, sir, go forth,    And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.  SECOND GENTLEMAN. I shall.Exit.  MONTANO. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?  CASSIO. Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid    That paragons description and wild fame,    One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,    And in the essential vesture of creation    Does tire the ingener.

Re-enter second Gentleman.

                           How now! who has put in?  SECOND GENTLEMAN. 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.  CASSIO. He has had most favorable and happy speed:    Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,    The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,    Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,    As having sense of beauty, do omit    Their mortal natures, letting go safely by    The divine Desdemona.  MONTANO. What is she?  CASSIO. She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,    Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,    Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts    A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,    And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,    That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,    Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,    Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,    And bring all Cyprus comfort.

Enter Desdemona, Emilia Iago, Roderigo, and Attendants.

                                  O, behold,    The riches of the ship is come on shore!    Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.    Hall to thee, lady! And the grace of heaven,    Before, behind thee, and on every hand,    Enwheel thee round!  DESDEMONA. I thank you, valiant Cassio.    What tidings can you tell me of my lord?  CASSIO. He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught    But that he's well and will be shortly here.  DESDEMONA. O, but I fear – How lost you company?  CASSIO. The great contention of the sea and skies    Parted our fellowship – But, hark! a sail.                          A cry within, "A sail, a sail!" Gunsheard.  SECOND GENTLEMAN. They give their greeting to the citadel;    This likewise is a friend.  CASSIO. See for the news.Exit Gentleman    Good ancient, you are welcome. [To Emilia.] Welcome,mistress.    Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,    That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding    That gives me this bold show of courtesy. Kissesher.  IAGO. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips    As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,    You'ld have enough.  DESDEMONA. Alas, she has no speech.  IAGO. In faith, too much;    I find it still when I have list to sleep.    Marry, before your ladyship I grant,    She puts her tongue a little in her heart    And chides with thinking.  EMILIA. You have little cause to say so.  IAGO. Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors,    Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,    Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,    Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.  DESDEMONA. O, fie upon thee, slanderer!  IAGO. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:    You rise to play, and go to bed to work.  EMILIA. You shall not write my praise.  IAGO. No, let me not.  DESDEMONA. What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst    praise me?  IAGO. O gentle lady, do not put me to't,    For I am nothing if not critical.  DESDEMONA. Come on, assay – There's one gone to the harbor?  IAGO. Ay, madam.  DESDEMONA. I am not merry, but I do beguile    The thing I am by seeming otherwise.    Come, how wouldst thou praise me?  IAGO. I am about it, but indeed my invention    Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze;    It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors,    And thus she is deliver'd.    If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,    The one's for use, the other useth it.  DESDEMONA. Well praised! How if she be black and witty?  IAGO. If she be black, and thereto have a wit,    She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.  DESDEMONA. Worse and worse.  EMILIA. How if fair and foolish?  IAGO. She never yet was foolish that was fair,    For even her folly help'd her to an heir.  DESDEMONA. These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'the    alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's fouland    foolish?  IAGO. There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,    But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.  DESDEMONA. O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. Butwhat    praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed, onethat    in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch ofvery    malice itself?  IAGO. She that was ever fair and never proud,    Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,    Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,    Fled from her wish and yet said, "Now I may";    She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,    Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly;    She that in wisdom never was so frail    To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;    She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,    See suitors following and not look behind;    She was a wight, if ever such wight were —  DESDEMONA. To do what?  IAGO. To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.  DESDEMONA. O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn ofhim,    Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio? Is henot    a most profane and liberal counselor?  CASSIO. He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the    soldier than in the scholar.  IAGO. [Aside.] He takes her by the palm; ay, well said,whisper.    With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as    Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own    courtship. You say true; 'tis so, indeed. If such tricks asthese    strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better youhad    not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are    most apt to play the sir in. Very good. Well kissed! anexcellent    courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to yourlips?    Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpetwithin.]    The Moor! I know his trumpet.  CASSIO. 'Tis truly so.  DESDEMONA. Let's meet him and receive him.  CASSIO. Lo, where he comes!

Enter Othello and Attendants.

