ACT III.
Scene I. Before the castle.
Enter Cassio and some Musicians.[5749]
Cas. Masters, play here; I will content your pains;[5750]
Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' [Music.
Enter Clown.[5751]
Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been in[5752]
Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus?[5753]
First Mus. How, sir, how![5754] 5
Clo. Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?[5755]
First Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir.[5754]
Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail.[5756]
First Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir?[5757]
Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know. 10
But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so[5758]
likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to[5759]
make no more noise with it.[5760]
First Mus. Well, sir, we will not.
Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard, 15
to 't again: but, as they say, to hear music the general
does not greatly care.
First Mus. We have none such, sir.[5761]
Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away:[5762]
go; vanish into air; away! [Exeunt Musicians.[5763] 20
Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?[5764]
Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.[5765]
Cas. Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor
piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends the
general's wife be stirring, tell her there's one Cassio entreats[5766] 25
her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?[5767]
Clo. She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall
seem to notify unto her.[5768]
Cas. Do, good my friend. [Exit Clown.[5769]
Enter Iago.[5770]
In happy time, Iago.
Iago. You have not been a-bed, then?[5771][5772] 30
Cas. Why, no; the day had broke[5773]
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,[5772][5773][5774]
To send in to your wife: my suit to her[5773][5775]
Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona[5773][5776]
Procure me some access.
Iago. I'll send her to you presently;[5777] 35
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.
Cas. I humbly thank you for't. [Exit Iago.] I never knew[5778][5779]
A Florentine more kind and honest.[5779][5780] 40
Enter Emilia.
Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry
For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.[5781]
The general and his wife are talking of it,
And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus 45
And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom[5782]
He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you,[5783]
And needs no other suitor but his likings[5784]
To take the safest occasion by the front[5785]
To bring you in again.
Cas. Yet, I beseech you, 50
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.
Emil. Pray you, come in:[5786]
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.
Cas. I am much bound to you. [Exeunt.[5787]55
Scene II. A room in the castle.[5788]
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.
Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;
And by him do my duties to the senate:[5789]
That done, I will be walking on the works;[5790]
Repair there to me.
Iago. Well, my good lord, I'll do't.[5791]
Oth. This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't? 5
Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.[5792]
Scene III. The garden of the castle.[5793]
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.
Des. Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.
Emil. Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband[5794]
As if the case were his.[5795]
Des. O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,[5796] 5
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.
Cas. Bounteous madam,[5797]
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.
Des. I know't: I thank you. You do love my lord:[5798] 10
You have known him long; and be you well assured[5799]
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off[5800]
Than in a politic distance.
Cas. Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,[5801]
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, 15
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,[5802]
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.[5803]
Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia here
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,[5804] 20
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;[5805]
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does 25
With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.[5806]
Enter Othello and Iago, at a distance.[5807]
Emil. Madam, here comes my lord.
Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave. 30
Des. Nay, stay and hear me speak.[5808]
Cas. Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,[5809]
Unfit for mine own purposes.[5810]
Des. Well, do your discretion. [Exit Cassio.[5811]
Iago. Ha! I like not that. 35
Oth. What dost thou say?
Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if—I know not what.[5812]
Oth. Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
Iago. Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,[5813]
That he would steal away so guilty-like,[5814] 40
Seeing you coming.
Oth. I do believe 'twas he.[5815][5816]
Des. How now, my lord![5816][5817]
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Des. Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,[5818]
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;[5819]
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning, 50
I have no judgement in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.
Oth. Went he hence now?[5820]
Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,[5820][5821]
That he hath left part of his grief with me,[5822]
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.[5823] 55
Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.[5824]
Des. But shall't be shortly?
Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you.[5825]
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth. No, not to-night.[5826]
Des. To-morrow dinner then?
Oth. I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel. 60
Des. Why then to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;[5827]
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:[5828]
I prithee, name the time; but let it not[5829]
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;[5830]
And yet his trespass, in our common reason— 65
Save that, they say, the wars must make examples[5831]
Out of their best—is not almost a fault[5832]
To incur a private check. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,[5833] 70
Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,[5834]
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time[5835]
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much—[5836] 75
Oth. Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.
Des. Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,[5837]
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,[5838]
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit[5839] 80
To your own person: nay, when I have a suit[5840]
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,[5841]
And fearful to be granted.
Oth. I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, 85
To leave me but a little to myself.
Des. Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.
Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.[5842]
Des. Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;[5843]
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. 90
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.[5844]
Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,[5845]
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
Iago. My noble lord,—[5846]
Oth. What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,[5847][5848] 95
Know of your love?[5847]
Oth. He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?[5849]
Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought;[5850]
No further harm.
Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with her.[5851] 100
Oth. O, yes, and went between us very oft.[5852]
Iago. Indeed!
Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that?[5853]
Is he not honest?
Iago. Honest, my lord! 105
Oth. Honest! ay, honest.[5854]
Iago. My lord, for aught I know.
Oth. What dost thou think?
Iago. Think, my lord!
Oth. Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes me,[5855] 110
As if there were some monster in his thought[5856]
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:[5857]
I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,[5858]
When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel 115
In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'[5859]
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,[5860]
Show me thy thought. 120
Iago. My lord, you know I love you.
Oth. I think thou dost;
And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty[5861]
And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,[5862]
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:[5863]
For such things in a false disloyal knave 125
Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just
They're close delations, working from the heart,[5864]
That passion cannot rule.
Iago. For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.[5865]
Oth. I think so too.
Iago. Men should be what they seem;[5866] 130
Or those that be not, would they might seem none![5867]
Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem.[5868]
Iago. Why then I think Cassio's an honest man.[5869]
Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this:
I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,[5870] 135
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts[5871]
The worst of words.[5872]
Iago. Good my lord, pardon me:
Though I am bound to every act of duty,[5873]
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.[5874]
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;[5875] 140
As where's that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,[5876]
But some uncleanly apprehensions[5877]
Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit[5878]
With meditations lawful? 145
Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear[5879]
A stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago. I do beseech you—[5880]
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,[5880][5881]
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague 150
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy[5882][5883]
Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom yet,[5883][5884]
From one that so imperfectly conceits,[5885]
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble[5886]
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.[5887] 155
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,[5888]
To let you know my thoughts.
Oth. What dost thou mean?[5889]
Iago. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,[5890]
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:[5891] 160
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;[5892]
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him[5893]
And makes me poor indeed. 165
Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.[5894]
Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. Ha!
Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;[5895]
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock[5896][5897] 170
The meat it feeds on: that cuckold lives in bliss[5897][5898]
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;[5899]
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves![5900]
Oth. O misery! 175
Iago. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
But riches fineless is as poor as winter[5901]
To him that ever fears he shall be poor:
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend[5902]
From jealousy!
Oth. Why, why is this?[5903] 180
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,[5904]
When I shall turn the business of my soul 185
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,[5905]
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous[5906]
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;[5907]
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:[5908] 190
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;[5909]
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this, 195
Away at once with love or jealousy![5910]
Iago. I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason[5911][5912]
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,[5911]
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.[5913] 200
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:[5914]
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of self-bounty be abused; look to't:
I know our country disposition well; 205
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks[5915]
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience[5916]
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.[5917]
Oth. Dost thou say so?[5918]
Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; 210
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most.
Oth. And so she did.
Iago. Why, go to then;[5919]
She that so young could give out such a seeming,
To seel her father's eyes up close as oak—[5920]
He thought 'twas witchcraft—but I am much to blame;[5911][5921] 215
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.
Oth. I am bound to thee for ever.[5911][5922]
Iago. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago. I'faith, I fear it has.[5923]
I hope you will consider what is spoke 220
Comes from my love; but I do see you're moved:[5924]
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion.
Oth. I will not.
Iago. Should you do so, my lord, 225
My speech should fall into such vile success[5925]
As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend—[5926]
My lord, I see you're moved.[5927]
Oth. No, not much moved:
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.[5928]
Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so![5929] 230
Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself—[5930]
Iago. Ay, there's the point: as—to be bold with you—[5931]
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—[5932] 235
Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,[5933]
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.[5934]
But pardon me: I do not in position[5935]
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear[5936]
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, 240
May fall to match you with her country forms,[5937]
And happily repent.
Oth. Farewell, farewell:[5938]
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago.[5939]
Iago. [Going] My lord, I take my leave.[5940] 245
Oth. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless[5941]
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Iago. [Returning] My lord, I would I might entreat your honour[5942][5943]
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:[5943][5944]
Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,[5945] 250
For sure he fills it up with great ability,
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,[5946]
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note if your lady strain his entertainment[5947]
With any strong or vehement importunity; 255
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
As worthy cause I have to fear I am—
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Oth. Fear not my government. 260
Iago. I once more take my leave. [Exit.[5948]
Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,[5949]
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,[5950][5951]
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,[5951][5952]
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings, 265
I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind[5953]
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black[5911][5954]
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years,—yet that's not much—[5955] 270
She's gone; I am abused, and my relief[5956]
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,[5957]
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,[5958] 275
Than keep a corner in the thing I love[5959]
For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;[5960]
Prerogatived are they less than the base;[5961]
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:[5962]
Even then this forked plague is fated to us 280
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:
Re-enter Desdemona and Emilia.[5963]
If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself![5964]
I'll not believe 't.[5965]
Des. How now, my dear Othello!
