Original text Act V, Scene I Enter Iago, and Rodorigo.
Iago.
Heere, stand behinde this Barke, / Straight will he come:
Weare thy good Rapier bare, and put it home:
Quicke, quicke, feare nothing; Ile be at thy Elbow,
It makes vs, or it marres vs, thinke on that,
And fixe most firme thy Resolution.
Rod.
Be neere at hand, I may miscarry in't.
Iago.
Heere, at thy hand: Be bold, & take thy stand.
Rod.
I haue no great deuotion to the deed,
And yet he hath giuen me satisfying Reasons:
'Tis but a man gone. Forth my Sword: he dies.
Iago.
I haue rub'd this yong Quat almost to the sense,
And he growes angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Euery way makes my gaine. Liue Rodorigo,
He calles me to a restitution large
Of Gold, and Iewels, that I bob'd from him,
As Guifts to Desdemona.
It must not be: If Cassio do remaine,
He hath a dayly beauty in his life,
That makes me vgly: and besides, the Moore
May vnfold me to him: there stand I in much perill:
No, he must dye. But so, I heard him comming.
Enter Cassio.
Rod.
I know his gate, 'tis he: Villaine thou dyest.
Cas.
That thrust had beene mine enemy indeed,
But that my Coate is better then thou know'st:
I will make proofe of thine.
Rod.
Oh, I am slaine.
Cassio.
I am maym'd for euer: / Helpe hoa: Murther, murther.
Enter Othello.
Oth.
The voyce of Cassio, Iago keepes his word.
Rod.
O Villaine that I am.
Oth.
It is euen so.
Cas.
Oh helpe hoa: Light, a Surgeon.
Oth.
'Tis he: O braue Iago, honest, and iust,
That hast such Noble sense of thy Friends wrong,
Thou teachest me. Minion, your deere lyes dead,
And your vnblest Fate highes: Strumpet I come:
For of my heart, those Charmes thine Eyes, are blotted.
Thy Bed lust-stain'd, shall with Lusts blood bee spotted.
Exit Othello.
Enter Lodouico and Gratiano.
Cas.
What hoa? no Watch? No passage? / Murther, Murther.
Gra.
'Tis some mischance, the voyce is very direfull.
Cas.
Oh helpe.
Lodo.
Hearke.
Rod.
Oh wretched Villaine.
Lod.
Two or three groane. 'Tis heauy night;
These may be counterfeits: Let's think't vnsafe
To come into the cry, without more helpe.
Rod.
Nobody come: then shall I bleed to death.
Lod.
Hearke.
Enter Iago.
Gra.
Here's one comes in his shirt, with Light, and Weapons.
Iago.
Who's there? / Who's noyse is this that cries on murther?
Lodo.
We do not know.
Iago.
Do not you heare a cry?
Cas.
Heere, heere: for heauen sake helpe me.
Iago.
What's the matter?
Gra.
This is Othello's Ancient, as I take it.
Lodo.
The same indeede, a very valiant Fellow.
Iago.
What are you heere, that cry so greeuously?
Cas.
Iago? Oh I am spoyl'd, vndone by Villaines:
Giue me some helpe.
Iago.
O mee, Lieutenant! / What Villaines haue done this?
Cas.
I thinke that one of them is heereabout.
And cannot make away.
Iago.
Oh treacherous Villaines:
What are you there? Come in, and giue some helpe.
Rod.
O helpe me there.
Cassio.
That's one of them.
Iago.
Oh murd'rous Slaue! O Villaine!
Rod.
O damn'd Iago! O inhumane Dogge!
Iago.
Kill men i'th'darke? / Where be these bloody Theeues?
How silent is this Towne? Hoa, murther, murther.
What may you be? Are you of good, or euill?
Lod.
As you shall proue vs, praise vs.
Iago.
Signior Lodouico?
Lod.
He Sir.
Iago.
I cry you mercy: here's Cassio hurt by Villaines.
Gra.
Cassio?
Iago.
How is't Brother?
Cas.
My Legge is cut in two.
Iago.
Marry heauen forbid:
Light Gentlemen, Ile binde it with my shirt.
Enter Bianca.
Bian.
What is the matter hoa? Who is't that cry'd?
Iago.
Who is't that cry'd?
Bian.
Oh my deere Cassio, / My sweet Cassio:
Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio.
