Othello

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Original text
Act III, Scene I
Enter Cassio, Musitians, and Clowne.

Cassio.
Masters, play heere, I wil content your paines,
Something that's briefe: and bid, goodmorrow General.

Clo.
Why Masters, haue your Instruments bin in
Naples, that they speake i'th'Nose thus?

Mus.
How Sir? how?

Clo.
Are these I pray you, winde Instruments?

Mus.
I marry are they sir.

Clo.
Oh, thereby hangs a tale.

Mus.
Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

Clow.
Marry sir, by many a winde Instrument that I
know. But Masters, heere's money for you: and the
Generall so likes your Musick, that he desires you for
loues sake to make no more noise with it.

Mus.
Well Sir, we will not.

Clo.
If you haue any Musicke that may not be heard,
too't againe. But (as they say) to heare Musicke, the Generall
do's not greatly care.

Mus.
We haue none such, sir.

Clow.
Then put vp your Pipes in your bagge, for Ile
away. Go, vanish into ayre, away.
Exit Mu.

Cassio
Dost thou heare me, mine honest Friend?

Clo.
No, I heare not your honest Friend: / I heare you.

Cassio.
Prythee keepe vp thy Quillets, ther's a poore peece
of Gold for thee: if the Gentlewoman that attends the
Generall be stirring, tell her, there's one Cassio
entreats her a little fauour of Speech. Wilt thou do this?

Clo.
She is stirring sir: if she will stirre hither, I shall
seeme to notifie vnto her.
Exit Clo.
Enter Iago.
In happy time, Iago.

Iago.
You haue not bin a-bed then?

Cassio.
Why no: the day had broke before we parted.
I haue made bold (Iago)
to send in to your wife: / My suite to her
is, that she will to vertuous Desdemona
Procure me some accesse.

Iago.
Ile send her to you presently:
And Ile deuise a meane to draw the Moore
Out of the way, that your conuerse and businesse
May be more free.

Cassio.
I humbly thanke you for't.
Exit
I neuer knew / A Florentine more kinde, and honest.
Enter Amilia.

Amil.
Goodmorrow (good Lieutenant) I am sorrie
For your displeasure: but all will sure be well.
The Generall and his wife are talking of it,
And she speakes for you stoutly. The Moore replies,
That he you hurt is of great Fame in Cyprus,
And great Affinitie: and that in wholsome Wisedome
He might not but refuse you. But he protests he loues you
And needs no other Suitor, but his likings
To bring you in againe.

Cassio.
Yet I beseech you,
If you thinke fit, or that it may be done,
Giue me aduantage of some breefe Discourse
With Desdemon alone.

Amil.
Pray you come in:
I will bestow you where you shall haue time
To speake your bosome freely.

Cassio.
I am much bound to you.
Original text
Act III, Scene II
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.

Othe.
These Letters giue (Iago) to the Pylot,
And by him do my duties to the Senate:
That done, I will be walking on the Workes,
Repaire there to mee.

Iago.
Well, my good Lord, Ile doo't.

Oth.
This Fortification (Gentlemen) shall we see't?

Gent.
Well waite vpon your Lordship.
Exeunt
Original text
Act III, Scene III
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Amilia.

Des.
Be thou assur'd (good Cassio) I will do
All my abilities in thy behalfe.

Amil.
Good Madam do: I warrant it greeues my Husband,
As if the cause were his.

Des.
Oh that's an honest Fellow, Do not doubt Cassio
But I will haue my Lord, and you againe
As friendly as you were.

Cassio.
Bounteous Madam,
What euer shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's neuer any thing but your true Seruant.

Des.
I know't: I thanke you: you do loue my Lord:
You haue knowne him long, and be you well assur'd
He shall in strangenesse stand no farther off,
Then in a politique distance.

Cassio.
I, but Lady,
That policie may either last so long,
Or feede vpon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breede it selfe so out of Circumstances,
That I being absent, and my place supply'd,
My Generall will forget my Loue, and Seruice.

Des.
Do not doubt that: before Amilia here,
I giue thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, Ile performe it
To the last Article. My Lord shall neuer rest,
Ile watch him tame, and talke him out of patience;
His Bed shall seeme a Schoole, his Boord a Shrift,
Ile intermingle euery thing he do's
With Cassio's suite: Therefore be merry Cassio,
For thy Solicitor shall rather dye,
Then giue thy cause away.
Enter Othello, and Iago.

Amil.
Madam, heere comes my Lord.

Cassio.
Madam, Ile take my leaue.

Des.
Why stay, and heare me speake.

Cassio.
Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,
Vnfit for mine owne purposes.

Des.
Well, do your discretion.
Exit Cassio.

Iago.
Hah? I like not that.

Othel.
What dost thou say?

Iago.
Nothing my Lord; or if---I know not what.

Othel.
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

Iago.
Cassio my Lord? No sure, I cannot thinke it
That he would steale away so guilty-like,
Seeing your comming.

Oth.
I do beleeue 'twas he.

Des.
How now my Lord?
I haue bin talking with a Suitor heere,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

Oth.
Who is't you meane?

Des.
Why your Lieutenant Cassio: Good my Lord,
If I haue any grace, or power to moue you,
His present reconciliation take.
For if he be not one, that truly loues'you,
That erres in Ignorance, and not in Cunning,
I haue no iudgement in an honest face.
I prythee call him backe.

Oth.
Went he hence now?

Des.
I sooth; so humbled,
That he hath left part of his greefe with mee
To suffer with him. Good Loue, call him backe.

Othel.
Not now (sweet Desdemon) some other time.

Des.
But shall't be shortly?

Oth.
The sooner (Sweet) for you.

Des.
Shall't be to night, at Supper?

Oth.
No, not to night.

Des.
To morrow Dinner then?

Oth.
I shall not dine at home:
I meete the Captaines at the Cittadell.

Des.
Why then to morrow night, on Tuesday morne,
On Tuesday noone, or night; on Wensday Morne.
I prythee name the time, but let it not
Exceed three dayes. Infaith hee's penitent:
And yet his Trespasse, in our common reason
(Saue that they say the warres must make example)
Out of her best, is not almost a fault
T'encurre a priuate checke. When shall he come?
Tell me Othello. I wonder in my Soule
What you would aske me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mam'ring on? What? Michael Cassio,
That came a woing wirh you? and so many a time
(When I haue spoke of you dispraisingly)
Hath tane your part, to haue so much to do
To bring him in? Trust me, I could do much.

Oth.
Prythee no more: Let him come when he will:
I will deny thee nothing.

Des.
Why, this is not a Boone:
'Tis as I should entreate you weare your Gloues,
Or feede on nourishing dishes, or keepe you warme,
Or sue to you, to do a peculiar profit
To your owne person. Nay, when I haue a suite
Wherein I meane to touch your Loue indeed,
It shall be full of poize, and difficult waight,
And fearefull to be granted.

