Текст книги "William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition"

Автор книги: William Shakespeare

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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 the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

RODERIGO I will do this, if you 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—howbe’t 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 leapt 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

2.2 Enter Othello’s Herald reading a proclamation

HERALD It is Othello’s pleasure—our noble and valiant

general—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 to what sport and revels his

addiction leads him; for besides these beneficial news,

it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was his

pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open, and

there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour

of five till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the

isle of Cyprus and our noble general, Othello! Exit

2.3 Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and attendants

OTHELLO

Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.

Let’s teach ourselves that honourable 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. (To Desdemona) Come,

my dear love,

The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue.

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

(To Cassio) 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’th’ 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 stoup 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 ha’ drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified, too, and behold what innovation it makes here! I am infortunate 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 offence

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

Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,

To Desdemona hath tonight caroused

Potations pottle-deep, and he’s to watch.

Three else of Cyprus—noble swelling spirits

That hold their honours in a wary distance,

The very elements of this warlike isle—

Have I tonight flustered 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.

Enter Montano, Cassio, Gentlemen, [and servants] with wine

But here they come.

If consequence do but approve my dream,

My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.

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 cannikin clink, clink, And let me the cannikin 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 exquisite 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 called 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 thy auld cloak about thee.

Some wine, ho!

CASSIO Fore God, 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 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 ensign. Let’s ha’ 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 ensign, 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.

GENTLEMEN Excellent well.

CASSIO Why, very well then. You must not think then that I am drunk.

Exit

MONTANO

To th’ platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch.

Exeunt Gentlemen

IAGO

You see this fellow that is gone before—

He’s 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 th’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 his 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] 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 engraffed 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.

VOICES (within) Help, help!

IAGO But hark, what noise?

Enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo

CASSIO ’Swounds, 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.

RODERIGO Beat me?

CASSIO Dost thou prate, rogue?

MONTANO Nay, good lieutenant, I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

CASSIO Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the mazard.

MONTANO Come, come, you’re drunk.

CASSIO Drunk?

They fight

IAGO (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 rung

Who’s that which rings the bell? Diablo, ho!

The town will rise. God’s will, lieutenant, hold.

You’ll be ashamed for ever.

Enter Othello and attendants, with weapons

OTHELLO What is the matter here?

MONTANO

’Swounds, I bleed still. I am hurt to th’ death.

(Attacking Cassio) He dies.

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 turned 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 belt—it frights the isle

From her propriety.

⌈Bell stops⌉

What is the matter, masters?

Honest Iago, that looks 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 others’ breasts

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. 1

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,

Essays to lead the way. ‘Swounds, if I 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 offence,

Though he had twinned 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 (to Iago)

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 ha’ this tongue cut from my mouth

Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio.

Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth

Shall nothing wrong him. This 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 clamour, as it so fell out,

The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot,

Outran my purpose, and I returned, 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.

Enter Desdemona, attended

Look if my gentle love be not raised up.

I’ll make thee an example.

DESDEMONA What is the matter, dear?

OTHELLO All’s well now, sweeting.

Come away to bed. (To Montano) Sir, for your hurts

Myself will be your surgeon. (To attendants) Lead him

off.

Exeunt attendants with Montano

Iago, look with care about the town,

And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.

Come, Desdemona. ’Tis the soldier’s life

To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.

Exeunt all but Iago and Cassio

IAGO What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

CASSIO Ay, past all surgery.

IAGO Marry, God forbid.

CASSIO Reputation, reputation, reputation—O, I ha’ lost my reputation, I ha’ lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial! My reputation, Iago, my reputation.

IAGO As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound. There is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there are more ways to recover the general again. You are but now cast in his mood—a punishment more in policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to him again, and he’s yours.

CASSIO I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk, and speak parrot, and squabble? Swagger, swear, and discourse fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil.

IAGO What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?

CASSIO I know not.

IAGO Is’t possible?

CASSIO I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause transform ourselves into beasts!

IAGO Why, but you are now well enough. How came you thus recovered?

CASSIO It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself.

IAGO Come, you are too severe a moraller. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen; but since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

CASSIO I will ask him for my place again. He shall tell me I am a drunkard. Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O, strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil.

IAGO Come, come. Good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used. Exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

CASSIO I have well approved it, sir—I drunk?

IAGO You or any man living may be drunk at a time, man. I’ll tell you what you shall do. Our general’s wife is now the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her. Importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter, and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

CASSIO You advise me well.

IAGO I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

CASSIO I think it freely, and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here.

IAGO You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant. I must to the watch.

CASSIO Good night, honest Iago.

Exit

IAGO

And what’s he then that says I play the villain,

When this advice is free I give, and honest,

Probal to thinking, and indeed the course

To win the Moor again? For ‘tis most easy

Th’inclining Desdemona to subdue

In any honest suit. She’s framed as fruitful

As the free elements; and then for her

To win the Moor, were’t to renounce his baptism,

All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,

His soul is so enfettered to her love

That she may make, unmake, do what she list,

Even as her appetite shall play the god

With his weak function. How am I then a villain,

To counsel Cassio to this parallel course

Directly to his good? Divinity of hell:

When devils will the blackest sins put on,

They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,

As I do now; for whiles this honest fool

Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,

And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,

I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear:

That she repeals him for her body’s lust,

And by how much she strives to do him good

She shall undo her credit with the Moor.

So will I turn her virtue into pitch,

And out of her own goodness make the net

That shall enmesh them all.

Enter Roderigo

How now, Roderigo?

RODERIGO I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent, I ha’ been tonight exceedingly well cudgelled, and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains: and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

IAGO

How poor are they that ha’ not patience!

What wound did ever heal but by degrees?

Thou know‘st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,

And wit depends on dilatory time.

Does’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,

And thou by that small hurt hast cashiered Cassio.

Though other things grow fair against the sun,

Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.

Content thyself a while. By the mass, ’tis morning.

Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.

Retire thee. Go where thou art billeted.

Away, I say. Thou shalt know more hereafter.

Nay, get thee gone.

Exit Roderigo

Two things are to be done.

My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress.

I’ll set her on.

Myself a while to draw the Moor apart,

And bring him jump when he may Cassio find

Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way.

Dull not device by coldness and delay.

Exit