SCENE IX.
Enter Desdemona, Æmilia, and Clown.
Des.
Do you know, sirrah, where lieutenant Cassio lyes?
Clown.
I dare not say he lies any where.
Des.
Why man?
Clown.
He's a soldier, and for me to say a soldier lies, 'tis stabbing.
Des.
Go to; where lodges he?
Clown.
To tell you 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 lyes here, or he lyes there, were to lie in
mine own throat.
-- 543 --
Des.
Can you enquire him out? and be edified by report?
Clown.
I will catechize the world for him, that is make
questions, and by them answer.
Des.
Seek him, bid him come hither; tell him, I have
mov'd my lord on 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 Clown.
Des.
Where should I lose the handkerchief, Æmilia?
Æmil.
I know not, madam.
Des.
Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
Full of 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.
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?
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].