Oth.
I will deny thee nothing.
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
To leaue me but a little to my selfe.

Des.
Shall I deny you? No: farewell my Lord.

Oth.
Farewell my Desdemona, Ile come to thee strait.

Des.
Amilia come; be as your Fancies teach you:
What ere you be, I am obedient.
Exit.

Oth.
Excellent wretch: Perdition catch my Soule
But I do loue thee: and when I loue thee not,
Chaos is come againe.

Iago.
My Noble Lord.

Oth.
What dost thou say, Iago?

Iago.
Did Michael Cassio
When he woo'd my Lady, know of your loue?

Oth.
He did, from first to last: / Why dost thou aske?

Iago.
But for a satisfaction of my Thought,
No further harme.

Oth.
Why of thy thought, Iago?

Iago.
I did not thinke he had bin acquainted with hir.

Oth.
O yes, and went betweene vs very oft.

Iago.
Indeed?

Oth.
Indeed? I indeed. Discern'st thou ought in that?
Is he not honest?

Iago.
Honest, my Lord?

Oth.
Honest? I, Honest.

Iago.
My Lord, for ought I know.

Oth.
What do'st thou thinke?

Iago.
Thinke, my Lord?

Oth.
Thinke, my Lord? Alas, thou ecchos't me;
As if there were some Monster in thy thought
Too hideous to be shewne. Thou dost mean somthing:
I heard thee say euen now, thou lik'st not that,
When Cassio left my wife. What didd'st not like?
And when I told thee, he was of my Counsaile,
Of my whole course of wooing; thou cried'st, Indeede?
And didd'st contract, and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadd'st shut vp in thy Braine
Some horrible Conceite. If thou do'st loue me,
Shew me thy thought.

Iago.
My Lord, you know I loue you.

Oth.
I thinke thou do'st:
And for I know thou'rt full of Loue, and Honestie,
And weigh'st thy words before thou giu'st them breath,
Therefore these stops of thine, fright me the more:
For such things in a false disloyall Knaue
Are trickes of Custome: but in a man that's iust,
They're close dilations, working from the heart,
That Passion cannot rule.

Iago.
For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworne, I thinke that he is honest.

Oth.
I thinke so too.

Iago.
Men should be what they seeme,
Or those that be not, would they might seeme none.

Oth.
Certaine, men should be what they seeme.

Iago.
Why then I thinke Cassio's an honest man.

Oth.
Nay, yet there's more in this?
I prythee speake to me, as to thy thinkings,
As thou dost ruminate, and giue thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words.

Iago.
Good my Lord pardon me,
Though I am bound to euery Acte of dutie,
I am not bound to that: All Slaues are free:
Vtter my Thoughts? Why say, they are vild, and falce?
As where's that Palace, whereinto foule things
Sometimes intrude not? Who ha's that breast so pure,
Wherein vncleanly Apprehensions
Keepe Leetes, and Law-dayes, and in Sessions sit
With meditations lawfull?

Oth.
Thou do'st conspire against thy Friend (Iago)
If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his eare
A stranger to thy Thoughts.

Iago.
I do beseech you,
Though I perchance am vicious in my guesse
(As I confesse it is my Natures plague
To spy into Abuses, and of my iealousie
Shapes faults that are not) that your wisedome
From one, that so imperfectly conceits,
Would take no notice, nor build your selfe a trouble
Out of his scattering, and vnsure obseruance:
It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my Manhood, Honesty, and Wisedome,
To let you know my thoughts.

Oth.
What dost thou meane?

Iago.
Good name in Man, & woman (deere my Lord)
Is the immediate Iewell of their Soules;
Who steales my purse, steales trash: / 'Tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has bin slaue to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good Name,
Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
And makes me poore indeed.

Oth.
Ile know thy Thoughts.

Iago.
You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
Nor shall not, whil'st 'tis in my custodie.

Oth.
Ha?

Iago.
Oh, beware my Lord, of iealousie,
It is the greene-ey'd Monster, which doth mocke
The meate it feeds on. That Cuckold liues in blisse,
Who certaine ofhis Fate, loues not his wronger:
But oh, what damned minutes tels he ore,
Who dotes, yet doubts: Suspects, yet soundly loues?

Oth.
O miserie.

Iago.
Poore, and Content, is rich, and rich enough,
But Riches finelesse, is as poore as Winter,
To him that euer feares he shall be poore:
Good Heauen, the Soules of all my Tribe defend
From Iealousie.

Oth.
Why? why is this?
Think'st thou, I'ld make a Life of Iealousie;
To follow still the changes of the Moone
With fresh suspitions? No: to be once in doubt,
Is to be resolu'd: Exchange me for a Goat,
When I shall turne the businesse of my Soule
To such exufflicate, and blow'd Surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me Iealious,
To say my wife is faire, feeds well, loues company,
Is free of Speech, Sings, Playes, and Dances:
Where Vertue is, these are more vertuous.
Nor from mine owne weake merites, will I draw
The smallest feare, or doubt ofher reuolt,
For she had eyes, and chose me. No Iago,
Ile see before I doubt; when I doubt, proue;
And on the proofe, there is no more but this,
Away at once with Loue, or Iealousie.

Ia.
I am glad of this: For now I shall haue reason
To shew the Loue and Duty that I beare you
With franker spirit. Therefore (as I am bound)
Receiue it from me. I speake not yet of proofe:
Looke to your wife, obserue her well with Cassio,
Weare your eyes, thus: not Iealious, nor Secure:
I would not haue your free, and Noble Nature,
Out of selfe-Bounty, be abus'd: Looke too't:
I know our Country disposition well:
In Venice, they do let Heauen see the prankes
They dare not shew their Husbands. / Their best Conscience,
Is not to leaue't vndone, but kept vnknowne.

Oth.
Dost thou say so?

Iago.
She did deceiue her Father, marrying you,
And when she seem'd to shake, and feare your lookes,
She lou'd them most.

Oth.
And so she did.

Iago.
Why go too then:
Shee that so young could giue out such a Seeming
To seele her Fathers eyes vp, close as Oake,
He thought 'twas Witchcraft. / But I am much too blame:
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much louing you.

Oth.
I am bound to thee for euer.

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

Oth.
Not a iot, not a iot.

Iago.
Trust me, I feare it has:
I hope you will consider what is spoke
Comes from your Loue. / But I do see y'are moou'd:
I am to pray you, not to straine my speech
To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,
Then to Suspition.

Oth.
I will not.

Iago.
Should you do so (my Lord)
My speech should fall into such vilde successe,
Which my Thoughts aym'd not. / Cassio's my worthy Friend:
My Lord, I see y'are mou'd.

Oth.
No, not much mou'd:
I do not thinke but Desdemona's honest.

Iago.
Long liue she so; / And long liue you to thinke so.

Oth.
And yet how Nature erring from it selfe.

