Roderigo.
Iago.
Here, stand behind this bulk. Straight will he come:
Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home;
Quick, quick, fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow.
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 stand.
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.
9 note
I've rubb'd this young Quat almost to the sense,
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
-- 450 --
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels, that I bob'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 gait; '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 Roderigo and Cassio fall.
Rod.
Oh, I am slain.
Cas.
I'm maim'd for ever. Help, hoa! murder, murder!
-- 451 --
SCENE II.
Enter Othello above at a Window.
Oth.
The voice of Cassio.—Iago keeps his word.
Rod.
Oh, villain that I am!
Oth.
It is even so.
Cas.
Oh, help, ho! light! a surgeon!—
Oth.
'Tis he. Oh brave Iago, honest and just,
That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong;
Thou teachest me—Minion, your dear lies dead;
And your fate hyes apace.—Strumpet, I come:
Forth of my heart, those charms, thine eyes, are blotted,
Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted.
[Exit Othello.
SCENE III.
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano, at a distance.
Cas.
What, ho! No watch? 1 noteNo passage? Murder, murder!
Gra.
'Tis some mischance; the voice is very direful.
Cas.
Oh help!
Lod.
Hark!
Rod.
O wretched villain!
Lod.
Two or three groans. It is 2 notea heavy night;
These may be counterfeits: let's think't unsafe
To come into the cry, without more help.
Rod.
No body come? then shall I bleed to death.
Enter Iago, in his shirt, with a Light and Sword.
Lod.
Hark—
-- 452 --
Gra.
Here one comes in his shirt with light and weapons.
Iago.
Who's there? Whose noise is this, that cries out murder?
Lod.
We do not know.
Iago.
Do not you hear a cry?
Cas.
Here, here. For heaven's sake, help me.
Iago.
What's the matter?
Gra.
This is Othello's Ancient, as I take it.
Lod.
The same, indeed, a very valiant fellow.
Iago.
What are you here, that cry so grievously?
Cas.
Iago? oh I'm 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.
Iago.
Oh treacherous villains!
What are you there? Come in, and give some help.
[To Lod. and Gra.
Rod.
Oh, help me there.
Cas.
That's one of them.
Iago.
O murderous 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? ho, murder! murder!
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.
-- 453 --
Iago.
Marry, heaven forbid!
Light, gentlemen, I'll bind it with my shirt.
SCENE IV.
Enter Bianca.
Bian.
What is the matter, hoa, who is't that cry'd?
Iago.
Who is't that cry'd?
Bian.
Oh my dear Cassio,
My sweet Cassio, oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio.
Iago.
O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect
Who they should be, that have thus mangled you?
Cas.
No.
Gra.
I'm sorry to find you thus:
I have been to seek you.
Iago.
Lend me a garter. So—Oh for a chair
To bear him easily hence.
Bian.
Alas, he faints. Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
Iago.
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this Trash,
To be a party in this Injury.
Patience a while, good Cassio. Come, come,
Lend me a Light. Know we this face, or no?
Alas, my friend, and my dear countryman
Roderigo? no: Yes, sure: yea, 'tis Roderigo.
Gra.
What, of Venice?
Iago.
Even he, Sir, did you know him?
Gra.
Know him? ah!
Iago.
Signior Gratiano? I cry your gentle pardon.
These bloody accidents must excuse my manners,
That so neglected you.
Gra.
I am glad to see you.
Iago.
How do you, Cassio? Oh, a chair, a chair.
Gra.
Roderigo?
Iago.
He, he, 'tis he. Oh, that's well said. The chair.
-- 454 --
Some good man bear him carefully from hence;
I'll fetch the General's surgeon. For you, mistress,
[To Bianca.
Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio,
Was my dear friend. What malice was between you?
Cas.
None in the world; nor do I know the man.
Iago. [To Bian.]
What, look you pale?—Oh, bear him out o' th' air.
Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress?
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?
Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.
Behold her well; I pray you, look upon her;
Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness
Will speak, though tongues were out of use.
SCENE V.
Enter Æmilia.
Æmil.
Alas, what is the matter?
What is the matter, husband?
Iago.
Cassio hath there been set on in the dark
By Roderigo, and fellows that are 'scap'd:
He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.
Æmil.
Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!
Iago.
This is the fruit of whoring—Pray, Æmilia,
Go know of Cassio where he supt to-night.
What, do you shake at that?
Bian.
He supt at my house, but I therefore shake not.
