SCENE III.
Another room in the castle.
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Æmilia.
Des.
Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.
Æmil.
Good madam, do; I know, it grieves my husband,
As if the case were his7 note.
Des.
O, that's an honest fellow.—Do not doubt, Cassio,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.
Cas.
Bounteous madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.
Des.
O, sir, I thank you: You do love my lord;
You have known him long; and be you well assur'd,
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
Than in a politic distance.
-- 518 --
Cas.
Ay, but, lady,
8 noteThat policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
That, I being absent, and my place supply'd,
My general will forget my love and service.
Des.
Do not doubt that; before Æmilia here,
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;
9 note
I'll watch him tame, and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does
With Cassio's suit: Therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die,
Than give thy cause away.
Enter Othello, and Iago, at a distance.
Æmil.
Madam, here comes my lord.
-- 519 --
Cas.
Madam, I'll take my leave.
Des.
Why, stay, and hear me speak.
Cas.
Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease,
Unfit for mine own purposes.
Des.
Well, do your discretion.
[Exit Cassio.
Iago.
Ha! I like not that.
Oth.
What dost thou say?
Iago.
Nothing, my lord: or if—I know not what.
Oth.
Was not that Cassio, parted from my wife?
Iago.
Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.
Oth.
I do believe, 'twas he.
Des.
How now, my lord?
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Oth.
Who is't, you mean?
Des.
Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good my lord,
If I have any grace, or power to move you,
1 note
His present reconciliation take;
For, if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance, 2 noteand not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I pr'ythee, call him back.
Oth.
Went he hence now?
Des.
Ay, sooth; so humbled,
That he hath left part of his grief with me,
To suffer with him: Good love, call him back.
Oth.
Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.
Des.
But shall't be shortly?
Oth.
The sooner, sweet, for you.
-- 520 --
Des.
Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth.
No, not to-night.
Des.
To-morrow dinner then?
Oth.
I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel.
Des.
Why then, to-morrow night; or tuesday morn;
Or tuesday noon, or night; or wednesday morn;—
I pray thee, name the time; but let it not
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason,
(Save that, they say, 3 note
the wars must make examples
Out of their best) is not almost a fault
To incur a private check: When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you could ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on4 note
. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a wooing with you5 note
; and so many a time,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
-- 521 --
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,—
Oth.
Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.
Des.
Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm;
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit,
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poize6 note
and difficulty,
And fearful to be granted.
Oth.
I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,—
To leave me but a little to myself.
Des.
Shall I deny you? no: Farewel, my lord.
Oth.
Farewel, my Desdemona: I will come to thee straight.
Des.
Æmilia, come:—Be it as your fancies teach you;
Whate'er you be, I am obedient.
[Exit with Æmil.
Oth.
7 note
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
-- 522 --
But I do love thee! and 8 note
when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
Iago.
My noble lord,—
Oth.
What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago.
Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?
Oth.
He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask?
Iago.
But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.
Oth.
Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago.
I did not think, he had been acquainted with it.
Oth.
O, yes; and went between us very oft.
Iago.
Indeed?
-- 523 --
Oth.
Indeed! ay, indeed;—Discern'st thou aught in that?
Is he not honest?
Iago.
Honest, my lord?
Oth.
Honest! ay, honest.
Iago.
My lord, for aught I know.
Oth.
What dost thou think?
Iago.
Think, my lord?
Oth.
Think, my lord!—By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought9 note
,
Too hideous to be shewn.—Thou dost mean something:
I heard thee say but now,—Thou lik'dst not that,
When Cassio left my wife; What did'st not like?
And, when I told thee—he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, Indeed?
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit: If thou dost love me,
Shew me thy thought.
Iago.
My lord, you know I love you.
Oth.
I think, thou dost;
And,—for I know thou art full of love and honesty,
And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath,—
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:
For such things, in a false disloyal knave,
Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just,
1 note
They are close delations, working from the heart,
-- 524 --
That passion cannot rule. 9Q1243
Iago.
For Michael Cassio,—
I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest.
Oth.
I think so too.
Iago.
Men should be what they seem;
2 note
Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none!
Oth.
Certain, men should be what they seem.
Iago.
Why then, I think Cassio's an honest man.
Oth.
Nay, yet there's more in this:
I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,
As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words.
Iago.
Good my lord, pardon me;
Though I am bound to every act of duty,
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.
Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and false,—
As where's that palace, whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
-- 525 --
But some uncleanly apprehensions
3 note
Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit
With meditations lawful?
Oth.
