SCENE II. A BEDCHAMBER: DESDEMONA IN BED ASLEEP. A LIGHT BURNING. Enter Othello. Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,— Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!It is the cause.-Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. [Takes off his sword. Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. I cannot give it vital growth again, It needs must wither:-I'll smell it on the tree. [Kissing her. O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Oth. Ay, Desdemona. Des. Will you come to bed, my lord? Ay, my lord. Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime, Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace, Solicit for it straight. Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that? Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by: I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; No,-Heaven forefend!—I would not kill thy soul. Des. Talk you of killing? Oth. Des. Have mercy on me! Oth. Ay, I do. Then, heaven Amen, with all my heart! Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Oth. Humph! Des. And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then, When your eyes roll so: Why I should fear, I know not, Since guiltiness I know not; but yet, I feel, I fear. Oth. Think on thy sins. Des. They are loves I bear to you. Oth. Ay, and for that thou diest. Des. That death's unnatural, that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame: These are portents; but yet, I hope, I hope, They do not point on me. Oth. Peace, and be still! Des. I will so: What's the matter? Oth. That handkerchief, which I so lov'd, and Take heed of perjury; thou'rt on thy death-bed. Des. Ay, but not yet to die. Oth. Yes, presently Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin; For to deny each article with oath, Cannot remove, nor choke, the strong conception, That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. Des. Then, Lord have mercy on me! Oth. I say, amen. Des. And have you mercy too!-I never did O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, I saw the handkerchief. Des. He found it then; I never gave it him:-Send for him hither, Des. Oth. He'll not say so. No, his mouth is stopp'd; Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't. Des. My fear interprets then,-What, is he dead? Oth. Had all his hairs been lives, my great re venge Had stomach for them all. Des. Alas! he is betray'd, and I undone. Oth. Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face! Des. O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not. Des. Kill me to-morrow, let me live to-night. Oth. Nay, if you strive, Emil. [Within.] My lord, my lord! what ho! my lord! my lord! Oth. What noise is this?-Not dead! not yet quite dead? I, that am cruel, am yet merciful; I would not have thee linger in thy pain. So, so. Who's there? Emil. [Within.] What ho! my lord, my lord! a word with you. Oth. Yes;-'tis Emilia:-by and by.-She's dead. "Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death; Methinks, it should be now a huge eclipse Of sun and moon; and that the affrighted globe Should yawn at alteration. Emil. [Within.] I do beseech you I may speak with you, O, good my lord! Oth. I had forgot thee: O, come in, Emilia:Soft,-by and by:-Let me the curtains draw.— Where art thou? What's the now? matter with thee [Unlocks the door. Enter Emilia. Emil. O, good my lord, yonder's foul murder done. Oth. What now? Emil. But now, my lord. Oth. It is the very error of the moon; She comes more near the earth than she was wont; And makes men mad. Emil. Cassio, my lord, has kill'd a young Venetian, Oth. Not Cassio kill'd? Then murder's out of tune, |