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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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ACT I. note Scene I. [Footnote: Venice. A street. note Enter note Roderigo and Iago.

Rod.
Tush, note never tell me; I take it much note unkindly
That thou note, Iago, note who hast note had note my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. note note

Iago.
'Sblood, note but you will note not hear me:
If ever I did dream of such a matter,
Abhor me. note note note

-- 438 --

Rod.
Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. note

Iago.
Despise me note, if I do not note. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Off-capp'd note to him: and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am note worth no worse note a place:
But he, as loving his own note pride and purposes note,
Evades them, with a bombast note circumstance
Horribly stuff'd with epithets note of war;
And, in conclusion, note note
Nonsuits my mediators; for note, ‘Certes,’ note says he,
‘I have already note chose note my officer.’
And what was he? note
Forsooth, a great arithmetician note,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damn'd note in a fair wife note note; note
That never set a squadron in the field,

-- 439 --


Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; note unless note the bookish note theoric,
Wherein the toged note consuls note can propose
As masterly as he note: mere prattle without practice
Is all note his soldiership. But he, sir, had note the election:
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus note and on other note grounds
Christian note and heathen, must be be-lee'd note and calm'd
By debitor note and creditor: this counter-caster, note
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I—God bless the mark!— note his Moorship's note ancient.

Rod.
By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.

Iago.
Why note, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, note note
Preferment goes by letter note and affection,
And not by old note gradation, where each second
Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself note
Whether note I in any just term am affined note
To love the Moor.

Rod.
I would not follow him then.

Iago.
O, sir, content you;
I follow him to serve my turn upon him:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters

-- 440 --


Cannot be truly follow'd note. You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,
That doting on his own obsequious bondage
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought note but provender, and when note he's old, note note cashier'd: note
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages note of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
And throwing but shows of service on their lords note
Do well note thrive by them note, and when they have note lined their coats
Do themselves homage: these note fellows note note have some soul, note
And such a one note do I profess myself.
For, sir, note
It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:
In following him, I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end: note
For when my outward action doth note demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment note extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

-- 441 --


For daws note to peck at: I am not what I am. note note

Rod.
What a full note fortune does the thick-lips note owe,
If he can carry't note thus!

Iago.
Call up her father,
Rouse him: note make after him, poison his delight,
Proclaim him in the streets note; incense her kinsmen,
And, though note he in a fertile climate dwell,
Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
Yet throw such changes note of vexation on't note
As it may lose some colour.

Rod.
Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.

Iago.
Do; with like timorous note accent and dire yell
As when, by night and negligence, the fire note
Is spied note in populous cities.

Rod.
What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!

Iago.
Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! note note
Look to your house, your daughter note and your note bags! note
Thieves! thieves!
Brabantio appears above, at a window.

Bra. note
What is the reason of this terrible summons?
What is the matter there? note

Rod.
Signior, is all your family within?

-- 442 --

Iago.
Are your note doors lock'd? note

Bra.
Why, wherefore ask you this?

Iago.
'Zounds note, sir, you're note robb'd; for shame, put on your gown;
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; note
Even now, now note, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
Arise, I say note. note

Bra.
What, have you lost your wits?

Rod.
Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?

Bra.
Not I: what are you?

Rod.
My name is Roderigo.

Bra.
The worser note welcome:
I have note charged thee not to haunt about my doors:
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
My daughter is note not for thee; and now, in madness,
Being full of supper and distempering draughts,
Upon malicious bravery note, dost thou come
To start my quiet. note

Rod.
Sir, sir, sir,— note

Bra.
But thou must needs be sure
My spirit note and my place have in them note power
To make this bitter to thee.

Rod.
Patience, good note sir.

Bra.
What tell'st note thou me of robbing? this is Venice;

-- 443 --


My house is not a grange. note

Rod.
Most grave Brabantio,
In simple and pure soul I come to you.

Iago.

'Zounds note, sir, you are none of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service and you note think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans note.