Iago.
I, there's the point: / As (to be bold with you)
Not to affect many proposed Matches
Of her owne Clime, Complexion, and Degree,
Whereto we see in all things, Nature tends:
Foh, one may smel in such, a will most ranke,
Foule disproportions, Thoughts vnnaturall.
But (pardon me) I do not in position
Distinctly speake of her, though I may feare
Her will, recoyling to her better iudgement,
May fal to match you with her Country formes,
And happily repent.

Oth.
Farewell, farewell:
If more thou dost perceiue, let me know more:
Set on thy wife to obserue. / Leaue me Iago.

Iago.
My Lord, I take my leaue.

Othel.
Why did I marry? / This honest Creature (doubtlesse)
Sees, and knowes more, much more then he vnfolds.

Iago.
My Lord, I would I might intreat your Honor
To scan this thing no farther: Leaue it to time,
Although 'tis fit that Cassio haue his Place;
For sure he filles it vp with great Ability;
Yet if you please, to him off a-while:
You shall by that perceiue him, and his meanes:
Note if your Lady straine his Encertainment
With any strong, or vehement importunitie,
Much will be seene in that: In the meane time,
Let me be thought too busie in my feares,
(As worthy cause I haue to feare I am)
And hold her free, I do beseech your Honor.

Oth.
Feare not my gouernment.

Iago.
I once more take my leaue.
Exit.

Oth.
This Fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knowes all Quantities with a learn'd Spirit
Of humane dealings. If I do proue her Haggard,
Though that her Iesses were my deere heart-strings,
I'ld whistle her off, and let her downe the winde
To prey at Fortune. Haply, for I am blacke,
And haue not those soft parts of Conuersation
That Chamberers haue: Or for I am declin'd
Into the vale of yeares (yet that's not much)
Shee's gone. I am abus'd, and my releefe
Must be to loath her. Oh Curse of Marriage!
That we can call these delicate Creatures ours,
And not their Appetites? I had rather be a Toad,
And liue vpon the vapour of a Dungeon,
Then keepe a corner in the thing I loue
For others vses. Yet 'tis the plague to Great-ones,
Prerogatiu'd are they lesse then the Base,
'Tis destiny vnshunnable, like death:
Euen then, this forked plague is Fated to vs,
When we do quicken. Looke where she comes:
Enter Desdemona and Amilia.
If she be false, Heauen mock'd it selfe:
Ile not beleeue't.

Des.
How now, my deere Othello?
Your dinner, and the generous Islanders
By you inuited, do attend your presence.

Oth.
I am too blame.

Des.
Why do you speake so faintly?
Are you not well?

Oth.
I haue a paine vpon my Forehead, heere.

Des.
Why that's with watching, 'twill away againe.
Let me but binde it hard, within this houre
It will be well.

Oth.
Your Napkin is too little:
Let it alone: Come, Ile go in with you.

Des.
I am very sorry that you are not well.
Exit.

Amil.
I am glad I haue found this Napkin:
This was her first remembrance from the Moore,
My wayward Husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd me to steale it. But she so loues the Token,
(For he coniur'd her, she should euer keepe it)
That she reserues it euermore about her,
To kisse, and talke too. Ile haue the worke tane out,
And giu't Iago:
what he will do with it / Heauen knowes, not I:
I nothing, but to please his Fantasie.
Enter Iago.

Iago.
How now? What do you heere alone?

Amil.
Do not you chide: I haue a thing for you.

Iago.
You haue a thing for me? / It is a common thing---

Amil.
Hah?

Iago.
To haue a foolish wife.

Amil.
Oh, is that all? What will you giue me now
For that same Handkerchiefe.

Iago.
What Handkerchiefe?

Amil.
What Handkerchiefe?
Why that the Moore first gaue to Desdemona,
That which so often you did bid me steale.

Iago.
Hast stolne it from her?

Amil.
No: but she let it drop by negligence,
And to th'aduantage, I being heere, took't vp:
Looke, heere 'tis.

Iago.
A good wench, giue it me.

Amil.
What will you do with't, that you haue bene so earnest
to haue me filch it?

Iago.
Why, what is that to you?

Amil.
If it be not for some purpose of import,
Giu't me againe. Poore Lady, shee'l run mad
When she shall lacke it.

Iago.
Be not acknowne on't: / I haue vse for it.
Go, leaue me.
Exit Amil.
I will in Cassio's Lodging loose this Napkin,
And let him finde it. Trifles light as ayre,
Are to the iealious, confirmations strong,
As proofes of holy Writ. This may do something.
The Moore already changes with my poyson:
Dangerous conceites, are in their Natures poysons,
Which at the first are scarse found to distaste:
But with a little acte vpon the blood,
Burne like the Mines of Sulphure
Enter Othello.
I did say so.
Looke where he comes: Not Poppy, nor Mandragora,
Nor all the drowsie Syrrups of the world
Shall euer medicine thee to that sweete sleepe
Which thou owd'st yesterday.

Oth.
Ha, ha, false to mee?

Iago.
Why how now Generall? No more of that.

Oth.
Auant, be gone: Thou hast set me on the Racke:
I sweare 'tis better to be much abus'd,
Then but to know't a little.

Iago.
How now, my Lord?

Oth.
What sense had I, in her stolne houres of Lust?
I saw't not, thought it not: it harm'd not me:
I slept the next night well, fed well, was free, and merrie.
I found not Cassio's kisses on her Lippes:
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolne,
Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all.

Iago.
I am sorry to heare this?

Oth.
I had beene happy, if the generall Campe,
Pyoners and all, had tasted her sweet Body,
So I had nothing knowne. Oh now, for euer
Farewell the Tranquill minde; farewell Content;
Farewell the plumed Troopes, and the bigge Warres,
That makes Ambition, Vertue! Oh farewell;
Farewell the neighing Steed, and the shrill Trumpe,
The Spirit-stirring Drum, th'Eare-piercing Fife,
The Royall Banner, and all Qualitie,
Pride, Pompe, and Circumstance of glorious Warre:
And O you mortall Engines, whose rude throates
Th'immortall Ioues dread Clamours, counterfet,
Farewell: Othello's Occupation's gone.

Iago.
Is't possible my Lord?

Oth.
Villaine, be sure thou proue my Loue a Whore;
Be sure of it: Giue me the Occular proofe,
Or by the worth of mine eternall Soule,
Thou had'st bin better haue bin borne a Dog
Then answer my wak'd wrath.

Iago.
Is't come to this?

Oth.
Make me to see't: or (at the least) so proue it,
That the probation beare no Hindge, nor Loope,
To hang a doubt on: Or woe vpon thy life.

Iago.
My Noble Lord.

Oth.
If thou dost slander her, and torture me,
Neuer pray more: Abandon all remorse
On Horrors head, Horrors accumulate:
Do deeds to make Heauen weepe, all Earth amaz'd;
For nothing canst thou to damnation adde,
Greater then that.

