Des.
Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.

Emil.
Good madam, do: I warrant ^note it grieves my husband ^note
As if the case ^note were his.

Des.
O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt ^note, Cassio,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.

Cas.
Bounteous ^note madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.

Des.
I know 't: ^note I thank you. You do love my lord:
You have ^note known him long; and be you well ^note assured
He shall in strangeness ^note stand no farther ^note off
Than in a politic distance.

Cas.
Ay, but, lady,
That ^note policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance ^note,
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will ^note forget my love and service.

Des.
Do not doubt that; before Emilia here

I give thee warrant of thy place: ^note assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never ^note rest;
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 ^note away. ^noteEnter Othello and Iago, at a distance. ^note

Emil.
Madam, here comes my lord.

Cas.
Madam, I'll take my leave.

Des.
Nay ^note, stay and hear me speak.

Cas.
Madam, not now: I am ^note very ill at ease,
Unfit for mine own purposes ^note.

Des.
Well, ^note do your discretion. [Exit Cassio.

Iago.
Ha! I like not that.

Oth.
What dost thou say?

Iago.
Nothing, my lord: or if— ^noteI know not what.

Oth.
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

Iago.
Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it ^note,
That he would steal ^note away so guilty-like,
Seeing you ^note coming.

Oth.
I do ^note believe 'twas he. ^note

Des.
How now, my lord! ^note
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. ^note Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take ^note;
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
I have no judgement in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.

Oth.
Went he hence now?

Des.
Ay, sooth ^note; so humbled, ^note
That he hath ^note left part of his grief ^note with me,
To suffer ^note with him. Good love, call him back.

Oth.
Not now, sweet Desdemona ^note; some other time.

Des.
But shall 't be shortly?

Oth.
The sooner ^note, sweet, for you.

Des.
Shall't be to-night at supper?

Oth.
No, not ^note 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 ^note Tuesday morn;
On ^note Tuesday noon ^note, or night; on ^note Wednesday ^note morn:
I prithee ^note, name the time; but let it not
Exceed three days: in faith ^note, he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
Save that, they say, the wars ^note must make examples ^note
Out of their ^note best—is not almost ^note a fault

To incur a private check. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ^note ask me, that I should ^note deny,
Or stand so mammering ^note on. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a-wooing with you, and so ^note many a time
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me ^note, I could do much— ^note

Oth.
Prithee, 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 ^note,
Or feed on nourishing dishes ^note, or keep you warm,
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person: nay, when I have a ^note suit ^note
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight ^note,
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: farewell, my lord.

Oth.
Farewell, my Desdemona ^note: I'll ^note come to thee ^note straight. ^note

Des.
Emilia, come. Be ^note as your fancies teach you;
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. [Exeunt ^note Desdemona and Emilia.

^note

Oth.
Excellent wretch ^note! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.

Iago.
My noble lord,— ^note

Oth.
What dost thou say, Iago?

Iago.
Did Michael Cassio, when you ^note woo'd ^note my lady,
Know of your love? ^note

Oth.
He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask? ^note

Iago.
But for a ^note satisfaction of my thought ^note;
No further harm.

Oth.
Why of thy thought, Iago?

Iago.
I did not think he had ^note been acquainted with her ^note.

Oth.
O, yes, and went between us very oft ^note.

Iago.
Indeed!

Oth.
Indeed! ay, ^note indeed: ^note discern'st thou aught in that ^note?
Is he not honest?

Iago.
Honest, my lord!

Oth.
Honest! ay, honest. ^note

Iago.
My lord, for aught I know.

Oth.
What dost thou think?

Iago.
Think, my lord!

Oth.
Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes ^note me, ^note
As if there were some monster in his ^note thought
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost ^note mean something:

I heard thee say even ^note now, thou likedst ^note not that,
When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel ^note
In ^note my whole course of wooing, thou criedst ‘Indeed!’
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit ^note: if thou dost love me,
Show me thy thought.

Iago.
My lord, you know I love you.

Oth.
I think thou dost;
And ^note for I know thou'rt ^note full of love and ^note honesty
And weigh'st ^note thy words before thou givest ^note them ^note breath,
Therefore these stops of thine fright ^note me the more:
For such things in a false disloyal knave
Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just
They're ^note close delations ^note, working from the heart,
That passion cannot rule.