Bra.

What profane wretch art thou?

Iago.

I am one, sir, that comes note to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now note making the beast with two backs.

Bra.
Thou art a villain.

Iago.
You are—a note senator.

Bra.
This thou shalt answer; note I know thee, Roderigo.

Rod.
Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech note you,
If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,
As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,
At note this odd-even note note and dull watch o' the night,
Transported note with no worse nor note better guard
But with a knave of common note hire, a gondolier note,
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,—
If this be known to you, and your note allowance,
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs; note
But if you know not this, my manners tell me

-- 444 --


We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe
That, from the sense of all civility,
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:
Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,
I say again, hath made a gross revolt,
Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes,
In note an extravagant and wheeling note note stranger
Of here and note every where. Straight satisfy yourself:
If she be in her note chamber or your house,
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you note.

Bra.
Strike on the tinder, ho!
Give me a taper! call up all my people!
This accident is not unlike my dream:
Belief of it oppresses me already.
Light, I say! light!
[Exit above. note

Iago.
Farewell; for I must leave you:
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place note,
To be produced note—as, if I stay, I shall—
Against the Moor: for I do know, the state,
However note this may gall him with some check,
Cannot with safety cast him; for he's note embark'd
With such loud reason to the Cyprus note wars note,
Which even now stand note in act, that, for their souls,
Another of his fathom note they have none note
To lead their business note: in which regard,

-- 445 --


Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains note,
Yet for necessity of present life,
I must show out a flag and sign of love,
Which is indeed but sign. That note you shall surely find note him,
Lead to the Sagittary note the raised search;
And there will I be with him. So farewell. [Exit. noteEnter note, below, Brabantio, in his night-gown, and Servants with torches.

Bra.
It is too true an evil: gone she is;
And what's to come of my despised note time
Is note nought note but bitterness. Now note, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
With the Moor, say'st note thou? Who would be a father!
How didst thou know 'twas she? O, she deceives note me
Past thought! What said she to you? Get more note tapers.
Raise all my kindred note. Are they married, think you?

Rod.
Truly, I think they are note.

Bra.
O heaven! How got note she out? O treason of the blood note! note
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds
By what you see them act. Is note there not charms

-- 446 --


By which the property of youth and maidhood note
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing? note

Rod.
Yes, sir, I have indeed. note

Bra.
Call up my brother note. O, would note you had had her!
Some one way, some another. Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?

Rod.
I think I can discover him, if you please
To get good guard and go along with me.

Bra.
Pray you, lead note on. At every house I'll call;
I may command at most. Get weapons, ho!
And raise some special officers of night note.
On, good Roderigo; I'll note deserve your pains.
[Exeunt. note Scene II. [Footnote: Another street. note Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants note with torches.

Iago.
Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience note
To do no contrived murder: I lack note iniquity
Sometimes note to do me service: nine or ten times
I had note thought to have note yerk'd note him here under the ribs note. note

-- 447 --

Oth.
'Tis note better as it is.

Iago.
Nay, but he prated
And spoke note such scurvy and provoking note terms
Against your honour,
That, with the little godliness I have, note
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you note, sir,
Are you fast married? Be assured note of this,
That the magnifico is much beloved,
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double note as the duke's note: he will divorce you,
Or put upon you what restraint and note grievance note
The note law, with all his might to enforce it on,
Will note give him cable.

Oth.
Let him do his spite:
My services note, which I have done the signiory,
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know—
Which, when I know note that boasting is an honour,
I shall promulgate note—I fetch my note life and being
From men of royal siege note, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted note note to note as proud a fortune
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine

-- 448 --


For the sea's note worth. But, look! what lights come note yond note? note note

Iago.
Those note are the raised father and his friends:
You were best go in.

Oth.
Not I; I must be found:
My parts note, my title and my perfect soul,
Shall manifest note me rightly note. Is it they? note

Iago.
By Janus, I think no.
Enter note Cassio, and certain Officers with torches.

