Othello - Entire Play
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Othello - Entire PlaySynopsis:
In Venice, at the start of Othello, the soldier Iago announces his hatred for his commander, Othello, a Moor. Othello has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.
Iago crudely informs Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Before the Venetian Senate, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. The Senators wish to send Othello to Cyprus, which is under threat from Turkey. They bring Desdemona before them. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. The Senate agrees to let her join Othello in Cyprus.
In Cyprus, Iago continues to plot against Othello and Cassio. He lures Cassio into a drunken fight, for which Cassio loses his new rank; Cassio, at Iago’s urging, then begs Desdemona to intervene. Iago uses this and other ploys—misinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchief—to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Othello goes mad with jealousy and later smothers Desdemona on their marriage bed, only to learn of Iago’s treachery. He then kills himself.
RODERIGO
0001 ⟨Tush,⟩ never tell me! I take it much unkindly
0002 That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
0003 As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
IAGO 0004 ⟨’Sblood,⟩ but you’ll not hear me!
0005 5 If ever I did dream of such a matter,
0006 Abhor me.
RODERIGO
0007 Thou toldst me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
IAGO 0008 Despise me
0009 If I do not. Three great ones of the city,
0010 10 In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
0011 Off-capped to him; and, by the faith of man,
0012 I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.
0013 But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,
0014 Evades them with a bombast circumstance,
0015 15 Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
0016 ⟨And in conclusion,⟩
0017 Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,
0018 “I have already chose my officer.”
0019 And what was he?
0020 20 Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
0021 One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
0022 A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,
0024 Nor the division of a battle knows
0025 25 More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
0026 Wherein the ⟨togèd⟩ consuls can propose
0027 As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice
0028 Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th’ election;
0029 And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
0030 30 At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on ⟨other⟩ grounds
0031 Christened and heathen, must be beleed and
0032 calmed
0033 By debitor and creditor. This countercaster,
0034 He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
0035 35 And I, ⟨God⟩ bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.
RODERIGO
0036 By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
IAGO
0037 Why, there’s no remedy. ’Tis the curse of service.
0038 Preferment goes by letter and affection,
0039 And not by old gradation, where each second
0040 40 Stood heir to th’ first. Now, sir, be judge yourself
0041 Whether I in any just term am affined
0042 To love the Moor.
RODERIGO
0043 I would not follow him, then.
IAGO 0044 O, sir, content you.
0045 45 I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
0046 We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
0047 Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark
0048 Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave
0049 That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
0050 50 Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass,
0051 For naught but provender, and when he’s old,
0052 cashiered.
0053 Whip me such honest knaves! Others there are
0054 Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty,
0055 55 Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
0057 Do well thrive by them; and when they have lined
0058 their coats,
0059 Do themselves homage. These fellows have some
0060 60 soul,
0061 And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,
0062 It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
0063 Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.
0064 In following him, I follow but myself.
0065 65 Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
0066 But seeming so for my peculiar end.
0067 For when my outward action doth demonstrate
0068 The native act and figure of my heart
0069 In complement extern, ’tis not long after
0070 70 But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
0071 For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.
RODERIGO
0072 What a ⟨full⟩ fortune does the ⟨thick-lips⟩ owe
0073 If he can carry ’t thus!
IAGO 0074 Call up her father.
0075 75 Rouse him. Make after him, poison his delight,
0076 Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,
0077 And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,
0078 Plague him with flies. Though that his joy be joy,
0079 Yet throw such chances of vexation on ’t
0080 80 As it may lose some color.
RODERIGO
0081 Here is her father’s house. I’ll call aloud.
IAGO
0082 Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell
0083 As when, by night and negligence, the fire
0084 Is spied in populous cities.
RODERIGO
0085 85 What ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
IAGO
0086 Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves!
0088 Thieves, thieves!
⌜Enter Brabantio,⌝ above.
BRABANTIO
0089 What is the reason of this terrible summons?
0090 90 What is the matter there?
RODERIGO
0091 Signior, is all your family within?
IAGO
0092 Are your doors locked?
BRABANTIO 0093 Why, wherefore ask you this?
IAGO
0094 ⟨Zounds,⟩ sir, you’re robbed. For shame, put on your
0095 95 gown!
0096 Your heart is burst. You have lost half your soul.
0097 Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
0098 Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!
0099 Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
0100 100 Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
0101 Arise, I say!
BRABANTIO 0102 What, have you lost your wits?
RODERIGO
0103 Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?
BRABANTIO 0104 Not I. What are you?
RODERIGO
0105 105 My name is Roderigo.
BRABANTIO 0106 The worser welcome.
0107 I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors.
0108 In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
0109 My daughter is not for thee. And now in madness,
0110 110 Being full of supper and distemp’ring draughts,
0111 Upon malicious ⟨bravery⟩ dost thou come
0112 To start my quiet.
RODERIGO 0113 Sir, sir, sir—
BRABANTIO 0114 But thou must needs be sure
0116 To make this bitter to thee.
RODERIGO
0117 Patience, good sir.
BRABANTIO 0118 What tell’st thou me of robbing?
0119 This is Venice. My house is not a grange.
RODERIGO 0120 120Most grave Brabantio,
0121 In simple and pure soul I come to you—
IAGO 0122 ⟨Zounds,⟩ sir, you are one of those that will not
0123 serve God if the devil bid you. Because we come to
0124 do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll
0125 125 have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse,
0126 you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you’ll have
0127 coursers for cousins and jennets for germans.
BRABANTIO 0128 What profane wretch art thou?
IAGO 0129 I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
0130 130 and the Moor are ⟨now⟩ making the beast with
0131 two backs.
BRABANTIO 0132 Thou art a villain.
IAGO 0133 You are a senator.
BRABANTIO
0134 This thou shalt answer. I know thee, Roderigo.
RODERIGO
0135 135 Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech you,
0136 [If ’t be your pleasure and most wise consent—
0137 As partly I find it is—that your fair daughter,
0138 At this odd-even and dull watch o’ th’ night,
0139 Transported with no worse nor better guard
0140 140 But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,
0141 To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor:
0142 If this be known to you, and your allowance,
0143 We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs.
0144 But if you know not this, my manners tell me
0145 145 We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe
0146 That from the sense of all civility
0147 I thus would play and trifle with your Reverence.
0149 I say again, hath made a gross revolt,
0150 150 Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes
0151 In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
0152 Of here and everywhere. Straight satisfy yourself.]
0153 If she be in her chamber or your house,
0154 Let loose on me the justice of the state
0155 155 For thus deluding you.
BRABANTIO 0156 Strike on the tinder, ho!
0157 Give me a taper. Call up all my people.
0158 This accident is not unlike my dream.
0159 Belief of it oppresses me already.
0160 160 Light, I say, light!He exits.
IAGO, ⌜to Roderigo⌝ 0161 Farewell, for I must leave you.
0162 It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place
0163 To be producted, as if I stay I shall,
0164 Against the Moor. For I do know the state,
0165 165 However this may gall him with some check,
0166 Cannot with safety cast him, for he’s embarked
0167 With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,
0168 Which even now stands in act, that, for their souls,
0169 Another of his fathom they have none
0170 170 To lead their business. In which regard,
0171 Though I do hate him as I do hell ⟨pains,⟩
0172 Yet, for necessity of present life,
0173 I must show out a flag and sign of love—
0174 Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find
0175 175 him,
0176 Lead to the Sagittary the raisèd search,
0177 And there will I be with him. So, farewell.He exits.
Enter Brabantio ⟨in his nightgown,⟩ with Servants and
Torches.
BRABANTIO
0178 It is too true an evil. Gone she is,
0179 And what’s to come of my despisèd time
0181 Where didst thou see her?—O, unhappy girl!—
0182 With the Moor, sayst thou?—Who would be a
0183 father?—
0184 How didst thou know ’twas she?—O, she deceives
0185 185 me
0186 Past thought!—What said she to you?—Get more
0187 tapers.
0188 Raise all my kindred.—Are they married, think
0189 you?
RODERIGO 0190 190Truly, I think they are.
BRABANTIO
0191 O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!
0192 Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’ minds
0193 By what you see them act.—Is there not charms
0194 By which the property of youth and maidhood
0195 195 May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
0196 Of some such thing?
RODERIGO 0197 Yes, sir, I have indeed.
BRABANTIO
0198 Call up my brother.—O, would you had had her!—
0199 Some one way, some another.—Do you know
0200 200 Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
RODERIGO
0201 I think I can discover him, if you please
0202 To get good guard and go along with me.
BRABANTIO
0203 Pray you lead on. At every house I’ll call.
0204 I may command at most.—Get weapons, ho!
0205 205 And raise some special officers of ⟨night⟩.—
0206 On, good Roderigo. I will deserve your pains.
They exit.
IAGO
0207 Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
0208 Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ th’ conscience
0209 To do no contrived murder. I lack iniquity
0210 ⟨Sometimes⟩ to do me service. Nine or ten times
0211 5 I had thought t’ have yerked him here under the
0212 ribs.
OTHELLO
0213 ’Tis better as it is.
IAGO 0214 Nay, but he prated
0215 And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
0216 10 Against your Honor,
0217 That with the little godliness I have
0218 I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,
0219 Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
0220 That the magnifico is much beloved,
0221 15 And hath in his effect a voice potential
0222 As double as the Duke’s. He will divorce you
0223 Or put upon you what restraint or grievance
0224 The law (with all his might to enforce it on)
0225 Will give him cable.
OTHELLO 0226 20 Let him do his spite.
0227 My services which I have done the signiory
0228 Shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis yet to know
0229 (Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
0230 I shall promulgate) I fetch my life and being
0231 25 From men of royal siege, and my demerits
0232 May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
0233 As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,
0234 But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
0235 I would not my unhousèd free condition
0236 30 Put into circumscription and confine
0237 For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come
0238 yond?
0239 Those are the raisèd father and his friends.
0240 You were best go in.
OTHELLO 0241 35 Not I. I must be found.
0242 My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
0243 Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO 0244 By Janus, I think no.
Enter Cassio, with ⟨Officers, and⟩ Torches.
OTHELLO
0245 The servants of the ⟨Duke⟩ and my lieutenant!
0246 40 The goodness of the night upon you, friends.
0247 What is the news?
CASSIO 0248 The Duke does greet you, general,
0249 And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
0250 Even on the instant.
OTHELLO 0251 45 What is the matter, think you?
CASSIO
0252 Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.
0253 It is a business of some heat. The galleys
0254 Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
0255 This very night at one another’s heels,
0256 50 And many of the Consuls, raised and met,
0257 Are at the Duke’s already. You have been hotly
0258 called for.
0259 When, being not at your lodging to be found,
0260 The Senate hath sent about three several quests
0261 55 To search you out.
OTHELLO 0262 ’Tis well I am found by you.
0263 I will but spend a word here in the house
0264 And go with you.⌜He exits.⌝
CASSIO 0265 Ancient, what makes he here?
IAGO
0266 60 Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack.
0267 If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.
CASSIO
0268 I do not understand.
CASSIO 0270 To who?
IAGO
0271 65 Marry, to—
⌜Reenter Othello.⌝
0272 Come, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO 0273 Have with you.
CASSIO
0274 Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, with Officers, and Torches.
IAGO
0275 It is Brabantio. General, be advised,
0276 70 He comes to bad intent.
OTHELLO 0277 Holla, stand there!
RODERIGO
0278 Signior, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO 0279 Down with him,
0280 thief!
⌜They draw their swords.⌝
IAGO
0281 75 You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO
0282 Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust
0283 them.
0284 Good signior, you shall more command with years
0285 Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO
0286 80 O, thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my
0287 daughter?
0288 Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!
0289 For I’ll refer me to all things of sense,
0290 [If she in chains of magic were not bound,]
0291 85 Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
0292 So opposite to marriage that she shunned
0293 The wealthy curlèd ⟨darlings⟩ of our nation,
0294 Would ever have, t’ incur a general mock,
0296 90 Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight!
0297 [Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense
0298 That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
0299 Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
0300 That weakens motion. I’ll have ’t disputed on.
0301 95 ’Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.
0302 I therefore apprehend and do attach thee]
0303 For an abuser of the world, a practicer
0304 Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.—
0305 Lay hold upon him. If he do resist,
0306 100 Subdue him at his peril.
OTHELLO 0307 Hold your hands,
0308 Both you of my inclining and the rest.
0309 Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
0310 Without a prompter.—Whither will you that I go
0311 105 To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO 0312 To prison, till fit time
0313 Of law and course of direct session
0314 Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO 0315 What if ⟨I⟩ do obey?
0316 110 How may the Duke be therewith satisfied,
0317 Whose messengers are here about my side,
0318 Upon some present business of the state,
0319 To bring me to him?
OFFICER 0320 ’Tis true, most worthy signior.
0321 115 The Duke’s in council, and your noble self
0322 I am sure is sent for.
BRABANTIO 0323 How? The Duke in council?
0324 In this time of the night? Bring him away;
0325 Mine’s not an idle cause. The Duke himself,
0326 120 Or any of my brothers of the state,
0327 Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own.
0328 For if such actions may have passage free,
0329 Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
They exit.
DUKE, ⌜reading a paper⌝
0330 There’s no composition in ⟨these⟩ news
0331 That gives them credit.
FIRST SENATOR, ⌜reading a paper⌝
0332 Indeed, they are disproportioned.
0333 My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
DUKE
0334 5 And mine, a hundred forty.
SECOND SENATOR, ⌜reading a paper⌝
0335 And mine, two hundred.
0336 But though they jump not on a just account
0337 (As in these cases, where the aim reports
0338 ’Tis oft with difference), yet do they all confirm
0339 10 A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
DUKE
0340 Nay, it is possible enough to judgment.
0341 I do not so secure me in the error,
0342 But the main article I do approve
0343 In fearful sense.
SAILOR, within 0344 15 What ho, what ho, what ho!
Enter Sailor.
OFFICER 0345 A messenger from the galleys.
DUKE 0346 Now, what’s the business?
SAILOR
0347 The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes.
0348 So was I bid report here to the state
0349 20 By Signior Angelo.⌜He exits.⌝
DUKE
0350 How say you by this change?
FIRST SENATOR 0351 This cannot be,
0352 By no assay of reason. ’Tis a pageant
0353 To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
0354 25 Th’ importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
0356 That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
0357 So may he with more facile question bear it,
0358 [For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
0359 30 But altogether lacks th’ abilities
0360 That Rhodes is dressed in—if we make thought of
0361 this,
0362 We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
0363 To leave that latest which concerns him first,
0364 35 Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
0365 To wake and wage a danger profitless.]
DUKE
0366 Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
OFFICER 0367 Here is more news.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
0368 The Ottomites, Reverend and Gracious,
0369 40 Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
0370 Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
[FIRST SENATOR
0371 Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?]
MESSENGER
0372 Of thirty sail; and now they do restem
0373 Their backward course, bearing with frank
0374 45 appearance
0375 Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
0376 Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
0377 With his free duty recommends you thus,
0378 And prays you to believe him.⌜He exits.⌝
DUKE 0379 50’Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.
0380 Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
FIRST SENATOR
0381 He’s now in Florence.
DUKE 0382 Write from us to him.
0383 Post-post-haste. Dispatch.
0384 55 Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
Enter Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and
Officers.
DUKE
0385 Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
0386 Against the general enemy Ottoman.
0387 ⌜To Brabantio.⌝ I did not see you. Welcome, gentle
0388 signior.
0389 60 We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
BRABANTIO
0390 So did I yours. Good your Grace, pardon me.
0391 Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
0392 Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general
0393 care
0394 65 Take hold on me, for my particular grief
0395 Is of so floodgate and o’erbearing nature
0396 That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
0397 And it is still itself.
DUKE 0398 Why, what’s the matter?
BRABANTIO
0399 70 My daughter! O, my daughter!
⌜FIRST SENATOR⌝ 0400 Dead?
BRABANTIO 0401 Ay, to me.
0402 She is abused, stol’n from me, and corrupted
0403 By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;
0404 75 For nature so prepost’rously to err—
0405 Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense—
0406 Sans witchcraft could not.
DUKE
0407 Whoe’er he be that in this foul proceeding
0408 Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
0409 80 And you of her, the bloody book of law
0410 You shall yourself read in the bitter letter,
0411 After your own sense, yea, though our proper son
0412 Stood in your action.
0414 85 Here is the man—this Moor, whom now it seems
0415 Your special mandate for the state affairs
0416 Hath hither brought.
ALL 0417 We are very sorry for ’t.