Your dinner, and the generous islanders[5966]
By you invited, do attend your presence. 285
Oth. I am to blame.
Des. Why do you speak so faintly?[5967][5968]
Are you not well?[5968]
Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.[5969]
Des. Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:[5970]
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour[5971] 290
It will be well.
Oth. Your napkin is too little;
[He puts the handkerchief from him; and she drops it.[5972]
Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.
Des. I am very sorry that you are not well.
[Exeunt Othello and Desdemona.[5973]
Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin:[5974]
This was her first remembrance from the Moor: 295
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token,[5975]
For he conjured her she should ever keep it,
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,[5976][5977][5978] 300
And give 't Iago: what he will do with it[5976][5978][5979]
Heaven knows, not I;[5976]
I nothing but to please his fantasy.
Re-enter Iago.[5980]
Iago. How now! what do you here alone?
Emil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.[5981] 305
Iago. A thing for me? it is a common thing—[5981][5982]
Emil. Ha!
Iago. To have a foolish wife.[5983]
Emil. O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?
Iago. What handkerchief?[5984] 310
Emil. What handkerchief![5984]
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.
Iago. Hast stol'n it from her?[5985]
Emil. No, faith; she let it drop by negligence,[5986] 315
And, to the advantage, I being here took 't up.[5987]
Look, here it is.[5988]
Iago. A good wench; give it me.
Emil. What will you do with 't, that you have been so earnest[5989][5990]
To have me filch it?[5989]
Iago. [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?[5991]
Emil. If 't be not for some purpose of import,[5992] 320
Give 't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad[5993]
When she shall lack it.
Iago. Be not acknown on 't; I have use for it.[5994][5995]
Go, leave me. [Exit Emilia.[5994]
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,[5996] 325
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.[5997]
The Moor already changes with my poison:[5998]
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,[5999] 330
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
But with a little act upon the blood[6000]
Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so:[6001]
Look, where he comes!
Re-enter Othello.[6002]
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,[6003] 335
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday.
Oth. Ha! ha! false to me?[6004]
Iago. Why, how now, general! no more of that.
Oth. Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:[6005]
I swear 'tis better to be much abused 340
Than but to know 't a little.
Iago. How now, my lord![6006]
Oth. What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?[6007]
I saw 't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:[6008]
I slept the next night well, was free and merry;[6009]
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips: 345
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n,
Let him not know 't and he's not robb'd at all.
Iago. I am sorry to hear this.
Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp,
Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,[6010] 350
So I had nothing known. O, now for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars[6011]
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell,[6012]
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump, 355
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,[6013]
The royal banner and all quality,
Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!
And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats[6014]
The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit,[6015] 360
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!
Iago. Is't possible, my lord?[6016]
Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;[6017]
Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;[6018]
Or, by the worth of man's eternal soul,[6019] 365
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog[6020]
Than answer my waked wrath![6021]
Iago. Is't come to this?
Oth. Make me to see 't; or at the least so prove it,
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life! 370
Iago. My noble lord,—[6022]
Oth. If thou dost slander her and torture me,
Never pray more; abandon all remorse;
On horror's head horrors accumulate;[6023]
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed; 375
For nothing canst thou to damnation add[6024]
Greater than that.[6024]
Iago. O grace! O heaven defend me![6025]
Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool,[6026]
That livest to make thine honesty a vice![6027] 380
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,[6028]
To be direct and honest is not safe.
I thank you for this profit, and from hence
I'll love no friend sith love breeds such offence.[6029]
Oth. Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.[6030] 385
Iago. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for.[6031]
Oth. By the world,[6032]
I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;[6032][6033]
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not:[6032]
I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh[6032][6034] 390
As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black[6032]
As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,[6032]
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,[6032][6035]
I'll not endure it. Would I were satisfied![6032]
Iago. I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:[6032][6036] 395
I do repent me that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied?
