[Stage] Enter Montano and two Gentlemen
Montano(蒙塔诺)
What from the cape can you discern at sea?
First Gentleman(第一位先生)
Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood.
I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
Descry a sail.
Montano(蒙塔诺)
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land,
A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.
If it hath ruffianed 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(第二绅士)
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 th’ ever-fixèd pole.
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafèd flood.
Montano(蒙塔诺)
If that the Turkish fleet
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned.
It is impossible they bear it out.
[Stage] Enter a Third Gentleman
Third Gentleman(第三个绅士)
News, lads, Our wars are done!
The desperate tempest hath so banged 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(蒙塔诺)
How? Is this true?
Third Gentleman(第三个绅士)
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(蒙塔诺)
I am glad on ’t. ‘Tis a worthy governor.
Third Gentleman(第三个绅士)
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(蒙塔诺)
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 th’ aerial blue
An indistinct regard.
Third Gentleman(第三个绅士)
Come, let’s do so.
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.
[Stage] Enter Cassio
Cassio(卡西奥)
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle
That so approve the Moor.
Oh, let the heavens
Give him defense against the elements,
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
Montano(蒙塔诺)
Is he well shipped?
Cassio(卡西奥)
His bark is stoutly timbered and his pilot
Of very expert and approved allowance
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure.
A Voice(一个声音)
[within] A sail, a sail, a sail!
[Stage] Enter a Messenger
Cassio(卡西奥)
What noise?
Messenger(信使)
The town is empty. On the brow o’ th’ sea
Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!”
Cassio(卡西奥)
My hopes do shape him for the governor.
[Stage] A shot
Second Gentleman(第二绅士)
They do discharge their shot of courtesy.
Our friends at least.
Cassio(卡西奥)
I pray you sir, go forth
And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.
Second Gentleman(第二绅士)
I shall.
[Stage] Exit
Montano(蒙塔诺)
But good lieutenant, is your general wived?
Cassio(卡西奥)
Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description and wild fame,
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And in th’ essential vesture of creation
Does tire the ingener.
[Stage] Enter Second Gentleman
How now? Who has put in?
Second Gentleman(第二绅士)
‘Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
Cassio(卡西奥)
He’s had most favorable and happy speed.
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The guttered rocks and congregated sands,
Traitors ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel,
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.
Montano(蒙塔诺)
What is she?
Cassio(卡西奥)
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 renewed fire to our extincted spirits
And bring all Cyprus comfort!
[Stage] Enter Desdemona, Emilia, Iago, Roderigo with attendants
Oh, behold,
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
You 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(苔丝狄蒙娜)
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Cassio(卡西奥)
He is not yet arrived. Nor know I aught
But that he’s well and will be shortly here.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Oh, but I fear. How lost you company?
Cassio(卡西奥)
The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship—
A Voice(一个声音)
[within] A sail, a sail!
Cassio(卡西奥)
But, hark! a sail.
[Stage] A shot
Second Gentleman(第二绅士)
They give this greeting to the citadel.
This likewise is a friend.
Cassio(卡西奥)
See for the news.
[Stage] Exit a Second Gentlemen
Good ancient, you are welcome.—Welcome, mistress.
(kisses Emilia)
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners. ‘Tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
Iago(亚戈)
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You would have have enough.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Alas, she has no speech!
Iago(亚戈)
In faith, too much.
I find it still, when I have leave to sleep.
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart
And chides with thinking.
Emilia(爱米莉亚)
You have little cause to say so.
Iago(亚戈)
Come on, come on. You are pictures out of door,
Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and hussies in your beds.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer!
Iago(亚戈)
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
You rise to play and go to bed to work.
Emilia(爱米莉亚)
You shall not write my praise.
Iago(亚戈)
No, let me not.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
What wouldst thou write of me, if thou should’st
praise me?
Iago(亚戈)
O gentle lady, do not put me to ’t,
For I am nothing, if not critical.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Come on, assay. There’s one gone to the harbor?
Iago(亚戈)
Ay, madam.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
I am not merry, but I do beguile
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
Iago(亚戈)
I am about it, but indeed my invention
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze,
It plucks out brains and all. But my Muse labors
And thus she is delivered:
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
The one’s for use, the other useth it.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
Iago(亚戈)
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
She’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Worse and worse!