DUKE, ⌜to Othello⌝
0418 What, in your own part, can you say to this?
BRABANTIO 0419 90Nothing, but this is so.
OTHELLO
0420 Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
0421 My very noble and approved good masters:
0422 That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter,
0423 It is most true; true I have married her.
0424 95 The very head and front of my offending
0425 Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
0426 And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace;
0427 For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith,
0428 Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
0429 100 Their dearest action in the tented field,
0430 And little of this great world can I speak
0431 More than pertains to feats of ⟨broil⟩ and battle.
0432 And therefore little shall I grace my cause
0433 In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious
0434 105 patience,
0435 I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
0436 Of my whole course of love—what drugs, what
0437 charms,
0438 What conjuration, and what mighty magic
0439 110 (For such proceeding I am charged withal)
0440 I won his daughter.
BRABANTIO 0441 A maiden never bold,
0442 Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
0443 Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature,
0444 115 Of years, of country, credit, everything,
0445 To fall in love with what she feared to look on!
0446 It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
0448 Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
0449 120 To find out practices of cunning hell
0450 Why this should be. I therefore vouch again
0451 That with some mixtures powerful o’er the blood,
0452 Or with some dram conjured to this effect,
0453 He wrought upon her.
⟨DUKE⟩ 0454 125 To vouch this is no proof
0455 Without more wider and more ⟨overt⟩ test
0456 Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
0457 Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
⟨FIRST SENATOR⟩ 0458 But, Othello, speak:
0459 130 Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
0460 Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
0461 Or came it by request, and such fair question
0462 As soul to soul affordeth?
OTHELLO 0463 I do beseech you,
0464 135 Send for the lady to the Sagittary
0465 And let her speak of me before her father.
0466 If you do find me foul in her report,
0467 [The trust, the office I do hold of you,]
0468 Not only take away, but let your sentence
0469 140 Even fall upon my life.
DUKE 0470 Fetch Desdemona hither.
OTHELLO
0471 Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place.
⌜Iago and Attendants exit.⌝
0472 And ⟨till⟩ she come, as truly as to heaven
0473 [I do confess the vices of my blood,]
0474 145 So justly to your grave ears I’ll present
0475 How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love,
0476 And she in mine.
DUKE 0477 Say it, Othello.
OTHELLO
0478 Her father loved me, oft invited me,
0479 150 Still questioned me the story of my life
0481 That I have passed.
0482 I ran it through, even from my boyish days
0483 To th’ very moment that he bade me tell it,
0484 155 Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances:
0485 Of moving accidents by flood and field,
0486 Of hairbreadth ’scapes i’ th’ imminent deadly
0487 breach,
0488 Of being taken by the insolent foe
0489 160 And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence,
0490 And portance in my traveler’s history,
0491 Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
0492 Rough quarries, rocks, ⟨and⟩ hills whose ⟨heads⟩
0493 touch heaven,
0494 165 It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
0495 And of the cannibals that each ⟨other⟩ eat,
0496 The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads
0497 ⟨Do grow⟩ beneath their shoulders. These things to
0498 hear
0499 170 Would Desdemona seriously incline.
0500 But still the house affairs would draw her ⟨thence,⟩
0501 Which ever as she could with haste dispatch
0502 She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
0503 Devour up my discourse. Which I, observing,
0504 175 Took once a pliant hour, and found good means
0505 To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
0506 That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
0507 Whereof by parcels she had something heard,
0508 But not ⟨intentively.⟩ I did consent,
0509 180 And often did beguile her of her tears
0510 When I did speak of some distressful stroke
0511 That my youth suffered. My story being done,
0512 She gave me for my pains a world of ⟨sighs.⟩
0513 She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing
0514 185 strange,
0515 ’Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
0517 That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked
0518 me,
0519 190 And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
0520 I should but teach him how to tell my story,
0521 And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
0522 She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
0523 And I loved her that she did pity them.
0524 195 This only is the witchcraft I have used.
0525 Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
Enter Desdemona, Iago, Attendants.
DUKE
0526 I think this tale would win my daughter, too.
0527 Good Brabantio,
0528 Take up this mangled matter at the best.
0529 200 Men do their broken weapons rather use
0530 Than their bare hands.
BRABANTIO 0531 I pray you hear her speak.
0532 If she confess that she was half the wooer,
0533 Destruction on my head if my bad blame
0534 205 Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
0535 Do you perceive in all this noble company
0536 Where most you owe obedience?
DESDEMONA 0537 My noble father,
0538 I do perceive here a divided duty.
0539 210 To you I am bound for life and education.
0540 My life and education both do learn me
0541 How to respect you. You are the lord of duty.
0542 I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my
0543 husband.
0544 215 And so much duty as my mother showed
0545 To you, preferring you before her father,
0546 So much I challenge that I may profess
0547 Due to the Moor my lord.
BRABANTIO 0548 God be with you! I have done.
0550 I had rather to adopt a child than get it.—
0551 Come hither, Moor.
0552 I here do give thee that with all my heart
0553 [Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart]
0554 225 I would keep from thee.—For your sake, jewel,
0555 I am glad at soul I have no other child,
0556 For thy escape would teach me tyranny,
0557 To hang clogs on them.—I have done, my lord.
DUKE
0558 Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence,
0559 230 Which as a grise or step may help these lovers
0560 ⟨Into your favor.⟩
0561 When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
0562 By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
0563 To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
0564 235 Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
0565 What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
0566 Patience her injury a mock’ry makes.
0567 The robbed that smiles steals something from the
0568 thief;
0569 240 He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
BRABANTIO
0570 So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
0571 We lose it not so long as we can smile.
0572 He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
0573 But the free comfort which from thence he hears;
0574 245 But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
0575 That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
0576 These sentences to sugar or to gall,
0577 Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
0578 But words are words. I never yet did hear
0579 250 That the bruised heart was piercèd through the
0580 ⟨ear.⟩
0581 I humbly beseech you, proceed to th’ affairs of
0582 state.
0584 255 for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is
0585 best known to you. And though we have there a
0586 substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a
0587 sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer
0588 voice on you. You must therefore be content to
0589 260 slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this
0590 more stubborn and boist’rous expedition.
OTHELLO
0591 The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
0592 Hath made the flinty and steel ⌜couch⌝ of war
0593 My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
0594 265 A natural and prompt alacrity
0595 I find in hardness, and do undertake
0596 This present wars against the Ottomites.
0597 Most humbly, therefore, bending to your state,
0598 I crave fit disposition for my wife,
0599 270 Due reference of place and exhibition,
0600 With such accommodation and besort
0601 As levels with her breeding.
DUKE
0602 Why, at her father’s.
BRABANTIO 0603 I will not have it so.
OTHELLO 0604 275Nor I.
DESDEMONA 0605 Nor would I there reside
0606 To put my father in impatient thoughts
0607 By being in his eye. Most gracious duke,
0608 To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
0609 280 And let me find a charter in your voice
0610 T’ assist my simpleness.
DUKE 0611 What would you, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA
0612 That I love the Moor to live with him
0613 My downright violence and storm of fortunes
0614 285 May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
0615 Even to the very quality of my lord.
0617 And to his honors and his valiant parts
0618 Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
0619 290 So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,
0620 A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
0621 The rites for why I love him are bereft me
0622 And I a heavy interim shall support
0623 By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
OTHELLO 0624 295Let her have your voice.
0625 Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not
0626 To please the palate of my appetite,
0627 Nor to comply with heat (the young affects
0628 In ⌜me⌝ defunct) and proper satisfaction,
0629 300 But to be free and bounteous to her mind.
0630 And heaven defend your good souls that you think
0631 I will your serious and great business scant
0632 ⟨For⟩ she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
0633 Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
0634 305 My speculative and officed ⟨instruments,⟩
0635 That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
0636 Let housewives make a skillet of my helm,
0637 And all indign and base adversities
0638 Make head against my estimation.
DUKE
0639 310 Be it as you shall privately determine,
0640 Either for her stay or going. Th’ affair cries haste,
0641 And speed must answer it.
⌜FIRST⌝ SENATOR
0642 You must away tonight.
OTHELLO 0643 With all my
0644 315 heart.
DUKE
0645 At nine i’ th’ morning here we’ll meet again.
0646 Othello, leave some officer behind
0647 And he shall our commission bring to you,
0648 ⟨With⟩ such things else of quality and respect
0649 320 As doth import you.
0651 ancient.
0652 A man he is of honesty and trust.
0653 To his conveyance I assign my wife,
0654 325 With what else needful your good Grace shall think
0655 To be sent after me.
DUKE 0656 Let it be so.
0657 Good night to everyone. ⌜To Brabantio.⌝ And, noble
0658 signior,
0659 330 If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
0660 Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
⟨FIRST⟩ SENATOR
0661 Adieu, brave Moor, use Desdemona well.
BRABANTIO
0662 Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
0663 She has deceived her father, and may thee.He exits.
OTHELLO
0664 335 My life upon her faith!
⌜The Duke, the Senators, Cassio, and Officers exit.⌝
0665 Honest Iago,
0666 My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
0667 I prithee let thy wife attend on her,
0668 And bring them after in the best advantage.—
0669 340 Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour
0670 Of love, of ⟨worldly matters,⟩ and direction
0671 To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
⟨Othello and Desdemona⟩ exit.
RODERIGO 0672 Iago—
IAGO 0673 What sayst thou, noble heart?
RODERIGO 0674 345What will I do, think’st thou?
IAGO 0675 Why, go to bed and sleep.
RODERIGO 0676 I will incontinently drown myself.
IAGO 0677 If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why,
0678 thou silly gentleman!
RODERIGO 0679 350It is silliness to live, when to live is torment,
0680 and then have we a prescription to die when death is
0681 our physician.
0683 four times seven years, and since I could distinguish
0684 355 betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found
0685 man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say
0686 I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I
0687 would change my humanity with a baboon.
RODERIGO 0688 What should I do? I confess it is my shame
0689 360 to be so fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it.
IAGO 0690 Virtue? A fig! ’Tis in ourselves that we are thus or
0691 thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our
0692 wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles
0693 or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme,
0694 365 supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it
0695 with many, either to have it sterile with idleness or
0696 manured with industry, why the power and corrigible
0697 authority of this lies in our wills. If the ⟨balance⟩
0698 of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise
0699 370 another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our
0700 natures would conduct us to most prepost’rous
0701 conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging
0702 motions, our carnal stings, ⟨our⟩ unbitted lusts—
0703 whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect, or
0704 375 scion.
RODERIGO 0705 It cannot be.
IAGO 0706 It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission
0707 of the will. Come, be a man! Drown thyself? Drown
0708 cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy
0709 380 friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving
0710 with cables of perdurable toughness. I could never
0711 better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse.
0712 Follow thou the wars; defeat thy favor with an
0713 usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It
0714 385 cannot be that Desdemona should ⟨long⟩ continue
0715 her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—
0716 nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in
0717 her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration
0719 390 changeable in their wills. Fill thy purse with money.
0720 The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts
0721 shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida.
0722 She must change for youth. When she is sated
0723 with his body she will find the ⟨error⟩ of her choice.
0724 395 Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt
0725 needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than
0726 drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony
0727 and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian
0728 and ⟨a⟩ supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my
0729 400 wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her.
0730 Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself!
0731 It is clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be
0732 hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned
0733 and go without her.
RODERIGO 0734 405Wilt thou be fast to my hopes if I depend on
0735 the issue?
IAGO 0736 Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have
0737 told thee often, and I retell thee again and again, I
0738 hate the Moor. My cause is hearted; thine hath no
0739 410 less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge
0740 against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost
0741 thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many
0742 events in the womb of time which will be delivered.
0743 Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more
0744 415 of this tomorrow. Adieu.
RODERIGO 0745 Where shall we meet i’ th’ morning?
IAGO 0746 At my lodging.
RODERIGO 0747 I’ll be with thee betimes.
IAGO 0748 Go to, farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo?
⟨RODERIGO 0749 420What say you?
IAGO 0750 No more of drowning, do you hear?
RODERIGO 0751 I am changed.
IAGO 0752 Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your
0753 purse.⟩
IAGO
0755 Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
0756 For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
0757 If I would time expend with such ⟨a⟩ snipe
0758 But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
0759 430 And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
0760 ’Has done my office. I know not if ’t be true,
0761 But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
0762 Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
0763 The better shall my purpose work on him.
0764 435 Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now:
0765 To get his place and to plume up my will
0766 In double knavery—How? how?—Let’s see.
0767 After some time, to abuse Othello’s ⟨ear⟩
0768 That he is too familiar with his wife.
0769 440 He hath a person and a smooth dispose
0770 To be suspected, framed to make women false.
0771 The Moor is of a free and open nature
0772 That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
0773 And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose
0774 445 As asses are.
0775 I have ’t. It is engendered. Hell and night
0776 Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
⟨He exits.⟩
MONTANO
0777 What from the cape can you discern at sea?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
0778 Nothing at all. It is a high-wrought flood.
0779 I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
0780 Descry a sail.
MONTANO
0781 5 Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.
0782 A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements.
0783 If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,
0784 What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
0785 Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
0786 10 A segregation of the Turkish fleet.
0787 For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
0788 The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds,
0789 The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous
0790 mane,
0791 15 Seems to cast water on the burning Bear
0792 And quench the guards of th’ ever-fixèd pole.
0793 I never did like molestation view
0794 On the enchafèd flood.
MONTANO 0795 If that the Turkish fleet
0796 20 Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned.
0797 It is impossible to bear it out.
THIRD GENTLEMAN 0798 News, lads! Our wars are done.
0799 The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks
0800 That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice
0801 25 Hath seen a grievous wrack and sufferance
0802 On most part of their fleet.
MONTANO
0803 How? Is this true?
THIRD GENTLEMAN 0804 The ship is here put in,
0805 A Veronesa. Michael Cassio,
0806 30 Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
0807 Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,
0808 And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
MONTANO
0809 I am glad on ’t. ’Tis a worthy governor.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
0810 But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
0811 35 Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly
0812 And ⟨prays⟩ the Moor be safe, for they were parted
0813 With foul and violent tempest.
MONTANO 0814 Pray ⟨heaven⟩ he be;
0815 For I have served him, and the man commands
0816 40 Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho!
0817 As well to see the vessel that’s come in
0818 As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
0819 [Even till we make the main and th’ aerial blue
0820 An indistinct regard.]
⟨THIRD⟩ GENTLEMAN 0821 45 Come, let’s do so;
0822 For every minute is expectancy
0823 Of more ⟨arrivance.⟩
Enter Cassio.
CASSIO
0824 Thanks, you the valiant of ⟨this⟩ warlike isle,
0825 That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
0827 For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.
MONTANO 0828 Is he well shipped?
CASSIO
0829 His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot
0830 Of very expert and approved allowance;
0831 55 Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
0832 Stand in bold cure.
⌜Voices cry⌝ within. “A sail, a sail, a sail!”
⟨Enter a Messenger.⟩
CASSIO 0833 What noise?
⟨MESSENGER⟩
0834 The town is empty; on the brow o’ th’ sea
0835 Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail!”
CASSIO
0836 60 My hopes do shape him for the Governor.
⟨A shot.⟩
⟨SECOND⟩ GENTLEMAN
0837 They do discharge their shot of courtesy.
0838 Our friends, at least.
CASSIO 0839 I pray you, sir, go forth,
0840 And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.
⟨SECOND⟩ GENTLEMAN 0841 65I shall.He exits.
MONTANO
0842 But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
CASSIO
0843 Most fortunately. He hath achieved a maid
0844 That paragons description and wild fame,
0845 One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
0846 70 And in th’ essential vesture of creation
0847 Does tire the ⌜ingener.⌝
Enter ⟨Second⟩ Gentleman.
0848 How now? Who has put in?
0849 ’Tis one Iago, ancient to the General.
CASSIO
0850 ’Has had most favorable and happy speed!
0851 75 Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
0852 The guttered rocks and congregated sands
0853 (Traitors ensteeped to ⟨clog⟩ the guiltless keel),
0854 As having sense of beauty, do omit
0855 Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
0856 80 The divine Desdemona.
