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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].
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SCENE XI. Enter Jago and Æmilia.

Jago.
What is your pleasure, madam? how is't with you?

Des.
I cannot tell; those that do teach your babes,
Do it with gentle means, and easie tasks;
He might have chid me so: for in good faith
I am a child to chiding.

Jago.
What's the matter, lady?

Æmil.
Alas, Jago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her,
Thrown such despight and heavy terms upon her
That true hearts cannot bear it.

Des.
Am I that name, Jago?

Jago.
What name, fair lady?

Des.
Such as she said my lord did say I was.

-- 565 --

Æmil.
He call'd her whore; a beggar, in his drink,
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.

Jago.
Why did he so?

Des.
I do not know; I'm sure I am none such.

Jago.
Do not weep, do not weep; alas the day!

Æmil.
Hath she forsook so many noble matches?
Her father? and her country? and her friends?
To be call'd whore? would it not make one weep?

Des.
It is my wretched fortune.

Jago.
Beshrew him for't; how comes this trick upon him?

Des.
Nay, heav'n doth know.

Æmil.
I will be hang'd if some eternal villain,
Some busie and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
Has not devis'd this slander: I'll be hang'd else.

Jago.
Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.

Des.
If any such there be, heav'n pardon him.

Æmil.
A halter pardon him, and hell gnaw his bones.
Why should he call her whore? who keeps her company?
What place? what time? what form? what likely-hood?
The Moor's abus'd by some most villanous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
Oh heav'n, that such companions thou'dst unfold,
And put in every honest hand a whip,
To lash the rascal naked through the world,
Ev'n from the east to th' west!

Jago.
Speak within door.

Æmil.
Oh fie upon them! Some such 'squire he was
That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,
And made you to suspect me with the Moor.

Jago.
You are a fool; go to.

Des.
Alas, Jago.
What shall I do to win my lord again?

-- 566 --


Good friend, go to him; by this light of heav'n,
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel; [Kneeling.
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,
Or in discourse, or thought, or actual deed;
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense
Delighted them on any other form;
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,
And ever will, though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement, love him dearly,
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much,
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love. I can't say whore,
It do's abhor me now I speak the word;
To do the act, that might th' addition earn,
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.

Jago.
I pray you be content; 'tis but his humour;
The business of the state do's him offence,
And he does chide with you.

Des.
If 'twere no other—

Jago.
It is but so, I warrant.
Hark how these instruments summon to supper! [Trumpets.
The messenger of Venice stays the meat;
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
[Exeunt Desdemona and Æmilia.
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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].
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