Oth. Would! nay, I will.[6037]
Iago. And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?[6038]
Behold her topp'd?[6039]
Oth. Death and damnation! O! 400
Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring them to that prospect: damn them then,[6040]
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster[6041]
More than their own! What then? how then?[6042]
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?[6043] 405
It is impossible you should see this,
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,[6044]
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
If imputation and strong circumstances, 410
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
Will give you satisfaction, you may have 't.[6045]
Oth. Give me a living reason she's disloyal.[6046]
Iago. I do not like the office:
But sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,[5911][6047] 415
Prick'd to 't by foolish honesty and love,
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately,[6048]
And being troubled with a raging tooth,[6049]
I could not sleep.[6049]
There are a kind of men so loose of soul,[6049] 420
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:[6049][6050]
One of this kind is Cassio:[6049]
In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;'[6051]
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand, 425
Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,[6052]
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg[6053][6054]
Over my thigh, and sigh'd and kiss'd, and then[6053][6055]
Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'[6053][6055] 430
Oth. O monstrous! monstrous!
Iago. Nay, this was but his dream.[6056]
Oth. But this denoted a foregone conclusion:[6057]
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.[6058]
Iago. And this may help to thicken other proofs[6058]
That do demonstrate thinly.
Oth. I'll tear her all to pieces. 435
Iago. Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done;[6059]
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this;
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief[6060]
Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?[6061][6062]
Oth. I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift. 440
Iago. I know not that: but such a handkerchief—[6060]
I am sure it was your wife's—did I to-day[5911][6061]
See Cassio wipe his beard with.
Oth. If it be that,—[6063]
Iago. If it be that, or any that was hers,[6064]
It speaks against her with the other proofs. 445
Oth. O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago;[6065]
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven:
'Tis gone.[6066] 450
Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell![6067]
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne[6068]
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
For 'tis of aspics' tongues!
Iago. Yet be content.[6069]
Oth. O, blood, blood, blood![6070] 455
Iago. Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.[6071]
Oth. Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea,[6072][6073]
Whose icy current and compulsive course[6072][6074]
Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on[6072][6075]
To the Propontic and the Hellespont;[6072] 460
Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,[6072]
Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,[6072][6076]
Till that a capable and wide revenge[6072]
Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven,[6072][6077]
In the due reverence of a sacred vow [Kneels.[6078] 465
I here engage my words.
Iago. Do not rise yet. [Kneels.[6079]
Witness, you ever-burning lights above,[6080]
You elements that clip us round about,[6081]
Witness that here Iago doth give up
The execution of his wit, hands, heart,[6082] 470
To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,
And to obey shall be in me remorse,[6083][6084]
What bloody business ever. [They rise.[6084][6085]
Oth. I greet thy love,
Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
And will upon the instant put thee to 't: 475
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassio's not alive.
Iago. My friend is dead; 'tis done at your request:[6086][6087]
But let her live.[6086]
Oth. Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her![6088]
Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw, 480
To furnish me with some swift means of death
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.[6089]
Iago. I am your own for ever. [Exeunt.
Scene IV. Before the castle.
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.[6090]
Des. Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?[6091]
Clo. I dare not say he lies any where.
Des. Why, man?
Clo. He's a soldier; and for one to say a soldier lies, is[6092]
stabbing. 5
Des. Go to: where lodges he?[6093]
Clo. To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where[6094]
I lie.[6094]
Des. Can any thing be made of this?[6094]
Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise 10
a lodging, and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie[6095]
in mine own throat.[6096]
Des. Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?[6097]
Clo. I will catechize the world for him; that is, make
questions and by them answer.[6098] 15
Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have
moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well.[6099]
Clo. To do this is within the compass of man's wit, and[6100]
therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit.[6101]
Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?[6102] 20
Emil. I know not, madam.
Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse[6103]
Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough[6104] 25
To put him to ill thinking.[6104]
Emil. Is he not jealous?
Des. Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humours from him.
Emil. Look, where he comes.
Des. I will not leave him now till Cassio[6105]
Be call'd to him.[6105]
Enter Othello.[6106]
How is't with you, my lord?[6107] 30
Oth. Well, my good lady. [Aside] O, hardness to dissemble![6108]
How do you, Desdemona?
Des. Well, my good lord.[6109]
Oth. Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady.[6110]
Des. It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow.[6111]
Oth. This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart: 35
Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires[6112]
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,[6113]
Much castigation, exercise devout;[6114]
For here's a young and sweating devil here,[6115]
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, 40
A frank one.[6116]
Des. You may, indeed, say so;
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.
Oth. A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands;[6117]
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.[6118] 45
Oth. What promise, chuck?
Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
Oth. I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;[6119]
Lend me thy handkerchief.[6120]
Des. Here, my lord. 50
Oth. That which I gave you.
Des. I have it not about me.
Oth. Not?[6121]
Des. No, indeed, my lord.[6122]
Oth. That's a fault. That handkerchief[6120][6123] 55
Did an Egyptian to my mother give;
She was a charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father[6124]
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it[6125] 60
Or made a gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt[6126]
After new fancies: she dying gave it me,
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,[6127]
To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't; 65
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose't or give't away were such perdition[6128]
As nothing else could match.