MONTANO 0857 What is she?
CASSIO
0858 She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
0859 Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
0860 Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
0861 85 A sennight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
0862 And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
0863 That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
0864 Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,
0865 Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits,
0866 90 ⟨And bring all Cyprus comfort!⟩
Enter Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia.
0867 O, behold,
0868 The riches of the ship is come on shore!
0869 You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
⌜He kneels.⌝
0870 Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of heaven,
0871 95 Before, behind thee, and on every hand
0872 Enwheel thee round.⌜He rises.⌝
DESDEMONA 0873 I thank you, valiant Cassio.
0874 What tidings can you tell of my lord?
CASSIO
0875 He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught
0876 100 But that he’s well and will be shortly here.
DESDEMONA
0877 O, but I fear—How lost you company?
0878 The great contention of sea and skies
0879 Parted our fellowship.
Within “A sail, a sail!” ⌜A shot.⌝
0880 But hark, a sail!
⟨SECOND⟩ GENTLEMAN
0881 105 They give ⟨their⟩ greeting to the citadel.
0882 This likewise is a friend.
CASSIO 0883 See for the news.
⌜Second Gentleman exits.⌝
0884 Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.
⌜He kisses Emilia.⌝
0885 Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
0886 110 That I extend my manners. ’Tis my breeding
0887 That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
IAGO
0888 Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
0889 As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
0890 You would have enough.
DESDEMONA
0891 115 Alas, she has no speech!
IAGO 0892 In faith, too much.
0893 I find it still when I have ⟨list⟩ to sleep.
0894 Marry, before your Ladyship, I grant,
0895 She puts her tongue a little in her heart
0896 120 And chides with thinking.
EMILIA 0897 You have little cause to say so.
IAGO 0898 Come on, come on! You are pictures out of door,
0899 bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens,
0900 saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players
0901 125 in your huswifery, and huswives in your beds.
DESDEMONA 0902 Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer.
IAGO
0903 Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
0904 You rise to play, and go to bed to work.
EMILIA
0905 You shall not write my praise.
DESDEMONA
0907 What wouldst write of me if thou shouldst praise
0908 me?
IAGO
0909 O, gentle lady, do not put me to ’t,
0910 For I am nothing if not critical.
DESDEMONA
0911 135 Come on, assay.—There’s one gone to the harbor?
IAGO 0912 Ay, madam.
DESDEMONA, ⌜aside⌝
0913 I am not merry, but I do beguile
0914 The thing I am by seeming otherwise.—
0915 Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
IAGO 0916 140I am about it, but indeed my invention comes
0917 from my pate as birdlime does from frieze: it
0918 plucks out brains and all. But my muse labors, and
0919 thus she is delivered:
0920 If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
0921 145 The one’s for use, the other useth it.
DESDEMONA
0922 Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
IAGO
0923 If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
0924 She’ll find a white that shall her blackness ⟨hit.⟩
DESDEMONA
0925 Worse and worse.
EMILIA 0926 150 How if fair and foolish?
IAGO
0927 She never yet was foolish that was fair,
0928 For even her folly helped her to an heir.
DESDEMONA 0929 These are old fond paradoxes to make
0930 fools laugh i’ th’ alehouse. What miserable praise
0931 155 hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?
IAGO
0932 There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,
0933 But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
0935 worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on
0936 160 a deserving woman indeed, one that in the authority
0937 of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very
0938 malice itself?
IAGO
0939 She that was ever fair and never proud,
0940 Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
0941 165 Never lacked gold and yet went never gay,
0942 Fled from her wish, and yet said “Now I may,”
0943 She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,
0944 Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
0945 She that in wisdom never was so frail
0946 170 To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail,
0947 She that could think and ne’er disclose her mind,
0948 [See suitors following and not look behind,]
0949 She was a wight, if ever such ⟨wight⟩ were—
DESDEMONA 0950 To do what?
IAGO
0951 175 To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
DESDEMONA 0952 O, most lame and impotent conclusion!
0953 —Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy
0954 husband.—How say you, Cassio? Is he not a most
0955 profane and liberal counselor?
CASSIO 0956 180He speaks home, madam. You may relish him
0957 more in the soldier than in the scholar.
⌜Cassio takes Desdemona’s hand.⌝
IAGO, ⌜aside⌝ 0958 He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said,
0959 whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as
0960 great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do. I will
0961 185 ⌜gyve⌝ thee in thine own courtship. You say true, ’tis
0962 so indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of
0963 your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not
0964 kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again
0965 you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good; well
0966 190 kissed; ⟨an⟩ excellent courtesy! ’Tis so, indeed. Yet
0968 ⟨clyster⟩ pipes for your sake!⟨Trumpets within.⟩
0969 The Moor. I know his trumpet.
CASSIO 0970 ’Tis truly so.
DESDEMONA 0971 195Let’s meet him and receive him.
CASSIO 0972 Lo, where he comes!
Enter Othello and Attendants.
OTHELLO
0973 O, my fair warrior!
DESDEMONA 0974 My dear Othello!
OTHELLO
0975 It gives me wonder great as my content
0976 200 To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!
0977 If after every tempest come such calms,
0978 May the winds blow till they have wakened death,
0979 And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas
0980 Olympus high, and duck again as low
0981 205 As hell’s from heaven! If it were now to die,
0982 ’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
0983 My soul hath her content so absolute
0984 That not another comfort like to this
0985 Succeeds in unknown fate.
DESDEMONA 0986 210 The heavens forbid
0987 But that our loves and comforts should increase
0988 Even as our days do grow!
OTHELLO 0989 Amen to that, sweet powers!
0990 I cannot speak enough of this content.
0991 215 It stops me here; it is too much of joy.⟨They kiss.⟩
0992 And this, and this, the greatest discords be
0993 That e’er our hearts shall make!
IAGO, ⌜aside⌝ 0994 O, you are well tuned now,
0995 But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music,
0996 220 As honest as I am.
OTHELLO 0997 Come. Let us to the castle.—
0998 News, friends! Our wars are done. The Turks are
0999 drowned.
1001 225 Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus.
1002 I have found great love amongst them. O, my sweet,
1003 I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
1004 In mine own comforts.—I prithee, good Iago,
1005 Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
1006 230 Bring thou the master to the citadel.
1007 He is a good one, and his worthiness
1008 Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona.
1009 Once more, well met at Cyprus.
⌜All but Iago and Roderigo⌝ exit.
IAGO, ⌜to a departing Attendant⌝ 1010 Do thou meet me presently
1011 235 at the harbor. ⌜To Roderigo.⌝ Come ⟨hither.⟩ If
1012 thou be’st valiant—as they say base men being in
1013 love have then a nobility in their natures more than
1014 is native to them—list me. The Lieutenant tonight
1015 watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee
1016 240 this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.
RODERIGO 1017 With him? Why, ’tis not possible.
IAGO 1018 Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
1019 Mark me with what violence she first loved the
1020 Moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical
1021 245 lies. ⟨And will she⟩ love him still for prating? Let not
1022 thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And
1023 what delight shall she have to look on the devil?
1024 When the blood is made dull with the act of sport,
1025 there should be, ⟨again⟩ to inflame it and to give
1026 250 satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy
1027 in years, manners, and beauties, all which the Moor
1028 is defective in. Now, for want of these required
1029 conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself
1030 abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and
1031 255 abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it
1032 and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir,
1033 this granted—as it is a most pregnant and unforced
1034 position—who stands so eminent in the degree of
1036 260 further conscionable than in putting on the mere
1037 form of civil and humane seeming for the better
1038 ⟨compassing⟩ of his salt and most hidden loose
1039 affection. Why, none, why, none! A slipper and
1040 subtle knave, a ⟨finder-out of occasions,⟩ that ⟨has⟩ an
1041 265 eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though
1042 true advantage never present itself; a devilish knave!
1043 Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all
1044 those requisites in him that folly and green minds
1045 look after. A pestilent complete knave, and the
1046 270 woman hath found him already.
RODERIGO 1047 I cannot believe that in her. She’s full of
1048 most blessed condition.
IAGO 1049 Blessed fig’s end! The wine she drinks is made of
1050 grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never
1051 275 have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou
1052 not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst
1053 not mark that?
RODERIGO 1054 Yes, that I did. But that was but courtesy.
IAGO 1055 Lechery, by this hand! An index and obscure
1056 280 prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts.
1057 They met so near with their lips that their breaths
1058 embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo!
1059 When these ⟨mutualities⟩ so marshal the way, hard
1060 at hand comes the master and main exercise, th’
1061 285 incorporate conclusion. Pish! But, sir, be you ruled
1062 by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you
1063 tonight. For the command, I’ll lay ’t upon you.
1064 Cassio knows you not. I’ll not be far from you. Do
1065 you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by
1066 290 speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from
1067 what other course you please, which the time shall
1068 more favorably minister.
RODERIGO 1069 Well.
IAGO 1070 Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and
1072 for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to
1073 mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no
1074 true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So
1075 shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by
1076 300 the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the
1077 impediment most profitably removed, without the
1078 which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
RODERIGO 1079 I will do this, if you can bring it to any
1080 opportunity.
IAGO 1081 305I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I
1082 must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
RODERIGO 1083 Adieu.He exits.
IAGO
1084 That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ’t.
1085 That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit.
1086 310 The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
1087 Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
1088 And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona
1089 A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too,
1090 Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure
1091 315 I stand accountant for as great a sin)
1092 But partly led to diet my revenge
1093 For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
1094 Hath leaped into my seat—the thought whereof
1095 Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,
1096 320 And nothing can or shall content my soul
1097 Till I am evened with him, wife for wife,
1098 Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
1099 At least into a jealousy so strong
1100 That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
1101 325 If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace
1102 For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
1103 I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
1104 Abuse him to the Moor in the ⟨rank⟩ garb
1105 (For I fear Cassio with my ⟨nightcap⟩ too),
1107 For making him egregiously an ass
1108 And practicing upon his peace and quiet
1109 Even to madness. ’Tis here, but yet confused.
1110 Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.
He exits.
HERALD 1111 It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant
1112 general, that upon certain tidings now arrived,
1113 importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet,
1114 every man put himself into triumph: some to
1115 5 dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what
1116 sport and revels his addition leads him. For besides
1117 these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his
1118 nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed
1119 All offices are open, and there is full
1120 10 liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till
1121 the bell have told eleven. ⟨Heaven⟩ bless the isle of
1122 Cyprus and our noble general, Othello!
He exits.
OTHELLO
1123 Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.
1124 Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop
1125 Not to outsport discretion.
CASSIO
1126 Iago hath direction what to do,
1127 5 But notwithstanding, with my personal eye
1128 Will I look to ’t.
1130 Michael, goodnight. Tomorrow with your earliest
1131 Let me have speech with you. ⌜To Desdemona.⌝ Come,
1132 10 my dear love,
1133 The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
1134 That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.—
1135 Goodnight.
⟨Othello and Desdemona⟩ exit, ⌜with Attendants.⌝
Enter Iago.
CASSIO
1136 Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch.
IAGO 1137 15Not this hour, lieutenant. ’Tis not yet ten o’ th’
1138 clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of
1139 his Desdemona—who let us not therefore blame;
1140 he hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and
1141 she is sport for Jove.
CASSIO 1142 20She’s a most exquisite lady.
IAGO 1143 And, I’ll warrant her, full of game.
CASSIO 1144 Indeed, she’s a most fresh and delicate
1145 creature.
IAGO 1146 What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley
1147 25 to provocation.
CASSIO 1148 An inviting eye, and yet methinks right
1149 modest.
IAGO 1150 And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?
CASSIO 1151 She is indeed perfection.
IAGO 1152 30Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant,
1153 I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a
1154 brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a
1155 measure to the health of black Othello.
CASSIO 1156 Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and
1157 35 unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish
1158 courtesy would invent some other custom of
1159 entertainment.
IAGO 1160 O, they are our friends! But one cup; I’ll drink
1161 for you.
1163 craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it
1164 makes here. I am ⟨unfortunate⟩ in the infirmity and
1165 dare not task my weakness with any more.
IAGO 1166 What, man! ’Tis a night of revels. The gallants
1167 45 desire it.
CASSIO 1168 Where are they?
IAGO 1169 Here at the door. I pray you, call them in.
CASSIO 1170 I’ll do ’t, but it dislikes me.He exits.
IAGO
1171 If I can fasten but one cup upon him
1172 50 With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
1173 He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
1174 As my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool
1175 Roderigo,
1176 Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,
1177 55 To Desdemona hath tonight caroused
1178 Potations pottle-deep; and he’s to watch.
1179 Three else of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits
1180 That hold their honors in a wary distance,
1181 The very elements of this warlike isle,
1182 60 Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups;
1183 And they watch too. Now, ’mongst this flock of
1184 drunkards
1185 Am I ⟨to put⟩ our Cassio in some action
1186 That may offend the isle. But here they come.
1187 65 If consequence do but approve my dream,
1188 My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.
Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen, ⌜followed by
Servants with wine.⌝
CASSIO 1189 ’Fore ⟨God,⟩ they have given me a rouse
1190 already.
MONTANO 1191 Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I
1192 70 am a soldier.
IAGO 1193 Some wine, ho!
1195 And let me the cannikin clink.
1196 A soldier’s a man,
1197 75 O, man’s life’s but a span,
1198 Why, then, let a soldier drink.
1199 Some wine, boys!
CASSIO 1200 ’Fore ⟨God,⟩ an excellent song.
IAGO 1201 I learned it in England, where indeed they are
1202 80 most potent in potting. Your Dane, your German,
1203 and your swag-bellied Hollander—drink, ho!—are
1204 nothing to your English.
CASSIO 1205 Is your ⟨Englishman⟩ so exquisite in his
1206 drinking?
IAGO 1207 85Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane
1208 dead drunk. He sweats not to overthrow your Almain.
1209 He gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next
1210 pottle can be filled.
CASSIO 1211 To the health of our general!
MONTANO 1212 90I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you
1213 justice.
IAGO 1214 O sweet England!
⌜Sings.⌝ 1215 King Stephen was and-a worthy peer,
1216 His breeches cost him but a crown;
1217 95 He held them sixpence all too dear;
1218 With that he called the tailor lown.
1219 He was a wight of high renown,
1220 And thou art but of low degree;
1221 ’Tis pride that pulls the country down,
1222 100 ⟨Then⟩ take thy auld cloak about thee.
1223 Some wine, ho!
CASSIO 1224 ⟨’Fore God,⟩ this is a more exquisite song than
1225 the other!
IAGO 1226 Will you hear ’t again?
CASSIO 1227 105No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place
1228 that does those things. Well, ⟨God’s⟩ above all; and
1229 there be souls must be saved, [and there be souls
1230 must not be saved.]
CASSIO 1232 110For mine own part—no offense to the General,
1233 nor any man of quality—I hope to be saved.
IAGO 1234 And so do I too, lieutenant.
CASSIO 1235 Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The
1236 Lieutenant is to be saved before the Ancient. Let’s
1237 115 have no more of this. Let’s to our affairs. ⟨God⟩
1238 forgive us our sins! Gentlemen, let’s look to our
1239 business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This
1240 is my ancient, this is my right hand, and this is my
1241 left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough,
1242 120 and I speak well enough.
GENTLEMEN 1243 Excellent well.
CASSIO 1244 Why, very well then. You must not think then
1245 that I am drunk.He exits.
MONTANO
1246 To th’ platform, masters. Come, let’s set the watch.
⌜Gentlemen exit.⌝
IAGO, ⌜to Montano⌝
1247 125 You see this fellow that is gone before?
1248 He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
1249 And give direction; and do but see his vice.
1250 ’Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
1251 The one as long as th’ other. ’Tis pity of him.
1252 130 I fear the trust Othello puts him in,
1253 On some odd time of his infirmity,
1254 Will shake this island.
MONTANO 1255 But is he often thus?
IAGO
1256 ’Tis evermore ⟨the⟩ prologue to his sleep.
1257 135 He’ll watch the horologe a double set
1258 If drink rock not his cradle.
MONTANO 1259 It were well
1260 The General were put in mind of it.
1261 Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature
1262 140 Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio
1263 And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?
IAGO, ⌜aside to Roderigo⌝ 1264 How now, Roderigo?
