The Illustrated Works of Shakespeare/Illustrated Works of Shakespeare, The (1990)(Animated Pixels)[!][CDTV-PC].iso/shakes/text/35/02_01

Text File | 1991-04-10 | 16KB | 430 lines

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?

1st 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 ruffianed so upon the sea,
    What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
    Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?

2nd 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 th' ever-fixd Pole.
    I never did like molestation view
    On the enchafd flood.

Montano                                If that the Turkish fleet
    Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned.
    It is impossible they bear it out.

                         Enter a third GENTLEMAN.

3rd Gentleman    News, lads! Our wars are done.
    The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks
    That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice
    Hath seen a grievous wrack and sufferance
    On most part of the fleet.

Montano    How! Is this true?

3rd 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.

3rd Gentleman    But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
    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 heaven 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 th' aerial blue
    An indistinct regard.

3rd 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 defence against the elements,
    For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

Montano    Is he well shipped?

Cassio    His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot
    Of very expert and approved allowance;
    Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
    Stand in bold cure.

Shout within    "A sail, a sail, a sail!"

                            Enter a MESSENGER.

Cassio    What noise?

Messenger    The town is empty; on the brow o'th' sea
    Stand ranks of people, and they cry "A sail!"

Cassio    My hopes do shape him for the governor.
                                                [A shot within.
2nd 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.

2nd 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 th' essential vesture of creation
    Does tire the ingener.

                         Re-enter 2nd GENTLEMAN.

                            How now, who has put in?

2nd Gentleman    'Tis one Iago, ensign to the general.

Cassio    He's had most favourable and happy speed.
    Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
    The guttered rocks and congregated sands,
    Traitors ensteeped to clog the guiltless keel,
    As having sense of beauty do omit
    Their common 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 sennight'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 renewed fire to our extincted spirits,
    And bring all Cyprus comfort.

               Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, EMILIA, and RODERIGO.

                                    O, behold,
    The riches of the ship is come on shore!
    Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
    Hail 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.

Shout Within    "A sail, a sail!'"
                            But hark, a sail.
                                                [Shot within.
2nd Gentleman    They give their greeting to the citadel:
    This likewise is a friend.

Cassio                                    See for the news!
                                                [Exit 2nd GENTLEMAN.
    Good ensign, 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.
                                                [Kisses her.
Iago    Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
    As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
    You would have enough.

Desdemona    Alas, she has no speech.

Iago                            In faith, too much:
    I find it still when I have leave 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 a-doors, bells in
    your parlours, 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 harbour?

Iago    Ay, madam.

Desdemona    [Aside.] 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 labours,
    And thus she is delivered:
        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 helped her to an heir.

Desdemona    These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'th'
    alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's
    foul and 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. But what
    praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? One
    that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the
    vouch of very malice itself?

Iago        She that was ever fair and never proud,
        Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud;
        Never lacked gold, and yet went never gay;
        Fled from her wish, and yet said "Now I may";
        She that being angered, 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 wights were-

Desdemona    To do what?

Iago        To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.

Desdemona    O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him,
    Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio, is
    he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?

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 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
    as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been
    better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which
    now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good,
    well kissed, and excellent courtesy! - 'tis so, indeed. Yet
    again your fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-
    pipes for your sake!
                                                [Trumpets within.
    The Moor! I know his trumpet.

Cassio                                        'Tis truly so.

Desdemona    Let's meet him, and receive him.

                      Enter OTHELLO and ATTENDANTS.

Cassio                                    Lo, where he comes!

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 wakened death,
    And let the labouring 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.
    [Kissing her.] And this, and this, the greatest discords be
    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 drowned.
    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    [To an exiting ATTENDANT.] Do thou meet me presently at the
    harbour. [To RODERIGO.] Come hither. If thou be'st valiant
    - as they say base men being in love have then a nobility
    in their natures more than is native to them - list me. 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. Mark
    me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for
    bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To 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 should be - again to inflame it and give
    satiety a fresh appetite - loveliness in favour, sympathy
    in years, manners and beauties: all which the Moor is
    defective in. Now, for want of these required conveniences,
    her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to
    heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature
    will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second
    choice. Now, sir, this granted, as it is a most pregnant
    and unforced position, who stands so eminent in the degree
    of this fortune as Cassio does? - a knave very voluble, no
    further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of
    civil and humane seeming for the better compass of his salt
    and most hidden loose affection. Why, none; why, none - a
    slipper and subtle knave, a finder of occasion, 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 green minds look after; a pestilent
    complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.

Roderigo    I cannot believe that in her; she's full of most blest
    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 his hand? Didst not mark that?

Roderigo    Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.

Iago    Lechery, by this hand: an index and obscure prologue to the
    history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with
    their lips that their breaths embraced together. Villainous
    thoughts, Roderigo! When these mutualities so marshal the
    way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, th'
    incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me.
    I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight: for the
    command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows you not; I'll
    not be far from you. Do you find some occasion to anger
    Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his
    discipline, or from what other course you please, which the
    time shall more favourably minister.

Roderigo    Well.

Iago    Sir, he's 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
    qualification shall come into no true taste again but by
    the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter
    journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to
    prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed,
    without which there were no expectation 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 leaped 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 evened 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 trace
    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 practising upon his peace and quiet
    Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused;
    Knavery's plain face is never seen till used.
                                                [Exit.