Scene I

[A seaport in Cyprus.]

[Enter Montano, govenor of Cyprus, and two other Gentlemen.]

MONTANO:

What from the cape can you discern at sea?

MONTANO:

What can you discern at sea from the cape?

FIRST GENTLEMAN:

Nothing at all. It is a highwrought flood;
I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
Descry a sail.

FIRST GENTLEMAN:

Nothing at all. It is a very excited flood;
I cannot, between the sky and the land,
See a sail.

MONTANO:

Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;(5)
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?

MONTANO:

I think the wind has spoken aloud to the land;
A fuller blast never shook our battlements.
If it has so blustered on the sea,
That what ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold together? What shall we hear of this?

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

A segregation of the Turkish fleet: For do(10)
but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;
The windshaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of the everfixed pole:(15)
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

A separation of the Turkish fleet.
Because if you only stand on the foaming shore,
The scolded waves seem to hit the clouds;
The wind-shaken surge, with high and monstrous open
sea, seems to cast water on the burning Bear-shaped
star, and quench the guards of the permanent North
Pole. I never did like assaulting view
Of the irritated flood.

MONTANO:

If that the Turkish fleet
Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impossible to bear it out.(20)

MONTANO:

If the Turkish fleet is not
Sheltered and in a bay, they are drowned;
It is impossible to wait it out.

Enter a third Gentleman.

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.(25)

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

News, lads! Our wars are over.
The desperate tempest has so banged the Turks
That their undertaking is stopped. A noble ship of Venice
Has seen a terrible wreck and suffering
On the biggest part of their fleet.

MONTANO:

How? Is this true?

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,(30)
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

The ship is put in here,
A Veronessa. Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
Hass come on shore. The Moor himself is at sea,
And has full orders here for Cyprus.

MONTANO:

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

MONTANO:

I am glad of it. He is a worthy governor

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

But this same Cassio, though he speak
of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly(35)
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest.

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

But this same Cassio, although he speaks of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss, he still looks sad,
And prays the Moor is safe, because they were parted
With an evil and violent tempest.

MONTANO:

Pray heavens he be;
For I have served him, and the man commands
Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!(40)
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.

MONTANO:

Pray heavens he is,
Because I have served 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 to search for brave Othello,
Even until we make the open sea and the sky blue
A dull care.

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

Come, let's do so;(45)
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.

THIRD GENTLEMAN:

Come, let's do so,
Because every minute is to expect
More arrival.

Enter Cassio.

CASSIO:

Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
Give him defense against the elements,(50)
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

CASSIO:

Thank you, the valiant of this warlike isle,
That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
Give him defense against the elements,
Because I have lost him on a dangerous sea!

MONTANO:

Is he well shipp'd?

MONTANO:

Does he have a good ship?

CASSIO:

His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot
Of very expert and approved allowance;
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,(55)
Stand in bold cure.

CASSIO:

His ship is heavily timbered, and his captain is
Very experienced and has a good reputation;
Therefore my hopes, not excessively fed to death,
Stand in heavy anxiety.

Enter a messenger

MESSENGER:

A sail, a sail, a sail!

MESSENGER:

A sail, a sail, a sail!

CASSIO:

What noise?

CASSIO:

What noise?

MESSENGER:

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

MESSENGER:

The town is empty; on the seashore
Ranks of people stand, and they cry, "A sail!"

CASSIO:

My hopes do shape him for the governor.(60)

CASSIO:

My hopes think it looks like the governor.

A shot.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

They do discharge their shot of courtesy:
Our friends at least.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

They sound their shots out of courtesy.
Our friends at least.

CASSIO:

I pray you, sir, go forth,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.

CASSIO:

I beg you, sir, go outside,
And give us truth about who it is that has arrived.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

I shall.(65)

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

I shall.

Exit.

MONTANO:

But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?

MONTANO:

But, good lieutenant, is your general married?

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(70)
Does tire the ingener.

Enter second Gentleman.

How now! who has put in?

CASSIO:

Very fortunately. He has married a maid
That defies description and wild reputation,
One that surpasses the skills of fiery pens,
And in the essential show of creation
Tires the creator.

How now! Who has put in?

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

It is one Iago, ensign to the general.

CASSIO:

He has had most favorable and happy speed:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,(75)
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.

CASSIO:

He’s had very favorable and happy speed.
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The guttered rocks, and congregated sands,
Traitors set on clogging up the innocent foundation,
As having sense of beauty, omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

MONTANO:

What is she?(80)

MONTANO:

Who 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 se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,(85)
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.

Enter Desdemona, Iago, Emilia, Roderigo.

O, behold,(90)
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!(95)

CASSIO:

She that I spoke of, our great captain's captain,
Left in the company of the bold Iago,
Whose footing here occurs earlier than the seven nights
We thought it would take. Great Jove, guard Othello,
And swell his sail with your own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick breaths in Desdemona's arms,
Give renewed fire to our dead spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort! O, behold,

The riches of the ship is come on shore!
You men of Cyprus, bend your knees.
Hall to you, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before you, behind you, and on every hand,
Surround you!

DESD:

I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

DESD:

I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What news 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.

CASSIO:

He is not yet arrived and I don’t know anything
Only that he's well, and will be here shortly.

DESD:

O, but I fear—How lost you company?(100)

DESD:

O, but I fear how lost you each other?

CASSIO:

The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship—But, hark! a sail.

CASSIO:

The great fight of the sea and skies
Separated our fellowship. Only, look! a sail.

Within: “A sail, a sail!”

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

They give their greeting to the citadel:
This likewise is a friend.

SECOND GENTLEMAN:

They give their greeting to the fortress.
This is also a friend.

CASSIO:

See for the news.(105)

[Exit Gentleman.]

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.

CASSIO:

Look for the news.

Good ensign, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.
Don’t let it try your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners. It is my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

IAGO:

Sir, would she give you so much of her lips(110)
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You'ld have enough.

IAGO:

Sir, I wish she would give you as much of her lips
As she often gives me of her tongu.,
You'd have enough.

DESD:

Alas, she has no speech.

DESD:

Alas, she has nothing to say.

IAGO:

In faith, too much;
I find it still when I have list to sleep:(115)
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant
She puts her tongue a little in her heart
And chides with thinking.

IAGO:

In faith, too much to say;
I find she’s still talking when I am almost asleep.
By Mary, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her voice a little in her heart,
And scolds by thinking.

EMILIA:

You have little cause to say so.

EMILIA:

You don’t have reasonto say so.

IAGO:

Come on, come on. You are pictures out of doors,(120)
Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your
beds.

IAGO:

Come on, come on; you are pictures outdoors, bells in
your parlors, wild cats in your kitchens, saints in your
injuries, devils being offended, players in your
housewifery, and housewives in your beds.

DESD:

O, fie upon thee, slanderer!(125)

DESD:

O, damn you, slanderer!

IAGO:

Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:
You rise to play, and go to bed to work.

IAGO:

No, it’s true, or else I am a Turk.
You wake up to play, and go to bed to work.

EMILIA:

You shall not write my praise.

EMILIA:

You shall not write my praise.

IAGO:

No, let me not.

IAGO:

No, don’t let me.

DESD:

What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise(130)
me?

DESD:

What would you write about me, if you should praise me?

IAGO:

O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
For I am nothing if not critical.

IAGO:

O gentle lady, don’t ask me,
Because I am nothing if not critical.