1265 I pray you, after the Lieutenant, go.
⟨Roderigo exits.⟩
MONTANO
1266 And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor
1267 145 Should hazard such a place as his own second
1268 With one of an engraffed infirmity.
1269 It were an honest action to say so
1270 To the Moor.
IAGO 1271 Not I, for this fair island.
1272 150 I do love Cassio well and would do much
1273 To cure him of this evil—⟨“Help, help!” within.⟩
1274 But hark! What noise?
Enter Cassio, pursuing Roderigo.
CASSIO 1275 ⟨Zounds,⟩ you rogue, you rascal!
MONTANO 1276 What’s the matter, lieutenant?
CASSIO 1277 155A knave teach me my duty? I’ll beat the knave
1278 into a twiggen bottle.
RODERIGO 1279 Beat me?
CASSIO 1280 Dost thou prate, rogue?⌜He hits Roderigo.⌝
MONTANO 1281 Nay, good lieutenant. I pray you, sir, hold
1282 160 your hand.
CASSIO 1283 Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the
1284 mazard.
MONTANO 1285 Come, come, you’re drunk.
CASSIO 1286 Drunk?
⟨They fight.⟩
IAGO, ⌜aside to Roderigo⌝
1287 165 Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny.
⌜Roderigo exits.⌝
1288 Nay, good lieutenant.—⟨God’s will,⟩ gentlemen!—
1289 Help, ho! Lieutenant—sir—Montano—⟨sir⟩—
1290 Help, masters!—Here’s a goodly watch indeed!
⟨A bell is rung.⟩
1292 170 The town will rise. ⟨God’s will,⟩ lieutenant, ⟨hold!⟩
1293 You ⟨will be shamed⟩ forever.
Enter Othello and Attendants.
OTHELLO
1294 What is the matter here?
MONTANO 1295 ⟨Zounds,⟩ I bleed
1296 still.
1297 175 I am hurt to th’ death. He dies!⌜He attacks Cassio.⌝
OTHELLO 1298 Hold, for your lives!
IAGO
1299 Hold, ho! Lieutenant—sir—Montano—
1300 gentlemen—
1301 Have you forgot all ⌜sense of place⌝ and duty?
1302 180 Hold! The General speaks to you. Hold, for shame!
OTHELLO
1303 Why, how now, ho! From whence ariseth this?
1304 Are we turned Turks, and to ourselves do that
1305 Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
1306 For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl!
1307 185 He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
1308 Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
1309 Silence that dreadful bell. It frights the isle
1310 From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
1311 Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,
1312 190 Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.
IAGO
1313 I do not know. Friends all but now, even now,
1314 In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
1315 Divesting them for bed; and then but now,
1316 As if some planet had unwitted men,
1317 195 Swords out, and tilting one at other’s ⟨breast,⟩
1318 In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
1319 Any beginning to this peevish odds,
1320 And would in action glorious I had lost
1321 Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
1322 200 How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
CASSIO
1323 I pray you pardon me; I cannot speak.
OTHELLO
1324 Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil.
1325 The gravity and stillness of your youth
1326 The world hath noted. And your name is great
1327 205 In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter
1328 That you unlace your reputation thus,
1329 And spend your rich opinion for the name
1330 Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.
MONTANO
1331 Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.
1332 210 Your officer Iago can inform you,
1333 While I spare speech, which something now offends
1334 me,
1335 Of all that I do know; nor know I aught
1336 By me that’s said or done amiss this night,
1337 215 Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
1338 And to defend ourselves it be a sin
1339 When violence assails us.
OTHELLO 1340 Now, by heaven,
1341 My blood begins my safer guides to rule,
1342 220 And passion, having my best judgment collied,
1343 Assays to lead the way. ⟨Zounds, if I⟩ stir,
1344 Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
1345 Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
1346 How this foul rout began, who set it on;
1347 225 And he that is approved in this offense,
1348 Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth,
1349 Shall lose me. What, in a town of war
1350 Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear,
1351 To manage private and domestic quarrel,
1352 230 In night, and on the court and guard of safety?
1353 ’Tis monstrous. Iago, who began ’t?
1354 If partially affined, or ⌜leagued⌝ in office,
1355 Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
1356 Thou art no soldier.
IAGO 1357 235 Touch me not so near.
1358 I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
1359 Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio.
1360 Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth
1361 Shall nothing wrong him. ⟨Thus⟩ it is, general:
1362 240 Montano and myself being in speech,
1363 There comes a fellow crying out for help,
1364 And Cassio following him with determined sword
1365 To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
⌜Pointing to Montano.⌝
1366 Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause.
1367 245 Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
1368 Lest by his clamor—as it so fell out—
1369 The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot,
1370 Outran my purpose, and I returned ⟨the⟩ rather
1371 For that I heard the clink and fall of swords
1372 250 And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight
1373 I ne’er might say before. When I came back—
1374 For this was brief—I found them close together
1375 At blow and thrust, even as again they were
1376 When you yourself did part them.
1377 255 More of this matter cannot I report.
1378 But men are men; the best sometimes forget.
1379 Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
1380 As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
1381 Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
1382 260 From him that fled some strange indignity
1383 Which patience could not pass.
OTHELLO 1384 I know, Iago,
1385 Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
1386 Making it light to Cassio.—Cassio, I love thee,
1387 265 But nevermore be officer of mine.
1388 Look if my gentle love be not raised up!
1389 I’ll make thee an example.
DESDEMONA
1390 What is the matter, dear?
OTHELLO 1391 All’s well ⟨now,⟩
1392 270 sweeting.
1393 Come away to bed. ⌜To Montano.⌝ Sir, for your hurts,
1394 Myself will be your surgeon.—Lead him off.
⌜Montano is led off.⌝
1395 Iago, look with care about the town
1396 And silence those whom this vile brawl
1397 275 distracted.—
1398 Come, Desdemona. ’Tis the soldier’s life
1399 To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.
⌜All but Iago and Cassio⌝ exit.
IAGO 1400 What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
CASSIO 1401 Ay, past all surgery.
IAGO 1402 280Marry, ⟨God⟩ forbid!
CASSIO 1403 Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have
1404 lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
1405 myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,
1406 Iago, my reputation!
IAGO 1407 285As I am an honest man, I thought you had
1408 received some bodily wound. There is more sense
1409 in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and
1410 most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost
1411 without deserving. You have lost no reputation at
1412 290 all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What,
1413 man, there are ways to recover the General again!
1414 You are but now cast in his mood—a punishment
1415 more in policy than in malice, even so as one would
1416 beat his offenseless dog to affright an imperious
1417 295 lion. Sue to him again and he’s yours.
CASSIO 1418 I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive
1419 so good a commander with so slight, so drunken,
1421 parrot? And squabble? Swagger? Swear? And discourse
1422 300 fustian with one’s own shadow?] O thou
1423 invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be
1424 known by, let us call thee devil!
IAGO 1425 What was he that you followed with your sword?
1426 What had he done to you?
CASSIO 1427 305I know not.
IAGO 1428 Is ’t possible?
CASSIO 1429 I remember a mass of things, but nothing
1430 distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O
1431 ⟨God,⟩ that men should put an enemy in their
1432 310 mouths to steal away their brains! That we should
1433 with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause transform
1434 ourselves into beasts!
IAGO 1435 Why, but you are now well enough. How came
1436 you thus recovered?
CASSIO 1437 315It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give
1438 place to the devil wrath. One unperfectness shows
1439 me another, to make me frankly despise myself.
IAGO 1440 Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time,
1441 the place, and the condition of this country stands,
1442 320 I could heartily wish this had not ⟨so⟩ befallen. But
1443 since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.
CASSIO 1444 I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell
1445 me I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as
1446 Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be
1447 325 now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently
1448 a beast! O, strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed,
1449 and the ingredient is a devil.
IAGO 1450 Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,
1451 if it be well used. Exclaim no more against it.
1452 330 And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.
CASSIO 1453 I have well approved it, sir.—I drunk!
IAGO 1454 You or any man living may be drunk at a time,
1455 man. ⟨I’ll⟩ tell you what you shall do. Our general’s
1457 335 respect, for that he hath devoted and given up
1458 himself to the contemplation, mark, and ⌜denotement⌝
1459 of her parts and graces. Confess yourself
1460 freely to her. Importune her help to put you in your
1461 place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so
1462 340 blessed a disposition she holds it a vice in her
1463 goodness not to do more than she is requested. This
1464 broken joint between you and her husband entreat
1465 her to splinter, and, my fortunes against any lay
1466 worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow
1467 345 stronger than it was before.
CASSIO 1468 You advise me well.
IAGO 1469 I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest
1470 kindness.
CASSIO 1471 I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I
1472 350 will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake
1473 for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check
1474 me ⟨here⟩.
IAGO 1475 You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant. I
1476 must to the watch.
CASSIO 1477 355Good night, honest Iago.Cassio exits.
IAGO
1478 And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain,
1479 When this advice is free I give and honest,
1480 Probal to thinking, and indeed the course
1481 To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy
1482 360 Th’ inclining Desdemona to subdue
1483 In any honest suit. She’s framed as fruitful
1484 As the free elements. And then for her
1485 To win the Moor—⟨were ’t⟩ to renounce his baptism,
1486 All seals and symbols of redeemèd sin—
1487 365 His soul is so enfettered to her love
1488 That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
1489 Even as her appetite shall play the god
1490 With his weak function. How am I then a villain
1492 370 Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
1493 When devils will the blackest sins put on,
1494 They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
1495 As I do now. For whiles this honest fool
1496 Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,
1497 375 And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
1498 I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear:
1499 That she repeals him for her body’s lust;
1500 And by how much she strives to do him good,
1501 She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
1502 380 So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
1503 And out of her own goodness make the net
1504 That shall enmesh them all.
Enter Roderigo.
1505 How now, Roderigo?
RODERIGO 1506 I do follow here in the chase, not like a
1507 385 hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My
1508 money is almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly
1509 well cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I
1510 shall have so much experience for my pains, and so,
1511 with no money at all and a little more wit, return
1512 390 again to Venice.
IAGO
1513 How poor are they that have not patience!
1514 What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
1515 Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,
1516 And wit depends on dilatory time.
1517 395 Does ’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,
1518 And thou, by that small hurt, ⟨hast⟩ cashiered Cassio.
1519 Though other things grow fair against the sun,
1520 Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.
1521 Content thyself awhile. ⟨By th’ Mass,⟩ ’tis morning!
1522 400 Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
1523 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted.
1525 Nay, get thee gone.Roderigo exits.
1526 Two things are to be done.
1527 405 My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress.
1528 I’ll set her on.
1529 Myself ⌜the⌝ while to draw the Moor apart
1530 And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
1531 Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way.
1532 410 Dull not device by coldness and delay.
He exits.
CASSIO
1533 Masters, play here (I will content your pains)
1534 Something that’s brief; and bid “Good morrow,
1535 general.”⌜They play.⌝
⌜Enter the Clown.⌝
CLOWN 1536 Why masters, have your instruments been in
1537 5 Naples, that they speak i’ th’ nose thus?
MUSICIAN 1538 How, sir, how?
CLOWN 1539 Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?
MUSICIAN 1540 Ay, marry, are they, sir.
CLOWN 1541 O, thereby hangs a tail.
MUSICIAN 1542 10Whereby hangs a tale, sir?
CLOWN 1543 Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I
1544 know. But, masters, here’s money for you; and the
1545 General so likes your music that he desires you, for
1546 love’s sake, to make no more noise with it.
MUSICIAN 1547 15Well, sir, we will not.
CLOWN 1548 If you have any music that may not be heard, to
1549 ’t again. But, as they say, to hear music the General
1550 does not greatly care.
MUSICIAN 1551 We have none such, sir.
CLOWN 1552 20Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll
1553 away. Go, vanish into air, away!
CASSIO 1554 Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?
CLOWN 1555 No, I hear not your honest friend. I hear you.
CASSIO 1556 Prithee, keep up thy quillets.⌜Giving money.⌝
1557 25 There’s a poor piece of gold for thee. If the gentlewoman
1558 that attends the ⟨General’s wife⟩ be stirring,
1559 tell her there’s one Cassio entreats her a little favor
1560 of speech. Wilt thou do this?
CLOWN 1561 She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall
1562 30 seem to notify unto her.
⟨CASSIO
1563 Do, good my friend.⟩Clown exits.
Enter Iago.
1564 In happy time, Iago.
IAGO 1565 You have not been abed, then?
CASSIO 1566 Why, no. The day had broke
1567 35 Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
1568 To send in to your wife. My suit to her
1569 Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
1570 Procure me some access.
IAGO 1571 I’ll send her to you presently,
1572 40 And I’ll devise a mean to draw the Moor
1573 Out of the way, that your converse and business
1574 May be more free.
CASSIO
1575 I humbly thank you for ’t. ⌜Iago⌝ exits. I never
1576 knew
1577 45 A Florentine more kind and honest.
Enter Emilia.
EMILIA
1578 Good morrow, good lieutenant. I am sorry
1579 For your displeasure, but all will sure be well.
1580 The General and his wife are talking of it,
1581 And she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies
1583 And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom
1584 He might not but refuse you. But he protests he
1585 loves you
1586 And needs no other suitor but his likings
1587 55 ⟨To take the safest occasion by the front⟩
1588 To bring you in again.
CASSIO 1589 Yet I beseech you,
1590 If you think fit, or that it may be done,
1591 Give me advantage of some brief discourse
1592 60 With Desdemon alone.
EMILIA 1593 Pray you come in.
1594 I will bestow you where you shall have time
1595 To speak your bosom freely.
[CASSIO 1596 I am much bound to you.]
⟨They exit.⟩
OTHELLO
1597 These letters give, Iago, to the pilot
1598 And by him do my duties to the Senate.
⌜He gives Iago some papers.⌝
1599 That done, I will be walking on the works.
1600 Repair there to me.
IAGO 1601 5 Well, my good lord, I’ll do ’t.
OTHELLO
1602 This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see ’t?
GENTLEMEN
1603 ⟨We⟩ wait upon your Lordship.
They exit.
DESDEMONA
1604 Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
1605 All my abilities in thy behalf.
EMILIA
1606 Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband
1607 As if the cause were his.
DESDEMONA
1608 5 O, that’s an honest fellow! Do not doubt, Cassio,
1609 But I will have my lord and you again
1610 As friendly as you were.
CASSIO 1611 Bounteous madam,
1612 Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
1613 10 He’s never anything but your true servant.
DESDEMONA
1614 I know ’t. I thank you. You do love my lord;
1615 You have known him long; and be you well assured
1616 He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
1617 Than in a politic distance.
CASSIO 1618 15 Ay, but, lady,
1619 That policy may either last so long,
1620 Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
1621 Or breed itself so out of ⟨circumstance,⟩
1622 That, I being absent and my place supplied,
1623 20 My general will forget my love and service.
DESDEMONA
1624 Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here,
1625 I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
1626 If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it
1627 To the last article. My lord shall never rest:
1628 25 I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
1629 His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
1630 I’ll intermingle everything he does
1631 With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
1633 30 Than give thy cause away.
Enter Othello and Iago.
EMILIA 1634 Madam, here comes my lord.
CASSIO 1635 Madam, I’ll take my leave.
DESDEMONA 1636 Why, stay, and hear me speak.
CASSIO
1637 Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease,
1638 35 Unfit for mine own purposes.
DESDEMONA 1639 Well, do your discretion.Cassio exits.
IAGO
1640 Ha, I like not that.
OTHELLO 1641 What dost thou say?
IAGO
1642 Nothing, my lord; or if—I know not what.
OTHELLO
1643 40 Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
IAGO
1644 Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it
1645 That he would steal away so guiltylike,
1646 Seeing your coming.
OTHELLO 1647 I do believe ’twas he.
DESDEMONA 1648 45How now, my lord?
1649 I have been talking with a suitor here,
1650 A man that languishes in your displeasure.
OTHELLO 1651 Who is ’t you mean?
DESDEMONA
1652 Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
1653 50 If I have any grace or power to move you,
1654 His present reconciliation take;
1655 For if he be not one that truly loves you,
1656 That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
1657 I have no judgment in an honest face.
1658 55 I prithee call him back.
OTHELLO 1659 Went he hence now?
