Cassio.
Des.
I pr'ythee, do so.—Something, sure, of State,
Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practice,
Made here demonstrable in Cyprus to him,
&wlquo;Hath puddled his clear spirit; and, in such cases,
&wlquo;Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
&wlquo;Tho' great ones are their object. 'Tis ev'n so.
For let our finger ake, and it endues
Our other healthful members with a sense
Of pain. Nay, we must think, Men are not Gods;
Nor of them look for such observance always,
As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Æmilia,
-- 358 --
I was (1 note
unhandsome wrangler, as I am,)
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indited falsely.
Æmil.
Pray heav'n, it be
State-matter, as you think; and no conception,
Nor jealous toy concerning you.
Des.
Alas-the-day, I never gave him cause.
Æmil.
But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;
They are not ever jealous for a cause;
But jealous, for they're jealous. It's a monster
Begot upon itself, born on itself.
Des.
Heav'n keep that monster from Othello's mind!
Æmil.
Lady, amen.
Des.
I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout;
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek t' effect it to my uttermost.
Cas.
I humbly thank your Ladyship.
[Ex. Desdemona and Æmilia at one door; Cassio, at the other.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
