Iago. 'Faith, the cry goes, Oth. A horned man's a monster, and a beast. Iago. There's many a beast then in a populous city, And many a civil monster. Oth. Did he confess it? Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd, her. Cas. Pr'ythee, say true! that you shall marry Iago. I am a very villain else. Oth. Have you scored me? Well. [Aside. Cas. This is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise. Oth. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story. [Aside. Cas. She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was, the other day, talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes this bauble; by this hand, she falls thus about my neck; Oth. Crying, O dear Cassio! as it were: his ge[Aside. Cas. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales, and pulls me: ha, ha, ha! Oth. Now he tells, how she plucked him to my chamber: 0, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to. [Aside. Whilst you were here, ere while mad with your grief, sture imports it. I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience; Or I shall say, you are all in all in spleen, And nothing of a man. Oth. Dost thou hear, Iago? I will be found most cunning in my patience; But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw? Cas. Well, I must leave her company. Cas. 'Tis such another fitchew! marry, a perfumed one. me? Bian. Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief, you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the whole work?-A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some minx's token, and I must take out the work? There, - give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out no work on't. Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca? how now? how now? Oth. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief! [Aside. Bian. An you'll come to supper to-night, you may an you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [Aside. Iago. After her, after her. Iago. Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain speak with you. Cas. Pr'ythee, come! Will you? Iago. And did you see she handkerchief? Iago. Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman, your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore. Oth. I would have him nine years a killing! fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! Iago. Nay, you must forget that. - A Oth. Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world had not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and command him tasks. Iago. Nay, that's not your way. Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is: delicate with her needle!- An admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!Of so high and plenteous wit and invention! - SO of so gentle condition! Iago. Ay, too gentle. : Oth. Nay, that's certain but yet the pity of it, Iago!-0, lago, the pity of it, Iago! Iago. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody. Oth. I will chop her into messes:- cuckold me! -- Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night:I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again: this night, Iago! Iago. Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases; very good. Iago. And, for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: You shall hear more by midnight. [A trumpet within. Oth. Excellent good!-What trumpet is that same? Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico, Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him. Enter LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants. Lod. 'Save you, worthy general! Oth. With all my heart, sir! Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you. [Gives him a packet. Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. [Opens the packet, and reeds. Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico? Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior! Welcome to Cyprus. Lod. I thank you! How does lieutenant Cassio? Iago. Lives, sir! Des. Cousin, there's fallen between him and my lord An unkind breach: but you shall make all well. Des. My lord? Oth. What would you with her, sir? Lod. Who, I, my lord? - Oth. Ay; you did wish, that I would make her turn: Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; And she's obedient, as you say, obedient, Very obedient, Proceed you in your tears.— Concerning this, sir.- O well-painted passion! I am commanded home. Get you away! I'll send for you anon. -Sir, I obey the mandate, And will return to Venice; hence, avaunt! [Exit Desdemona. Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, to-night, I do entreat that we may sup together. You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus! - Goats and monkies! Exit. Lod. Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call-all-in-all sufficient?—This the noble nature, Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue The shot of accident, nor dart of chance, Could neither graze, nor pierce? Iago. He is much chang'd. Lod. Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain? Iago. He is that he is; I may not breathe my censure. What he might be, if, what he might, he is not, I would to heaven, he were. Lod. What, strike his wife! Iago. 'Faith, that was not so well; yet 'would I knew, Or did the letters work upon his blood, It is not honesty in me, to speak What I have seen, and known. You shall observe him; That I may save my speech. Do but go after, Lod. I am sorry, that I am deceiv'd in him. [Exeunt. Emil. Never, my lord! Oth. That's strange. you Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, Oth. Bid her come hither!-go!- [Exit Emilia. Des. What is your pleasure? Look in my face! Des. What horrible fancy's this? Oth. Some of your function, mistress; [To Emilia. Des. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import? Oth. Why, what art thou? Des. Your wife, my lord! your true And loyal wife. Oth. Come, swear it, damn thyself; Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves Should fear to seize thee: therefore be doubledamn'd, Swear- thou are honest! Des. Heaven doth truly know it. Oth. Heaven truly knows, that thou art false as hell. Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? How am false? Oth. O Desdemona!-away! away! away! Des. Alas, the heavy day!- Why do you weep? Am I the occasion of these tears, my lord? 1f, haply, you my father do suspect, An instrument of this your calling back, I -not to be a strumpet, I am none. Des. No, as I shall be saved. Des. O, heaven forgive us! Oth. I cry you mercy, then; I took you for that cunning whore of Venice, That have the office opposite to St Peter, I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel. [Exit. Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with Emil. Why, with my lord, madam! Emil. He that is yours, sweet lady! my lord? Des. I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia ; [Exit. Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him, How have I been behav'd, that he might stick Why, I have lost him too. Oth. Had it pleas'd heaven To try me with affliction; had he rain'd All kinds of sores, and shames, on my bare head; A drop of patience: but (alas!) to make me Yet could I bear that too; well, very well: Des. I hope, my noble lord esteems me honest. ne'er been born! Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? Des. By heaven, you do me wrong! If to preserve this vessel for my lord, The small'st opinion on my great'st abuse? Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is it Des. I cannot tell. Those, that do teach young babes, Do it with gentle means, and easy tasks! He might have chid me so; for, in good faith, Iago. What's the matter, lady? Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her, Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her, As true hearts cannot bear. Des. Am I that name, Iago? Des. Such, as she says, my lord did say I was. Des. I do not know; I am sure, I am none such. Emil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain, Some cogging cozening slave, to get some office, What place? what time? what form? what likelihood? What shall I do to win my lord again? Good friend, go to him: for, by this light of heaven, I know not how I lost him. Here I kneci: And ever will,- though he do shake me off [Trumpets. Des. If 'twere no other, How now, Roderigo? Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, Iago; and rather (as it seems to me now,) keep'st me from all conveniency, than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. I will, indeed, no longer endure it: nor am I yet persuaded, to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered. I have greater reason to believe now than ever,- Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reason, and Des Ste Ard A: 0 And s Bat t E Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from And Iago. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate, as the removing of Cassio. Rod. How do you mean-removing of him? Iago. Why, by making him incapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains. Des This E Des Des Her Rod. And that you would have me do? Rod. I will hear further reason for this. - Lod. I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further! Oth. O, pardon me! 'will do me good to walk. Lod. Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship! Des. Your honour is most welcome! 0,- Desdemona, Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo? Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man! nor Rod. I tell you, 'tis not very well! I will make myself known to Desdemona. If she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, and repent my unlawful solicitation: if not, assure yourself, I will seek satisfaction of you. Jago. You have said now. Rod. Ay, and I have said nothing, but what I protest intendment of doing. Jago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even, from this instant, do build on thee a better opinion than ever. Give me thy hand, Roderigo! thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but, yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair. Rod. It hath not appeared. Oth. Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned forthwith; dismiss your attendant there; look, it be done. Iago. 1 grant, indeed, it hath not appeared, and your If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me 2. Des. My mother had a maid call'd - Barbara; She was in love; and he, she lov'd, prov'd mad, And did forsake her: she had a song of willow, An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune, And she died singing it: that song, to-night, Will not go from my mind; I have much to do, But to go hang my head all at one side, And sing it like poor Barbara. Pr'ythee, dispatch! This Lodovico is a proper man. Emil. I know a lady in Venice, who would have walked barefoot to Palestine, for a touch of his nether lip. Sing willow, etc. Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong for the whole world. Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i'the world; and, having the world for your labour, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. Des. I do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as mauy To the vantage, as would store the world they play'd for. But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults, Why, we have galls; and, though we have some And have their palates both for sweet and sour, I think it is; and doth affection breed it? Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the It is so too: and have not we affections? Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve,Nay, that's not next. - Hark! who is it that knocks? Emil. It is the wind. Des. I call'd my love, false love; but what said he then? Sing willow, etc. If I court mo. women, you'll couch with mo men. Iago. Here, stand behind this bulk! straight will Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home; So, get thee gone; good night! Mine eyes do itch; Emil. 'Tis neither here nor there. men! Doth thou in conscience think, That there be women do abuse their husbands In such gross kind? sword. tell me, Emilia,-'Tis but a man gone: - forth, my sword! he dies! Emil. There be some such, no question. sense, Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all the And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, world? Emil. Why, would not you? Des. No, by this heavenly light! Emil. Nor I neither, by this heavenly light! I might do't as well i'the dark. Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all world? the Or Cassio, him, or each do kill the other, O gold, and jewels, that I bobb'd from him, It must not be: if Cassio do remain, Emil. The world is a huge thing: 'tis a great That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor price For a small vice. May unfold me to him: there stand I in much peril: Enter CASSIO. Rod. I know his gait, 'tis he. -Villain, thou diest! [Rushes from his post, and makes a pass at Cassio. Des. Good troth, I think thou would'st not. Emil. By my troth, I think I should; and undo't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint ring; nor for measures of lawn; nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, exhibition: but, for the whole world, why, who But that my coat is better, than thou think'st; would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him I will make proof of thine. a monarch? I should venture purgatory for❜t. [Draws, and wounds Roderigo. - |