1661 That he hath left part of his grief with me
1662 To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
OTHELLO
1663 60 Not now, sweet Desdemon. Some other time.
DESDEMONA
1664 But shall ’t be shortly?
OTHELLO 1665 The sooner, sweet, for you.
DESDEMONA
1666 Shall ’t be tonight at supper?
OTHELLO 1667 No, not tonight.
DESDEMONA 1668 65Tomorrow dinner, then?
OTHELLO 1669 I shall not dine at home;
1670 I meet the captains at the citadel.
DESDEMONA
1671 Why then tomorrow night, ⟨or⟩ Tuesday morn,
1672 On Tuesday noon or night; on Wednesday morn.
1673 70 I prithee name the time, but let it not
1674 Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent;
1675 And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
1676 Save that, they say, the wars must make example
1677 Out of her best—is not almost a fault
1678 75 T’ incur a private check. When shall he come?
1679 Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
1680 What you would ask me that I should deny,
1681 Or stand so mamm’ring on? What? Michael Cassio,
1682 That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,
1683 80 When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
1684 Hath ta’en your part—to have so much to do
1685 To bring him in! ⟨By ’r Lady,⟩ I could do much—
OTHELLO
1686 Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will;
1687 I will deny thee nothing.
DESDEMONA 1688 85Why, this is not a boon!
1689 ’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
1690 Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
1692 To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
1693 90 Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
1694 It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,
1695 And fearful to be granted.
OTHELLO 1696 I will deny thee nothing!
1697 Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
1698 95 To leave me but a little to myself.
DESDEMONA
1699 Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord.
OTHELLO
1700 Farewell, my Desdemona. I’ll come to thee straight.
DESDEMONA
1701 Emilia, come.—Be as your fancies teach you.
1702 Whate’er you be, I am obedient.
⟨Desdemona and Emilia⟩ exit.
OTHELLO
1703 100 Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
1704 But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
1705 Chaos is come again.
IAGO 1706 My noble lord—
OTHELLO
1707 What dost thou say, Iago?
IAGO 1708 105 Did Michael Cassio,
1709 When ⟨you⟩ wooed my lady, know of your love?
OTHELLO
1710 He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?
IAGO
1711 But for a satisfaction of my thought,
1712 No further harm.
OTHELLO 1713 110 Why of thy thought, Iago?
IAGO
1714 I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
OTHELLO
1715 O yes, and went between us very oft.
IAGO 1716 Indeed?
1717 Indeed? Ay, indeed! Discern’st thou aught in that?
1718 115 Is he not honest?
IAGO 1719 Honest, my lord?
OTHELLO 1720 Honest—ay, honest.
IAGO
1721 My lord, for aught I know.
OTHELLO 1722 What dost thou think?
IAGO 1723 120Think, my lord?
OTHELLO
1724 “Think, my lord?” ⟨By heaven,⟩ thou echo’st me
1725 As if there were some monster in thy thought
1726 Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean
1727 something.
1728 125 I heard thee say even now, thou lik’st not that,
1729 When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?
1730 And when I told thee he was of my counsel
1731 ⟨In⟩ my whole course of wooing, thou cried’st
1732 “Indeed?”
1733 130 And didst contract and purse thy brow together
1734 As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
1735 Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me,
1736 Show me thy thought.
IAGO 1737 My lord, you know I love you.
OTHELLO 1738 135I think thou dost;
1739 And for I know thou ’rt full of love and honesty
1740 And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them
1741 breath,
1742 Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.
1743 140 For such things in a false, disloyal knave
1744 Are tricks of custom; but in a man that’s just,
1745 They’re close dilations working from the heart
1746 That passion cannot rule.
IAGO 1747 For Michael Cassio,
1748 145 I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.
OTHELLO
1749 I think so too.
1751 Or those that be not, would they might seem none!
OTHELLO 1752 Certain, men should be what they seem.
IAGO
1753 150 Why then, I think Cassio’s an honest man.
OTHELLO 1754 Nay, yet there’s more in this.
1755 I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,
1756 As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of
1757 thoughts
1758 155 The worst of words.
IAGO 1759 Good my lord, pardon me.
1760 Though I am bound to every act of duty,
1761 I am not bound to ⟨that all slaves are free to.⟩
1762 Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and
1763 160 false—
1764 As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
1765 Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so
1766 pure
1767 ⟨But some⟩ uncleanly apprehensions
1768 165 Keep leets and law days and in sessions sit
1769 With meditations lawful?
OTHELLO
1770 Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
1771 If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
1772 A stranger to thy thoughts.
IAGO 1773 170 I do beseech you,
1774 Though I perchance am vicious in my guess—
1775 As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague
1776 To spy into abuses, and ⟨oft⟩ my jealousy
1777 Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom
1778 175 From one that so imperfectly conceits
1779 Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
1780 Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
1781 It were not for your quiet nor your good,
1782 Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom,
1783 180 To let you know my thoughts.
IAGO
1785 Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
1786 Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
1787 Who steals my purse steals trash. ’Tis something,
1788 185 nothing;
1789 ’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to
1790 thousands.
1791 But he that filches from me my good name
1792 Robs me of that which not enriches him
1793 190 And makes me poor indeed.
OTHELLO 1794 ⟨By heaven,⟩ I’ll know thy thoughts.
IAGO
1795 You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
1796 Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody.
OTHELLO
1797 Ha?
IAGO 1798 195 O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
1799 It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
1800 The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
1801 Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
1802 But O, what damnèd minutes tells he o’er
1803 200 Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet ⟨strongly⟩ loves!
OTHELLO 1804 O misery!
IAGO
1805 Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
1806 But riches fineless is as poor as winter
1807 To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
1808 205 Good ⟨God,⟩ the souls of all my tribe defend
1809 From jealousy!
OTHELLO 1810 Why, why is this?
1811 Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,
1812 To follow still the changes of the moon
1813 210 With fresh suspicions? No. To be once in doubt
1814 Is ⟨once⟩ to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
1815 When I shall turn the business of my soul
1817 Matching thy inference. ’Tis not to make me jealous
1818 215 To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
1819 Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances ⟨well.⟩
1820 Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
1821 Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
1822 The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
1823 220 For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago,
1824 I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
1825 And on the proof, there is no more but this:
1826 Away at once with love or jealousy.
IAGO
1827 I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
1828 225 To show the love and duty that I bear you
1829 With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound,
1830 Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
1831 Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
1832 Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.
1833 230 I would not have your free and noble nature,
1834 Out of self-bounty, be abused. Look to ’t.
1835 I know our country disposition well.
1836 In Venice they do let ⟨God⟩ see the pranks
1837 They dare not show their husbands. Their best
1838 235 conscience
1839 Is not to leave ’t undone, but ⌜keep ’t⌝ unknown.
OTHELLO 1840 Dost thou say so?
IAGO
1841 She did deceive her father, marrying you,
1842 And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,
1843 240 She loved them most.
OTHELLO 1844 And so she did.
IAGO 1845 Why, go to, then!
1846 She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,
1847 To seel her father’s eyes up close as oak,
1848 245 He thought ’twas witchcraft! But I am much to
1849 blame.
1851 For too much loving you.
OTHELLO 1852 I am bound to thee forever.
IAGO
1853 250 I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.
OTHELLO
1854 Not a jot, not a jot.
IAGO 1855 ⟨I’ faith,⟩ I fear it has.
1856 I hope you will consider what is spoke
1857 Comes from ⟨my⟩ love. But I do see you’re moved.
1858 255 I am to pray you not to strain my speech
1859 To grosser issues nor to larger reach
1860 Than to suspicion.
OTHELLO 1861 I will not.
IAGO 1862 Should you do so, my lord,
1863 260 My speech should fall into such vile success
1864 ⟨As my thoughts aim not at.⟩ Cassio’s my worthy
1865 friend.
1866 My lord, I see you’re moved.
OTHELLO 1867 No, not much moved.
1868 265 I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.
IAGO
1869 Long live she so! And long live you to think so!
OTHELLO
1870 And yet, how nature erring from itself—
IAGO
1871 Ay, there’s the point. As, to be bold with you,
1872 Not to affect many proposèd matches
1873 270 Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
1874 Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
1875 Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank,
1876 Foul ⟨disproportion,⟩ thoughts unnatural—
1877 But pardon me—I do not in position
1878 275 Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
1879 Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
1880 May fall to match you with her country forms
1881 And happily repent.
1883 280 If more thou dost perceive, let me know more.
1884 Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.
IAGO, ⌜beginning to exit⌝ 1885 My lord, I take my leave.
OTHELLO
1886 Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
1887 Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
IAGO, ⌜returning⌝
1888 285 My lord, I would I might entreat your Honor
1889 To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time.
1890 Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place—
1891 For sure he fills it up with great ability—
1892 Yet, if you please to ⟨hold⟩ him off awhile,
1893 290 You shall by that perceive him and his means.
1894 Note if your lady strain his entertainment
1895 With any strong or vehement importunity.
1896 Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
1897 Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
1898 295 As worthy cause I have to fear I am—
1899 And hold her free, I do beseech your Honor.
OTHELLO 1900 Fear not my government.
IAGO 1901 I once more take my leave.He exits.
OTHELLO
1902 This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,
1903 300 And knows all ⟨qualities⟩ with a learnèd spirit
1904 Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
1905 Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
1906 I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind
1907 To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black
1908 305 And have not those soft parts of conversation
1909 That chamberers have, or for I am declined
1910 Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
1911 She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief
1912 Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
1913 310 That we can call these delicate creatures ours
1914 And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad
1916 Than keep a corner in the thing I love
1917 For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague ⟨of⟩ great ones;
1918 315 Prerogatived are they less than the base.
1919 ’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
1920 Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us
1921 When we do quicken. Look where she comes.
Enter Desdemona and Emilia.
1922 If she be false, heaven ⟨mocks⟩ itself!
1923 320 I’ll not believe ’t.
DESDEMONA 1924 How now, my dear Othello?
1925 Your dinner, and the generous islanders
1926 By you invited, do attend your presence.
OTHELLO 1927 I am to blame.
DESDEMONA
1928 325 Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?
OTHELLO
1929 I have a pain upon my forehead, here.
DESDEMONA
1930 ⟨Faith,⟩ that’s with watching. ’Twill away again.
1931 Let me but bind it hard; within this hour
1932 It will be well.
OTHELLO 1933 330 Your napkin is too little.
1934 Let it alone.⌜The handkerchief falls, unnoticed.⌝
1935 Come, I’ll go in with you.
DESDEMONA
1936 I am very sorry that you are not well.
⟨Othello and Desdemona⟩ exit.
EMILIA, ⌜picking up the handkerchief⌝
1937 I am glad I have found this napkin.
1938 335 This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
1939 My wayward husband hath a hundred times
1940 Wooed me to steal it. But she so loves the token
1941 (For he conjured her she should ever keep it)
1942 That she reserves it evermore about her
1944 And give ’t Iago. What he will do with it
1945 Heaven knows, not I.
1946 I nothing but to please his fantasy.
Enter Iago.
IAGO 1947 How now? What do you here alone?
EMILIA
1948 345 Do not you chide. I have a thing for you.
IAGO
1949 You have a thing for me? It is a common thing—
EMILIA 1950 Ha?
IAGO 1951 To have a foolish wife.
EMILIA
1952 O, is that all? What will you give me now
1953 350 For that same handkerchief?
IAGO 1954 What handkerchief?
EMILIA 1955 What handkerchief?
1956 Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,
1957 That which so often you did bid me steal.
IAGO 1958 355Hast stol’n it from her?
EMILIA
1959 No, ⟨faith,⟩ she let it drop by negligence,
1960 And to th’ advantage I, being here, took ’t up.
1961 Look, here ’tis.
IAGO 1962 A good wench! Give it me.
EMILIA
1963 360 What will you do with ’t, that you have been so
1964 earnest
1965 To have me filch it?
IAGO, ⌜snatching it⌝ 1966 Why, what is that to you?
EMILIA
1967 If it be not for some purpose of import,
1968 365 Give ’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad
1969 When she shall lack it.
1971 I have use for it. Go, leave me.Emilia exits.
1972 I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin
1973 370 And let him find it. Trifles light as air
1974 Are to the jealous confirmations strong
1975 As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
1976 [The Moor already changes with my poison;]
1977 Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,
1978 375 Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
1979 But with a little act upon the blood
1980 Burn like the mines of sulfur.
Enter Othello.
1981 I did say so.
1982 Look where he comes. Not poppy nor mandragora
1983 380 Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
1984 Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
1985 Which thou owedst yesterday.
OTHELLO 1986 Ha, ha, false to me?
IAGO
1987 Why, how now, general? No more of that!
OTHELLO
1988 385 Avaunt! Begone! Thou hast set me on the rack.
1989 I swear ’tis better to be much abused
1990 Than but to know ’t a little.
IAGO 1991 How now, my lord?
OTHELLO
1992 What sense had I ⟨of⟩ her stol’n hours of lust?
1993 390 I saw ’t not, thought it not; it harmed not me.
1994 I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and
1995 merry.
1996 I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips.
1997 He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol’n,
1998 395 Let him not know ’t, and he’s not robbed at all.
IAGO 1999 I am sorry to hear this.
2000 I had been happy if the general camp,
2001 Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,
2002 So I had nothing known. O, now, forever
2003 400 Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!
2004 Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars
2005 That makes ambition virtue! O, farewell!
2006 Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
2007 The spirit-stirring drum, th’ ear-piercing fife,
2008 405 The royal banner, and all quality,
2009 Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
2010 And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
2011 Th’ immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit,
2012 Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone!
IAGO 2013 410Is ’t possible, my lord?
OTHELLO
2014 Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore!
2015 Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof,
2016 Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,
2017 Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
2018 415 Than answer my waked wrath.
IAGO 2019 Is ’t come to this?
OTHELLO
2020 Make me to see ’t, or at the least so prove it
2021 That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
2022 To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!
IAGO 2023 420My noble lord—
OTHELLO
2024 If thou dost slander her and torture me,
2025 Never pray more. Abandon all remorse;
2026 On horror’s head horrors accumulate;
2027 Do deeds to make heaven weep, all Earth amazed;
2028 425 For nothing canst thou to damnation add
2029 Greater than that.
IAGO 2030 O grace! O heaven forgive me!
2031 Are you a man? Have you a soul or sense?
2033 430 That ⟨liv’st⟩ to make thine honesty a vice!—
2034 O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world:
2035 To be direct and honest is not safe.—
2036 I thank you for this profit, and from hence
2037 I’ll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense.
OTHELLO 2038 435Nay, stay. Thou shouldst be honest.
IAGO
2039 I should be wise; for honesty’s a fool
2040 And loses that it works for.
[OTHELLO 2041 By the world,
2042 I think my wife be honest and think she is not.
2043 440 I think that thou art just and think thou art not.
2044 I’ll have some proof! ⌜Her⌝ name, that was as fresh
2045 As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black
2046 As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,
2047 Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
2048 445 I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!]
IAGO
2049 I see you are eaten up with passion.
2050 I do repent me that I put it to you.
2051 You would be satisfied?
OTHELLO 2052 Would? Nay, and I will.
IAGO
2053 450 And may; but how? How satisfied, my lord?
2054 Would you, the ⟨supervisor,⟩ grossly gape on,
2055 Behold her topped?
OTHELLO 2056 Death and damnation! O!
IAGO
2057 It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
2058 455 To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then
2059 If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
2060 More than their own! What then? How then?
2061 What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction?
2062 It is impossible you should see this,
2063 460 Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
2065 As ignorance made drunk. But yet I say,
2066 If imputation and strong circumstances
2067 Which lead directly to the door of truth
2068 465 Will give you satisfaction, you might have ’t.
OTHELLO
2069 Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.
IAGO 2070 I do not like the office,
2071 But sith I am entered in this cause so far,
2072 Pricked to ’t by foolish honesty and love,
2073 470 I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately,
2074 And being troubled with a raging tooth
2075 I could not sleep. There are a kind of men
2076 So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
2077 Their affairs. One of this kind is Cassio.
2078 475 In sleep I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona,
2079 Let us be wary, let us hide our loves.”
2080 And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
2081 Cry “O sweet creature!” then kiss me hard,
2082 As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
2083 480 That grew upon my lips; ⟨then⟩ laid his leg
2084 O’er my thigh, and ⟨sighed,⟩ and ⟨kissed,⟩ and then
2085 ⟨Cried⟩ “Cursèd fate that gave thee to the Moor!”