Iago.
For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn ^note I ^note think that ^note he is honest.

Oth.
I think so too.

Iago.
Men should be what ^note they seem;
Or those that be not, would they might seem none! ^note

Oth.
Certain, men ^note should be what they seem.

Iago.
Why then I think Cassio's ^note an honest man.

Oth.
Nay, yet there's more in this:
I prithee ^note, speak to me as ^note to thy thinkings,

As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst ^note of thoughts ^note
The worst of words ^note.

Iago.
Good my lord, pardon me:
Though I am ^note bound to every act of duty,
I am not bound to that all ^note slaves are free to. ^note
Utter my thoughts? ^note Why, say they are ^note vile ^note and false;
As where's that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast ^note so pure,
But some ^note uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and law-days, and in session ^note sit ^note
With meditations lawful?

Oth.
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st ^note him wrong'd and makest his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.

Iago.
I do beseech you—
Though ^note I perchance ^{note note} am vicious in my guess,
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses ^note, and oft my jealousy
Shapes ^note faults that are not—that your wisdom yet ^{note note},
From one that so imperfectly ^note conceits ^note,
Would ^note take no notice ^note, nor build ^note yourself a trouble
Out of his ^note scattering and unsure observance.

It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or ^note wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

Oth.
What dost thou mean? ^note

Iago.
Good name in man and woman ^note, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their ^note souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing ^note; ^note
'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 ^note enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

Oth.
By heaven ^note, I'll know thy thoughts ^note.

Iago.
You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.

Oth.
Ha! ^note

Iago.
O, beware, my lord, of ^note jealousy;
It is the ^note green-eyed monster, which doth mock ^note
The ^note meat it feeds on: ^note that ^note cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain ^note of his fate, loves not ^note his wronger ^note;
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly ^note loves!

Oth.
O misery!

Iago.
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
But riches ^note fineless ^note is as poor ^note as winter ^note

To him that ever fears he shall be poor:
Good heaven ^note, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

Oth.
Why, why ^note is this? ^note
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
Is once ^note to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate ^note and blown ^note surmises,
Matching thy ^note 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 ^note;
Where virtue is, these ^note are more ^note virtuous:
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose ^note 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 ^note jealousy!

Iago.
I am ^note glad of it ^note; for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am ^note bound,
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of ^note proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear ^note your eye ^note thus, not jealous ^note nor secure:
I would not have your free and noble nature

Out of self-bounty be abused; look to 't:
I know our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heaven ^note see the pranks
They dare not ^note show their husbands; their best conscience ^note
Is not to leave 't ^note undone, but keep 't ^note unknown.

Oth.
Dost thou say so? ^note

Iago.
She did deceive her father, marrying you;
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most.

Oth.
And so she did.

Iago.
Why, ^note go to then;
She that so young could give out such a seeming,
To seel ^note her father's eyes up close as oak ^note—
He thought 'twas witchcraft—but I am ^note much to blame ^note; ^note
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.

Oth.
I am ^note bound to ^note thee ^note for ever.

Iago.
I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.

Oth.
Not a jot ^note, not a jot.

Iago.
I 'faith ^note, I fear it has.
I hope you will consider what is spoke
Comes from my ^note love; but I do see you're ^note moved: ^note
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion.

Oth.
I will not.

Iago.
Should you do so, my lord,

My speech should ^note fall into such ^note vile ^note success ^note
As ^note my thoughts aim not at ^note. Cassio's my worthy ^note friend— ^note
My lord, I see you're ^note moved.

Oth.
No, not much moved:
I ^note do not think but Desdemona's honest.

Iago.
Long live she so! ^note and long live you to think so!

Oth.
And yet, how nature erring from itself— ^note

Iago.
Ay, there's the point: as—to be bold with you— ^note
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
Whereto ^note we see in all things nature tends—
Foh! ^note one ^note may smell in such a will most ^note rank,
Foul disproportion ^note, thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me: I do not in position ^note
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear ^note
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
May fall ^note to match you with her country forms,
And happily ^note repent.

Oth.
Farewell, farewel ^note:
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago. ^note

Iago. [Going ^note]
My lord, I take my leave.

