Iago.
Here, stand behind this bulk. Straight will he come:
Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home;
It makes us, or it marrs us; think on that,
And fix most firm thy resolution.

Rod.
Be near at hand, I may miscarry in't.

Iago.
Here at thy hand; be bold, and take thy sword.

Rod.
I have no great devotion to the deed,
Yet, he hath giv'n me satisfying reasons:
'Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword; he dies. [Stands apart.

Iago.
Now, whether he kill Cassio,
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain. Live Rodorigo,
He calls me to a restitution large,
Of gold and jewels, that I bobb'd from him,
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be.—If Cassio do remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life,
That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him! there stand I in peril:
No, he must die. Be it so. I hear him coming. Enter Cassio.

Rod.
I know his gate; 'tis he. Villain, thou diest. [He runs at Cassio, and wounds him.

Cas.
That thrust had been mine enemy, indeed,
But that my coat is better than thou know'st:
I will make proof of thine. [Fight. Iago cuts Cassio behind in the leg, and exit. [Then Rodorigo and Cassio fall.

Rod.
Oh, I am slain.

Cas.
I'm maim'd for ever; help, hoa; murther, murther!

Rod.
Villain that I am,
Oh, help! hoa, a surgeon.

Cas.
What, hoa! no watch? no passage? Murther, murther!

Rod.
Nobody come. Then shall I bleed to death. Enter Iago, in his shirt, with a light and sword.

Iago.
Who's there? What noise is this, that cries out murther?

Cas.
Iago, oh I am spoil'd, undone by villains!
Give me some help.

Iago.
Oh me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?

Cas.
I think, that one of them is hereabout!
And cannot make away.

Rod.
Oh, help me there.

Cas.
That's one of them.

Iago.
Oh, murth'rous slave? oh, villain! [Iago stabs him.

Rod.
Oh, damn'd Iago! oh, inhuman dog!

Iago.
Kill men i'th' dark! Where be these bloody thieves?
How silent is this town! Hoa, murther! murther! [Enter Lodovico and Gratiano.
What may you be? Are you of good or evil?

Lod.
As you shall prove us, praise us.

Iago.
Signior Lodovico?

Lod.
He, sir.

Iago.
I cry you mercy! Here's Cassio hurt by villains.

Gra.
Cassio!

Iago.
How is't, brother?

Cas.
My leg is cut in two.

Iago.
Marry, Heav'n forbid!
Know we this face?
Alas, my friend, and my dear countryman,
Rodorigo! No: yes, sure. Yea, 'tis Rodorigo. Enter Æmilia.

Æmil.
Alas, what is the matter?
What is the matter, husband?

Iago.
Cassio hath here been set on in the dark,
By Rodorigo, and fellows that are 'scap'd:
He's almost slain, and Rodorigo dead.
Æmilia, run you to the citadel,
And tell my lord and lady what hath hap'd.
Will you go on afore?—This is the night,
That either makes me, or fordoes me quite. [Exeunt, Iago following.

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