Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, 1888 (continued)

21 There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;

22 There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile lit Casey’s face.

23 And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

24 No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Casey at the bat.

25 Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;

26 Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;

27 Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,

28 Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

29 And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,

30 And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

31 Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped--

32 “That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one!” the umpire said.

33 From the benches, filled with people, there went up a muffled roar,

34 Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;

35 “Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;

36 And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

37 With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;

38 He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

39 He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;

40 But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, “Strike two!”

(continued)

Comprehension Question: How is Casey feeling as he steps up to bat?

a scared
b confident
c happy
d angry

answer:   a good wench, give it me.

iago

good girl, give it to me.

emilia

what will you do with ’t, that you have been so earnest

325to have me filch it?

emilia

and what are you going to do with it? why did you want it so much that you begged me to steal it?

iago

  why, what is that to you?

iago

what’s it to you?

emilia

if it be not for some purpose of import,

give ’t me again. poor lady, she’ll run mad

when she shall lack it.

emilia

if you don’t need it for some important reason, then give it back to me. poor lady, she’ll go crazy when she sees it’s missing.

iago

be not acknown on ’t,

330i have use for it. go, leave me.

iago

don’t admit to knowing anything about it. i need it. now go, leave me.

exit emilia

emilia exits.

i will in cassio’s lodging lose this napkin

and let him find it. trifles light as air

are to the jealous confirmations strong

as proofs of holy writ. this may do something.

335the moor already changes with my poison.

dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons

which at the first are scarce found to distaste,

but with a little act upon the blood

burn like the mines of sulfur.

i’ll leave this handkerchief at cassio’s house and let him find it.to a jealous man, a meaningless little thing like this looks like absolute proof. this handkerchief may be useful to me. the moor’s mind has already become infected with my poisonous suggestions. ideas can be like poisons. at first they hardly even taste bad, but once they get into your blood they start burning like hot lava.

enter othello

othello enters.

    i did say so.

340look, where he comes. not poppy nor mandragora

nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,

shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep

which thou owedst yesterday.

here he comes. no drugs or sleeping pills will ever give you the restful sleep that you had last night.

othello

    ha! ha! false to me?

othello

argh! she’s cheating on me?

iago

why, how now, general? no more of that.

iago

oh, general, , no more of that!

explanation:

demonstrative is te word i think