Otello, Act 1: Roderigo, beviam!

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. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me: If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor me. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city In personal suit to make me his lieutenant Off-capp'd 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 stuff'd with epithets of war; And, in conclusion Nonsuits 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 damn'd 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 toged consuls can propose As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election: And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster He, in good time, must his lieutenant be And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient!