Iago.
How now, Roderigo?
Rod.
I do not find, that thou deal'st justly with me.
Iago.
What in the contrary?
Rod.
Every day thou doft'st me with some device,
Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keep'st from
me 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 suffer'd.
Iago.
Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Rod.
I have heard too much; and your words
and performances are no kin together.
Iago.
You charge me most unjustly.
Rod.
With nought but truth. I have wasted myself
out of my means. The jewels you have had from me,
-- 443 --
to deliver to Desdemona, would half have corrupted a
Votarist. You have told me, she hath receiv'd them,
and return'd me expectations and comforts of sudden
respect and acquaintance; but I find none.
Iago.
Well, go to; very well.
Rod.
Very well, go to; I cannot go to, man, nor
'tis not very well; nay, I think, it is scurvy, and begin
to find myself fob'd in it.
Iago.
Very well.
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
sollicitation; if not, assure yourself, I will seek
satisfaction of you.
Iago.
You have said now—
Rod.
Ay, and said nothing, but what, I protest intendment
of doing.
Iago.
Why, now, I see, there's mettle in thee; and
even from this instant do I build on thee a better opinion
than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo.
Thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but,
I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.
Rod.
It hath not appear'd.
Iago.
I grant, indeed, it hath not appear'd; and
your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But
Roderigo, if thou hast That in thee indeed, which I
have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean,
purpose, courage, and valour, this night shew it. If
thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,
take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines
for my life.
Rod.
Well; what is it? Is it within reason and compass?
Iago.
Sir, there is especial commission come from
Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's Place.
Rod.
Is that true? Why, then Othello and Desdemona
return again to Venice.
-- 444 --
Iago.
Oh, no; he goes into Mauritania, and taketh
away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be
linger'd here by some accident: wherein none can be
so determinate, as the removing of Cassio.
Rod.
How do you mean removing him?
Iago.
Why, by making him incapable of Othello's
Place; knocking out his brains.
Rod.
And that you would have me to do?
Iago.
Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a
right. He sups to-night with a harlot; and thither
will I go to him. He knows not yet of his honourable
fortune; if you will watch his going thence, which
I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one, you
may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to
second your attempt, and he shall fall between us.
Come, stand not amaz'd at it, but go along with me;
I will shew you such a necessity in his death, that you
shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now
high supper-time; and the night grows to waste. About
it.
Rod.
I wil hear further reason for this.
Iago.
And you shall be satisfied.
[Exeunt.
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].