Othello The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news?
Cassio
Cassio. The duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant.
Cassio Othello's lieutenant Tragedy · Othello
Cassio's lines in Othello
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Othello What is the matter, think you?
Cassio
Cassio. Something from Cyprus as I may divine: It is a business of some heat: the galleys Have sent a dozen sequent messengers This very night at one another's heels, And many of the consuls, raised and met, Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for; When, being not at your lodging to be found, The senate hath sent about three several guests To search you out.
Othello 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with you.
Cassio
Cassio. Ancient, what makes he here?
Iago 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
Cassio
Cassio. I do not understand.
Iago He's married.
Cassio
Cassio. To who?
Othello Have with you.
Cassio
Cassio. Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Third Gentleman Come, let's do so: For every minute is expectancy Of more arrivance.
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 us him on a dangerous sea.
Montano Is he well shipp'd?
Cassio
Cassio. His bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot Of very expert and approved allowance; Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death, Stand in bold cure.
What noise?
Fourth Gentleman The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'
Cassio
Cassio. Hopes do shape him for the governor.
Second Gentleman They do discharge their shot of courtesy; Our friends at least.
Cassio
Cassio. My I pray you, sir, go forth, And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
Montano But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
Cassio
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.
How now! who has put in?
Second Gentleman 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
Cassio
Cassio. Has had most favourable 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
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!
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
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
Cassio. The great contention of the sea and skies Parted our fellowship--But, hark! a sail.
Second Gentleman They give their greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend.
Cassio
Cassio. See for the news.
Good ancient, you are welcome.
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.
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
Cassio. He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.
Iago The Moor! I know his trumpet.
Cassio
Cassio. 'Tis truly so.
Desdemona Let's meet him and receive him.
Cassio
Cassio. Lo, where he comes!
Othello Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night: Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop, Not to outsport discretion.
Cassio
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: to-morrow 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. Good night.
Cassio
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
Cassio. She's a most exquisite lady.
Iago And, I'll warrant her, fun of game.
Cassio
Cassio. Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.
Iago What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of provocation.
Cassio
Cassio. An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.
Iago And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?
Cassio
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
Cassio. Not to-night, 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
Cassio. I have drunk but one cup to-night, 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
Cassio. Where are they?
Iago Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
Cassio
Cassio. I'll do't; but it dislikes me.
Iago 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.
Cassio
Cassio. 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.
Iago And let me the canakin clink, clink; And let me the canakin clink A soldier's a man; A life's but a span; Why, then, let a soldier drink. Some wine, boys!
Cassio
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
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
Cassio. To the health of our general!
Iago O, O sweet England! King Stephen was 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
Cassio. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.
Iago Will you hear't again?
Cassio
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
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
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 speak well enough.
All Excellent well.
Cassio
Cassio. Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am drunk.
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?
Cassio
Cassio. You rogue! you rascal!
Montano What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cassio
Cassio. A knave teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.
Roderigo Beat me!
Cassio
Cassio. Dost thou prate, rogue?
Montano I pray you, sir, hold your hand.
Cassio
Cassio. Let me go, sir, Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Montano Come, come, you're drunk.
Cassio
Cassio. Drunk!
Othello How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
Cassio
Cassio. I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
Iago What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
Cassio
Cassio. Ay, past all surgery.
Iago Marry, heaven forbid!
Cassio
Cassio. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!
Iago What, man! there are 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
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
Cassio. I know not.
Iago Is't possible?
Cassio
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
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 moraler: 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
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
Cassio. I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!
Iago Our general's wife is now the general: 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
Cassio. You advise me well.
Iago I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.
Cassio
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 cheque me here.
First line of the scene
Cassio
Cassio. Masters, play here; I will content your pains; Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.'
Clown Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away: go; vanish into air; away!
Cassio
Cassio. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?
Clown No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.
Cassio
Cassio. Prrithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife be stirring, tell her there's one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?
Clown She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.
Cassio
Cassio. Do, good my friend.
In happy time, Iago.
Iago You have not been a-bed, then?
Cassio
Cassio. Why, no; the day had broke Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago, To send in to your wife: my suit to her Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona Procure me some access.
Iago I'll send her to you presently; And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor Out of the way, that your converse and business May be more free.
Cassio
Cassio. I humbly thank you for't.
I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest.
Emilia The general and his wife are talking of it; And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies, That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus, And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you And needs no other suitor but his likings To take the safest occasion by the front To bring you in again.
Cassio
Cassio. Yet, I beseech you, If you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone.
Emilia Pray you, come in; I will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely.
Cassio
Cassio. I am much bound to you.
Desdemona O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio, But I will have my lord and you again As friendly as you were.
Cassio
Cassio. Bounteous madam, Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, He's never any thing but your true servant.
Desdemona I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord: You have known him long; and be you well assured He shall in strangeness stand no further off Than in a polite distance.
Cassio
Cassio. Ay, but, lady, That policy may either last so long, Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, Or breed itself so out of circumstance, That, I being absent and my place supplied, My general will forget my love and service.
Emilia Madam, here comes my lord.
Cassio
Cassio. Madam, I'll take my leave.
Desdemona Why, stay, and hear me speak.
Cassio
Cassio. Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes.
Desdemona How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you?
Cassio
Cassio. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you That by your virtuous means I may again Exist, and be a member of his love Whom I with all the office of my heart Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.
If my offence be of such mortal kind That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, Nor purposed merit in futurity, Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; So shall I clothe me in a forced content, And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune's alms.
Desdemona I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit And seek to effect it to my uttermost.
Cassio
Cassio. I humbly thank your ladyship.
Bianca Save you, friend Cassio!
Cassio
Cassio. What make you from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? I' faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.
Bianca And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What, keep a week away? seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, More tedious than the dial eight score times? O weary reckoning!
Cassio
Cassio. Pardon me, Bianca: I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd: But I shall, in a more continuate time, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
Take me this work out.
Bianca O Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend: To the felt absence now I feel a cause: Is't come to this? Well, well.
Cassio
Cassio. Go to, woman! Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now That this is from some mistress, some remembrance: No, in good troth, Bianca.
Bianca Why, whose is it?
Cassio
Cassio. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber. I like the work well: ere it be demanded-- As like enough it will--I'd have it copied: Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bianca Leave you! wherefore?
Cassio
Cassio. I do attend here on the general; And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me woman'd.
Bianca Why, I pray you?
Cassio
Cassio. Not that I love you not.
Bianca But that you do not love me. I pray you, bring me on the way a little, And say if I shall see you soon at night.
Cassio
Cassio. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you; For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Iago How now, Cassio!
Cassio
Cassio. What's the matter?
Iago My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy: This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.
Cassio
Cassio. Rub him about the temples.
Iago As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad; And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behavior, Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?
Cassio
Cassio. The worser that you give me the addition Whose want even kills me.
Iago Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on't. (Speaking lower) Now, if this suit lay in Bianco's power, How quickly should you speed!
Cassio
Cassio. Alas, poor caitiff!
Iago I never knew woman love man so.
Cassio
Cassio. Alas, poor rogue! I think, i' faith, she loves me.
Iago She gives it out that you shall marry hey: Do you intend it?
Cassio
Cassio. Ha, ha, ha!
Othello Do you triumph, Roman? do you triumph?
Cassio
Cassio. I marry her! what? a customer! Prithee, bear some charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!
Iago 'Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.
Cassio
Cassio. Prithee, say true.
Othello Have you scored me? Well.
Cassio
Cassio. This is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.
Othello Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.
Cassio
Cassio. She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble, and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck--
Othello Crying 'O dear Cassio!' as it were: his gesture imports it.
Cassio
Cassio. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon; so hales, and pulls me: ha, ha, ha!
Othello Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.
Cassio
Cassio. Well, I must leave her company.
Iago Before me! look, where she comes.
Cassio
Cassio. 'Tis such another fitchew! marry a perfumed one.
What do you mean by this haunting of me?
Bianca This is some minx's token, and I must take out the work? There; give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out no work on't.
Cassio
Cassio. How now, my sweet Bianca! how now! how now!
Iago After her, after her.
Cassio
Cassio. 'Faith, I must; she'll rail in the street else.
Iago Will you sup there?
Cassio
Cassio. 'Faith, I intend so.
Iago Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain speak with you.
Cassio
Cassio. Prithee, come; will you?
Roderigo I know his gait, 'tis he.--Villain, thou diest!
Cassio
Cassio. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, But that my coat is better than thou know'st I will make proof of thine.
Roderigo O, I am slain!
Cassio
Cassio. I am maim'd for ever. Help, ho! murder! murder!
Othello It is even so.
Cassio
Cassio. O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!
Othello 'Tis he:--O brave Iago, honest and just, That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead, And your unblest fate hies: strumpet, I come. Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted.
Cassio
Cassio. What, ho! no watch? no passage? murder! murder!
Gratiano 'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful.
Cassio
Cassio. O, help!
Iago Did not you hear a cry?
Cassio
Cassio. Here, here! for heaven's sake, help me!
Iago What are you here that cry so grievously?
Cassio
Cassio. Iago? O, I am spoil'd, undone by villains! Give me some help.
Iago O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?
Cassio
Cassio. I think that one of them is hereabout, And cannot make away.
Roderigo O, help me here!
Cassio
Cassio. That's one of them.
Iago How is't, brother!
Cassio
Cassio. My leg is cut in two.
Iago O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect Who they should be that have thus many led you?
Cassio
Cassio. No.
Gratiano For you, mistress, Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio, Was my dear friend: what malice was between you?
Cassio
Cassio. None in the world; nor do I know the man.
Othello Ay.
Cassio
Cassio. Dear general, I never gave you cause.
Othello O villain!
Cassio
Cassio. Most heathenish and most gross!
Othello O the pernicious caitiff! How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief That was my wife's?
Cassio
Cassio. I found it in my chamber: And he himself confess'd but even now That there he dropp'd it for a special purpose Which wrought to his desire.
Othello O fool! fool! fool!
Cassio
Cassio. There is besides in Roderigo's letter, How he upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch; whereon it came That I was cast: and even but now he spake, After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him, Iago set him on.
Othello I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this; Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
Cassio
Cassio. This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon; For he was great of heart.