Iago. Blest fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of[5489][5491]
grapes: if she had been blest, she would never have loved[5489] 245
the Moor: blest pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle[5489][5492]
with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that?[5493]
Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.[5494]
Iago. Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue[5495]
to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so 250
near with their lips that their breaths embraced together.
Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so[5496]
marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main[5497]
exercise, the incorporate conclusion: pish! But, sir, be you[5498]
ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch 255
you to-night; for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Cassio[5499]
knows you not: I'll not be far from you: do you find some
occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud or
tainting his discipline, or from what other course you[5500]
please, which the time shall more favourably minister. 260
Rod. Well.
Iago. Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and[5501]
haply may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for[5502]
even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny;[5503]
whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but[5504] 265
by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter[5505]
journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to
prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed,[5506]
without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.[5507] 270
Rod. I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.[5508]
Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the
citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
Rod. Adieu. [Exit.[5509]
Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;[5510] 275
That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature;[5511]
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,[5512] 280
Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
I stand accountant for as great a sin,
But partly led to diet my revenge,[5513]
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor[5514]
Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof[5515] 285
Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul[5516]
Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife;[5517]
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong[5518] 290
That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash[5519]
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb;[5520] 295
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;[5521]
Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me,
For making him egregiously an ass
And practising upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused: 300
Knavery's plain face is never seen till used. [Exit.