Oth.
Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless ^note
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

Iago. [Returning ^note]
My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
To scan ^note this thing no further ^note; leave it to time:
Though it be fit ^note that Cassio have his place,
For sure he fills it up with great ability,
Yet, if you please to hold ^note him off ^note awhile,
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note if your lady strain his ^note 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.
Fear not my government.

Iago.
I once more take my leave. [Exit. ^{note note}

Oth.
This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities ^note, with a learned ^note spirit,
Of ^note human ^note dealings ^note. If I do ^note prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'ld whistle her off and let her down ^note the wind
To prey ^note at fortune. Haply ^note, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined

Into the vale ^note of years,—yet that's not much—
She's gone; I am abused ^note, and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse ^note 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 ^note a dungeon,
Than keep a corner ^note in the thing ^note I love
For others' uses ^note. Yet, 'tis the plague ^note of great ones ^note;
Prerogatived are they less ^note than the base;
'Tis ^note destiny unshunnable, like death:
Even then this forked plague is fated to us
When we do quicken. Desdemona ^note comes: Re-enter ^note Desdemona and Emilia.
If she be false, O, then heaven mocks ^note itself!
I'll not believe 't ^note.

Des.
How now, my dear Othello!
Your dinner, and the generous islanders ^note
By you invited, do attend your presence.

Oth.
I am to blame ^note.

Des.
Why do you speak so faintly? ^note
Are you not well? ^note

Oth.
I have a pain upon my forehead here ^note.

Des.
Faith ^note, that's with watching; 'twill away again: ^note
Let me but bind it hard ^note, within this hour

^note
It will be well ^note.

Oth.
Your napkin is too little; [He puts ^note the handkerchief from him; and she drops it.
Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

Des.
I am very sorry that you are not well. ^note [Exeunt ^note Othello and Desdemona. ^note

Emil. ^note
I am glad I have found this napkin ^note:
This was her first remembrance from the Moor:
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd ^note me to steal it; but she so loves the token,
For he conjured her she should ever keep it,
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to ^note. I'll have ^note the work ta'en out,
And give't Iago: what he will ^{note note} do with it
Heaven knows, not I ^note;
I nothing ^note but to please his fantasy. Re-enter Iago. ^note

Iago.
How now! what do you here alone?

Emil.
Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

Iago.
A ^note thing for me? ^note it is a common thing— ^{note note}

Emil.
Ha!

Iago.
To have a foolish wife ^note.

Emil.
O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?

Iago.
What handkerchief ^note?

Emil.
What handkerchief ^note!
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.

Iago.
Hast stol'n ^note it from her?

Emil.
No, faith ^note; she let it drop by negligence,
And, to the advantage, I being here took't ^note up.
Look, here it is ^note.

Iago.
A good wench; give it me.

Emil.
What will you do with 't ^note, that ^note you have been so earnest
To have me filch ^note it? ^note

Iago. Snatching it ^note
Why, what's ^note that to you?

Emil.
If 't ^note be not for ^note some purpose of import,
Give 't me ^note again: poor lady, she'll run mad
When she shall lack it.

Iago.
Be not acknown on 't ^note; I have use for it.
Go, leave me. ^note [Exit Emilia.
I will in Cassio's lodging lose ^note this napkin,

And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ ^note: this may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison ^note: ^note
Dangerous conceits are in their natures ^note poisons, ^note
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
But with a little act ^note upon the blood ^note
Burn like the mines ^note of sulphur. I did say so: ^{note note}
Look, where he comes! Re-enter Othello. ^note
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor ^note all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst ^note yesterday.

Oth. ^note
Ha! ha! ^note false to me? ^note

Iago.
Why, how now, general! no more of that.

Oth.
Avaunt! be gone! thou hast ^note set me on the rack:
I swear 'tis better to be much abused
Than but to know 't ^note a little.

Iago.
How now ^note, my lord!

Oth.
What sense ^note had I of her ^note stol'n hours of lust ^note?

I saw 't ^note not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:
I slept the next night well, was ^note free and merry;
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips:
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n,
Let him not know 't and he's not robb'd at all.

Iago.
I am sorry to hear this.

