Æmilia.
Æmil.
Is not this man jealous?
Des.
I ne'er saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
I'm most unhappy in the loss of it.
Æmil.
1 note'Tis not a year, or two, shews us a man:
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
They eat us hungerly, and, when they're full,
They belch us. Look you! Cassio, and my husband,
Enter Iago and Cassio.
Iago.
There is no other way. 'Tis she must do't.
And lo, the happiness. Go and importune her.
Des.
How now, good Cassio, what's the news with you?
Cas.
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you,
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist, and be a member of his love;
-- 417 --
Whom I, with all 2 note
the duty of my heart,
Intirely honour. I would not be delay'd;
If my offence be of such mortal kind,
That neither service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purpos'd merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again;
3 note
But to know so, must be my benefit.
So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content,
4 note
And shoot myself up in some other course,
To fortune's alms.
Des.
Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio,
My advocation is not now in tune;
My Lord is not my Lord; nor should I know him,
Were he 5 notein favour, as in humour, alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best;
And stood 6 notewithin the blank of his displeasure,
For my free speech! You must a-while be patient
What I can do, I will: and more I will
Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.
Iago.
Is my Lord angry?
Æmil.
He went hence but now;
And, certainly, in strange unquietness.
Iago.
Can he be angry? I have seen the Cannon,
When it hath blown his ranks into the air,
-- 418 --
And, like the Devil, from his very arm
Puft his own brother; and can he be angry?
Something of moment then. I will go meet him.
There's matter in't, indeed, if he be angry.
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