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago.
I do beseech you,
4 note
Though I—perchance, am vicious in my guess,
-- 526 --
(As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses; and, oft, my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not) that your wisdom yet5 note
,
From one that so 6 note
imperfectly conceits,
Would take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance:—
It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.
Oth.
What dost thou mean?
Iago.
Good name, in man, and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he, that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
-- 527 --
And makes me poor indeed.
Oth.
By heaven, I'll know thy thought.
Iago.
You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth.
Ha!
Iago.
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster, 7 note
which doth mock
-- 528 --
The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in bliss,
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er,
Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves8 note!
Oth.
O misery!
Iago.
Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough;
9 noteBut riches, fineless, is 1 noteas poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor:—
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!
-- 529 --
Oth.
Why? why is this?
Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt,
Is—once to be resolv'd: Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
2 noteTo such exsuffolate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous,
To say—my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
3 note
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear, or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me: No, Iago;
I'll see, before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And, on the proof, there is no more but this,—
Away at once with love, or jealousy.
Iago.
I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason
To shew the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me:—I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
-- 530 --
Wear your eye—thus, not jealous, nor secure:
I would not have your free and noble nature,
4 noteOut of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't:
I know 5 note
our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks
They dare not shew their husbands; their best conscience
Is—not to leave undone, but keep unknown6 note
.
Oth.
Dost thou say so?
Iago.
She did deceive her father, marrying you;
7 note
And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks,
She lov'd them most.
Oth.
And so she did.
Iago.
Why, go to, then;
She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,
8 note
To seel her father's eyes up, close as oak,—
-- 531 --
He thought, 'twas witchcraft:—But I am much to blame;
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon,
For too much loving you.
Oth.
I am bound to thee for ever.
Iago.
I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Oth.
Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago.
Trust me, I fear it has.
I hope, you will consider, what is spoke
Comes from my love:—But, I do see, you are mov'd;—
I am to pray you, not to strain my speech
9 noteTo grosser issues, nor to larger reach,
Than to suspicion.
Oth.
I will not.
Iago.
Should you do so, my lord,
1 note
My speech should fall into such vile success
As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend:—
-- 532 --
My lord, I see you are mov'd.
Oth.
No, not much mov'd:—
I do not think, but Desdemona's honest.
Iago.
Long live she so! and long live you to think so!
Oth.
And yet, how nature erring from itself,—
Iago.
Ay, there's the point: As,—to be bold with you,—
Not to affect many proposed matches,
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree;
Whereto, we see, in all things nature tends:
Foh! one may smell, in such, a 2 notewill most rank,
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me; I do not, in position,
Distinctly speak of her: though I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And (hapily) repent.
Oth.
Farewel, farewel:
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: Leave me, Iago.
Iago.
My lord, I take my leave.
[Going.
Oth.
Why did I marry?—This honest creature, doubtless,
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Iago.
My lord,—I would, I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:
And though it be fit that Cassio have his place,
(For, sure, he fills it up with great ability)
Yet, if you please to hold him off a while,
3 noteYou shall by that perceive him and his means:
-- 533 --
Note, if your lady 4 notestrain his entertainment
With any strong, or vehement importunity;
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears,
(As worthy cause I have, to fear—I am)
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Oth.
5 noteFear not my government.
Iago.
I once more take my leave.
[Exit.
Oth.
This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, 6 note
with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings: 7 note
If I do prove her haggard,
-- 534 --
8 note
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
9 note
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind,
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black;
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers1 note
have: Or, for I am declin'd
Into the vale of years;—yet that's not much;—
She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief
-- 535 --
Must be—to loath her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love,
For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;
Prerogativ'd are they less than the base:
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death;
Even then this 2 note
forked plague is fated to us,
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes3 note:
Enter Desdemona, and Æmilia.
If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!—
I'll not believe it.
Des.
How now, my dear Othello?
Your dinner, and the generous islanders4 note
By you invited, do attend your presence.
-- 536 --
Oth.
I am to blame.
Des.
Why is your speech so faint? are you not well?
Oth.
I have a pain upon my forehead here.
Des.
Why, that's with watching; 'twill away again:
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
It will be well.
Oth.
5 note
Your napkin is too little;
[She drops her handkerchief.
Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.
Des.
I am very sorry that you are not well.
[Exeunt Desd. and Oth.
Æmil.
I am glad, I have found this napkin;
This was her first remembrance from the Moor:
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token,
(For he conjur'd her, she should ever keep it)
That she reserves it evermore about her,
To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out, 9Q1246
And give it Iago:
What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I;
6 note
I nothing, but to please his fantasy.