Emilia(爱米莉亚)
How if fair and foolish?
Iago(亚戈)
She never yet was foolish that was fair,
For even her folly helped her to an heir.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’
th’ alehouse.
What miserable praise hast thou for her
That’s foul and foolish?
Iago(亚戈)
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Oh, heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But
what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman
indeed, one that in the authority of her merit did
justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?
Iago(亚戈)
She that was ever fair and never proud,
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
Never lacked gold and yet went never gay,
Fled from her wish and yet said “Now I may,”
She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
She that in wisdom never was so frail
To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail,
She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,
See suitors following and not look behind,
She was a wight, if ever such wights were—
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
To do what?
Iago(亚戈)
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Oh, 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 counselor?
Cassio(卡西奥)
He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the
soldier than in the scholar.
[Stage] Cassio takes Desdemona’S hand
Iago(亚戈)
(
aside
) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said,
whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as
great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do, I will
gyve thee in thine own courtship.
You say true, ‘Tis so,
indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your
lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed
your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most
apt to play the sir in.
Very good, well kissed, and
excellent courtesy! ’tis so, indeed. Yet again your
fingers to your lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for
your sake!
[Stage] Trumpet within
The Moor! I know his trumpet.
Cassio(卡西奥)
‘Tis truly so.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
Let’s meet him and receive him.
Cassio(卡西奥)
Lo, where he comes!
[Stage] Enter Othello and attendants
Othello(奥赛罗)
Oh my fair warrior!
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
My dear Othello!
Othello(奥赛罗)
It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. Oh, my soul’s joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death,
And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus-high, and duck again as low
As hell’s from heaven!
If it were now to die,
‘Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
Desdemona(苔丝狄蒙娜)
The heavens forbid
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow.
Othello(奥赛罗)
Amen to that, sweet powers!
I cannot speak enough of this content.
It stops me here, it is too much of joy.
And this, and this, the greatest discords be
(kissing
her)
That e’er our hearts shall make!
Iago(亚戈)
[aside]
Oh, you are well tuned now,
But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.
Othello(奥赛罗)
Come, let us to the castle.
News, friends! Our wars are done, the Turks are
drowned.
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?—
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus,
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts.—
I prithee, good Iago,
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
Bring thou the master to the citadel.
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.—
Come, Desdemona,
Once more, well met at Cyprus.
[Stage] Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and attendants
Iago(亚戈)
(to the attendant)
Do thou meet me presently at the
harbor.
(to Roderigo)
Come hither. If thou be’st
valiant, as they say base men being in love have then a
nobility in their natures more than is native to them,
list me.
The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of
guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is
directly in love with him.
Roderigo(罗德里戈)
With him? Why, ’tis not possible.
Iago(亚戈)
Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but
for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love
him still for prating?
Let not thy discreet heart think
it. Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall she have
to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with
the act of sport, there should be a game to inflame it
and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in
favor, sympathy in years, manners and beauties.
All
which the Moor is defective in. Now for want of these
required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find
itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and
abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it and
compel her to some second choice.
Now sir, this
granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced
position—who stands so eminent in the degree of this
fortune as Cassio does? A knave very voluble, no further
conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil
and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his
salt and most hidden loose affection.
Why, none, why,
none! A slipper and subtle knave, a finder of occasions
that has an eye, can stamp and counterfeit advantages,
though true advantage never present itself. A devilish
knave.
Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath
all those requisites in him that folly and green minds
look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the woman
hath found him already.
Roderigo(罗德里戈)
I cannot believe that in her. She’s full of most
blessed condition.
Iago(亚戈)
Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks is made of
grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never have
loved the Moor.
Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her
paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?
Roderigo(罗德里戈)
Yes, that I did, but that was but courtesy.
Iago(亚戈)
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 mutabilities
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
favorably minister.
Roderigo(罗德里戈)
Well.
Iago(亚戈)
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(罗德里戈)
I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.
Iago(亚戈)
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I
must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
Roderigo(罗德里戈)
Adieu.
[Stage] Exit
Iago(亚戈)
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t.
That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit.
The Moor, howbeit 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 leaped 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 judgment 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 right garb
(For I fear Cassio with my night-cape too)
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass
And practicing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness.
‘Tis here, but yet confused.
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.
[Stage] Exit