Oth.
The servants of the duke, note and my lieutenant. note note
The goodness of the night upon you, note friends!
What is the news? note

Cas.
The duke does greet you, general,
And he requires your haste-post-haste note appearance,
Even on the instant.

Oth.
What is note the matter, think you?

Cas.
Something from Cyprus, as I may divine:
It is a business of some heat: the galleys
Have sent a dozen sequent note messengers
This very night at one note another's heels;
And many of the consuls note, raised and met,
Are at the duke's already: you have note been hotly call'd for;

-- 449 --


When, being not at your lodging to be found,
The senate hath note sent about note three several quests
To search you out.

Oth.
'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend note a word here in the house,
And go note with you. note
[Exit. note

Cas.
Ancient, what makes he here?

Iago.
Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack note:
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

Cas.
I do not understand.

Iago.
He's married.

Cas.
To who? note
Re-enter Othello. note

Iago.
Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go?

Oth.
Have with you. note

Cas.
Here comes another troop to seek for you.
note

Iago.
It is Brabantio: general, be advised;
He comes to bad intent.
Enter note Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers with torches and weapons.

Oth.
Holla note! stand there!

Rod.
Signior, it is the Moor.

Bra.
Down with him, thief!
[They note draw on both sides.

-- 450 --

Iago.
You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.

Oth.
Keep up your bright swords, for note the dew will rust them note.
Good signior, you shall more command with years
Than with your weapons. note

Bra.
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd note my daughter? note
Damn'd note as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
For I'll refer me to all things note of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound, note
Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunn'd
The wealthy curled note darlings note of our nation,
Would ever have, to incur note a general mock,
Run from her guardage note to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou note, to fear, not to delight.
Judge me the world, if 'tis not note gross in sense
That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate note youth with drugs or minerals
That weaken motion note: I'll have 't disputed on;
'Tis probable note, and palpable to thinking.
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee note
For note an abuser of the world, a practiser
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant. note
Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,

-- 451 --


Subdue him at his peril.

Oth.
Hold your hands note,
Both you of my inclining and the rest:
Were it my cue note to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Where note will you that note I go
To answer note this your charge?

Bra.
To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session note
Call thee to answer.

Oth.
What if I do note obey?
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
Whose messengers are here about my side,
Upon some present business of the state
To bring note me to him?

First Off. note
'Tis note true, most worthy signior;
The duke's in council, and your noble self,
I am note sure, is sent for.

Bra.
How! the duke in council!
In this time of the night note! Bring him away:
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bond-slaves and pagans note shall our statesmen be.
[Exeunt.

-- 452 --

note Scene III. [Footnote: A council-chamber. note The Duke and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending. note

Duke.
There is note no composition in these note news
That gives them credit.

First Sen.
Indeed note they are note disproportion'd note;
My letters say a hundred and seven note galleys.

Duke.
And mine note, a note hundred and note forty. note

Sec. Sen.
And mine, two hundred:
But though they jump not on a just account,—
As in these cases, where the note aim note note reports note,
'Tis oft with difference,—yet do note they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

Duke.
Nay, it is possible enough to judgement:
I do not so secure me in note the error,
But the main article note I do approve
In fearful sense.

Sailor. [Within note]
What, ho! what, ho! what, ho!

First Off. note
A messenger from the galleys note.
Enter Sailor. note

Duke.
Now, what's note the business?

-- 453 --

Sailor.
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;
So was I bid report here to the state note
By Signior Angelo note. note

Duke.
How say you by this change?

First Sen.
This cannot be,
By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant note
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile note question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
But note altogether lacks the abilities
That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought note of this,
We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,
To wake and note wage a danger profitless. note

Duke.
Nay, note in all note confidence, he's not for Rhodes.

First Off. note
Here is more news.
Enter a Messenger. note

Mess.
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed note them note with an after fleet.

-- 454 --

First Sen. note
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?