Iago.
Oh, did he so? I charge you go with me.
Æmil.
Oh fy upon thee, strumpet!
Bian.
I am no strumpet, but of life as honest
As you that thus abuse me.
Æmil.
As I? fy upon thee!
Iago.
Kind gentlemen, let's see poor Cassio drest.
Come, mistress, you must tell's another tale.
-- 455 --
Æmilia, run you to the citadel,
And tell my Lord and lady what hath happ'd.
Will you go on afore?—This is the night,
That either makes me, or foredoes me quite.
[Exeunt, Iago following.
SCENE VI.
A Bed-chamber: Desdemona is discovered asleep in her bed.
Enter Othello, with a Light and a Sword.
Oth.
3 note
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul;
Let me not name it to you, you chaste Stars!
It is the cause.—Yet I'll not shed her Blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
[Lays down the sword.
Yet she must die; else she'll betray more men.
4 note
Put out the light, and, then—Put out the light?
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
-- 456 --
Should I repent: but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat,
That can thy light re-lumine.—
[Sets down the taper.
When I have pluck'd thy rose,
I cannot give it vital growth again;
It needs must wither.—I'll smell it on the tree;
[Kissing her.
Oh balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword!—One more; one more.
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
And love thee after—One more, that's the last.
So sweet, was ne'er so fatal! I must weep,
But they are cruel tears. 5 note
This Sorrow's heavenly;
It strikes, where it doth love.—She wakes—
Des.
Who's there? Othello?
Oth.
Ay, Desdemona.
Des.
Will you come to bed, my Lord?
Oth.
Have you pray'd to night, Desdemona?
Des.
Ay, my Lord.
Oth.
If you bethink yourself of any crime
Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven, and grace,
-- 457 --
Solicit for it straight.
Des.
Alack, my Lord,
What may you mean by that?
Oth.
Well, do it, and be brief. I will walk by.
I would not kill thy unprepared spirit,
No, heavens forefend! I would not kill thy soul.
Des.
Talk you of killing?
Oth.
Ay, I do.
Des.
Then heaven have mercy on me!
Oth.
Amen, with all my heart.
Des.
If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.
Oth.
Hum.
Des.
And yet I fear you; for you're fatal then,
When your eyes rowl so. Why I should fear, I know not,
Since guilt I know not; yet, I feel, I fear.
Oth.
Think on thy sins.
Des.
They're Loves I bear to you.
Oth.
Ay, and for that thou dy'st.
Des.
That death's unnatural, that kills for loving.
Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame;
These are portents, but yet I hope, I hope,
They do not point on me.
Oth.
Peace, and be still.
Des.
I will so. What's the matter?
Oth.
That handkerchief
Which I so lov'd, and gave thee, thou gav'st Cassio.
Des.
No, by my life and soul. Send for the man,
And ask him.
Oth.
Sweet Soul, take heed, take heed of perjury;
Thou art on thy death-bed.
Des.
Ay, but not yet to die.
Oth.
Presently;
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
For to deny each article with oath,
Cannot remove, nor choak the strong conception
-- 458 --
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.
Des.
Oh, heaven have mercy on me!
Oth.
I say, amen.
Des.
And have you mercy too!—I never did
Offend you in my life; never lov'd Cassio,
But with such general warranty of heaven,
As I might love. I never gave him token.
Oth.
By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand.
Oh perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart,
And mak'st me call, what I intend to do,
6 note
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.
I saw the handkerchief.
Des.
He found it then;
I never gave it him. Send for him hither,
Let him confess a truth.
Oth.
He hath confest.
Des.
What, my Lord?
Oth.
That he hath—us'd thee—
Des.
How? unlawfully?
Oth.
Ay.
Des.
He will not say so.
Oth.
No, his mouth is stopp'd.
Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.
Des.
My fear interprets then. What, is he dead?
Oth.
Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge
Had stomach for them all.
Des.
Alas, he is betray'd, and I undone.
-- 459 --
Oth.
Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face?
Des.
Oh banish me, my Lord, but kill me not.
Oth.
Down, strumpet.
Des.
Kill me to-morrow, let me live to-night.
Oth.
Nay, if you strive—
Des.
But half an hour.
Oth.
Being done, there is no pause.
Des.
But while I say one prayer.
Oth.
It is too late.
[He smothers her.
SCENE VII.
Æmilia, at the door.
Æmil.
My Lord, my Lord! What hoa! my Lord, my Lord!