Iago.
O Grace! O Heauen forgiue me!
Are you a Man? Haue you a Soule? or Sense?
God buy you: take mine Office. Oh wretched Foole,
That lou'st to make thine Honesty, a Vice!
Oh monstrous world! Take note, take note (O World)
To be direct and honest, is not safe.
I thanke you for this profit, and from hence
Ile loue no Friend, sith Loue breeds such offence.

Oth.
Nay stay: thou should'st be honest.

Iago.
I should be wise; for Honestie's a Foole,
And looses that it workes for.

Oth.
By the World,
I thinke my Wife be honest, and thinke she is not:
I thinke that thou art iust, and thinke thou art not:
Ile haue some proofe. My name that was as fresh
As Dians Visage, is now begrim'd and blacke
As mine owne face. If there be Cords, or Kniues,
Poyson, or Fire, or suffocating streames,
Ile not indure it. Would I were satisfied.

Iago.
I see you are eaten vp with Passion:
I do repent me, that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied?

Oth.
Would? Nay, and I will.

Iago.
And may: but how? How satisfied, my Lord?
Would you the super-vision grossely gape on?
Behold her top'd?

Oth.
Death, and damnation. Oh!

Iago.
It were a tedious difficulty, I thinke,
To bring them to that Prospect: Damne them then,
If euer mortall eyes do see them boulster
More then their owne. What then? How then?
What shall I say? Where's Satisfaction?
It is impossible you should see this,
Were they as prime as Goates, as hot as Monkeyes,
As salt as Wolues in pride, and Fooles as grosse
As Ignorance, made drunke. But yet, I say,
If imputation, and strong circumstances,
Which leade directly to the doore of Truth,
Will giue you satisfaction, you might haue't.

Oth.
Giue me a liuing reason she's disloyall.

Iago.
I do not like the Office.
But sith I am entred in this cause so farre
(Prick'd too't by foolish Honesty, and Loue)
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately,
And being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleepe.
There are a kinde of men, / So loose of Soule,
that in their sleepes will mutter / Their Affayres:
one of this kinde is Cassio:
In sleepe I heard him say, sweet Desdemona,
Let vs be wary, let vs hide our Loues,
And then (Sir) would he gripe, and wring my hand:
Cry, oh sweet Creature: then kisse me hard,
As if he pluckt vp kisses by the rootes,
That grew vpon my lippes, laid his Leg ore my Thigh,
And sigh, and kisse, and then cry cursed Fate,
That gaue thee to the Moore.

Oth.
O monstrous! monstrous!

Iago.
Nay, this was but his Dreame.

Oth.
But this denoted a fore-gone conclusion,

Iago,
'Tis a shrew'd doubt, though it be but a Dreame.
And this may helpe to thicken other proofes,
That do demonstrate thinly.

Oth.
Ile teare her all to peeces.

Iago.
Nay yet be wise; yet we see nothing done,
She may be honest yet: Tell me but this,
Haue you not sometimes seene a Handkerchiefe
Spotted with Strawberries, in your wiues hand?

Oth.
I gaue her such a one: 'twas my first gift.

Iago.
I know not that: but such a Handkerchiefe
(I am sure it was your wiues) did I to day
See Cassio wipe his Beard with.

Oth.
If it be that.

Iago.
If it be that, or any, it was hers.
It speakes against her with the other proofes.

Othel.
O that the Slaue had forty thousand liues:
One is too poore, too weake for my reuenge.
Now do I see 'tis true. Looke heere Iago,
All my fond loue thus do I blow to Heauen.
'Tis gone,
Arise blacke vengeance, from the hollow hell,
Yeeld vp (O Loue) thy Crowne, and hearted Throne
To tyrannous Hate. Swell bosome with thy fraught,
For 'tis of Aspickes tongues.

Iago.
Yet be content.

Oth.
Oh blood, blood, blood.

Iago.
Patience I say: your minde may change.

Oth.
Neuer Iago. Like to the Ponticke Sea,
Whose Icie Current, and compulsiue course,
Neu'r keepes retyring ebbe, but keepes due on
To the Proponticke, and the Hellespont:
Euen so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace
Shall neu'r looke backe, neu'r ebbe to humble Loue,
Till that a capeable, and wide Reuenge
Swallow them vp. Now by yond Marble Heauen,
In the due reuerence of a Sacred vow,
I heere engage my words.

Iago.
Do not rise yet:
Witnesse you euer-burning Lights aboue,
You Elements, that clip vs round about,
Witnesse that heere Iago doth giue vp
The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
To wrong'd Othello's Seruice. Let him command,
And to obey shall be in me remorse,
What bloody businesse euer.

Oth.
I greet thy loue,
Not with vaine thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
And will vpon the instant put thee too't.
Within these three dayes let me heare thee say,
That Cassio's not aliue.

Iago.
My Friend is dead:
'Tis done at your Request. / But let her liue.

Oth.
Damne her lewde Minx: / O damne her, damne her.
Come go with me a-part, I will withdraw
To furnish me with some swift meanes of death
For the faire Diuell. / Now art thou my Lieutenant.

Iago.
I am your owne for euer.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene IV
Enter Desdemona, Amilia, and Clown.

Des.
Do you know Sirrah, where Lieutenant
Cassio lyes?

Clow.
I dare not say he lies any where.

Des.
Why man?

Clo.
He's a Soldier, and for me to say a Souldier lyes, 'tis
stabbing.

Des.
Go too: where lodges he?

Clo.
To tell you where he lodges, is to tel you where I
lye.

Des.
Can any thing be made of this?

Clo.
I know not where he lodges, and for mee to deuise a
lodging, and say he lies heere, or he lies there, were to lye
in mine owne throat.

Des.
Can you enquire him out? and be edified by
report?

Clo.
I will Catechize the world for him, that is, make
Questions, and by them answer.

Des.
Seeke him, bidde him come hither: tell him, I
haue moou'd my Lord on his behalfe, and hope all will be
well.

Clo.
To do this, is within the compasse of mans Wit, and
therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Exit Clo.

Des.
Where should I loose the Handkerchiefe, Amilia?

Amil.
I know not Madam.

Des.
Beleeue me, I had rather haue lost my purse
Full of Cruzadoes. And but my Noble Moore
Is true of minde, and made of no such basenesse,
As iealious Creatures are, it were enough
To put him to ill-thinking.

Amil.
Is he not iealious?

Des.
Who, he? I thinke the Sun where he was borne,
Drew all such humors from him.

Amil.
Looke where he comes.
Enter Othello.

Des.
I will not leaue him now, till Cassio
be / Call'd to him. How is't with you, my Lord?

Oth.
Well my good Lady. Oh hardnes to dissemble!
How do you, Desdemona?

Des.
Well, my good Lord.

