TALBOYS.
Shocking—shocking. That Scene in the Council Chamber of itself deals your "Theory!" its death-blow.
SEWARD.
I look on it in quite another light. I shall be glad to know what you think is meant by Desdemona's to the Duke
"If I be left behind,
The rites for which I love him are denied me."
What are the rites which are thus all comprehensive of Desdemona's love for Othello? The phrase is, to the habit of our ears, perhaps somewhat startling; yet five lines before she said truly "I saw Othello's visage in his mind"—a love of spirit for spirit. And again—
"To his honour and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate."
I think they had been married some time.
TALBOYS.
The word rites is the very word most fitting the Lady's lips—used in a generous, free, capacious sense—as of the solace entire which the wife of a soldier has, following him; as to dress his wounds, wind his laurel, hear his counsels, cheer his darker mood, smile away the lowering of the Elements—