Oth.
What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead?
I, that am cruel, am yet merciful;
I would not have thee linger in thy pain.
So, so.
Æmil. within.]
What hoa! my Lord, my Lord!
Oth.
Who's there?
Æmil.
Oh, my good Lord, I would speak a word with you.
Oth.
Yes, 'tis Æmilia.—By and by—She's dead.
'Tis like, she comes to speak of Cassio's death;
The noise was high.—Ha, no more moving?
Still as the Grave. Shall she come in? Were't good?
I think, she stirs again. No. What's the best?
If she come in, she'll, sure, speak to my wife;
My wife! my wife! What wife? I have no wife.
Oh insupportable! oh heavy hour!
Methinks, it should be now a huge eclipse
-- 460 --
Of Sun, and Moon, and that th' affrighted globe
Should yawn at alteration.
Æmil.
I do beseech you, I may speak with you.
Oh, good my Lord!
Oth.
I had forgot thee; oh, come in, Æmilia.
Soft. By and by. Let me the curtains draw.
Where art thou? What's the matter with thee now?
[Unlocks the door.
Enter Æmilia.
Æmil.
Oh, my good Lord, yonder's foul murder done.
Oth.
What? now?
Æmil.
But now, my Lord.
Oth.
It is the very error of the Moon;
She comes more near the Earth than she was wont,
And makes men mad.
Æmil.
Cassio, my Lord, hath kill'd
A young Venetian, called Roderigo.
Oth.
Roderigo kill'd? and Cassio kill'd?
Æmil.
No, Cassio is not kill'd.
Oth.
Not Cassio kill'd? Then murder's out of tune,
And sweet revenge grows harsh.
Des.
Oh, falsly, falsly murder'd!—
Æmil.
Alas! what cry is that?
Oth.
That? what?
Æmil.
Out, and alas! that was my lady's voice.
Help! help, hoa! help! oh lady, speak again;
Sweet Desdemona! oh sweet mistress, speak.
Des.
A guiltless death I die.
Æmil.
Oh, who hath done this deed?
Des.
No body, I myself. Farewel;
Commend me to my kind Lord. Oh, Farewel.
[Dies.
Oth.
Why, how should she be murder'd?
Æmil.
Alas! who knows?
Oth.
You heard her say, herself, it was not I.
-- 461 --
Æmil.
She said so, I must needs report the truth.
Oth.
She's like a lyar gone to burning hell;6Q0287
'Twas I, that kill'd her.
Æmil.
Oh, the more Angel she, and you the blacker Devil.
Oth.
She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore.
Æmil.
Thou dost bely her, and thou art a Devil.
Oth.
She was 7 notefalse as water.
Æmil.
Thou art rash as fire, to say
That she was false. Oh, she was heavenly true.
Oth.
Cassio did tup her: ask thy husband else.
Oh, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell,
But that I did proceed upon just grounds
To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.
Æmil.
My husband!
Oth.
Thy husband.
Æmil.
That she was false to wedlock?
Oth.
Ay, with Cassio. Had she been true,
If heaven would make me such another World,
Of one entire and perfect Chrysolite,
I'd not have sold her for it.
Æmil.
My husband!
Oth.
Ay, 'twas he that told me first;
An honest man he is, and hates the slime
That sticks on filthy deeds.
Æmil.
My husband!
Oth.
What needs this iteration, woman?
I say, thy husband.
Æmil.
Oh mistress! 8 notevillainy has made mocks with love.
My husband say, she was false!
Oth.
He, woman;
I say, thy husband; do'st understand the word?
-- 462 --
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.
Æmil.
If he say so, may his pernicious soul
Rot half a grain a day! he lyes to th' heart.
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
Oth.
Hah!—
Æmil.
Do thy worst.
This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven,
Than thou wast worthy her.
Oth.
Peace, you were best.
Æmil.
9 note
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm,
As I have to be hurt. Oh gull! oh dolt!
As ignorant as dirt! thou'st done a deed—
I care not for thy sword, I'll make thee known,
Though I lost twenty lives—Help! help, hoa! help!
The Moor hath kill'd my mistress. Murder, murder!
SCENE VIII.
Enter Montano, Gratiano, Iago, and others.
Mon.
What is the matter? How now, General?
Æmil.
Oh, are you come, Iago? you have done well,
That men must lay their murders on your neck.
Gra.
What is the matter?
Æmil.
Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man;
-- 463 --
He says, thou toldst him that his wife was false:
I know, thou didst not; thou'rt not such a villain.
Speak, for my heart is full.
Iago.
I told him what I thought; and told no more,
Than what he found himself was apt and true.
Æmil.
But did you ever tell him, she was false?
Iago.
I did.
Æmil.
You told a lye; an odious, damned, lye:
Upon my soul, a lye; a wicked lye.
She false with Cassio? Did you say, with Cassio?
Iago.
With Cassio, mistress. Go to. 1 noteCharm your tongue.
Æmil.
I will not charm my tongue; I'm bound to speak;
My mistress lies here murder'd in her bed.
All.
Oh heavens forefend!
Æmil.
And your reports have set the murderer on.
Oth.
Nay, stare not, masters. It is true, indeed.
Gra.
'Tis a strange truth.
Mon.
Oh monstrous act!
Æmil.
Villainy! villainy! villainy!
I think upon't—I think—I smell't—Oh villainy!
I thought so then; I'll kill myself for grief,—
Oh villainy, villainy!
Iago.
What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home.
Æmil.
Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.
'Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home.
Oth.
Oh! oh! oh!
[Othello falls on the bed.
Æmil.
Nay, lay thee down and roar:
-- 464 --
For thou hast kill'd the sweetest Innocent,
That e'er did lift up eye.
Oth.
Oh, she was foul!
[Rising.
I scarce did know you, Uncle. There lies your Niece,
Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd.
I know, this act shews horrible and grim.
Gra.
Poor Desdemona! I'm glad, thy father's dead:
Thy match was mortal to him; and pure grief
Shore his old thread in twain. Did he live now,
This sight would make him do a desperate turn;
Yea, curse his better Angel from his side,
And fall to reprobation.
Oth.
'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows,
That she with Cassio had the act of shame
2 noteA thousand times committed. Cassio confest it;
And she did gratify his amorous works,
With that recognizance and pledge of love
Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand;
It was an handkerchief, an antique token
My father gave my mother.
Æmil.
Oh heaven! oh heavenly Powers!
Iago.
Come, hold your peace.
Æmil.
'Twill out, 'twill out—I hold my peace? Sir! no!
No, I will speak as liberal as the North;
Let heaven, and men, and devils, let them all,
All, all cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.
Iago.
Be wise, and get you home.
Æmil.
I will not.
[Iago offers to stab his wife.
Gra.
Fy, your sword upon a woman?
Æmil.
Oh, thou dull Moor! That handkerchief, thou speak'st of,
I found by fortune, and did give my husband;
-- 465 --
For often, with a solemn earnestness,
More than, indeed, belong'd to such a trifle,
He begg'd of me to steal it.
Iago.
Villainous whore!
Æmil.
She gave it Cassio?—alas, I found it,
And I did giv't my husband.
Iago.
Filth, thou liest.
Æmil.
By heav'n, I do not; I do not, gentlemen.
Oh murd'rous coxcomb! what should such a fool
Do with so good a wife?
[The Moor runs at Iago, who breaks through and wounds his wife; then runs out.
Oth.
3 note
Are there no stones in heav'n,
But what serve for the thunder? Precious villain!
Gra.
The woman falls; sure, he has kill'd his wife.
Æmil.
Ay, ay; oh, lay me by my mistress' side.
Gra.
He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.
Mon.
'Tis a notorious villain; take this weapon,
Which I have here recover'd from the Moor.
Come, guard the door without, let him not pass,
But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,
For 'tis a damned slave.
[Exeunt Mon. and Gra.
SCENE IX.
Oth.
I am not valiant neither;
But every puny whipster gets my sword.
But why should honour out-live honesty?
Let it go all.
-- 466 --
Æmil.
What did thy Song bode, lady?
Hark, can'st thou hear me? I will play the swan,
And die in musick. Willow, Willow, Willow—
Moor, she was chaste; she lov'd thee, cruel Moor;
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
So speaking as I think, alas, I die.
[Æmilia dies.
Oth.
I have another weapon in this chamber,
It was a sword of Spain, 4 note
the ice-brook's temper;
Oh, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.
Gra. [within.]
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;
Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.
Oth.
Look in upon me then, and speak with me,
Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee.
Re-enter Gratiano.
Gra.
What is the matter?
Oth.
Lo! I have a weapon:
A better never did itself sustain
Upon a soldier's thigh. I've seen the day,
That with this little arm, and this good sword,
I've made my way thro' more impediments,
Than twenty times your stop. But, oh vain boast!