Oth.
Giue me your hand. / This hand is moist, my Lady.

Des.
It hath felt no age, nor knowne no sorrow.

Oth.
This argues fruitfulnesse, and liberall heart:
Hot, hot, and moyst. This hand of yours requires
A sequester from Liberty: Fasting, and Prayer,
Much Castigation, Exercise deuout,
For heere's a yong, and sweating Diuell heere
That commonly rebels: 'Tis a good hand,
A franke one.

Des.
You may (indeed) say so:
For 'twas that hand that gaue away my heart.

Oth.
A liberall hand. The hearts of old, gaue hands:
But our new Heraldry is hands, not hearts.

Des.
I cannot speake of this: / Come, now your promise.

Oth.
What promise, Chucke?

Des.
I haue sent to bid Cassio come speake with you.

Oth.
I haue a salt and sorry Rhewme offends me:
Lend me thy Handkerchiefe.

Des.
Heere my Lord.

Oth.
That which I gaue you.

Des.
I haue it not about me.

Oth.
Not?

Des.
No indeed, my Lord.

Oth.
That's a fault:
That Handkerchiefe
Did an Agyptian to my Mother giue:
She was a Charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it,
'T would make her Amiable, and subdue my Father
Intirely to her loue: But if she lost it,
Or made a Guift of it, my Fathers eye
Should hold her loathed, and his Spirits should hunt
After new Fancies. She dying, gaue it me,
And bid me (when my Fate would haue me Wiu'd)
To giue it her. I did so; and take heede on't,
Make it a Darling, like your precious eye:
To loose't, or giue't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.

Des,
Is't possible?

Oth.
'Tis true: There's Magicke in the web of it:
A Sybill that had numbred in the world
The Sun to course, two hundred compasses,
In her Prophetticke furie sow'd the Worke:
The Wormes were hallowed, that did breede the Silke,
And it was dyde in Mummey, which the Skilfull
Conseru'd of Maidens hearts.

Des.
Indeed? Is't true?

Oth.
Most veritable, therefore looke too't well.

Des.
Then would to Heauen, that I had neuer seene't?

Oth.
Ha? wherefore?

Des.
Why do you speake so startingly, and rash?

Oth.
Is't lost? Is't gon? Speak, is't out o'th'way?

Des.
Blesse vs.

Oth.
Say you?

Des.
It is not lost:
but what and if it were?

Oth.
How?

Des.
I say it is not lost.

Oth.
Fetcht, let me see't.

Des.
Why so I can: but I will not now:
This is a tricke to put me from my suite,
Pray you let Cassio be receiu'd againe.

Oth.
Fetch me the Handkerchiefe, / My minde mis-giues.

Des.
Come, come:
you'l neuer meete a more sufficient man.

Oth.
The Handkerchiefe.

Des.
A man that all his time
Hath founded his good Fortunes on your loue;
Shar'd dangers with you.

Oth.
The Handkerchiefe.

Des.
Insooth, you are too blame.

Oth.
Away.
Exit Othello.

Amil.
Is not this man iealious?

Des.
I neu'r saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this Handkerchikfe,
I am most vnhappy in the losse of it.

Amil.
'Tis not a yeare or two shewes vs a man:
They are all but Stomackes, and we all but Food,
They eate vs hungerly, and when they are full
They belch vs. / Looke you, Cassio and my Husband.
Enter Iago, and Cassio.

Iago.
There is no other way: 'tis she must doo't:
And loe the happinesse: go, and importune her.

Des.
How now (good Cassio) what's the newes with you?

Cassio.
Madam, my former suite. I do beseech you,
That by your vertuous meanes, I may againe
Exist, and be a member of his loue,
Whom I, with all the Office of my heart
Intirely honour, I would not be delayd.
If my offence, be of such mortall kinde,
That nor my Seruice past, nor present Sorrowes,
Nor purpos'd merit in futurity,
Can ransome me into his loue againe,
But to know so, must be my benefit:
So shall I cloath me in a forc'd content,
And shut my selfe vp in some other course
To Fortunes Almes.

Des.
Alas (thrice-gentle Cassio)
My Aduocation is not now in Tune;
My Lord, is not my Lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in Fauour, as in Humour alter'd.
So helpe me euery spirit sanctified,
As I haue spoken for you all my best,
And stood within the blanke of his displeasure
For my free speech. You must awhile be patient:
What I can do, I will: and more I will
Then for my selfe, I dare. Let that suffice you.

Iago.
Is my Lord angry?

Amil.
He went hence but now:
And certainly in strange vnquietnesse.

Iago.
Can he be angry? I haue seene the Cannon
When it hath blowne his Rankes into the Ayre,
And like the Diuell from his very Arme
Puff't his owne Brother: And is he angry?
Something of moment then: I will go meet him,
There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry.

Des.
I prythee do so.
Exit
Something sure of State,
Either from Venice, or some vnhatch'd practise
Made demonstrable heere in Cyprus, to him,
Hath pudled his cleare Spirit: and in such cases,
Mens Natures wrangle with inferiour things,
Though great ones are their obiect. 'Tis euen so.
For let our finger ake, and it endues
Our other healthfull members, euen to a sense
Of paine. Nay, we must thinke men are not Gods,
Nor of them looke for such obseruancie
As fits the Bridall. Beshrew me much, Amilia,
I was (vnhandsome Warrior, as I am)
Arraigning his vnkindnesse with my soule:
But now I finde, I had suborn'd the Witnesse,
And he's Indited falsely.

Amil.
Pray heauen it bee / State matters, as you thinke,
and no Conception, / Nor no Iealious Toy,
concerning you.

Des.
Alas the day, I neuer gaue him cause.

Amil.
But Iealious soules will not be answer'd so;
They are not euer iealious for the cause,
But iealious, for they're iealious. It is a Monster
Begot vpon it selfe, borne on it selfe.

Des.
Heauen keepe the Monster from Othello's mind.

Amil.
Lady, Amen.

Des.
I will go seeke him. Cassio, walke heere about:
If I doe finde him fit, Ile moue your suite,
And seeke to effect it to my vttermost.

Cas.
I humbly thanke your Ladyship.
Exit
Enter Bianca.

Bian.
'Saue you (Friend Cassio.)

Cassio.
What make you from home?
How is't with you, my most faire Bianca?
Indeed (sweet Loue) I was comming to your house.

Bian.
And I was going to your Lodging, Cassio.
What? keepe a weeke away? Seuen dayes, and Nights?
Eight score eight houres? And Louers absent howres
More tedious then the Diall, eight score times?
Oh weary reck'ning.

Cassio.
Pardon me, Bianca:
I haue this while with leaden thoughts beene prest,
But I shall in a more continuate time
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca
Take me this worke out.

Bianca.
Oh Cassio, whence came this?
This is some Token from a newer Friend,
To the felt-Absence: now I feele a Cause:
Is't come to this? Well, well.