Enter Iago.
Iago.
How now! what do you here alone?
Æmil.
Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.
-- 537 --
Iago.
You have a thing for me?—it is a common thing.9Q1247
Æmil.
Ha!
Iago.
To have a foolish wife.
Æmil.
O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?
Iago.
What handkerchief?
Æmil.
What handkerchief?
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.
Iago.
Hast stolen it from her?
Æmil.
No; but she let it drop by negligence;
And, 7 noteto the advantage, I, being here, took it up.
Look, here it is.
Iago.
A good wench; give it me.
Æmil.
What will you do with it, that you have been so earnest
To have me filch it?
Iago.
Why, what is that to you?
[Snatching it.
Æmil.
If it be not for some purpose of import,
Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run mad,
When she shall lack it.
Iago.
8 note
Be not you known on't; I have use for it.
Go, leave me.
[Exit Æmil.
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it: Trifles, light as air,
-- 538 --
Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison:—
Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons,
Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste;
But, with a little act upon the blood,
Burn like the mines of sulphur.—I did say so 9Q1249:—
Enter Othello.
Look, where he comes! Not poppy, 9 note
nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
1 note
Shall ever med'cine thee to that sweet sleep
-- 539 --
Which thou ow'dst yesterday.
Oth.
Ha! ha! false to me? to me?
Iago.
Why, how now, general? no more of that.
Oth.
Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:—
I swear, 'tis better to be much abus'd,
Than but to know't a little.
Iago.
How now, my lord?
Oth.
What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust2 note
?
I saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:
-- 540 --
I slept the next night well3 note
, was free, and merry;
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips:
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen,
Let him not know it, and he's not robb'd at all.
Iago.
I am sorry to hear this.
Oth.
I had been happy, if the general camp,
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,
So I had nothing known: O now, for ever,
Farewel the tranquil mind! farewel content!
Farewel the plumed troop, and the big wars,
That make ambition virtue! O, farewel!
4 note
Farewel the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
-- 541 --
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner; and all quality,
-- 542 --
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war5 note
!
And O you mortal engines, 6 note
whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit,
Farewel! Othello's occupation's gone!
Iago.
Is it possible?—My lord,—
Oth.
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;
Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;
[Catching hold on him.
Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul7 note
,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog,
Than answer my wak'd wrath.
Iago.
Is it come to this?
Oth.
Make me to see it; or (at the least) so prove it,
That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop,
To hang a doubt on: or, woe upon thy life!
Iago.
My noble lord,—
Oth.
If thou dost slander her, and torture me,
Never pray more: 8 note
abandon all remorse;
-- 543 --
On horror's head horrors accumulate;
Do deeds to make heaven weep9 note
, all earth amaz'd;
For nothing canst thou to damnation add,
Greater than that.
Iago.
O grace! O heaven defend me!
Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense?—
God be wi' you; take mine office.—O wretched fool,
That liv'st1 note to make thine honesty a vice!—
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
To be direct and honest, is not safe.—
I thank you for this profit; and, from hence,
I'll love no friend2 note, sith love breeds such offence.
Oth.
Nay, stay:—Thou should'st be honest.
Iago.
I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for.
Oth.
3 noteBy the world,
I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not;
I'll have some proof: Her name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black
As mine own face.—If there be cords, or knives,
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
I'll not endure it.—'Would, I were satisfied!
Iago.
I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion;
I do repent me, that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied?
-- 544 --
Oth.
Would? nay, I will.
Iago.
And may; But, how? how satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
Behold her tupp'd4 note
?
Oth.
Death and damnation! O!
Iago.
It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring 'em to that prospect: Damn them then,
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster,
More than their own! What then? how then?
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
It is impossible, you should see this,
5 note
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
If imputation, and strong circumstances,—
Which lead directly to the door of truth,—
Will give you satisfaction, you might have it.
Oth.
6 noteGive me a living reason that she's disloyal. 9Q1251
Iago.
I do not like the office:
But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,—
Prick'd to it by foolish honesty, and love,—
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep.
There are a kind of men so loose of soul,
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs;
One of this kind is Cassio:
-- 545 --
In sleep I heard him say,—Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!”
And then, sir, would he gripe, and wring my hand;
Cry,—O sweet creature! and then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips: then lay his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh, and kiss; and then
Cry,—Cursed fate! that gave thee to the Moor!
Oth.