Mess.
Of thirty note sail: and now they do re-stem note
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward note Cyprus. Signior Montano,
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
With his note free duty recommends you thus note, note
And prays you to believe note him.

Duke.
'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos note, is not he note in town? note

First Sen.
He's now in Florence.

Duke.
Write from us to him; post note-post-haste note dispatch note. note

First Sen.
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant note Moor.
Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, note and Officers. note note

Duke.
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman. [To Brabantio note]
I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior;
We lack'd note your counsel and your help to-night.

Bra.
So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me;

-- 455 --


Neither my place nor note aught I heard of business
Hath raised me from my bed note, nor doth note the general care note
Take hold on note me; for my particular grief note
Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and note swallows other sorrows,
And it note is still itself.

Duke.
Why, what's the matter?

Bra.
My daughter! O, my daughter!

All. note
Dead?

Bra.
Ay, note to me;
She is abused, stol'n from me and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;
For nature so preposterously to note err,
Being not deficient note, blind, or note lame of sense, note
Sans note witchcraft could not. note

Duke.
Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
And you of her, the bloody book of law
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
After your note own sense, yea, note though our proper son
Stood in your action.

Bra.
Humbly I thank your grace.
Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems,
Your special mandate for the state-affairs
Hath hither brought.

All. note
We are very sorry for 't note.

-- 456 --

Duke. [To Othello note]
What in your own part can you say to this?

Bra.
Nothing, but this is so.

Oth.
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
My very noble and approved good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her:
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I note in my speech,
And little blest with the soft note phrase of peace;
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some note nine moons wasted, they have used
Their dearest action in the tented field;
And little of this great world can I speak,
More than pertains to feats of broil note and battle;
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for note myself. Yet, by your gracious note patience,
I will note a round unvarnish'd note tale note deliver
Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, note note
What conjuration and what mighty magic—
For such proceeding note I am note charged withal—
I won his daughter. note

Bra.
A maiden never bold;
Of spirit so note still and quiet that her motion
Blush'd at herself note; and she—in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, every thing—

-- 457 --


To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! note
It is a judgement maim'd note and most imperfect note
That will confess perfection note so could note err
Against all rules of nature; and must be driven
To find out practices of cunning hell,
Why this should be. I therefore vouch again,
That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood,
Or with some dram conjured to this effect,
He wrought upon note her.

Duke. note
To vouch note this, is no proof,
Without more certain note and more note overt test note
Than these note thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming note do note prefer against him.

First Sen. note
But, note Othello, speak:
Did you by indirect and forced courses
Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?
Or came it by request, and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?

Oth.
I do note beseech you, note
Send for the lady to the Sagittary note,
And let her speak of me before her father:
If you do find me foul in her report,
The trust, the office I do hold of you, note
Not only take away, but let your sentence note
Even fall upon note my life.

Duke.
Fetch Desdemona hither.

-- 458 --

Oth.
Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place. note [Exeunt note Iago and Attendants.
And till note she come, as truly note as to heaven
I do confess the vices of my blood, note
So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love
And she in mine.

Duke.
Say it, Othello.

Oth.
Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still question'd note me the story note of my life
From year to year note, the battles note, sieges, fortunes note,
That I have note pass'd. note
I ran it through, even from note my boyish days
To the very moment that he bade me tell it:
Wherein I spake note of most disastrous chances,
Of moving accidents by note flood and field,
Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly note breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe,
And sold to slavery, of note my redemption thence,
And portance in my note travels' note history:
Wherein of antres note vast and deserts idle note,
Rough quarries, rocks, and note hills whose heads note touch heaven,

-- 459 --


It was my hint note to speak,—such was the note process;
And of the Cannibals that each other note eat,
The Anthropophagi note, and men whose heads
Do grow note beneath their shoulders. note This note to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline:
But still the house-affairs would draw her thence note;
Which note ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She'ld come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse: which I observing,
Took once a pliant hour, and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels note she had something heard,
But not note intentively note: I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful note stroke
That my youth suffer'd note. My story being done,
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs note:
She swore, in faith note, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange;
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful:
She wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd
That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd note me,
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story,
And that would woo her. Upon note this hint note I spake:
She loved me for the dangers I had note pass'd,
And I loved her that she did pity them.