Iago.
O notable Strumpet. Cassio, may you suspect
Who they should be, that haue thus mangled you?
Cas.
No.
Gra.
I am sorry to finde you thus; / I haue beene to seeke you.
Iago.
Lend me a Garter. So: ---Oh for a Chaire
To beare him easily hence.
Bian.
Alas he faints.
Oh Cassio, Cassio, Cassio.
Iago.
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this Trash
To be a party in this Iniurie.
Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come;
Lend me a Light: know we this face, or no?
Alas my Friend, and my deere Countryman
Rodorigo? No: Yes sure: Yes, 'tis Rodorigo.
Gra.
What, of Venice?
Iago.
Euen he Sir: Did you know him?
Gra.
Know him? I.
Iago.
Signior Gratiano? I cry your gentle pardon:
These bloody accidents must excuse my Manners,
That so neglected you.
Gra.
I am glad to see you.
Iago.
How do you Cassio? Oh, a Chaire, a Chaire.
Gra.
Rodorigo?
Iago.
He, he, 'tis he:
Oh that's well said, the Chaire.
Some good man beare him carefully from hence,
Ile fetch the Generall's Surgeon. For you Mistris,
Saue you your labour. He that lies slaine heere (Cassio)
Was my deere friend. What malice was between you?
Cas.
None in the world: nor do I know the man?
Iago.
What? looke you pale? Oh beare him o'th'Ayre.
Stay you good Gentlemen. Looke you pale, Mistris?
Do you perceiue the gastnesse of her eye?
Nay, if you stare, we shall heare more anon.
Behold her well: I pray you looke vpon her:
Do you see Gentlemen? Nay, guiltinesse will speake
Though tongues were out of vse.
Amil.
Alas, what is the matter? / What is the matter, Husband?
Iago.
Cassio hath heere bin set on in the darke
By Rodorigo, and Fellowes that are scap'd:
He's almost slaine, and Rodorigo quite dead.
Amil.
Alas good Gentleman: alas good Cassio.
Iago.
This is the fruits of whoring. Prythe Amilia,
Go know of Cassio where he supt to night.
What, do you shake at that?
Bian.
He supt at my house, but I therefore shake not.
Iago.
O did he so? I charge you go with me.
Amil.
Oh fie vpon thee Strumpet.
Bian.
I am no Strumpet, but of life as honest,
As you that thus abuse me.
Amil.
As I? Fie vpon thee.
Iago.
Kinde Gentlemen: / Let's go see poore Cassio drest.
Come Mistris, you must tel's another Tale.
Amilia, run you to the Cittadell,
And tell my Lord and Lady, what hath happ'd:
Will you go on afore? This is the night
That either makes me, or foredoes me quight.
Exeunt
Original text Act V, Scene II Enter Othello, and Desdemona in her bed.
Oth.
It is the Cause, it is the Cause (my Soule)
Let me not name it to you, you chaste Starres,
It is the Cause. Yet Ile not shed her blood,
Nor scarre that whiter skin of hers, then Snow,
And smooth as Monumentall Alablaster:
Yet she must dye, else shee'l betray more men:
Put out the Light, and then put out the Light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming Minister,
I can againe thy former light restore,
Should I repent me. But once put out thy Light,
Thou cunning'st Patterne of excelling Nature,
I know not where is that Promethaan heate
That can thy Light re-Lume. / When I haue pluck'd thy Rose,
I cannot giue it vitall growth againe,
It needs must wither. Ile smell thee on the Tree.
Oh Balmy breath, that dost almost perswade
Iustice to breake her Sword. One more, one more:
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
And loue thee after. One more, and that's the last.
So sweet, was ne're so fatall. I must weepe,
But they are cruell Teares: This sorrow's heauenly,
It strikes, where it doth loue. She wakes.
Des.
Who's there? Othello?
Othel.
I Desdemona.
Des.
Will you come to bed, my Lord?
Oth.
Haue you pray'd to night, Desdemon?
Des.
I my Lord.
Oth.
If you bethinke your selfe of any Crime
Vnreconcil'd as yet to Heauen, and Grace,
Solicite for it straight.
Des.
Alacke, my Lord, / What may you meane by that?
Oth.
Well, do it, and be breefe, I will walke by:
I would not kill thy vnprepared Spirit,
No, Heauens fore-fend) I would not kill thy Soule.