O monstrous! monstrous!
Iago.
Nay, this was but his dream.
Oth.
But this denoted 7 notea foregone conclusion;
8 note
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
Iago.
And this may help to thicken other proofs,
That do demonstrate thinly.
Oth.
I'll tear her all to pieces.
Iago.
Nay, but be wise: 9 noteyet we see nothing done;
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,—
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief,
Spotted with strawberries, in your wife's hand?
Oth.
I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.
Iago.
I know not that: but such a handkerchief,
(I am sure, it was your wife's) did I to-day
See Cassio wipe his beard with.
Oth.
If it be that,—
Iago.
If it be that, or any, if 'twas hers,
It speaks against her, with the other proofs.
Oth.
O, that the slave had forty thousand lives;
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge!
-- 546 --
1 note
Now do I see 'tis true.—Look here, Iago;
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven: 9Q1252
'Tis gone.—
Arise, black vengeance, from thy 2 note
hollow cell!
Yield up, O love, thy crown, and 3 note
hearted throne,
To tyrannous hate! 4 noteswell, bosom, with thy fraught,
-- 547 --
For 'tis of aspicks' tongues!
Iago.
Pray, be content.
Oth.
O, blood, Iago, blood!
Iago.
Patience, I say; your mind, perhaps, may change.
Oth.
Never, Iago: [5 note
Like to the Pontic sea,
Whose icy current and compulsive course
Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on
To the Propontic, and the Hellespont;
Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,
Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,
'Till that a capable6 note
and wide revenge
Swallow them up.—Now, 7 note
by yond'marble heaven,]
In the due reverence of a sacred vow
[He kneels.
I here engage my words.
-- 548 --
Iago.
Do not rise yet.—
[Iago kneels.
Witness, you ever-burning lights above!
You elements that clip us round about!
Witness, that here Iago doth give up
The execution8 note of his wit, hands, heart,
To wrong'd Othello's service! 9 note
let him command,
-- 549 --
And to obey shall be in me remorse,
-- 550 --
What bloody work soever1 note
.
-- 551 --
Oth.
I greet thy love,
Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
And will upon the instant put thee to't:
Within these three days let me hear thee say,
That Cassio's not alive.
Iago.
My friend is dead; 'tis done, at your request:
But let her live.
Oth.
Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!
Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw,
To furnish me with some swift means of death
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.
Iago.
I am your own for ever.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Another apartment in the castle.
Enter Desdemona, Æmilia, and Clown.
Des.
Do you know, sirrah, where lieutenant Cassio lies?
Clown.
I dare not say, he lies any where.
Des.
Why, man?
Clown.
He is a soldier; and for me to say a soldier
lies, is stabbing.
Des.
Go to; Where lodges he?
-- 552 --
Clown.
To tell you2 note where he lodges, is to tell you
where I lie.
Des.
Can any thing be made of this?
Clown.
I know not where he lodges; and for me
to devise a lodging, and say—he lies here, or he lies
there, were to lie in mine own throat.
Des.
Can you enquire him out? and be edify'd by
report?
3 noteClown.
I will catechize the world for him; that
is, make questions, and make them answer.
Des.
Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him, I
have mov'd my lord in his behalf, and hope, all will
be well.
Clown.
To do this, is within the compass of man's
wit; and therefore I will attempt the doing of it.
[Exit.
Des.
Where should I lose that handkerchief, Æmilia?
Æmil.
I know not, madam.
Des.
Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
Full of 4 note
cruzadoes: And, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough
To put him to ill thinking.
Æmil.
Is he not jealous?
Des.
Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was born,
Drew all such humours from him.
-- 553 --
Æmil.
Look, where he comes.
Des.
I will not leave him now, 'till Cassio be
Call'd to him.—How is it with you, my lord?
Enter Othello.
Oth.
Well, my good lady:—[Aside.] O, hardness to dissemble!—
How do you, Desdemona?
Des.
Well, my good lord.
Oth.
Give me your hand: This hand is moist, my lady.
Des.
It yet hath felt no age, nor known no sorrow.
Oth.
This argues fruitfulness, and liberal heart;—
Hot, hot, and moist:5 note This hand of yours requires
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,
Much castigation, exercise devout;
For here's a young and sweating devil here,
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand,
A frank one.
Des.
You may, indeed, say so;
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.
Oth.
A liberal hand: 6 note
The hearts, of old, gave hands;
But our new heraldry is—hands, not hearts.
-- 554 --
Des.
I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.
Oth.
What promise, chuck?
Des.
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
-- 555 --
Oth.