Oth.
I had been happy, if the general camp,
Pioners ^note and all, had tasted her sweet body,
So I had nothing known. O, now for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop ^note and the big wars ^note
That make ^note ambition virtue! O, farewell ^note,
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing ^note fife,
The royal banner and all quality,
Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!
And, O you ^note mortal engines, whose rude ^note throats
The immortal Jove's dread ^note clamours ^note counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello's occupation 's gone!

Iago.
Is't possible, my lord? ^{note note}

Oth.
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; ^note
Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;
Or, by the worth of man's ^note eternal soul,
Thou hadst been ^note better have ^note been born a dog
Than ^note answer my waked wrath!

Iago.
Is't come to this?

Oth.
Make me to see 't; 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,— ^note

Oth.
If thou dost slander her and torture me,
Never pray more; abandon all remorse;
On horror's ^note head horrors ^note accumulate;
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
Greater than that. ^note

Iago.
O grace! O heaven defend ^note me!
Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
God be wi' ^note you; take mine ^note office. O ^note wretched fool,
That livest ^note to make thine ^note honesty a vice!
O monstrous world! Take ^note 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 friend sith ^note love breeds such offence.

Oth.
Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest. ^note

Iago.
I should be wise; for honesty 's a fool,
And loses ^note that ^note it works for.

Oth.
By the world,
I think my wife be ^note honest, and ^note think she is not;
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not:
I'll have some proof. Her ^note name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black
As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams ^note,
I'll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!

Iago. ^note
I see, sir, ^note you are eaten up with passion:

I do repent me that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied? ^note

Oth.
Would! nay, I ^note will.

Iago.
And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the supervisor, ^note grossly ^note gape on? ^note
Behold her topp'd ^note?

Oth.
Death and damnation! O!

Iago.
It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring them ^note to that prospect: damn them ^note then,
If ever mortal eyes do ^note see them bolster
More than their own! What then? how then? ^note
What shall I say? Where 's satisfaction? ^note
It is impossible you should see this,
Were they as prime ^note 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 may ^note have 't. ^note

Oth.
Give me a living reason she's ^note disloyal.

Iago.
I do not like the office:
But sith ^note I am enter'd in ^note this cause so far,
Prick'd to 't by foolish honesty and love,
I will go on ^note. 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 ^note will mutter their ^note affairs:
One of this kind is Cassio: ^note
In sleep I heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary ^note, let us hide our loves;’
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
Cry ‘O ^note sweet creature!’ and ^note then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips: then laid ^note his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh'd and kiss'd, and then
Cried ^note ‘Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor! ^note’

Oth.
O monstrous! monstrous!

Iago.
Nay, ^note this was but his dream.

Oth.
But this denoted ^note a foregone conclusion:
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.

Iago.
And ^note this may help to thicken other proofs
That do demonstrate thinly.

Oth.
I'll tear her all to pieces.

Iago.
Nay, but ^note be wise: yet we see nothing done;
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this;
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief ^note
Spotted with strawberries in your wife's ^note hand? ^note

Oth.
I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.

Iago.
I know not that: but such a handkerchief ^note—

I am sure it was your wife's ^note—did I to-day
See Cassio wipe his beard with.

Oth.
If it ^note be that,— ^note

Iago.
If it be that, or any that was hers, ^note
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.
Now do I ^note see 'tis true ^note. Look here, Iago;
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven:
'Tis gone ^note.
Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell ^note!
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted ^note throne
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, ^note
For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

Iago.
Yet ^note be content.

Oth.
O, blood, blood, blood ^note!

Iago.
Patience, I say; your mind perhaps ^note may change.

Oth.
Never, Iago. Like to ^note the Pontic sea, ^note
Whose icy ^note current and compulsive course
Ne'er feels ^note 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 ^note ebb to humble love,

Till that a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up. Now, by ^note yond marble heaven, ^note
In the due reverence of ^note a sacred vow [Kneels. ^note
I here engage my words. ^note

Iago.
Do not rise yet. [Kneels. ^note
Witness, you ^note ever-burning lights above,
You ^note elements that clip us round about,
Witness that here Iago doth give up
The execution ^note of his wit, hands ^note, heart,
To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,
And to obey ^note shall be in me remorse ^note,
What ^note bloody business ever ^note. [They rise. ^note

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 ^note:
But let her live. ^note

Oth.
Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! ^{note note}
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. ^note

Iago.
I am your own for ever. [Exeunt. ^note

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