Rodorigo.
Jago.
Do you meet me presently at the harbour. Come thither,
if thou be'st valiant; as they say, base men being in love,
have then a nobility in their natures, more than is native to
them—list me; the lieutenant to-night watches on the court of
guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love
with him.
Rod.
With him? why, 'tis not possible.
Jago.
Lay thy fingers thus; and let thy soul be instructed.
Mark me with what violence she first lov'd the Moor, but for
bragging, and telling her fantastical lies. And will she love him
still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye
must be fed. And what delight shall she have to look on the devil?
When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there
should be a game to inflame it, and to give satiety a fresh appetite;
loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and
beauties: all which the Moor is defective in. Now for want of
these requir'd conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find it
self abus'd, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the
Moor; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some
second choice. Now, Sir, this granted, (as it is a most pregnant
and unforc'd position) who stands so eminent in the degree
of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further
conscionable, than in putting on the meer form of civil and human
-- 508 --
seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden
loose affection? a slippery and subtile knave, a finder of occasions;
that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, tho'
true advantage never present it self. A devilish knave! besides, the
knave is handsom, young, and hath all those requisites in him,
that folly and green minds look after. A pestilent compleat
knave! and the woman hath found him already.
Rod.
I cannot believe that of her, she's full of most bless'd
condition.
Jago.
Bless'd figs end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes.
If she had been bless'd, she would never have lov'd the Moor:
bless'd pudding! didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of
his hand? didst not mark that?
Rod.
Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesie.
Jago.
Letchery, by this hand; an index, and obscure prologue
to the history of lust, and foul thoughts. They met so near
with their lips, that their breaths embrac'd together. Villanous
thoughts, Rodorigo! when these d notemutualities so marshal the way,
hard at hand comes the master, and main exercise th'incorporate
conclusion: pish—But, Sir, be you rul'd by me. I have brought
you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, I'll
lay't upon you. Cassio knows you not: I'll not be far from you.
Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking
too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other course
you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.
Rod.
Well.
Jago.
Sir, he's rash, and very sudden in choler: and happily
may strike at you. Provoke him that he may; for even out of
that will I cause those of Cyprus to mutiny: whose qualification
shall come into no true taste again, but by displanting of Cassio. So
shall you have a shorter journey to your desires, by the means I
shall then have to prefer them: And the impediments most profitably
removed, without which there was no expectation of our
prosperity.
-- 509 --
Rod.
I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.
Jago.
I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the cittadel. I
must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewel.
Rod.
Adieu.
[Exit.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].