Des. Is't possible?
Oth. 'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it:
A sibyl, that had number'd in the world[6129] 70
The sun to course two hundred compasses,[6130]
In her prophetic fury sew'd the work;[6131]
The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;[6132]
And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful[6133]
Conserved of maidens' hearts.
Des. Indeed! is't true?[6134] 75
Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well.
Des. Then would to God that I had never seen't![6135]
Oth. Ha! wherefore?
Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash?[6136]
Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way?[6137] 80
Des. Heaven bless us![6138]
Oth. Say you?
Des. It is not lost; but what an if it were?[6139]
Oth. How![6140]
Des. I say, it is not lost. 85
Oth. Fetch't, let me see it.[6141]
Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now.[6142]
This is a trick to put me from my suit:
Pray you, let Cassio be received again.[6143]
Oth. Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.[6144][6145][6146] 90
Des. Come, come;[6147]
You'll never meet a more sufficient man.[6147][6148]
Oth. The handkerchief![6145]
Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio.[6149]
Oth. The handkerchief![6149]
Des. A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,[6150] 95
Shared dangers with you,—[6151][6152]
Oth. The handkerchief![6151]
Des. In sooth, you are to blame.[6151][6153]
Emil. Is not this man jealous?[6151][6155] 100
Des. I ne'er saw this before.
Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief:[6156]
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.[6157]
Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man:
They are all but stomachs and we all but food;[6158] 105
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full[6159]
They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband.
Enter Cassio and Iago.[6160]
Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't:[6161]
And, lo, the happiness! go and importune her.
Des. How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you? 110
Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again[6162]
Exist, and be a member of his love
Whom I with all the office of my heart[6163]
Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.[6164] 115
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past nor present sorrows[6165]
Nor purposed merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit; 120
So shall I clothe me in a forced content
And shut myself up in some other course[6166]
To fortune's alms.[6167]
Des. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio!
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him 125
Were he in favour as in humour alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure[6168]
For my free speech! You must awhile be patient: 130
What I can do I will; and more I will
Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
Iago. Is my lord angry?
Emil. He went hence but now,
And certainly in strange unquietness.
Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, 135
When it hath blown his ranks into the air,
And, like the devil, from his very arm
Puff'd his own brother; and can he be angry?[6169]
Something of moment then: I will go meet him:
There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. 140
Des. I prithee, do so. [Exit Iago.[6170]
Something sure of state,
Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice[6171]
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,[6172]
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases[6173]
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 145
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;[6174][6175]
For let our finger ache, and it indues[6174][6176]
Our other healthful members even to that sense[6174][6177]
Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,[6174]
Nor of them look for such observancy[6178] 150
As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,[6179]
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indicted falsely.[6180] 155
Emil. Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think,[6181][6182]
And no conception nor no jealous toy[6181][6183][6184]
Concerning you.[6181]
Des. Alas the day, I never gave him cause!
Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;[6184] 160
They are not ever jealous for the cause,[6185]
But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster[6186][6187]
Begot upon itself, born on itself.[6188]
Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind![6189]
Emil. Lady, amen. 165
Des. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout:[6190]
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.[6191]
Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship.
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
Enter Bianca.[6192]
Bian. Save you, friend Cassio!
Cas. What make you from home?[6193] 170
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?[6194]
I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.[6195]
Bian. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
What, keep a week away? seven days and nights?
Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,[6196] 175
More tedious than the dial eight score times?
O weary reckoning![6197]
Cas. Pardon me, Bianca:
I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;[6198]
But I shall in a more continuate time[6199]
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,[6200] 180
[Giving her Desdemona's handkerchief.
Take me this work out.
Bian. O Cassio, whence came this?[6201]
This is some token from a newer friend:[6202]
To the felt absence now I feel a cause:[6202]
Is't come to this? Well, well.
Cas. Go to, woman![6203]
Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,[6204] 185
From whence you have them. You are jealous now[6186]
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:
No, by my faith, Bianca.
Bian. Why, whose is it?[6205]
Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.[6206]
I like the work well: ere it be demanded— 190
As like enough it will—I'ld have it copied:[6207]
Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bian. Leave you! wherefore?
Cas. I do attend here on the general;
And think it no addition, nor my wish, 195
To have him see me woman'd.
Bian. Why, I pray you?[6208]
Cas. Not that I love you not.[6208]
Bian. But that you do not love me.[6209]
I pray you, bring me on the way a little;
And say if I shall see you soon at night.[6210]
Cas. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you; 200
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced. [Exeunt.[6211]