  OTHELLO. O my fair warrior!  DESDEMONA. My dear Othello!  OTHELLO. It gives me wonder great as my content    To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!    If after every tempest come such calms,    May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!    And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas    Olympus-high, and duck again as low    As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,    'Twere now to be most happy; for I fear    My soul hath her content so absolute    That not another comfort like to this    Succeeds in unknown fate.  DESDEMONA. The heavens forbid    But that our loves and comforts should increase,    Even as our days do grow!  OTHELLO. Amen to that, sweet powers!    I cannot speak enough of this content;    It stops me here; it is too much of joy.    And this, and this, the greatest discords be Kissesher.    That e'er our hearts shall make!  IAGO. [Aside.] O, you are well tuned now!    But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,    As honest as I am.  OTHELLO. Come, let us to the castle.    News, friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.    How does my old acquaintance of this isle?    Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;    I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,    I prattle out of fashion, and I dote    In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,    Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.    Bring thou the master to the citadel;    He is a good one, and his worthiness    Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,    Once more well met at Cyprus.Exeunt all but Iago and Roderigo  IAGO. Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. Come hither. Ifthou    be'st valiant – as they say base men being in love have then a    nobility in their natures more than is native to them – listme.    The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First,I    must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.  RODERIGO. With him? Why, 'tis not possible.  IAGO. Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Markme    with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for braggingand    telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him still for    prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be    fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?When    the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there shouldbe,    again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite,    loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners, andbeauties —    all which the Moor is defective in. Now, for want of these    required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will finditself    abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor theMoor;    very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to somesecond    choice. Now sir, this granted – as it is a most pregnant and    unforced position – who stands so eminently in the degree ofthis    fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble; no further    conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil andhumane    seeming, for the better compass of his salt and most hiddenloose    affection? Why, none, why, none – a slipper and subtle knave,a    finder out of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and    counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present    itself – a devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome,young,    and hath all those requisites in him that folly and greenminds    look after – a pestilent complete knave, and the woman hathfound    him already.  RODERIGO. I cannot believe that in her; she's full of mostblest    condition.  IAGO. Blest fig's-end! The wine she drinks is made of grapes.If    she had been blest, she would never have loved the Moor.Blest    pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of hishand?    Didst not mark that?  RODERIGO. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.  IAGO. Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue tothe    history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near withtheir    lips that their breaths embraced together. Villainousthoughts,    Roderigo! When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard athand    comes the master and main exercise, the incorporateconclusion.    Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me. I have brought you from    Venice. Watch you tonight; for the command, I'll lay't uponyou.    Cassio knows you not. I'll not be far from you. Do you findsome    occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or    tainting his discipline, or from what other course youplease,    which the time shall more favorably minister.  RODERIGO. Well.  IAGO. Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may    strike at you. Provoke him, that he may; for even out of that    will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualificationshall    come into no true taste again but by the displanting ofCassio.    So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by themeans    I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most    profitably removed, without the which there were noexpectation    of our prosperity.  RODERIGO. I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.  IAGO. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I must    fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.  RODERIGO. Adieu.Exit.  IAGO. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;    That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit.    The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,    Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,    And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona    A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,    Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure    I stand accountant for as great a sin,    But partly led to diet my revenge,    For that I do suspect the lusty Moor    Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof    Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards,    And nothing can or shall content my soul    Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife.    Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor    At least into a jealousy so strong    That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,    If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash    For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,    I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,    Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb    (For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too),    Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me    For making him egregiously an ass    And practicing upon his peace and quiet    Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:    Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.Exit.

SCENE II. A street

Enter a Herald with a proclamation; people following.

  HERALD. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiantgeneral,    that upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere    perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into    triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man towhat    sport and revels his addiction leads him; for besides these    beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. Somuch    was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open,and    there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour offive    till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the isle ofCyprus    and our noble general Othello!Exeunt.

SCENE III. A hall in the castle

Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.

  OTHELLO. Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.    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; wholet    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 havea    stope of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprusgallants    that would fain have a measure to the health of blackOthello.  CASSIO. Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappybrains    for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent someother    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 weaknesswith    any more.  IAGO. What, man! 'Tis a night of revels, the gallants desireit.  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 mostpotent in    potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swag-belliedHollander —    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 Hollandera    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 thatdoes    those things. Well, God's above all, and there be souls mustbe    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 anyman    of quality – I hope to be saved.  IAGO. And so do I too, lieutenant.  CASSIO. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenantis 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 lookto    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. ExitRoderigo.  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 intoa    twiggen bottle.  RODERIGO. Beat me!  CASSIO. Dost thou prate, rogue? StrikesRoderigo.  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? Theyfight.  IAGO. [Aside to Roderigo.] Away, I say; go out and cry amutiny.Exit Roderigo    Nay, good lieutenant! God's will, gentlemen!    Help, ho! – Lieutenant – sir – Montano – sir —    Help, masters! – Here's a goodly watch indeed!                                                        A bellrings.    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.    More of this matter cannot I report.    But men are men; the best sometimes forget.    Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,    As men in rage strike those that wish them best,    Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received    From him that fled some strange indignity,    Which patience could not pass.  OTHELLO. I know, Iago,    Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,    Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee,    But never more be officer of mine.

Re-enter Desdemona, attended.