IAGO. Will you hear ’t again? 

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. 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. 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 I speak well enough. 

ALL. Excellent well. 

CASSIO. Why, very well then. You must not think, then, that I am drunk. 

 [Exit.]

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 Cæsar And give direction: and do but see his vice, ’Tis to his virtue a just equinox, The one as long as th’ 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. 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. 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? 

 Enter Roderigo.

Roderigo

IAGO. [Aside to him.] How now, Roderigo? I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. 

 [Exit Roderigo.]

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