Des.
Talke you of killing?
Oth.
I, I do.
Des.
Then Heauen
haue mercy on mee.
Oth.
Amen, with all my heart.
Des.
If you say, I hope you will not kill me.
Oth.
Humh.
Des.
And yet I feare you: for you're fatall then
When your eyes rowle so. / Why I should feare, I know not,
Since guiltinesse I know not: But yet I feele I feare.
Oth.
Thinke on thy sinnes.
Des.
They are Loues I beare to you.
Oth.
I, and for that thou dy'st.
Des.
That death's vnnaturall, that kils for louing.
Alas, why gnaw you so your nether-lip?
Some bloody passion shakes your very Frame:
These are portents: but yet I hope, I hope,
They do not point on me.
Oth.
Peace, and be still.
Des.
I will so: What's the matter?
Oth.
That Handkerchiefe / Which I so lou'd, and gaue thee,
thou gau'st to Cassio.
Des.
No by my Life, and Soule:
send for the man, / And aske him.
Oth.
Sweet Soule, take heed,
take heed of Periury, / Thou art on thy death-bed.
Des.
I, but not yet to dye.
Oth.
Presently.
Therefore confesse thee freely of thy sinne:
For to deny each Article with Oath,
Cannot remoue, nor choake the strong Conception
That I do grone withall. Thou art to dye.
Des.
O Heauen haue mercy on me.
Oth.
I say, Amen.
Des.
And haue you mercy too. I neuer did
Offend you in my life: neuer lou'd Cassio,
But with such generall warrantie of Heauen,
As I might loue. I neuer gaue him Token.
Oth.
By Heauen I saw my Handkerchiefe in's hand.
O periur'd woman, thou do'st stone my heart,
And makes me call, what I intend to do,
A Murther, which I thought a Sacrifice.
I saw the Handkerchiefe.
Des.
He found it then:
I neuer gaue it him: Send, for him hither:
Let him confesse a truth.
Oth.
He hath confest.
Des.
What, my Lord?
Oth.
That he hath vs'd thee.
Des.
How? vnlawfully?
Oth.
I.
Des.
He will not say so.
Oth.
No: his mouth is stopp'd:
Honest Iago hath 'tane order for't.
Des.
Oh, my feare interprets. What is he dead?
Oth.
Had all his haires bin liues, my great Reuenge
Had stomacke for them all.
Des.
Alas, he is betray'd, and I vndone.
Oth.
Out Strumpet: weep'st thou for him to my face?
Des.
O banish me, my Lord, but kill me not.
Oth.
Downe Strumpet.
Des.
Kill me to morrow, let me liue to night.
Oth.
Nay, if you striue.
Des.
But halfe an houre.
Oth.
Being done, there is no pawse.
Des.
But while I say one prayer.
Oth.
It is too late.
Smothers her.Amilia at the doore.
Amil
My Lord, my Lord? What hoa? My Lord, my Lord.
Oth.
What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead?
I that am cruell, am yet mercifull,
I would not haue thee linger in thy paine?
So, so.
Amil. within.
What hoa? my Lord, my Lord?
Oth.
Who's there?
Amil.
Oh good my Lord, I would speake a word with you.
Oth.
Yes: 'Tis Amilia: by and by. Shee's dead.
'Tis like she comes to speake of Cassio's death:
The noise was high. Hah, no more moouing?
Still as the Graue. Shall she come in? Wer't good?
I thinke she stirres againe. No, what's best to do?
If she come in, shee'l sure speake to my wife:
My wife, my wife: what wife? I haue no wife.
Oh insupportable! Oh heauy houre!
Me thinkes, it should be now a huge Eclipse
Of Sunne, and Moone; and that th'affrighted Globe
Did yawne at Alteration.
Amil.
I do beseech you
That I may speake with you. Oh good my Lord.
Oth.
I had forgot thee: oh come in Amilia.
Soft, by and by, let me the Curtaines draw.
Where art thou? What's the matter with thee now?
Enter Amilia.
Amil.
Oh my good Lord, yonders foule Murthers done.
Oth.
What? now?
Amil.
But now, my Lord.
Oth.
It is the very error of the Moone,
She comes more neerer Earth then she was wont,
And makes men mad.
Amil.
