Iago. I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest[5712]
kindness.
Cas. I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I[5713]
will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me:[5713] 315
I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here.[5714]
Iago. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I[5715]
must to the watch.[5715]
Cas. Good night, honest Iago. [Exit.[5716]
Iago. And what's he then that says I play the villain?[5717] 320
When this advice is free I give and honest,
Probal to thinking, and indeed the course[5718]
To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy[5719]
The inclining Desdemona to subdue[5720]
In any honest suit. She's framed as fruitful[5720] 325
As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor, were't to renounce his baptism,[5721]
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list, 330
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function. How am I then a villain[5722]
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,[5723]
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell![5723][5724]
When devils will the blackest sins put on,[5725] 335
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: for whiles this honest fool[5726]
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,[5727]
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, 340
That she repeals him for her body's lust;[5728]
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch;
And out of her own goodness make the net 345
That shall enmesh them all.
Enter Roderigo.[5729]
How now, Roderigo!
Rod. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that[5730]
hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost
spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled;[5731]
and I think the issue will be, I shall have so much experience[5732] 350
for my pains; and so, with no money at all and a[5733]
little more wit, return again to Venice.[5733]
Iago. How poor are they that have not patience!
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
Thou know'st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,[5734] 355
And wit depends on dilatory time.
Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,[5735]
And thou by that small hurt hast cashier'd Cassio:[5736]
Though other things grow fair against the sun,[5737]
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:[5738] 360
Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;[5739]
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.[5740]
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:
Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Rod.] Two things are to be done:[5741] 365
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on;[5742][5743][5744][5745]
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,[5743][5745][5746]
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find[5747]
Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way; 370
Dull not device by coldness and delay. [Exit.[5748]