Who can controul his fate? 'tis not so now.
Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd;
Here is my journey's end, here is my Butt,
The very sea-mark of my utmost sail.
Do you go back dismay'd? 'tis a lost fear:
Man but a rush against Othello's breast,
-- 467 --
And he retires. Where should Othello go?
Now—how dost thou look now? oh ill-starr'd Wench!
Pale as thy smock! When we shall meet at compt,
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heav'n,
And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my Girl,
Ev'n like thy chastity. O cursed slave!
Whip me, ye Devils,
From the possession of this heavenly sight;
Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur,
Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire.
Oh Desdemona! Desdemona! dead, dead! oh, oh!
SCENE X.
Enter Lodovico, Cassio led in wounded, Montano, and
Iago prisoner, with Officers.
Lod.
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?
Oth.
That's he, that was Othello. Here I am.
Lod.
Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.
Oth.
I look down 5 notetow'rds his feet; but that's a fable.
If that thou be'st a Devil, I cannot kill thee.
[Othello wounds Iago.
Lod.
Wrench his sword from him.
Iago.
I bleed, Sir, but not kill'd.
Oth.
I am not sorry, neither. I'd have thee live.
For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die.
Lod.
Oh thou, Othello, that wast once so good,
Fall'n 6 notein the practice of a cursed slave,
What shall be said to thee?
Oth.
Why, any thing;
An honourable murd'rer, if you will,
For nought I did in hate, but all in honour.
-- 468 --
Lod.
This wretch hath part confest his villainy.
Did you and he consent in Cassio's death?
Oth.
Ay.
Cas.
Dear General, I never gave you Cause.
Oth.
I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.
Will you, I pray, demand that demy-devil,
Why he hath thus ensnar'd my soul and body?
Iago.
Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
From this time forth I never will speak word.
Lod.
What? not to pray?
Gra.
Torments will ope your lips.
Oth.
Well, thou dost best.
Lod.
Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n,
Which, as I think, you know. Here is a letter,
Found in the pocket of the slain Rodorigo,
And, here, another; one of them imports
The death of Cassio to be undertook
By Rodorigo.
Oth.
Oh villain!
Cas.
Most heathenish and most gross!
Lod.
Now, here's another discontented paper,
Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,
Rodorigo meant t' have sent this damned villain,
But that, belike, Iago 7 notein the interim
Came in and satisfy'd him.
Oth.
O thou pernicious caitiff!
How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief
That was my wife's?
Cas.
I found it in my chamber;
And he himself confest it but ev'n now,
That there he dropt it for a special purpose,
Which wrought to his desire.
Oth.
Oh fool, fool, fool!
-- 469 --
Cas.
There is, besides, in Rodorigo's letter,
How he upbraids Iago that he made him
Brave me upon the watch; whereon it came
That I was cast. And even now he spake,
After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,
Iago set him on.
Lod.
You must forsake this room, and go with us;
Your Pow'r and your Command is taken off,
And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,
If there be any cunning cruelty,
That can torment him much, and hold him long,
It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,
Till that the nature of your fault be known
To the Venetian State. Come, bring away.
Oth.
Soft you; a word or two, before you go.
I've done the State some service, and they know't;
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
8 noteSpeak of me, as I am; Nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that lov'd not wisely, but too well;
Of one, not easily jealous, but being wrought,
Perplex'd in the extream; 9 note
of one, whose hand,
Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe; of one, whose subdued eyes,
-- 470 --
Albeit unused to the melting mood,
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinal gums. Set you down this.
And say besides, that in Aleppo once,
Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk
Beat a Venetian, and traduc'd the State,
-- 471 --
I took by th' throat the circumcised dog,
And smote him thus.
[Stabs himself.
Lod.
Oh bloody period!
Gra.
All, that is spoke, is marr'd.
Oth.
I kist thee, ere I kill'd thee.—No way but this,
[Falling upon Desdem.
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
[dies.
Cas.
This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,
For he was great of heart.
Lod.
Oh Spartan dog!
More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea!
Look on the tragick loading of this bed;
[To Iago.
This is thy work; the object poisons sight,—
Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house,
And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,
For they succeed to you. 1 note
To you, Lord Governor,
Remains the censure of this hellish villain,
-- 472 --
The time; the place; the torture; oh! inforce it.
Myself will straight aboard; and to the State
This heavy act, with heavy heart, relate*.
[Exeunt.