-- 460 --


This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady; let her witness it. note Enter Desdemona, Iago, and Attendants. note note

Duke.
I think this tale would win my daughter too.
Good Brabantio,
Take up this mangled matter at the best: note
Men do their broken weapons rather use
Than their bare hands.

Bra.
I pray you, hear her speak:
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
Destruction on my head note, if my bad blame
Light on the man! Come hither, gentle mistress:
Do you perceive in all this note noble company
Where most you note owe obedience?

Des.
My noble note father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am note bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are note the lord of note duty,
I am note hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,
And so much duty as my mother show'd note
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much note I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor note my lord.

Bra.
God be with you! I have done. note
Please it your grace, on to the state-affairs:
I had rather to note adopt a child than get it.

-- 461 --


Come hither, Moor:
I here do give thee that with all my heart,
Which, but thou hast already, with all note my heart note
I would keep from thee. For your note sake, jewel,
I am note glad at soul I note have no other child;
For thy escape would teach me tyranny,
To hang clogs on them note. I have done, my note lord.

Duke.
Let me speak note like yourself note, and lay a sentence note note
Which, as note a grise note or step, may help these lovers note
Into your favour. note
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended note
By seeing the worst note, which late on hopes depended.
To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
Is the next way to draw new note mischief on.
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
Patience her injury a mockery note makes.
The robb'd that smiles steals something from the note thief;
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.

Bra.
So let note the Turk of Cyprus us beguile;
We lose note it not so long as we can smile.
He bears the sentence well, that nothing bears
But the free comfort note which from thence he hears;
But he bears note both the sentence and the sorrow,
That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.

-- 462 --


These sentences, to sugar or to gall,
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal:
But words are words; I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was pierced note through the ear note. note
I humbly beseech you, proceed to note the affairs of state note.

Duke.

The Turk with a note most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you; and though we have there note a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a note sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer note voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss note of your new fortunes with this more note stubborn and boisterous expedition.

Oth.
The tyrant custom, most grave note senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch note of war
My thrice-driven bed of down: I do agnize
A natural and prompt alacrity note
I find in note hardness note; and do note undertake
These present wars note against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
I crave fit disposition for my wife,
Due reference note of place and exhibition,
With note such accommodation note and besort
As levels with her breeding.

-- 463 --

Duke.
If you please,
Be 't at her father's. note

Bra.
I'll note not have it so.

Oth.
Nor I.

Des.
Nor I, I would not note there reside note,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous note ear,
And let me find a charter note in your voice
To assist my simpleness. note

Duke.
What would you, Desdemona? note

Des.
That I did note love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes note
May trumpet to the world: my heart's note subdued
Even to the very quality note of my lord:
I saw Othello's visage in his mind,
And to his honours and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
So that, dear note lords, if I be left behind,
A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
The rites note for which note I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.

Oth.
Let her have your voices. note
Vouch with me, heaven, note I therefore beg it not,

-- 464 --


To please the palate of my appetite;
Nor to comply with heat—the young affects note
In me defunct— noteand proper satisfaction;
But to be free and bounteous to note her mind: note
And heaven defend your good souls note, that you think
I will your serious and great note business scant
For note she is with me. No, when light-wing'd toys
Of note feather'd Cupid seel note with wanton dullness note
My speculative and officed note instruments note,
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
Let housewives note make a skillet note of my helm,
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation note!

Duke.
Be it as you shall privately determine,
Either note for her note stay or going: the affair cries note haste,
And speed must answer't; note you must hence to-night. note

Des.
To-night, my lord? note

-- 465 --

Duke.
This night. note

Oth.
With all my heart.
note

Duke.
At nine note i' the morning here we'll meet again.
Othello, leave some officer behind,
And he shall our commission bring to you;
With note such things else of quality and note respect
As doth import note you.

