牛津英文经典牛津英文经典:奥赛罗

The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice 1.1 Enter Roderigo and Iago RODERIG0 Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. IAGO 'Sblood, but you'll not hear me! If ever I Did dream of such a matter, abhor me. RODERIG0 Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. IAGO Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the clty, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capped to him; and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he—as loving his own pride and purposes— Evades them with a bombast circumstance, Horribly stuffed with epithets o[ war; And in conclusion Non-suits my mediators. For ‘Certes,' says he, ‘I have already chose my officer.' And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine— A fellow almost damned in a fair wife— That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, Wherein the toga'd consuls can propose As masterly as he! Mere prattle without practice Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th'election; And I—of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds, Christened and heathen—must be beleed and calmed By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster, He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I—God bless the mark!—his Moorship's ensign.