OTHELLO
2086 O monstrous! Monstrous!
IAGO 2087 Nay, this was but his
2088 485 dream.
OTHELLO
2089 But this denoted a foregone conclusion.
2090 ’Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
IAGO
2091 And this may help to thicken other proofs
2092 That do demonstrate thinly.
OTHELLO 2093 490I’ll tear her all to pieces.
IAGO
2094 Nay, ⟨but⟩ be wise. Yet we see nothing done.
2096 Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
2097 Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?
OTHELLO
2098 495 I gave her such a one. ’Twas my first gift.
IAGO
2099 I know not that; but such a handkerchief—
2100 I am sure it was your wife’s—did I today
2101 See Cassio wipe his beard with.
OTHELLO 2102 If it be that—
IAGO
2103 500 If it be that, or any ⌜that⌝ was hers,
2104 It speaks against her with the other proofs.
OTHELLO
2105 O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
2106 One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
2107 Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago,
2108 505 All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
2109 ’Tis gone.
2110 Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell!
2111 Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
2112 To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
2113 510 For ’tis of aspics’ tongues!
IAGO 2114 Yet be content.
OTHELLO 2115 O, blood, blood, blood!
IAGO
2116 Patience, I say. Your mind ⟨perhaps⟩ may change.
OTHELLO
2117 Never, [Iago. Like to the Pontic Sea,
2118 515 Whose icy current and compulsive course
2119 Ne’er ⌜feels⌝ retiring ebb, but keeps due on
2120 To the Propontic and the Hellespont,
2121 Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace
2122 Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love,
2123 520 Till that a capable and wide revenge
2124 Swallow them up. ⟨He kneels.⟩ Now by yond marble
2125 heaven,]
2127 I here engage my words.
IAGO 2128 525 Do not rise yet.⟨Iago kneels.⟩
2129 Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
2130 You elements that clip us round about,
2131 Witness that here Iago doth give up
2132 The execution of his wit, hands, heart
2133 530 To wronged Othello’s service! Let him command,
2134 And to obey shall be in me remorse,
2135 What bloody business ever.⌜They rise.⌝
OTHELLO 2136 I greet thy love
2137 Not with vain thanks but with acceptance
2138 535 bounteous,
2139 And will upon the instant put thee to ’t.
2140 Within these three days let me hear thee say
2141 That Cassio’s not alive.
IAGO 2142 My friend is dead.
2143 540 ’Tis done at your request. But let her live.
OTHELLO 2144 Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn
2145 her!
2146 Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw
2147 To furnish me with some swift means of death
2148 545 For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.
IAGO 2149 I am your own forever.
They exit.
DESDEMONA 2150 Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant
2151 Cassio lies?
CLOWN 2152 I dare not say he lies anywhere.
DESDEMONA 2153 Why, man?
CLOWN 2154 5He’s a soldier, and for me to say a soldier lies,
2155 ’tis stabbing.
[CLOWN 2157 To tell you where he lodges is to tell you
2158 where I lie.
DESDEMONA 2159 10Can anything be made of this?]
CLOWN 2160 I know not where he lodges; and for me to
2161 devise a lodging and say he lies here, or he lies
2162 there, were to lie in mine own throat.
DESDEMONA 2163 Can you inquire him out, and be edified
2164 15 by report?
CLOWN 2165 I will catechize the world for him—that is,
2166 make questions, and by them answer.
DESDEMONA 2167 Seek him, bid him come hither. Tell him I
2168 have moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will
2169 20 be well.
CLOWN 2170 To do this is within the compass of man’s wit,
2171 and therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Clown exits.
DESDEMONA
2172 Where should I lose ⟨that⟩ handkerchief, Emilia?
EMILIA 2173 I know not, madam.
DESDEMONA
2174 25 Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
2175 Full of crusadoes. And but my noble Moor
2176 Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
2177 As jealous creatures are, it were enough
2178 To put him to ill thinking.
EMILIA 2179 30 Is he not jealous?
DESDEMONA
2180 Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
2181 Drew all such humors from him.
EMILIA 2182 Look where he
2183 comes.
Enter Othello.
DESDEMONA
2184 35 I will not leave him now till Cassio
2185 Be called to him.—How is ’t with you, my lord?
2186 Well, my good lady. ⌜Aside.⌝ O, hardness to
2187 dissemble!—
2188 How do you, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA 2189 40 Well, my good lord.
OTHELLO
2190 Give me your hand. ⌜He takes her hand.⌝ This hand
2191 is moist, my lady.
DESDEMONA
2192 It ⟨yet has⟩ felt no age nor known no sorrow.
OTHELLO
2193 This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart.
2194 45 Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires
2195 A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,
2196 Much castigation, exercise devout;
2197 For here’s a young and sweating devil here
2198 That commonly rebels. ’Tis a good hand,
2199 50 A frank one.
DESDEMONA 2200 You may indeed say so,
2201 For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.
OTHELLO
2202 A liberal hand! The hearts of old gave hands,
2203 But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
DESDEMONA
2204 55 I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.
OTHELLO 2205 What promise, chuck?
DESDEMONA
2206 I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
OTHELLO
2207 I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me.
2208 Lend me thy handkerchief.
DESDEMONA 2209 60 Here, my lord.
OTHELLO
2210 That which I gave you.
DESDEMONA 2211 I have it not about me.
OTHELLO 2212 Not?
OTHELLO 2214 65That’s a fault. That handkerchief
2215 Did an Egyptian to my mother give.
2216 She was a charmer, and could almost read
2217 The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept
2218 it,
2219 70 ’Twould make her amiable and subdue my father
2220 Entirely to her love. But if she lost it,
2221 Or made a gift of it, my father’s eye
2222 Should hold her loathèd, and his spirits should hunt
2223 After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me,
2224 75 And bid me, when my fate would have me wived,
2225 To give it her. I did so; and take heed on ’t,
2226 Make it a darling like your precious eye.
2227 To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition
2228 As nothing else could match.
DESDEMONA 2229 80 Is ’t possible?
OTHELLO
2230 ’Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it.
2231 A sybil that had numbered in the world
2232 The sun to course two hundred compasses,
2233 In her prophetic fury sewed the work.
2234 85 The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk,
2235 And it was dyed in mummy, which the skillful
2236 Conserved of maidens’ hearts.
DESDEMONA 2237 ⟨I’ faith,⟩ is ’t true?
OTHELLO
2238 Most veritable. Therefore, look to ’t well.
DESDEMONA
2239 90 Then would to ⟨God⟩ that I had never seen ’t!
OTHELLO 2240 Ha? Wherefore?
DESDEMONA
2241 Why do you speak so startingly and rash?
OTHELLO
2242 Is ’t lost? Is ’t gone? Speak, is ’t out o’ th’ way?
DESDEMONA 2243 ⟨Heaven⟩ bless us!
OTHELLO 2244 95Say you?
2245 It is not lost, but what an if it were?
OTHELLO 2246 How?
DESDEMONA 2247 I say it is not lost.
OTHELLO 2248 Fetch ’t. Let me see ’t!
DESDEMONA
2249 100 Why, so I can. But I will not now.
2250 This is a trick to put me from my suit.
2251 Pray you, let Cassio be received again.
OTHELLO
2252 Fetch me the handkerchief! ⌜Aside.⌝ My mind
2253 misgives.
DESDEMONA 2254 105Come, come.
2255 You’ll never meet a more sufficient man.
OTHELLO
2256 The handkerchief!
⟨DESDEMONA 2257 I pray, talk me of Cassio.
OTHELLO 2258 The handkerchief!⟩
DESDEMONA 2259 110 A man that all his time
2260 Hath founded his good fortunes on your love;
2261 Shared dangers with you—
OTHELLO
2262 The handkerchief!
DESDEMONA 2263 ⟨I’ faith,⟩ you are to blame.
OTHELLO 2264 115⟨Zounds!⟩Othello exits.
EMILIA 2265 Is not this man jealous?
DESDEMONA 2266 I ne’er saw this before.
2267 Sure, there’s some wonder in this handkerchief!
2268 I am most unhappy in the loss of it.
EMILIA
2269 120 ’Tis not a year or two shows us a man.
2270 They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
2271 They eat us hungerly, and when they are full
2272 They belch us.
Enter Iago and Cassio.
2273 Look you—Cassio and my husband.
2274 125 There is no other way; ’tis she must do ’t,
2275 And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.
DESDEMONA
2276 How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?
CASSIO
2277 Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you
2278 That by your virtuous means I may again
2279 130 Exist, and be a member of his love
2280 Whom I with all the office of my heart
2281 Entirely honor. I would not be delayed.
2282 If my offense be of such mortal kind
2283 That nor my service past nor present sorrows
2284 135 Nor purposed merit in futurity
2285 Can ransom me into his love again,
2286 But to know so must be my benefit.
2287 So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
2288 And shut myself up in some other course
2289 140 To fortune’s alms.
DESDEMONA 2290 Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio,
2291 My advocation is not now in tune.
2292 My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him
2293 Were he in favor as in humor altered.
2294 145 So help me every spirit sanctified
2295 As I have spoken for you all my best,
2296 And stood within the blank of his displeasure
2297 For my free speech! You must awhile be patient.
2298 What I can do I will; and more I will
2299 150 Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.
IAGO
2300 Is my lord angry?
EMILIA 2301 He went hence but now,
2302 And certainly in strange unquietness.
IAGO
2303 Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon
2305 And, like the devil, from his very arm
2306 Puffed his own brother—and is he angry?
2307 Something of moment then. I will go meet him.
2308 There’s matter in ’t indeed if he be angry.
DESDEMONA
2309 160 I prithee do so.He exits.
2310 Something, sure, of state,
2311 Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice
2312 Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,
2313 Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases
2314 165 Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things,
2315 Though great ones are their object. ’Tis even so.
2316 For let our finger ache, and it endues
2317 Our other healthful members even to a sense
2318 Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods,
2319 170 Nor of them look for such observancy
2320 As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
2321 I was—unhandsome warrior as I am!—
2322 Arraigning his unkindness with my soul.
2323 But now I find I had suborned the witness,
2324 175 And he’s indicted falsely.
EMILIA 2325 Pray heaven it be
2326 State matters, as you think, and no conception
2327 Nor no jealous toy concerning you.
DESDEMONA
2328 Alas the day, I never gave him cause!
EMILIA
2329 180 But jealous souls will not be answered so.
2330 They are not ever jealous for the cause,
2331 But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster
2332 Begot upon itself, born on itself.
DESDEMONA
2333 Heaven keep ⟨that⟩ monster from Othello’s mind!
EMILIA 2334 185Lady, amen.
2335 I will go seek him.—Cassio, walk hereabout.
2336 If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit
2337 And seek to effect it to my uttermost.
CASSIO 2338 I humbly thank your Ladyship.
⟨Desdemona and Emilia⟩ exit.
Enter Bianca.
BIANCA
2339 190 ’Save you, friend Cassio!
CASSIO 2340 What make you from
2341 home?
2342 How is ’t with you, my most fair Bianca?
2343 ⟨I’ faith,⟩ sweet love, I was coming to your house.
BIANCA
2344 195 And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
2345 What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights,
2346 Eightscore eight hours, and lovers’ absent hours
2347 More tedious than the dial eightscore times?
2348 O weary reck’ning!
CASSIO 2349 200 Pardon me, Bianca.
2350 I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed,
2351 But I shall in a more continuate time
2352 Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
⌜Giving her Desdemona’s handkerchief.⌝
2353 Take me this work out.
BIANCA 2354 205 O, Cassio, whence came this?
2355 This is some token from a newer friend.
2356 To the felt absence now I feel a cause.
2357 Is ’t come to this? Well, well.
CASSIO 2358 Go to, woman!
2359 210 Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth,
2360 From whence you have them. You are jealous now
2361 That this is from some mistress, some
2362 remembrance.
2363 No, ⟨by my faith,⟩ Bianca.
CASSIO
2365 I know not neither. I found it in my chamber.
2366 I like the work well. Ere it be demanded,
2367 As like enough it will, I would have it copied.
2368 Take it, and do ’t, and leave me for this time.
BIANCA 2369 220Leave you? Wherefore?
CASSIO
2370 I do attend here on the General,
2371 And think it no addition, nor my wish,
2372 To have him see me womaned.
[BIANCA 2373 Why, I pray you?
CASSIO 2374 225Not that I love you not.]
BIANCA 2375 But that you do not love me!
2376 I pray you bring me on the way a little,
2377 And say if I shall see you soon at night.
CASSIO
2378 ’Tis but a little way that I can bring you,
2379 230 For I attend here. But I’ll see you soon.
BIANCA
2380 ’Tis very good. I must be circumstanced.
⟨They exit.⟩
IAGO
2381 Will you think so?
OTHELLO 2382 Think so, Iago?
IAGO 23830 What,
2383 To kiss in private?
OTHELLO 2384 5 An unauthorized kiss!
IAGO
2385 Or to be naked with her friend in bed
2386 An hour or more, not meaning any harm?
OTHELLO
2387 Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?
2388 It is hypocrisy against the devil!
2389 10 They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,
2390 The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt
2391 heaven.
IAGO
2392 If they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip.
2393 But if I give my wife a handkerchief—
OTHELLO 2394 15What then?
IAGO
2395 Why then, ’tis hers, my lord, and being hers,
2396 She may, I think, bestow ’t on any man.
OTHELLO
2397 She is protectress of her honor, too.
2398 May she give that?
2399 20 Her honor is an essence that’s not seen;
2400 They have it very oft that have it not.
2401 But for the handkerchief—
OTHELLO
2402 By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.
2403 Thou saidst—O, it comes o’er my memory
2404 25 As doth the raven o’er the infectious house,
2405 Boding to all—he had my handkerchief.
IAGO
2406 Ay, what of that?
OTHELLO 2407 That’s not so good now.
IAGO 24080 What
2408 30 If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?
2409 Or heard him say (as knaves be such abroad,
2410 Who having, by their own importunate suit
2411 Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,
2412 Convincèd or supplied them, cannot choose
2413 35 But they must blab)—
OTHELLO 2414 Hath he said anything?
IAGO
2415 He hath, my lord, but be you well assured,
2416 No more than he’ll unswear.
OTHELLO 2417 What hath he said?
IAGO
2418 40 ⟨Faith,⟩ that he did—I know not what he did.
OTHELLO 2419 What? What?
IAGO
2420 Lie—
OTHELLO 2421 With her?
IAGO 2422 With her—on her—what you will.
OTHELLO 2423 45Lie with her? Lie on her? We say “lie on her”
2424 when they belie her. Lie with her—⟨Zounds,⟩ that’s
2425 fulsome! Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief.
2426 [To confess and be hanged for his labor.
2427 First to be hanged and then to confess—I tremble
2428 50 at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing
2429 passion without some instruction. It is not
2431 lips—is ’t possible? Confess—handkerchief—O,
2432 devil!]⟨He⟩ falls in a trance.
IAGO 2433 55Work on,
2434 My medicine, ⟨work!⟩ Thus credulous fools are
2435 caught,
2436 And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,
2437 All guiltless, meet reproach.—What ho! My lord!
2438 60 My lord, I say. Othello!
Enter Cassio.
2439 How now, Cassio?
CASSIO 2440 What’s the matter?
IAGO
2441 My lord is fall’n into an epilepsy.
2442 This is his second fit. He had one yesterday.
CASSIO
2443 65 Rub him about the temples.
IAGO 2444 ⟨No, forbear.⟩
2445 The lethargy must have his quiet course.
2446 If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by
2447 Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs.
2448 70 Do you withdraw yourself a little while.
2449 He will recover straight. When he is gone,
2450 I would on great occasion speak with you.
⌜Cassio exits.⌝
2451 How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head?
OTHELLO
2452 Dost thou mock me?
IAGO 2453 75 I mock you not, by heaven!
2454 Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
OTHELLO
2455 A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast.
IAGO
2456 There’s many a beast, then, in a populous city,
2457 And many a civil monster.
2458 80 Did he confess it?
IAGO 2459 Good sir, be a man!
2460 Think every bearded fellow that’s but yoked
2461 May draw with you. There’s millions now alive
2462 That nightly lie in those unproper beds
2463 85 Which they dare swear peculiar. Your case is better.
2464 O, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,
2465 To lip a wanton in a secure couch
2466 And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know,
2467 And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
OTHELLO 2468 90O, thou art wise, ’tis certain.
IAGO 2469 Stand you awhile apart.
2470 Confine yourself but in a patient list.
2471 Whilst you were here, o’erwhelmèd with your grief—
2472 A passion most ⟨unsuiting⟩ such a man—
2473 95 Cassio came hither. I shifted him away
2474 And laid good ’scuses upon your ecstasy,
2475 Bade him anon return and here speak with me,
2476 The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,
2477 And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns
2478 100 That dwell in every region of his face.
2479 For I will make him tell the tale anew—
2480 Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
2481 He hath and is again to cope your wife.
2482 I say but mark his gesture. Marry, patience,
2483 105 Or I shall say you’re all in all in spleen,
2484 And nothing of a man.
OTHELLO 2485 Dost thou hear, Iago,
2486 I will be found most cunning in my patience,
2487 But (dost thou hear?) most bloody.
IAGO 2488 110 That’s not amiss.
2489 But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
⌜Othello withdraws.⌝
2490 Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
2491 A huswife that by selling her desires
2492 Buys herself bread and ⟨clothes.⟩ It is a creature
2494 To beguile many and be beguiled by one.
2495 He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain
2496 From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
Enter Cassio.
2497 As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad,
2498 120 And his unbookish jealousy must ⟨construe⟩
2499 Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behaviors
2500 Quite in the wrong.—How do you, lieutenant?
CASSIO
2501 The worser that you give me the addition
2502 Whose want even kills me.
IAGO
2503 125 Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on ’t.
2504 Now, if this suit lay in Bianca’s ⟨power,⟩
2505 How quickly should you speed!
CASSIO, ⌜laughing⌝ 2506 Alas, poor caitiff!
OTHELLO 2507 Look how he laughs already!
IAGO 2508 130I never knew woman love man so.
CASSIO
2509 Alas, poor rogue, I think ⟨i’ faith⟩ she loves me.
OTHELLO
2510 Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out.
IAGO
2511 Do you hear, Cassio?
OTHELLO 2512 Now he importunes him
2513 135 To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.
IAGO
2514 She gives it out that you shall marry her.
2515 Do you intend it?
CASSIO 2516 Ha, ha, ha!
OTHELLO
2517 Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?
CASSIO 2518 140I marry ⟨her?⟩ What, a customer? Prithee bear
2519 some charity to my wit! Do not think it so unwholesome.
2520 Ha, ha, ha!
IAGO
2522 ⟨Faith,⟩ the cry goes that you marry her.
CASSIO 2523 145Prithee say true!
IAGO 2524 I am a very villain else.
OTHELLO 2525 Have you scored me? Well.
CASSIO 2526 This is the monkey’s own giving out. She is
2527 persuaded I will marry her out of her own love and
2528 150 flattery, not out of my promise.
OTHELLO
2529 Iago ⟨beckons⟩ me. Now he begins the story.
CASSIO 2530 She was here even now. She haunts me in
2531 every place. I was the other day talking on the
2532 sea-bank with certain Venetians, and thither comes
2533 155 the bauble. ⟨By this hand, she falls⟩ thus about my
2534 neck!
OTHELLO 2535 Crying, “O dear Cassio,” as it were; his
2536 gesture imports it.
CASSIO 2537 So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me, so
2538 160 shakes and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha!
OTHELLO 2539 Now he tells how she plucked him to my
2540 chamber.—O, I see that nose of yours, but not that
2541 dog I shall throw it to.
CASSIO 2542 Well, I must leave her company.
IAGO 2543 165Before me, look where she comes.
Enter Bianca.
CASSIO 2544 ’Tis such another fitchew—marry, a perfumed
2545 one!—What do you mean by this haunting
2546 of me?
BIANCA 2547 Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did
2548 170 you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me
2549 even now? I was a fine fool to take it! I must take
2550 out the work? A likely piece of work, that you
2551 should find it in your chamber and know not who
2553 175 take out the work! There, give it your hobbyhorse.
2554 Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on ’t.
CASSIO
2555 How now, my sweet Bianca? How now? How now?
OTHELLO
2556 By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!
BIANCA 2557 If you’ll come to supper tonight you may. If
2558 180 you will not, come when you are next prepared
2559 for.She exits.
IAGO 2560 After her, after her!
CASSIO 2561 ⟨Faith,⟩ I must. She’ll rail in the streets else.
IAGO 2562 Will you sup there?
CASSIO 2563 185⟨Faith,⟩ I intend so.
IAGO 2564 Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very
2565 fain speak with you.
CASSIO 2566 Prithee come. Will you?
IAGO 2567 Go to; say no more.⟨Cassio exits.⟩
OTHELLO, ⌜coming forward⌝ 2568 190How shall I murder him,
2569 Iago?
IAGO 2570 Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
OTHELLO 2571 O Iago!
IAGO 2572 And did you see the handkerchief?
OTHELLO 2573 195Was that mine?
[IAGO 2574 Yours, by this hand! And to see how he prizes
2575 the foolish woman your wife! She gave it him, and
2576 he hath giv’n it his whore.]
OTHELLO 2577 I would have him nine years a-killing! A fine
2578 200 woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!
IAGO 2579 Nay, you must forget that.
OTHELLO 2580 Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned
2581 tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned
2582 to stone. I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the
2583 205 world hath not a sweeter creature! She might lie by
2584 an emperor’s side and command him tasks.
OTHELLO 2586 Hang her, I do but say what she is! So
2587 delicate with her needle, an admirable musician—
2588 210 O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!
2589 Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!
IAGO 2590 She’s the worse for all this.
OTHELLO 2591 O, a thousand, a thousand times!—And then
2592 of so gentle a condition!
IAGO 2593 215Ay, too gentle.
OTHELLO 2594 Nay, that’s certain. But yet the pity of it,
2595 Iago! O, Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
IAGO 2596 If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her
2597 patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes
2598 220 near nobody.
OTHELLO 2599 I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me?
IAGO 2600 O, ’tis foul in her.
OTHELLO 2601 With mine officer!
IAGO 2602 That’s fouler.
OTHELLO 2603 225Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I’ll not
2604 expostulate with her lest her body and beauty
2605 unprovide my mind again. This night, Iago.
IAGO 2606 Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed,
2607 even the bed she hath contaminated.
OTHELLO 2608 230Good, good. The justice of it pleases. Very
2609 good.
IAGO 2610 And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You
2611 shall hear more by midnight.
OTHELLO
2612 Excellent good.⟨A trumpet sounds.⟩
2613 235 What trumpet is that same?
IAGO 2614 I warrant something from Venice.
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.
2615 ’Tis Lodovico. This comes from the Duke.
2616 See, your wife’s with him.
LODOVICO 2617 ⟨God⟩ save you, worthy general.
LODOVICO
2619 The Duke and the Senators of Venice greet you.
⌜He hands Othello a paper.⌝
OTHELLO
2620 I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
DESDEMONA
2621 And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
IAGO
2622 I am very glad to see you, signior.
2623 245 Welcome to Cyprus.
LODOVICO
2624 I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
IAGO 2625 Lives, sir.
DESDEMONA
2626 Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord
2627 An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.
OTHELLO 2628 250Are you sure of that?
DESDEMONA 2629 My lord?
OTHELLO, ⌜reading⌝ 2630 “This fail you not to do, as you
2631 will”—
LODOVICO
2632 He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
2633 255 Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?
DESDEMONA
2634 A most unhappy one. I would do much
2635 T’ atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
OTHELLO 2636 Fire and brimstone!
DESDEMONA 2637 My lord?
OTHELLO 2638 260Are you wise?
DESDEMONA
2639 What, is he angry?
LODOVICO 2640 May be the letter moved him.
2641 For, as I think, they do command him home,
2642 Deputing Cassio in his government.
DESDEMONA 2643 265⟨By my troth,⟩ I am glad on ’t.
DESDEMONA 2645 My lord?
OTHELLO 2646 I am glad to see you mad.
DESDEMONA 2647 Why, sweet Othello!
OTHELLO, ⌜striking her⌝ 2648 270Devil!
DESDEMONA 2649 I have not deserved this.
LODOVICO
2650 My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
2651 Though I should swear I saw ’t. ’Tis very much.
2652 Make her amends. She weeps.
OTHELLO 2653 275 O, devil, devil!
2654 If that the Earth could teem with woman’s tears,
2655 Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
2656 Out of my sight!
DESDEMONA 2657 I will not stay to offend you.
⌜She begins to leave.⌝
LODOVICO 2658 280Truly ⟨an⟩ obedient lady.
2659 I do beseech your Lordship call her back.
OTHELLO 2660 Mistress.
DESDEMONA, ⌜turning back⌝ 2661 My lord?
OTHELLO 2662 What would you with her, sir?
LODOVICO 2663 285Who, I, my lord?
OTHELLO
2664 Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
2665 Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
2666 And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep.
2667 And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient.
2668 290 Very obedient.—Proceed you in your tears.—
2669 Concerning this, sir—O, well-painted passion!—
2670 I am commanded home.—Get you away.
2671 I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate
2672 And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!
⌜Desdemona exits.⌝
2673 295 Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight
2674 I do entreat that we may sup together.
2676 monkeys!He exits.
LODOVICO
2677 Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate
2678 300 Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
2679 Whom passion could not shake, whose solid virtue
2680 The shot of accident nor dart of chance
2681 Could neither graze nor pierce?
IAGO 2682 He is much
2683 305 changed.
LODOVICO
2684 Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
IAGO
2685 He’s that he is. I may not breathe my censure
2686 What he might be. If what he might he is not,
2687 I would to heaven he were.
LODOVICO 2688 310 What? Strike his wife?
IAGO
2689 ’Faith, that was not so well. Yet would I knew
2690 That stroke would prove the worst.
LODOVICO 2691 Is it his use?
2692 Or did the letters work upon his blood
2693 315 And new-create ⟨this⟩ fault?
IAGO 2694 Alas, alas!
2695 It is not honesty in me to speak
2696 What I have seen and known. You shall observe
2697 him,
2698 320 And his own courses will denote him so
2699 That I may save my speech. Do but go after
2700 And mark how he continues.
LODOVICO
2701 I am sorry that I am deceived in him.
They exit.
OTHELLO 2702 You have seen nothing then?
EMILIA
2703 Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.
OTHELLO
2704 Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.
EMILIA
2705 But then I saw no harm, and then I heard
2706 5 Each syllable that breath made up between them.
OTHELLO
2707 What, did they never whisper?
EMILIA 2708 Never, my lord.
OTHELLO 2709 Nor send you out o’ th’ way?
EMILIA 2710 Never.
OTHELLO
2711 10 To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?
EMILIA 2712 Never, my lord.
OTHELLO 2713 That’s strange.
EMILIA
2714 I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
2715 Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other,
2716 15 Remove your thought. It doth abuse your bosom.
2717 If any wretch have put this in your head,
2718 Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse,
2719 For if she be not honest, chaste, and true,
2720 There’s no man happy. The purest of their wives
2721 20 Is foul as slander.
OTHELLO 2722 Bid her come hither. Go.
Emilia exits.
2723 She says enough. Yet she’s a simple bawd
2724 That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,
2725 A closet lock and key of villainous secrets.
2726 25 And yet she’ll kneel and pray. I have seen her do ’t.
DESDEMONA 2727 My lord, what is your will?
OTHELLO
2728 Pray you, chuck, come hither.
DESDEMONA 2729 What is your
2730 pleasure?
OTHELLO
2731 30 Let me see your eyes. Look in my face.
DESDEMONA 2732 What horrible fancy’s this?
OTHELLO, ⌜to Emilia⌝ 2733 Some of your function,
2734 mistress.
2735 Leave procreants alone, and shut the door.
2736 35 Cough, or cry “hem,” if anybody come.
2737 Your mystery, your mystery! ⟨Nay,⟩ dispatch.
Emilia exits.
DESDEMONA, ⌜kneeling⌝
2738 Upon my ⟨knees,⟩ what doth your speech import?
2739 I understand a fury in your words,
2740 ⟨But not the words.⟩
OTHELLO 2741 40Why? What art thou?
DESDEMONA
2742 Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife.
OTHELLO 2743 Come, swear it. Damn thyself,
2744 Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves
2745 Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double
2746 45 damned.
2747 Swear thou art honest.
DESDEMONA 2748 Heaven doth truly know it.
OTHELLO
2749 Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.
DESDEMONA, ⌜standing⌝
2750 To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false?
OTHELLO
2751 50 Ah, Desdemon, away, away, away!
DESDEMONA
2752 Alas the heavy day, why do you weep?
2754 If haply you my father do suspect
2755 An instrument of this your calling back,
2756 55 Lay not your blame on me. If you have lost him,
2757 I have lost him too.
OTHELLO 2758 Had it pleased heaven
2759 To try me with affliction, had they rained
2760 All kind of sores and shames on my bare head,
2761 60 Steeped me in poverty to the very lips,
2762 Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,
2763 I should have found in some place of my soul
2764 A drop of patience. But alas, to make me
2765 ⟨A⟩ fixèd figure for the time of scorn
2766 65 To point his slow ⟨unmoving⟩ finger at—
2767 Yet could I bear that too, well, very well.
2768 But there where I have garnered up my heart,
2769 Where either I must live or bear no life,
2770 The fountain from the which my current runs
2771 70 Or else dries up—to be discarded thence,
2772 Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
2773 To knot and gender in—turn thy complexion there,
2774 Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin,
2775 Ay, ⌜there⌝ look grim as hell.
DESDEMONA
2776 75 I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.
OTHELLO
2777 O, ay, as summer flies are in the shambles,
2778 That quicken even with blowing! O thou weed,
2779 Who art so lovely fair, and smell’st so sweet
2780 That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst
2781 80 ⟨ne’er⟩ been born!
DESDEMONA
2782 Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
OTHELLO
2783 Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
2784 Made to write “whore” upon? What committed?
2785 [Committed? O thou public commoner,
2787 That would to cinders burn up modesty,
2788 Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed?]
2789 Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks;
2790 The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
2791 90 Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth
2792 And will not hear ’t. What committed?
2793 ⟨Impudent strumpet!⟩
DESDEMONA 2794 By heaven, you do me wrong!
OTHELLO 2795 Are not you a strumpet?
DESDEMONA 2796 95No, as I am a Christian!
2797 If to preserve this vessel for my lord
2798 From any other foul unlawful touch
2799 Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
OTHELLO 2800 What, not a whore?
DESDEMONA 2801 100No, as I shall be saved.
OTHELLO 2802 Is ’t possible?
DESDEMONA
2803 O, heaven forgive us!
OTHELLO 2804 I cry you mercy, then.
2805 I took you for that cunning whore of Venice
2806 105 That married with Othello.—You, mistress,
Enter Emilia.
2807 That have the office opposite to Saint Peter
2808 And keeps the gate of hell—you, you, ay, you!
2809 We have done our course. There’s money for your
2810 pains.⌜He gives her money.⌝
2811 110 I pray you turn the key and keep our counsel.
He exits.
EMILIA
2812 Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?
2813 How do you, madam? How do you, my good lady?
DESDEMONA 2814 Faith, half asleep.
EMILIA
2815 Good madam, what’s the matter with my lord?
EMILIA 2817 Why, with my lord, madam.
[DESDEMONA
2818 Who is thy lord?
EMILIA 2819 He that is yours, sweet lady.]
DESDEMONA
2820 I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia.
2821 120 I cannot weep, nor answers have I none
2822 But what should go by water. Prithee, tonight
2823 Lay on my bed my wedding sheets. Remember.
2824 And call thy husband hither.
EMILIA 2825 Here’s a change indeed.She exits.
DESDEMONA
2826 125 ’Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.
2827 How have I been behaved that he might stick
2828 The small’st opinion on my least misuse?
Enter Iago and Emilia.
IAGO
2829 What is your pleasure, madam? How is ’t with you?
DESDEMONA
2830 I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes
2831 130 Do it with gentle means and easy tasks.
2832 He might have chid me so, for, in good faith,
2833 I am a child to chiding.
IAGO 2834 What is the matter, lady?
EMILIA
2835 Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her,
2836 135 Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her
2837 ⟨As⟩ true hearts cannot bear.