Cassio, my Lord, hath kill'd / A young Venetian,
call'd Rodorigo.
Oth.
Rodorigo kill'd?
and Cassio kill'd?
Amil.
No, Cassio is not kill'd.
Oth.
Not Cassio kill'd? Then Murther's out of tune,
And sweet Reuenge growes harsh.
Des.
O falsely, falsely murder'd.
Amil.
Alas! what cry is that?
Oth.
That? What?
Amil.
Out, and alas, that was my Ladies voice.
Helpe, helpe hoa, helpe. Oh Ladie speake againe,
Sweet Desdemona, oh sweet Mistris, speake.
Des.
A guiltlesse death, I dye.
Amil.
Oh who hath done this deed?
Des.
No body: I my selfe, farewell:
Commend me to my kinde Lord: oh farewell.
Oth.
Why, how should she be murdred?
Amil.
Alas: who knowes?
Oth.
You heare her say her selfe, it was not I.
Amil.
She said so: I must needs report the truth.
Oth.
She's like a Liar gone to burning hell,
'Twas I that kill'd her.
Amil.
Oh the more Angell she,
and you the blacker Diuell.
Oth.
She turn'd to folly: and she was a whore.
Amil.
Thou do'st bely her, and thou art a diuell.
Oth.
She was false as water.
Amil.
Thou art rash as fire, to say
That she was false. Oh she was heauenly true.
Oth.
Cassio did top her: Ask thy husband else.
O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell:
But that I did proceed vpon iust grounds
To this extremity. Thy Husband knew it all.
Amil.
My Husband?
Oth.
Thy Husband.
Amil.
That she was false to Wedlocke?
Oth.
I, with Cassio: had she bin true,
If Heauen would make me such another world,
Of one entyre and perfect Chrysolite,
I'ld not haue sold her for it.
Amil.
My Husband?
Oth.
I, 'twas he that told me on her first,
An honest man he is, and hates the slime
That stickes on filthy deeds.
Amil.
My Husband?
Oth.
What needs this itterance, Woman? / I say, thy Husband.
Amil.
Oh Mistris, / Villany hath made mockes with loue:
My Husband say she was false?
Oth.
He, Woman;
I say thy Husband: Do'st vnderstand the word?
My Friend, thy Husband; honest, honest Iago.
Aemil.
If he say so, may his pernicious Soule
Rot halfe a graine a day: he lyes to'th'heart,
She was too fond of her most filthy Bargaine.
Oth.
Hah?
Amil.
Do thy wotst:
This deede of thine is no more worthy Heauen,
Then thou was't worthy her.
Oth.
Peace, you were best.
Amil
Thou hast not halfe that powre to do me harm,
As I haue to be hurt. Oh Gull, oh dolt,
As ignorant as durt: thou hast done a deed
(I care not for thy Sword) Ile make thee known,
Though I lost twenty liues. Helpe, helpe, hoa, helpe:
The Moore hath kill'd my Mistris. Murther, murther.
Enter Montano, Gratiano, and Iago.
Mon.
What is the matter? How now Generall?
Amil.
Oh, are you come, Iago: you haue done well,
That men must lay their Murthers on your necke.
Gra.
What is the matter?
Amil.
Disproue this Villaine, if thou bee'st a man:
He sayes, thou told'st him that his wife was false:
I know thou did'st not: thou'rt not such a Villain.
Speake, for my heart is full.
Iago.
I told him what I thought, / And told no more
Then what he found himselfe was apt, and true.
Amil.
But did you euer tell him, / She was false?
Iago.
I did.
Amil.
You told a Lye an odious damned Lye:
Vpon my Soule, a Lye; a wicked Lye.
Shee false with Cassio? / Did you say with Cassio?
Iago.
With Cassio, Mistris? / Go too, charme your tongue.
Emil.
I will not charme my Tongue; / I am bound to speake,
My Mistris heere lyes murthered in her bed.
All.
Oh Heauens, forefend.
Emil.
And your reports haue set the Murder on.
Othello.
Nay stare not Masters, / It is true indeede.
Gra.
'Tis a strange Truth.
Mont.
O monstrous Acte.
Emil.
Villany, villany, villany:
I thinke vpon't, I thinke: I smel't: O Villany:
I thought so then: Ile kill my selfe for greefe.
O villany! villany!
Iago.
