Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at

land:

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?

2 Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet: For do but stand upon the foaming shore, The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds; The wind-shak'd surge, with high and monstrous

main,

Seems to cast water on the burning bear,

And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:

I never did like molestation view

On th' enchafed flood.
Mon.

If that the Turkish fleet

Be not inshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd; It is impossible they bear it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

3 Gent. News, lords! 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.
Mon.

How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in,

A Veronesé; Michael Cassio,

Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,

Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at sea,

And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

1,

Mon. I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
3 Gent. 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.

Mon.

'Pray heaven he be;

For I have serv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full + soldier. Let's to the sea-side, ho!
As well to see the vessel that's come in,

As throw out our eyes for brave Othello;

Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue,

An indistinct regard.

3 Gent.

Come, let's do so;

For every minute is expectancy

Of more arrivance.

Enter CASSIO.

Cas. Thanks to 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!

Mon. Is he well shipp'd?

Cas. His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot

Of very expert and approv'd allowance; 5
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,

Stand in bold cure.

[Within.]

A sail, a sail, a sail!

4 Gent. The town is empty; on the brow o'the sea

Stand ranks of people, and they cry-a sail.

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governour. 2 Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy :

Our friends, at least.
Cas.

[Guns heard.

I pray you, sir, go forth,

And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd.

2 Gent. I shall.

[Exit.

Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd?
Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid

That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in the essential vesture of creation,

Does bear all excellency.-How now? who has put

in?

Re-enter second Gentleman.

2 Gent. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general. Cas. He 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.

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's cap

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,

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants.

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!

Des.

I thank you, valiant Cassio.

What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Cas. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.
Des. O, but I fear;-How lost you company?
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a sail.

[Cry within, A sail, a sail! Then Guns heard. 2 Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend.

Cas.

See for the news.

[Exit Gentleman. Good ancient, you are welcome;-Welcome, mis[TO EMILIA.

tress:

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

[Kissing her.

Iago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips,

As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,

You'd have enough.

Des.

Alas, she has no speech.

Iago. In faith, too much;

I find it still, when I have list 7 to sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,

And chides with thinking.

Emil.

You have little cause to say so.

Iago. Come on, come on; you are pictures out of
doors,

Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,

Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your

beds.

Des. O, fye upon thee, slanderer!

Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk;

You rise to play, and go to bed to work.

Emil. You shall not write my praise.

Iago.

No, let me not.

Des. What would'st thou write of me, if thou

should'st praise me?

Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't;

For I am nothing, if not critical.8

Des. Come on, assay: -There's one gone to the

harbour ?

Ingo. Ay, madam.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile

The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.

).