Cassio.
Des.
I pr'ythee, do so.—Something, sure, of State,
Either from Venice, of 7 notesome unhatch'd practice,
Made here demonstrable in Cyprus to him,
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and, in such cases,
Mens' natures wrangle with inferior things,
Tho' great ones are their object. 'Tis ev'n so.
8 note
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,
I was, 9 note
unhandsome warrior as I am,
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indited falsely.
-- 419 --
Æmil.
Pray heaven, 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.
Heaven 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.
[Exeunt Desdemona and Æmilia at one door; Cassio, at the other.
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].