What, are you mad? / I charge you get you home.
Emil.
Good Gentlemen, let me haue leaue to speake:
'Tis proper I obey him; but not now:
Perchance Iago, I will ne're go home.
Oth.
Oh, oh, oh.
Emil.
Nay; lay thee downe, and roare:
For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent,
That ere did lift vp eye.
Oth.
Oh she was fowle!
I scarse did know you Vnkle, there lies your Neece,
Whose breath (indeed) these hands haue newly stopp'd:
I know this acte shewes horrible and grim.
Gra.
Poore Desdemon: / I am glad thy Father's dead,
Thy Match was mortall to him: and pure greefe
Shore his old thred in twaine. Did he liue now,
This sight would make him do a desperate turne:
Yea, curse his better Angell from his side,
And fall to Reprobance.
Oth.
'Tis pittifull: but yet Iago knowes
That she with Cassio, hath the Act of shame
A thousand times committed. Cassio confest it,
And she did gratifie his amorous workes
With that Recognizance and pledge of Loue
Which I first gaue her: I saw it in his hand:
It was a Handkerchiefe, an Antique Token
My Father gaue my Mother.
Emil.
Oh Heauen! oh heauenly Powres!
Iago.
Come, hold your peace.
Emil.
'Twill out, 'twill out. I peace?
No, I will speake as liberall as the North;
Let Heauen, and Men, and Diuels, let them all,
All, all, crie shame against me, yet Ile speake.
Iago.
Be wise, and get you home.
Emil.
I will not.
Gra.
Fye,
your Sword vpon a Woman.
Emil.
Oh thou dull Moore, / That Handkerchiefe thou speak'st of
I found by Fortune, and did giue my Husband:
For often, with a solemne earnestnesse,
(More then indeed belong'd to such a Trifle)
He begg'd of me, to steale't.
Iago.
Villanous Whore.
Emil.
She giue it Cassio? No, alas I found it,
And I did giu't my Husband.
Iago.
Filth, thou lyest.
Emil.
By Heauen I do not, I do not Gentlemen:
Oh murd'rous Coxcombe, what should such a Foole
Do with so good a wife?
Oth.
Are there no stones in Heauen,
But what serues for the Thunder? / Precious Villaine.
Gra.
The woman falles: / Sure he hath kill'd his Wife.
Emil.
I, I: oh lay me by my Mistris side.
Gra.
Hee's gone, but his wife's kill'd.
Mon.
'Tis a notorious Villain: take you this weapon
Which I haue recouer'd from the Moore:
Come guard the doore without, let him not passe,
But kill him rather. Ile after that same villaine,
For 'tis a damned Slaue.
Exit.
Oth.
I am not valiant neither:
But euery Punie whipster gets my Sword.
But why should Honor out-liue Honesty?
Let it go all.
Amil.
What did thy Song boad Lady?
Hearke, canst thou heare me? I will play the Swan,
And dye in Musicke: Willough, Willough, Willough.
Moore, she was chaste: She lou'd thee, cruell Moore,
So come my Soule to blisse, as I speake true:
So speaking as I thinke, alas, I dye.
Oth.
I haue another weapon in this Chamber,
It was a Sword of Spaine, the Ice brookes temper:
Oh heere it is: Vnkle I must come forth.
Gra.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee deere;
Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.
Oth.
Looke in vpon me then, and speake with me,
Or naked as I am I will assault thee.
Gra.
What is the matter?
Othel.
Behold, I haue a weapon:
A better neuer did it selfe sustaine
Vpon a Soldiers Thigh. I haue seene the day,
That with this little Arme, and this good Sword,
I haue made my way through more impediments
Then twenty times your stop. But (oh vaine boast)
Who can controll his Fate? 'Tis not so now.
Be not affraid, though you do see me weapon'd:
Heere is my iournies end, heere is my butt
And verie Sea-marke of my vtmost Saile.
Do you go backe dismaid? 'Tis a lost feare:
Man but a Rush against Othello's brest,
And he retires. Where should Othello go?
Now: how dost thou looke now? Oh ill-Starr'd wench,
Pale as thy Smocke: when we shall meete at compt,
This looke of thine will hurle my Soule from Heauen,
And Fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my Girle?
Euen like thy Chastity.