Oth.
So note please your grace, my ancient;
A man he is of honesty and trust:
To his conveyance I assign my wife,
With what else needful your good note grace shall think
To be sent after me.

Duke.
Let it be so.
Good night to every one. [To Brab. note] And, noble signior,
If virtue no delighted note beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.

First Sen. note
Adieu, brave Moor; use Desdemona well.

Bra.
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes note to see:
She has deceived note her father, and may thee note.
[Exeunt note Duke, Senators, Officers, &c.

Oth.
My life upon her faith! Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee:
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her;
And bring them note after in the note best advantage.
Come, Desdemona; I have but an hour

-- 466 --


Of love, of worldly note matters note and direction,
To spend note with thee: we must obey the note time. [Exeunt note Othello and Desdemona. note

Rod.

Iago!

Iago.

What say'st thou, noble heart?

Rod.

What will note I do, thinkest thou?

Iago.

Why, go to bed and sleep.

Rod.

I will incontinently drown myself.

Iago.

If note thou dost, I shall never love thee after. note Why, thou silly gentleman! note

Rod.

It is silliness to live when to live is torment note; and then have we note a prescription to die note when death is our physician.

Iago.

O villanous! note I have note looked upon the world for four times seven years; and since I could distinguish betwixt note a benefit and an injury, I never found man note that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen note, I would change my humanity with a baboon.

Rod.

What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond; but it is not in my virtue to amend it.

Iago.

Virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are gardens note; to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop note and weed up thyme note, supply it with one

-- 467 --

gender of herbs or distract it with many, either to have note it sterile with idleness or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills note. If the balance note of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions: but we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal note stings, our note unbitted lusts; whereof I take this, that you call love, to be a sect note or scion note.

Rod.

It cannot be.

Iago.

It is merely a lust of the note blood and a permission note of the will. Come, be a man: drown thyself! drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed note me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness: I could never better stead note thee than now. Put money in thy purse; follow thou the note wars; defeat note thy favour with an usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be that Desdemona should long note continue her love to note the Moor—put money in thy purse— notenor he his note to her: it was a violent commencement note, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration note; put but note money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills:—fill thy purse with

-- 468 --

money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts note, shall be to him shortly note as bitter as note coloquintida. She must change for youth: note when she is sated with his body, she will find the error note of her choice: she must have change, she must: note therefore put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring note barbarian and a note supersubtle note Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox of drowning note thyself note! it is note clean out of the way: seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.

Rod.

Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue note?

Iago.

Thou art sure of me: go, make money: I have told thee often, and I re-tell note thee note again and again, I hate the Moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath note no less reason. Let us be conjunctive note in our revenge against him: if thou canst cuckold note him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me note a sport. There are many events in the womb of time, which will be delivered. Traverse; go; provide thy money. We will have more of this to-morrow. Adieu.

Rod.

Where shall we meet i' the morning?

Iago.

At my lodging.

-- 469 --

Rod.

I'll be with thee betimes.

Iago.

Go to; farewell. Do you hear note, Roderigo?

Rod.

What say you?

Iago.

No more of drowning, do you hear?

Rod.
I am changed: I'll go sell all my land.
[Exit. note note

Iago.
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; note
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,
If I would note time expend with such a snipe note
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor;
And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets
He has note done my office: I know not if't be true;
But note I for mere suspicion in that kind
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio's a proper man: let me see now;
To get his note place, and to plume note up my will
In note double knavery— noteHow, how?—Let's note see:—
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear note
That he is too familiar with his note wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected; framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature note,
That thinks men honest that but seem note to be so;
And will as tenderly be led note by the nose note
As asses are. note

-- 470 --


I have 't note. It is engender'd note. Hell and night note
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light. [Exit. note
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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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