Cassio.
Go too, woman:
Throw your vilde gesses in the Diuels teeth,
From whence you haue them. You are iealious now,
That this is from some Mistris, some remembrance;
No, in good troth Bianca.

Bian.
Why, who's is it?

Cassio.
I know not neither: / I found it in my Chamber,
I like the worke well; Ere it be demanded
(As like enough it will) I would haue it coppied:
Take it, and doo't, and leaue me for this time.

Bian.
Leaue you? Wherefore?

Cassio.
I do attend heere on the Generall,
And thinke it no addition nor my wish
To haue him see me woman'd.

Bian.
Why, I ptay you?

Cassio.
Not that I loue you not.

Bian.
But that you do not loue me.
I pray you bring me on the way a little,
And say, if I shall see you soone at night?

Cassio.
'Tis but a little way that I can bring you,
For I attend heere: But Ile see you soone.

Bian.
'Tis very good: I must be circumstanc'd.
Exeunt omnes.
Modern text
Act III, Scene I
Enter Cassio and Musicians

CASSIO
Masters, play here – I will content your pains –
Something that's brief; and bid ‘ Good morrow, General.’
They play
Enter Clown

CLOWN
Why, masters, have your instruments been in
Naples, that they speak i'th' nose thus?

FIRST MUSICIAN
How, sir, how?

CLOWN
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

FIRST MUSICIAN
Ay, marry are they, sir.

CLOWN
O, thereby hangs a tail.

FIRST MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

CLOWN
Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I
know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the
General so likes your music that he desires you, for
love's sake, to make no more noise with it.

FIRST MUSICIAN
Well, sir, we will not.

CLOWN
If you have any music that may not be heard,
to't again. But, as they say, to hear music the General
does not greatly care.

FIRST MUSICIAN
We have none such, sir.

CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll
away. Go, vanish into air, away.
Exeunt Musicians

CASSIO
Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?

CLOWN
No, I hear not your honest friend: I hear you.

CASSIO
Prithee keep up thy quillets – there's a poor piece
of gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the
General's wife be stirring, tell her there's one Cassio
entreats her a little favour of speech. Wilt thou do this?

CLOWN
She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall
seem to notify unto her.

CASSIO
Do, good my friend.
Exit Clown
Enter Iago
In happy time, Iago.

IAGO
You have not been abed then?

CASSIO
Why, no: the day had broke before we parted.
I have made bold, Iago,
To send in to your wife. My suit to her
Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access.

IAGO
I'll send her to you presently;
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.

CASSIO
I humbly thank you for't.
Exit Iago
I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.
Enter Emilia

EMILIA
Good morrow, good Lieutenant; I am sorry
For your displeasure: but all will sure be well.
The General and his wife are talking of it,
And she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus,
And great affinity; and that in wholesome wisdom
He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you
And needs no other suitor but his likings
To take the safest occasion by the front
To bring you in again.

CASSIO
Yet I beseech you,
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.

EMILIA
Pray you, come in:
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.

CASSIO
I am much bound to you.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene II
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen

OTHELLO
These letters give, Iago, to the pilot,
And by him do my duties to the senate.
That done, I will be walking on the works:
Repair there to me.

IAGO
Well, my good lord, I'll do't.
Exit

OTHELLO
This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't?

GENTLEMAN
We'll wait upon your lordship.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene III
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia

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

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

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

CASSIO
Bounteous madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never anything but your true servant.

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

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

DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here,
I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article. My lord shall never rest.
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle everything he does
With Cassio's suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.
Enter Othello and Iago

EMILIA
Madam, here comes my lord.

CASSIO
Madam, I'll take my leave.

DESDEMONA
Why, stay, and hear me speak.

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

DESDEMONA
Well, do your discretion.
Exit Cassio

IAGO
Ha! I like not that.

OTHELLO
What dost thou say?

IAGO
Nothing, my lord; or if – I know not what.

OTHELLO
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

IAGO
Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it
That he would sneak away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.

OTHELLO
I do believe 'twas he.

DESDEMONA
How now, my lord?
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

OTHELLO
Who is't you mean?

DESDEMONA
Why, your Lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take.
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning,
I have no judgement in an honest face.
I prithee call him back.

OTHELLO
Went he hence now?

DESDEMONA
Yes, faith; so humbled
That he hath left part of his grief with me
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

OTHELLO
Not now, sweet Desdemon; some other time.

DESDEMONA
But shall't be shortly?

OTHELLO
The sooner, sweet, for you.

DESDEMONA
Shall't be tonight, at supper?

OTHELLO
No, not tonight.

DESDEMONA
Tomorrow dinner then?

OTHELLO
I shall not dine at home.
I meet the captains at the citadel.

DESDEMONA
Why, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn,
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn.
I prithee name the time, but let it not
Exceed three days. In faith, he's penitent:
And yet his trespass in our common reason –
Save that, they say, the wars must make example
Out of their best – is not almost a fault
T' incur a private check. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
What you would ask me that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on? What! Michael Cassio,
That came a-wooing with you? And so many a time –
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do
To bring him in? By'r Lady, I could do much.

OTHELLO
Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.

DESDEMONA
Why, this is not a boon:
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,
And fearful to be granted.

OTHELLO
I will deny thee nothing.
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this:
To leave me but a little to my self.

DESDEMONA
Shall I deny you? No; farewell, my lord.

OTHELLO
Farewell, my Desdemona, I'll come to thee straight.

DESDEMONA
Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you,
Whate'er you be, I am obedient.
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia

OTHELLO
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.

IAGO
My noble lord –

OTHELLO
What dost thou say, Iago?

IAGO
Did Michael Cassio,
When you wooed my lady, know of your love?

OTHELLO
He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?

IAGO
But for a satisfaction of my thought –
No further harm.

OTHELLO
Why of thy thought, Iago?

IAGO
I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

OTHELLO
O yes, and went between us very oft.

IAGO
Indeed!

OTHELLO
Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that?
Is he not honest?

IAGO
Honest, my lord?

OTHELLO
Honest? Ay, honest.

IAGO
My lord, for aught I know.

OTHELLO
What dost thou think?

IAGO
Think, my lord?

OTHELLO
Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something.
I heard thee say even now, thou lik'st not that,
When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing, thou cried'st ‘ Indeed!’
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me,
Show me thy thought.

IAGO
My lord, you know I love you.

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

IAGO
For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

OTHELLO
I think so too.

IAGO
Men should be what they seem;
Or those that be not, would they might seem none!

OTHELLO
Certain, men should be what they seem.

IAGO
Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man.

OTHELLO
Nay, yet there's more in this.
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words.

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

OTHELLO
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st him wronged, and mak'st his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.

IAGO
I do beseech you,
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess –
As I confess it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses, and of my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not – that your wisdom then,
From one that so imperfectly conjects,
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

OTHELLO
What dost thou mean?