I have a 7 note
salt and sullen rheum offends me;
Lend me thy handkerchief.
Des.
Here, my lord.
Oth.
That which I gave you.
Des.
I have it not about me.
Oth.
Not?
Des.
No, indeed, my lord.
Oth.
That is a fault: That handkerchief
Did an Ægyptian to my mother give:
She was a charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it,
'Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father
Intirely to her love; but, if she lost it,
Or made a gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt
After new fancies: She, dying, gave it me;
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,
To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't,
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose't, or give't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.
Des.
Is it possible?
Oth.
'Tis true; there's magic in the web of it:
A sibyl8 note
, that had 9 note
number'd in the world
-- 556 --
The sun to course1 note two hundred compasses,
In her prophetic fury sew'd the work:
The worms were hallow'd, that did breed the silk;
2 note
And it was dy'd in mummy, which the skilful
Conserv'd of maidens' hearts3 note
.
Des.
Indeed! is it true?
Oth.
Most veritable; therefore look to it well.
Des.
Then 'would to heaven, that I had never seen it!
Oth.
Ha! wherefore?
Des.
Why do you speak so startingly and 4 noterash?
Oth.
Is it lost? is it gone? speak, is it out of the way?
Des.
Heaven bless us!
Oth.
Say you?
Des.
It is not lost; But what an if it were?
Oth.
Ha!
Des.
I say, it is not lost.
Oth.
Fetch it, let me see it.
Des.
Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now:
This is a trick, to put me from my suit;
I pray, let Cassio be receiv'd again.
-- 557 --
Oth.
Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgives.
Des.
Come, come;
You'll never meet a more sufficient man.
Oth.
The handkerchief,—
Des.
I pray, talk me of Cassio5 note.
Oth.
The handkerchief,—
Des.
A man that, all his time,
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love;
Shar'd dangers with you;—
Oth.
The handkerchief,—
Des.
Insooth, you are to blame.
Oth.
Away!
[Exit Othello.
Æmil.
Is not this man jealous?
Des.
I ne'er saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.
Æmil.
6 note
'Tis not a year or two shews us a man:
-- 558 --
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
They eat us hungerly, and, when they are 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,
Whom I, with all 7 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,
8 note
But to know so must be my benefit;
So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content,
9 note
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune's alms.
-- 559 --
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 1 notein favour, as in humour, alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best;
And stood 2 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;
And, like the devil, from his very arm
Puff'd 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.
Des.
I pr'ythee, do so.—Something, sure, of state,—
Either from Venice; or 3 notesome unhatch'd practice,
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,—
Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases,
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object.
-- 560 --
'Tis even so; 4 note
for let our finger ach,
And it endues our other healthful members
Even to that sense of pain: Nay, we must think,
Men are not gods;
Nor of them look for such observancy
As fits the bridal.—Beshrew me much, Æmilia,
I was (5 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.
Æmil.
Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think;
And no conception, nor no 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 the cause,
But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis 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 to effect it to my uttermost.
-- 561 --
Cas.
I humbly thank your ladyship.
[Exeunt Desdemona, and Æmilia.
Enter Bianca.
Bian.
Save you, friend Cassio!
Cas.
What make you from home?
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?
Indeed, sweet love, I was coming to your house.
Bian.
And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
What! keep a week away? seven days and nights?
Eightscore eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,
More tedious than the dial eightscore times?
O weary reckoning!
Cas.
Pardon me, Bianca;
I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd:
But I shall, in a 6 note
more continuate time,
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
[Giving her Desdemona's handkerchief.
7 note
Take me this work out.
-- 562 --
Bian.
O Cassio, whence came this?
This is some token from a newer friend.
To the felt absence now I feel a cause:
Is it come to this? Well, well.
Cas.
Go to, woman!
Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,
From whence you have them. You are jealous now,
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:
No, in good troth, Bianca.
Bian.
Why, whose is it?
Cas.
I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.
I like the work well; ere it be demanded,
(As like enough, it will) I'd have it copy'd:
Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bian.
Leave you! wherefore?
Cas.
I do attend here on the general;
And think it no addition, nor my wish,
To have him see me woman'd.
Bian.
Why, I pray you8 note?
Cas.
Not, that I love you not.
Bian.
But that you do not love me.
I pray you, bring me on the way a little;
And say, if I shall see you soon at night?
Cas.
'Tis but a little way, that I can bring you,
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Bian.
'Tis very good; 9 noteI must be circumstanc'd.
[Exeunt.
-- 563 --
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