DESDEMONA
2838 Am I that name, Iago?
IAGO 2839 What name, fair
2840 lady?
DESDEMONA
2841 140 Such as she said my lord did say I was.
EMILIA
2842 He called her “whore.” A beggar in his drink
2843 Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.
DESDEMONA
2845 I do not know. I am sure I am none such.
IAGO
2846 145 Do not weep, do not weep! Alas the day!
EMILIA
2847 Hath she forsook so many noble matches,
2848 Her father and her country and her friends,
2849 To be called “whore”? Would it not make one
2850 weep?
DESDEMONA 2851 150It is my wretched fortune.
IAGO
2852 Beshrew him for ’t! How comes this trick upon him?
DESDEMONA 2853 Nay, heaven doth know.
EMILIA
2854 I will be hanged if some eternal villain,
2855 Some busy and insinuating rogue,
2856 155 Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
2857 Have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else.
IAGO
2858 Fie, there is no such man. It is impossible.
DESDEMONA
2859 If any such there be, heaven pardon him.
EMILIA
2860 A halter pardon him, and hell gnaw his bones!
2861 160 Why should he call her “whore”? Who keeps her
2862 company?
2863 What place? What time? What form? What
2864 likelihood?
2865 The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave,
2866 165 Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
2867 O ⟨heaven,⟩ that such companions thou ’dst unfold,
2868 And put in every honest hand a whip
2869 To lash the rascals naked through the world,
2870 Even from the east to th’ west!
IAGO 2871 170 Speak within door.
2872 O, fie upon them! Some such squire he was
2873 That turned your wit the seamy side without
2874 And made you to suspect me with the Moor.
IAGO
2875 You are a fool. Go to!
DESDEMONA 2876 175 Alas, Iago,
2877 What shall I do to win my lord again?
2878 Good friend, go to him. For by this light of heaven,
2879 I know not how I lost him. ⌜She kneels.⌝ [Here I
2880 kneel.
2881 180 If e’er my will did trespass ’gainst his love,
2882 Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,
2883 Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense
2884 Delighted them ⌜in⌝ any other form,
2885 Or that I do not yet, and ever did,
2886 185 And ever will—though he do shake me off
2887 To beggarly divorcement—love him dearly,
2888 Comfort forswear me! ⌜She stands.⌝ Unkindness may
2889 do much,
2890 And his unkindness may defeat my life,
2891 190 But never taint my love. I cannot say “whore”—
2892 It does abhor me now I speak the word.
2893 To do the act that might the addition earn,
2894 Not the world’s mass of vanity could make me.]
IAGO
2895 I pray you be content. ’Tis but his humor.
2896 195 The business of the state does him offense,
2897 ⟨And he does chide with you.⟩
DESDEMONA
2898 If ’twere no other—
IAGO 2899 It is but so, I warrant.
⌜Trumpets sound.⌝
2900 Hark how these instruments summon to supper.
2901 200 The messengers of Venice stays the meat.
2902 Go in and weep not. All things shall be well.
Desdemona and Emilia exit.
2903 How now, Roderigo?
RODERIGO 2904 I do not find
2905 That thou deal’st justly with me.
IAGO 2906 205What in the contrary?
RODERIGO 2907 Every day thou daff’st me with some device,
2908 Iago, and rather, as it seems to me now,
2909 keep’st from me all conveniency than suppliest me
2910 with the least advantage of hope. I will indeed no
2911 210 longer endure it. Nor am I yet persuaded to put up
2912 in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.
IAGO 2913 Will you hear me, Roderigo?
RODERIGO 2914 ⟨Faith,⟩ I have heard too much, and your
2915 words and performances are no kin together.
IAGO 2916 215You charge me most unjustly.
RODERIGO 2917 With naught but truth. I have wasted myself
2918 out of my means. The jewels you have had
2919 from me to deliver ⟨to⟩ Desdemona would half have
2920 corrupted a votaress. You have told me she hath
2921 220 received them, and returned me expectations and
2922 comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I
2923 find none.
IAGO 2924 Well, go to! Very well.
RODERIGO 2925 “Very well.” “Go to!” I cannot go to, man,
2926 225 nor ’tis not very well! ⟨By this hand, I say ’tis very⟩
2927 scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped in it.
IAGO 2928 Very well.
RODERIGO 2929 I tell you ’tis not very well! I will make
2930 myself known to Desdemona. If she will return me
2931 230 my jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my
2932 unlawful solicitation. If not, assure yourself I will
2933 seek satisfaction of you.
IAGO 2934 You have said now.
RODERIGO 2935 Ay, and said nothing but what I protest
2936 235 intendment of doing.
2938 from this instant do build on thee a better opinion
2939 than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo.
2940 Thou hast taken against me a most just exception,
2941 240 but yet I protest I have dealt most directly in thy
2942 affair.
RODERIGO 2943 It hath not appeared.
IAGO 2944 I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your
2945 suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But,
2946 245 Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed which I
2947 have greater reason to believe now than ever—I
2948 mean purpose, courage, and valor—this night show
2949 it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,
2950 take me from this world with treachery and
2951 250 devise engines for my life.
RODERIGO 2952 Well, what is it? Is it within reason and
2953 compass?
IAGO 2954 Sir, there is especial commission come from
2955 Venice to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.
RODERIGO 2956 255Is that true? Why, then, Othello and Desdemona
2957 return again to Venice.
IAGO 2958 O, no. He goes into Mauritania and ⟨takes⟩ away
2959 with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be
2960 lingered here by some accident—wherein none
2961 260 can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.
RODERIGO 2962 How do you mean, removing him?
IAGO 2963 Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s
2964 place: knocking out his brains.
RODERIGO 2965 And that you would have me to do?
IAGO 2966 265Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He
2967 sups tonight with a harlotry, and thither will I go to
2968 him. He knows not yet of his honorable fortune. If
2969 you will watch his going thence (which I will
2970 fashion to fall out between twelve and one), you may
2971 270 take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second
2972 your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come,
2974 show you such a necessity in his death that you shall
2975 think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high
2976 275 supper time, and the night grows to waste. About it!
RODERIGO 2977 I will hear further reason for this.
IAGO 2978 And you shall be satisfied.
They exit.
Attendants.
LODOVICO
2979 I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.
OTHELLO
2980 O, pardon me, ’twill do me good to walk.
LODOVICO
2981 Madam, good night. I humbly thank your Ladyship.
DESDEMONA 2982 Your Honor is most welcome.
OTHELLO
2983 5 Will you walk, sir?—O, Desdemona—
DESDEMONA 2984 My lord?
OTHELLO 2985 Get you to bed on th’ instant. I will be
2986 returned forthwith. Dismiss your attendant there.
2987 Look ’t be done.
DESDEMONA 2988 10I will, my lord.
⌜All but Desdemona and Emilia⌝ exit.
EMILIA
2989 How goes it now? He looks gentler than he did.
DESDEMONA
2990 He says he will return incontinent,
2991 And hath commanded me to go to bed,
2992 And ⟨bade⟩ me to dismiss you.
EMILIA 2993 15 Dismiss me?
DESDEMONA
2994 It was his bidding. Therefore, good Emilia,
2996 We must not now displease him.
EMILIA 2997 I would you had never seen him.
DESDEMONA
2998 20 So would not I. My love doth so approve him
2999 That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns—
3000 Prithee, unpin me—have grace and favor ⟨in them.⟩
EMILIA
3001 I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.
DESDEMONA
3002 All’s one. Good ⟨faith,⟩ how foolish are our minds!
3003 25 If I do die before ⟨thee,⟩ prithee, shroud me
3004 In one of ⟨those⟩ same sheets.
EMILIA 3005 Come, come, you talk!
DESDEMONA
3006 My mother had a maid called Barbary.
3007 She was in love, and he she loved proved mad
3008 30 And did forsake her. She had a song of willow,
3009 An old thing ’twas, but it expressed her fortune,
3010 And she died singing it. That song tonight
3011 Will not go from my mind. [I have much to do
3012 But to go hang my head all at one side
3013 35 And sing it like poor Barbary. Prithee, dispatch.
EMILIA 3014 Shall I go fetch your nightgown?
DESDEMONA 3015 No, unpin me here.
3016 This Lodovico is a proper man.
EMILIA 3017 A very handsome man.
DESDEMONA 3018 40He speaks well.
EMILIA 3019 I know a lady in Venice would have walked
3020 barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.
DESDEMONA, ⌜singing⌝
3021 The poor soul sat ⌜sighing⌝ by a sycamore tree,
3022 Sing all a green willow.
3023 45 Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
3024 Sing willow, willow, willow.
3026 moans,
3027 Sing willow, willow, willow;
3028 50 Her salt tears fell from her, and softened the
3029 stones—
3030 Lay by these.
3031 Sing willow, willow, willow.
3032 Prithee hie thee! He’ll come anon.
3033 55 Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
3034 Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve.
3035 Nay, that’s not next.] Hark, who is ’t that knocks?
EMILIA 3036 It’s the wind.
DESDEMONA
3037 [I called my love false love, but what said he then?
3038 60 Sing willow, willow, willow.
3039 If I court more women, you’ll couch with more
3040 men.]—
3041 So, get thee gone. Good night. Mine eyes do itch;
3042 Doth that bode weeping?
EMILIA 3043 65 ’Tis neither here nor there.
[DESDEMONA
3044 I have heard it said so. O these men, these men!
3045 Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia—
3046 That there be women do abuse their husbands
3047 In such gross kind?
EMILIA 3048 70 There be some such, no
3049 question.]
DESDEMONA
3050 Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?
EMILIA
3051 Why, would not you?
DESDEMONA 3052 No, by this heavenly light!
EMILIA
3053 75 Nor I neither, by this heavenly light.
3054 I might do ’t as well i’ th’ dark.
DESDEMONA
3055 Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?
3057 for a small vice.
DESDEMONA 3058 80In troth, I think thou wouldst not.
EMILIA 3059 In troth, I think I should, and undo ’t when I
3060 had done ⟨it.⟩ Marry, I would not do such a thing for
3061 a joint ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for
3062 gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition.
3063 85 But for the whole world—⟨’Uds pity!⟩ Who
3064 would not make her husband a cuckold to make
3065 him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for ’t.
DESDEMONA 3066 Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong
3067 for the whole world!
EMILIA 3068 90Why, the wrong is but a wrong i’ th’ world;
3069 and, having the world for your labor, ’tis a wrong in
3070 your own world, and you might quickly make it
3071 right.
DESDEMONA 3072 I do not think there is any such woman.
EMILIA 3073 95Yes, a dozen; and as many to th’ vantage as
3074 would store the world they played for.
3075 [But I do think it is their husbands’ faults
3076 If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties,
3077 And pour our treasures into foreign laps;
3078 100 Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
3079 Throwing restraint upon us. Or say they strike us,
3080 Or scant our former having in despite.
3081 Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,
3082 Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
3083 105 Their wives have sense like them. They see, and
3084 smell,
3085 And have their palates both for sweet and sour,
3086 As husbands have. What is it that they do
3087 When they change us for others? Is it sport?
3088 110 I think it is. And doth affection breed it?
3089 I think it doth. Is ’t frailty that thus errs?
3090 It is so too. And have not we affections,
3091 Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?
3093 115 The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.]
DESDEMONA
3094 Good night, good night. ⟨God⟩ me such uses send,
3095 Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend.
They exit.
IAGO
3096 Here, stand behind this ⟨bulk.⟩ Straight will he
3097 come.
3098 Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.
3099 Quick, quick! Fear nothing. I’ll be at thy elbow.
3100 5 It makes us or it mars us—think on that,
3101 And fix most firm thy resolution.
RODERIGO
3102 Be near at hand. I may miscarry in ’t.
IAGO
3103 Here, at thy hand. Be bold and take thy stand.
⌜He moves aside.⌝
RODERIGO
3104 I have no great devotion to the deed,
3105 10 And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.
3106 ’Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword! He dies.
⌜He draws his sword.⌝
IAGO, ⌜aside⌝
3107 I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,
3108 And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
3109 Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
3110 15 Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
3111 He calls me to a restitution large
3112 Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
3114 It must not be. If Cassio do remain,
3115 20 He hath a daily beauty in his life
3116 That makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor
3117 May unfold me to him. There stand I in much peril.
3118 No, he must die. ⟨Be ’t⟩ so. I ⟨hear⟩ him coming.
Enter Cassio.
RODERIGO
3119 I know his gait. ’Tis he!—Villain, thou diest!
⌜He thrusts at Cassio.⌝
CASSIO
3120 25 That thrust had been mine enemy indeed
3121 But that my coat is better than thou know’st.
3122 I will make proof of thine.
⌜He draws, and stabs Roderigo.⌝
RODERIGO 3123 O, I am slain!
⌜Roderigo falls.
Iago stabs Cassio in the leg, and exits.⌝
CASSIO
3124 I am maimed forever! Help, ho! Murder, murder!
Enter Othello.
OTHELLO
3125 30 The voice of Cassio! Iago keeps his word.
RODERIGO 3126 O, villain that I am!
OTHELLO, ⌜aside⌝ 3127 It is even so.
CASSIO 3128 O, help ho! Light! A surgeon!
OTHELLO, ⌜aside⌝
3129 ’Tis he! O brave Iago, honest and just,
3130 35 That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong!
3131 Thou teachest me.—Minion, your dear lies dead,
3132 And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come.
3133 ⟨Forth⟩ of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are
3134 blotted.
3136 spotted.Othello exits.
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano.
CASSIO
3137 What ho! No watch? No passage? Murder, murder!
GRATIANO
3138 ’Tis some mischance. The voice is very direful.
CASSIO 3139 O, help!
LODOVICO 3140 45Hark!
RODERIGO 3141 O wretched villain!
LODOVICO
3142 Two or three groan. ’Tis heavy night.
3143 These may be counterfeits. Let’s think ’t unsafe
3144 To come in to the cry without more help.
RODERIGO
3145 50 Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death.
Enter Iago ⟨with a light.⟩
LODOVICO 3146 Hark!
GRATIANO
3147 Here’s one comes in his shirt, with light and
3148 weapons.
IAGO
3149 Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on
3150 55 murder?
LODOVICO
3151 We do not know.
IAGO 3152 ⟨Did⟩ not you hear a cry?
CASSIO
3153 Here, here! For ⟨heaven’s⟩ sake, help me!
IAGO 3154 What’s the matter?
GRATIANO, ⌜to Lodovico⌝
3155 60 This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it.
LODOVICO
3156 The same indeed, a very valiant fellow.
IAGO, ⌜to Cassio⌝
3157 What are you here that cry so grievously?
3158 Iago? O, I am spoiled, undone by villains.
3159 Give me some help!
IAGO
3160 65 O me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?
CASSIO
3161 I think that one of them is hereabout
3162 And cannot make away.
IAGO 3163 O treacherous villains!
3164 ⌜To Lodovico and Gratiano.⌝ What are you there?
3165 70 Come in, and give some help.
RODERIGO 3166 O, help me ⟨here!⟩
CASSIO
3167 That’s one of them.
IAGO, ⌜to Roderigo⌝ 3168 O murd’rous slave! O villain!
⌜He stabs Roderigo.⌝
RODERIGO
3169 O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!
IAGO
3170 75 Kill men i’ th’ dark?—Where be these bloody
3171 thieves?
3172 How silent is this town! Ho, murder, murder!—
3173 What may you be? Are you of good or evil?
LODOVICO
3174 As you shall prove us, praise us.
IAGO 3175 80 Signior Lodovico?
LODOVICO 3176 He, sir.
IAGO
3177 I cry you mercy. Here’s Cassio hurt by villains.
GRATIANO 3178 Cassio?
IAGO
3179 How is ’t, brother?
CASSIO 3180 85 My leg is cut in two.
IAGO 3181 Marry, heaven forbid!
3182 Light, gentlemen. I’ll bind it with my shirt.
BIANCA
3183 What is the matter, ho? Who is ’t that cried?
IAGO
3184 Who is ’t that cried?
BIANCA 3185 90 O, my dear Cassio,
3186 My sweet Cassio! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
IAGO
3187 O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect
3188 Who they should be that have thus mangled you?
CASSIO 3189 No.
GRATIANO
3190 95 I am so