IAGO
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

OTHELLO
By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.

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

OTHELLO
Ha!

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

OTHELLO
O misery!

IAGO
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
But riches fineless is as poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
Good God, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

OTHELLO
Why, why is this?
Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No, to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this:
Away at once with love or jealousy!

IAGO
I am glad of this: for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio.
Wear your eye thus: not jealous, nor secure.
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of self-bounty, be abused. Look to't.
I know our country disposition well:
In Venice they do let God see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.

OTHELLO
Dost thou say so?

IAGO
She did deceive her father, marrying you,
And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks,
She loved them most.

OTHELLO
And so she did.

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

OTHELLO
I am bound to thee for ever.

IAGO
I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.

OTHELLO
Not a jot, not a jot.

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

OTHELLO
I will not.

IAGO
Should you do so, my lord,
My speech should fall into such vile success
As my thoughts aimed not at. Cassio's my worthy friend.
My lord, I see you're moved.

OTHELLO
No, not much moved.
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

IAGO
Long live she so! And long live you to think so!

OTHELLO
And yet, how nature erring from itself –

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

OTHELLO
Farewell, farewell.
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more.
Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.

IAGO
(going)
My lord, I take my leave.

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

IAGO
(returning)
My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time.
Although 'tis fit that Cassio have his place,
For sure he fills it up with great ability,
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,
You shall by that perceive him and his means;
Note if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement importunity
Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears,
As worthy cause I have to fear I am,
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.

OTHELLO
Fear not my government.

IAGO
I once more take my leave.
Exit

OTHELLO
This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities with a learned spirit
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have; or for I am declined
Into the vale of years – yet that's not much –
She's gone: I am abused, and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O, curse of marriage!
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others' uses. Yet 'tis the plague of great ones;
Prerogatived are they less than the base.
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:
Even then this forked plague is fated to us
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:
Enter Desdemona and Emilia
If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!
I'll not believe't.

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

OTHELLO
I am to blame.

DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so faintly?
Are you not well?

OTHELLO
I have a pain upon my forehead here.

DESDEMONA
Faith, that's with watching: 'twill away again.
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
It will be well.

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

DESDEMONA
I am very sorry that you are not well.
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona

EMILIA
I am glad I have found this napkin:
This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it; but she so loves the token –
For he conjured her she should ever keep it –
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give't Iago.
What he will do with it, heaven knows, not I;
I nothing, but to please his fantasy.
Enter Iago

IAGO
How now? What do you here alone?

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

IAGO
A thing for me? It is a common thing.

EMILIA
Ha!

IAGO
To have a foolish wife.

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

IAGO
What handkerchief?

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

IAGO
Hast stol'n it from her?

EMILIA
No, faith, she let it drop by negligence,
And to th' advantage, I, being here, took't up.
Look, here it is.

IAGO
A good wench! Give it me.

EMILIA
What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest
To have me filch it?

IAGO
(snatching it)
Why, what is that to you?

EMILIA
If it be not for some purpose of import,
Give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad
When she shall lack it.

IAGO
Be not acknown on't: I have use for it.
Go, leave me.
Exit Emilia
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison.
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
But, with a little act upon the blood,
Burn like the mines of sulphur.
Enter Othello
I did say so.
Look where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owed'st yesterday.

OTHELLO
Ha, ha, false to me!

IAGO
Why, how now, General! No more of that.

OTHELLO
Avaunt! Be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack.
I swear 'tis better to be much abused,
Than but to know't a little.

IAGO
How now, my lord!

OTHELLO
What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust?
I saw't not, thought it not, it harmed not me.
I slept the next night well, was free and merry;
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips.
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen,
Let him not know't, and he's not robbed at all.

IAGO
I am sorry to hear this.

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

IAGO
Is't possible, my lord?

OTHELLO
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;
Be sure of it: give me the ocular proof,
Or by the worth of mine eternal soul,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
Than answer my waked wrath!

IAGO
Is't come to this?

OTHELLO
Make me to see't: or, at the least, so prove it
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
To hang a doubt on – or woe upon thy life!

IAGO
My noble lord –

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

IAGO
O grace! O heaven defend me!
Are you a man? Have you a soul? Or sense?
God bu'y you: take mine office. O wretched fool,
That lov'st to make thine honesty a vice!
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world!
To be direct and honest is not safe.
I thank you for this profit, and from hence
I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence.

OTHELLO
Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.

IAGO
I should be wise; for honesty's a fool
And loses that it works for.

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

IAGO
I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion.
I do repent me that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied?

OTHELLO
Would! Nay, I will.

IAGO
And may. But how? How satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
Behold her topped?

OTHELLO
Death and damnation! O!

IAGO
It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
More than their own! What then? How then?
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
It is impossible you should see this,
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
If imputation and strong circumstance,
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
Will give you satisfaction, you might have't.

OTHELLO
Give me a living reason she's disloyal.

IAGO
I do not like the office.
But sith I am entered in this cause so far –
Pricked to't by foolish honesty and love –
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately,
And being troubled with a raging tooth
I could not sleep.
There are a kind of men so loose of soul
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:
One of this kind is Cassio.
In sleep I heard him say ‘ Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;’
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
Cry ‘ O sweet creature!’ and then kiss me hard,
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips; then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sighed and kissed, and then
Cried ‘ Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!’

OTHELLO
O monstrous! Monstrous!

IAGO
Nay, this was but his dream.

OTHELLO
But this denoted a foregone conclusion.

IAGO
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream:
And this may help to thicken other proofs
That do demonstrate thinly.

OTHELLO
I'll tear her all to pieces!

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

OTHELLO
I gave her such a one: 'twas my first gift.

IAGO
I know not that: but such a handkerchief –
I am sure it was your wife's – did I today
See Cassio wipe his beard with.

OTHELLO
If it be that –

IAGO
If it be that, or any that was hers,
It speaks against her with the other proofs.

OTHELLO
O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago –
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven:
'Tis gone.
Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

IAGO
Yet be content.

OTHELLO
O, blood, blood, blood!

IAGO
Patience, I say: your mind perhaps may change.

OTHELLO
Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea,
Whose icy current and compulsive course
Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on
To the Propontic and the Hellespont,
Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,
Till that a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven,
In the due reverence of a sacred vow
I here engage my words.
He kneels

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

OTHELLO
I greet thy love,
Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous;
And will upon the instant put thee to't.
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassio's not alive.

IAGO
My friend is dead;
'Tis done at your request. But let her live.

OTHELLO
Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her!
Come go with me apart. I will withdraw
To furnish me with some swift means of death
For the fair devil. Now art thou my Lieutenant.

IAGO
I am your own for ever.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene IV
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown

DESDEMONA
Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant
Cassio lies?

CLOWN
I dare not say he lies anywhere.

DESDEMONA
Why, man?

