Othello

William Shakespeare
No Fear Act 2 Scene 1
No Fear Act 2 Scene 1 Page 1

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter MONTANO and two GENTLEMEN
MONTANO and two GENTLEMEN enter.

MONTANO

What from the cape can you discern at sea?

MONTANO

What can you see out on the ocean?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood.
I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
Descry a sail.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Nothing. The water’s so rough that I can’t see any sails, either in the bay or on the ocean.

MONTANO

5Methinks 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?

MONTANO

It was windy on shore too. A big blast of wind shook our fortifications. How could a ship made out of wood hold together in those mountainous waves? What do you think will be the result of this storm?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

10A 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,
15And quench the guards of th' ever-fixèd pole.
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafèd flood.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

The Turkish navy will be broken up. The wind’s whipping up the waves so high you expect them to reach the clouds and splash against the stars in the sky. I’ve never seen the waters so disturbed.

MONTANO

If that the Turkish fleet
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned.
20It is impossible they bear it out.

MONTANO

If the Turkish fleet isn’t protected in some harbor, their men must all be drowned. No ship could survive this storm.
Enter a THIRD GENTLEMAN
A THIRD GENTLEMAN enters.
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