First line of the scene
Montano
Montano. What from the cape can discern at sea?
Montano Former governor of Cyprus Tragedy · Othello
Montano's lines in Othello
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First Gentleman Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail.
Montano
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
Montano. If that the Turkish fleet Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd: It is impossible they bear it out.
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
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
Montano. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
Third 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
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.
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
Montano. Is he well shipp'd?
Second Gentleman I shall.
Montano
Montano. But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
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
Montano. What is she?
Cassio 'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.
Montano
Montano. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier.
Cassio To the health of our general!
Montano
Montano. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.
Cassio Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am drunk.
Montano
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
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
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?
Iago [Aside to him] How now, Roderigo! I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Montano
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.
Cassio You rogue! you rascal!
Montano
Montano. What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cassio Dost thou prate, rogue?
Montano
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
Montano. Come, come, you're drunk.
Othello What is the matter here?
Montano
Montano. 'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.
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
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 Give me to know How this foul rout began, who set it on; And he that is approved in this offence, 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 guard and guard of safety! 'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?
Montano
Montano. If partially affined, or leagued in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, Thou art no soldier.
Emilia Thou hast not half that power to do me harm As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! As ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed-- I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known, Though I lost twenty lives.--Help! help, ho! help! The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! murder!
Montano
Montano. What is the matter? How now, general!
Gratiano 'Tis a strange truth.
Montano
Montano. O monstrous act!
Gratiano He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.
Montano
Montano. 'Tis a notorious villain. Take this weapon, Which I have here recover'd from the Moor: Come, guard the door without; let him not pass, But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain, For 'tis a damned slave.