O cursed, cursed Slaue! / Whip me ye Diuels,
From the possession of this Heauenly sight:
Blow me about in windes, roast me in Sulphure,
Wash me in steepe-downe gulfes of Liquid fire.
Oh Desdemon! dead Desdemon: dead. Oh, oh!
Enter Lodouico, Cassio, Montano, and Iago,
with Officers.
Lod.
Where is this rash, and most vnfortunate man?
Oth.
That's he that was Othello: heere I am.
Lod.
Where is that Viper? / Bring the Villaine forth.
Oth.
I look down towards his feet; but that's a Fable,
If that thou bee'st a Diuell, I cannot kill thee.
Lod.
Wrench his Sword from him.
Iago.
I bleed Sir, but not kill'd.
Othel.
I am not sorry neither, Il'd haue thee liue:
For in my sense, 'tis happinesse to die.
Lod.
Oh thou Othello, that was once so good,
Falne in the practise of a cursed Slaue,
What shall be saide to thee.
Oth.
Why any thing:
An honourable Murderer, if you will:
For nought I did in hate, but all in Honour.
Lod.
This wretch hath part confest his Villany:
Did you and he consent in Cassio's death.
Oth.
I.
Cas.
Deere Generall, I neuer gaue you cause.
Oth.
I do beleeue it, and I aske your pardon:
Will you, I pray, demand that demy-Diuell,
Why he hath thus ensnar'd my Soule and Body.
Iag.
Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:
From this time forth, I neuer will speake word.
Lod.
What? not to pray?
Gra.
Torments will ope your lips.
Oth.
Well, thou dost best.
Lod.
Sir, / You shall vnderstand what hath befalne,
(Which, as I thinke, you know not) heere is a Letter
Found in the pocket of the slaine Rodorigo,
And heere another, the one of them imports
The death of Cassio, to be vndertooke
By Rodorigo.
Oth.
O Villaine!
Cassio.
Most Heathenish, and most grosse.
Lod.
Now, heere's another discontented paper
Found in his pocket too: and this it seemes
Rodorigo meant t'haue sent this damned villaine:
But that (belike) Iago in the interim
Came in, and satisfi'd him.
Oth.
Oh thou pernitious Caitiffe;
How came you (Cassio) by that Handkerchiefe
That was my wiues?
Cassio.
I found it in my Chamber:
And he himselfe confest it but euen now,
That there he dropt it for a speciall purpose,
Which wrought to his desire.
Othel.
O Foole, foole, foole!
Cassio.
There is besides, in Rodorigo's Letter,
How he vpbraides Iago, that he made him
Braue me vpon the Watch: whereon it came
That I was cast: and euen but now he spake
(After long seeming dead) Iago hurt him,
Iago set him on.
Lod.
You must forsake this roome, and go with vs:
Your Power, and your Command is taken off,
And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this Slaue,
If there be any cunning Crueltie,
That can torment him much, and hold him long,
It shall be his. You shall close Prisoner rest,
Till that the Nature of your fault be knowne
To the Venetian State. Come, bring away.
Oth.
Soft you; a word or two before you goe:
I haue done the State some seruice, and they know't:
No more of that. I pray you in your Letters,
When you shall these vnluckie deeds relate,
Speake of me, as I am. Nothing extenuate,
Nor set downe ought in malice. / Then must you speake,
Of one that lou'd not wisely, but too well:
Of one, not easily Iealious, but being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreame: Of one, whose hand
(Like the base Iudean) threw a Pearle away
Richer then all his Tribe: Of one, whose subdu'd Eyes,
Albeit vn-vsed to the melting moode,
Drops teares as fast as the Arabian Trees
Their Medicinable gumme. Set you downe this:
And say besides, that in Aleppo once,
Where a malignant, and a Turbond-Turke
Beate a Venetian, and traduc'd the State,
I tooke by th'throat the circumcised Dogge,
And smoate him, thus.
Lod.
Oh bloody period.
Gra.
All that is spoke, is marr'd.
Oth.
I kist thee, ere I kill'd thee: No way but this,
Killing my selfe, to dye vpon a kisse.
Dyes
Cas.
This did I feare, but thought he had no weapon:
For he was great of heart.
Lod.
Oh Sparton Dogge:
More fell then Anguish, Hunger, or the Sea:
Looke on the Tragicke Loading of this bed:
This is thy worke: / The Obiect poysons Sight,
Let it be hid.