CLOWN
He's a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies is
stabbing.

DESDEMONA
Go to! Where lodges he?

CLOWN
To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I
lie.

DESDEMONA
Can anything be made of this?

CLOWN
I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a
lodging, and say he lies here, or he lies there, were to lie
in mine own throat.

DESDEMONA
Can you inquire him out? And be edified by
report?

CLOWN
I will catechize the world for him, that is, make
questions, and by them answer.

DESDEMONA
Seek him; bid him come hither; tell him I
have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be
well.

CLOWN
To do this is within the compass of man's wit, and
therefore I will attempt the doing of it.
Exit

DESDEMONA
Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?

EMILIA
I know not, madam.

DESDEMONA
Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
Full of crusadoes; and, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough
To put him to ill-thinking.

EMILIA
Is he not jealous?

DESDEMONA
Who? He? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humours from him.

EMILIA
Look where he comes.
Enter Othello

DESDEMONA
I will not leave him now till Cassio
Be called to him. How is't with you, my lord?

OTHELLO
Well, my good lady. (Aside) O, hardness to dissemble!
How do you, Desdemona?

DESDEMONA
Well, my good lord.

OTHELLO
Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady.

DESDEMONA
It yet hath felt no age, nor known no sorrow.

OTHELLO
This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart.
Hot, hot and moist. This hand of yours requires
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,
Much castigation, exercise devout;
For there's a young and sweating devil here
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand,
A frank one.

DESDEMONA
You may, indeed, say so:
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.

OTHELLO
A liberal hand! The hearts of old gave hands;
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.

DESDEMONA
I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.

OTHELLO
What promise, chuck?

DESDEMONA
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.

OTHELLO
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;
Lend me thy handkerchief.

DESDEMONA
Here, my lord.

OTHELLO
That which I gave you.

DESDEMONA
I have it not about me.

OTHELLO
Not?

DESDEMONA
No, faith, my lord.

OTHELLO
That is a fault.
That handkerchief
Did an Egyptian to my mother give:
She was a charmer and could almost read
The thoughts of people. She told her, while she kept it,
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father
Entirely to her love; but, if she lost it
Or made gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathed, and his spirits should hunt
After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me,
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,
To give it her. I did so; and take heed on't:
Make it a darling, like your precious eye.
To lose or give't away were such perdition
As nothing else could match.

DESDEMONA
Is't possible?

OTHELLO
'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it.
A sibyl, that had numbered in the world
The sun to course two hundred compasses,
In her prophetic fury sewed the work:
The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk,
And it was dyed in mummy, which the skilful
Conserved of maidens' hearts.

DESDEMONA
Indeed! Is't true?

OTHELLO
Most veritable; therefore look to't well.

DESDEMONA
Then would to God that I had never seen it!

OTHELLO
Ha! Wherefore?

DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so startingly and rash?

OTHELLO
Is't lost? Is't gone? Speak: is't out o'th' way?

DESDEMONA
Heaven bless us!

OTHELLO
Say you?

DESDEMONA
It is not lost.
But what an if it were?

OTHELLO
How!

DESDEMONA
I say it is not lost.

OTHELLO
Fetch't: let me see't.

DESDEMONA
Why, so I can, sir; but I will not now.
This is a trick to put me from my suit.
Pray you let Cassio be received again.

OTHELLO
Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.

DESDEMONA
Come, come:
You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

OTHELLO
The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA
I pray, talk me of Cassio.

OTHELLO
The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA
A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love;
Shared dangers with you –

OTHELLO
The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA
I'faith you are to blame.

OTHELLO
Zounds!
Exit

EMILIA
Is not this man jealous?

DESDEMONA
I ne'er saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

EMILIA
'Tis not a year or two shows us a man.
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full,
They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband.
Enter Iago and Cassio

IAGO
There is no other way: 'tis she must do't.
And lo, the happiness! Go, and importune her.

DESDEMONA
How now, good Cassio! What's the news with you?

CASSIO
Madam, my former suit. I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist and be a member of his love,
Whom I, with all the office of my heart,
Entirely honour. I would not be delayed.
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past, nor present sorrow,
Nor purposed merit in futurity,
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit:
So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
And shut myself up in some other course
To Fortune's alms.

DESDEMONA
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio!
My advocation is not now in tune:
My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in favour as in humour altered.
So help me every spirit sanctified
As I have spoken for you all my best,
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
For my free speech! You must awhile be patient.
What I can do, I will; and more I will,
Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.

IAGO
Is my lord angry?

EMILIA
He went hence but now
And certainly in strange unquietness.

IAGO
Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon
When it hath blown his ranks into the air,
And like the devil from his very arm
Puffed his own brother – and can he be angry?
Something of moment then. I will go meet him.
There's matter in't indeed if he be angry.

DESDEMONA
I prithee do so.
Exit Iago
Something, sure, of state,
Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so.
For let our finger ache, and it indues
Our other healthful members even to that sense
Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods,
Nor of them look for such observancy
As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was – unhandsome warrior as I am –
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborned the witness
And he's indicted falsely.

EMILIA
Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think,
And no conception nor no jealous toy
Concerning you.

DESDEMONA
Alas the day, I never gave him cause.

EMILIA
But jealous souls will not be answered so;
They are not ever jealous for the cause,
But jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster
Begot upon itself, born on itself.

DESDEMONA
Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind.

EMILIA
Lady, amen!

DESDEMONA
I will go seek him. Cassio, walk here about.
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.

CASSIO
I humbly thank your ladyship.
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
Enter Bianca

BIANCA
'Save you, friend Cassio.

CASSIO
What make you from home?
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?
I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

BIANCA
And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
What! Keep a week away? Seven days and nights?
Eightscore-eight hours? And lovers' absent hours
More tedious than the dial eightscore times!
O weary reckoning!

CASSIO
Pardon me, Bianca.
I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed:
But I shall in a more continuate time
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
Take me this work out.

BIANCA
O Cassio, whence came this?
This is some token from a newer friend.
To the felt absence now I feel a cause.
Is't come to this? Well, well.

CASSIO
Go to, woman!
Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth
From whence you have them. You are jealous now
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:
No, by my faith, Bianca.

BIANCA
Why, whose is it?

CASSIO
I know not, sweet. I found it in my chamber.
I like the work well. Ere it be demanded
As like enough it will – I'd have it copied.
Take it and do't, and leave me for this time.

BIANCA
Leave you! Wherefore?

CASSIO
I do attend here on the General,
And think it no addition, nor my wish,
To have him see me womaned.

BIANCA
Why, I pray you?

CASSIO
Not that I love you not.

BIANCA
But that you do not love me.
I pray you, bring me on the way a little,
And say if I shall see you soon at night.

CASSIO
'Tis but a little way that I can bring you,
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.

BIANCA
'Tis very good: I must be circumstanced.
Exeunt
x

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