Gratiano, keepe the house,
And seize vpon the Fortunes of the Moore,
For they succeede on you. To you, Lord Gouernor,
Remaines the Censure of this hellish villaine:
The Time, the Place, the Torture, oh inforce it:
My selfe will straight aboord, and to the State,
This heauie Act, with heauie heart relate.
Exeunt.
| Modern text Enter Iago and Roderigo
IAGO
Here, stand behind this bulk: straight will he come.
Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.
Quick, quick; fear nothing: I'll be at thy elbow.
It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,
And fix most firm thy resolution.
RODERIGO
Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.
IAGO
Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand.
He retires
RODERIGO
I have no great devotion to the deed,
And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.
'Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword! He dies!
IAGO
I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels, that I bobbed from him
As gifts to Desdemona.
It must not be. If Cassio do remain
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly: and besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him – there stand I in much peril.
No, he must die. But soft, I hear him coming.
Enter Cassio
RODERIGO
I know his gait; 'tis he. Villain, thou diest!
CASSIO
That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,
But that my coat is better than thou think'st.
I will make proof of thine.
He wounds Roderigo
RODERIGO
O, I am slain!
Iago wounds Cassio in the leg, and exit
CASSIO
I am maimed for ever. Help, ho! Murder, murder!
Enter Othello, above
OTHELLO
The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word.
RODERIGO
O, villain that I am!
OTHELLO
It is even so.
CASSIO
O, help, ho! Light! A surgeon!
OTHELLO
'Tis he! O brave Iago, honest and just,
That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong,
Thou teachest me! Minion, your dear lies dead,
And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come!
Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;
Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust's blood be spotted.
Exit Othello
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano
CASSIO
What, ho! No watch? No passage? Murder, murder!
GRATIANO
'Tis some mischance: the cry is very direful.
CASSIO
O, help!
LODOVICO
Hark!
RODERIGO
O wretched villain!
LODOVICO
Two or three groan. It is a heavy night.
These may be counterfeits. Let's think't unsafe
To come in to the cry without more help.
RODERIGO
Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death.
LODOVICO
Hark!
Enter Iago, with a light
GRATIANO
Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.
IAGO
Who's there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?
LODOVICO
We do not know.
IAGO
Did you not hear a cry?
CASSIO
Here, here: for heaven's sake help me!
IAGO
What's the matter?
GRATIANO
This is Othello's Ancient, as I take it.
LODOVICO
The same indeed, a very valiant fellow.
IAGO
What are you here, that cry so grievously?
CASSIO
Iago? O, I am spoiled, undone by villains!
Give me some help.
IAGO
O me, Lieutenant! What villains have done this?
CASSIO
I think that one of them is hereabout
And cannot make away.
IAGO
O treacherous villains!
What are you there? Come in, and give some help.
RODERIGO
O, help me here!
CASSIO
That's one of them.
IAGO
O murd'rous slave! O villain!
He stabs Roderigo
RODERIGO
O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!
He faints
IAGO
Kill men i'th' dark? Where be these bloody thieves?
How silent is this town! Ho, murder, murder!
Lodovico and Gratiano come forward
What may you be? Are you of good or evil?
LODOVICO
As you shall prove us, praise us.
IAGO
Signor Lodovico?
LODOVICO
He, sir.
IAGO
I cry you mercy. Here's Cassio hurt by villains.
GRATIANO
Cassio?
IAGO
How is't, brother?
CASSIO
My leg is cut in two.
IAGO
Marry, heaven forbid!
Light, gentlemen, I'll bind it with my shirt.
Enter Bianca
BIANCA
What is the matter, ho? Who is't that cried?
IAGO
Who is't that cried?
BIANCA
O, my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio,
O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
IAGO
O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect
Who they should be that have thus mangled you?
CASSIO
No.
GRATIANO
I am sorry to find you thus: I have been to seek you.
IAGO
Lend me a garter: so. O, for a chair
To bear him easily hence!
BIANCA
Alas, he faints!
O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
IAGO
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash
To be a party in this injury.
Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come,
Lend me a light. Know we this face or no?
Alas, my friend, and my dear countryman
Roderigo? No – yes, sure – O heaven, Roderigo!
GRATIANO
What! Of Venice?
IAGO
Even he, sir. Did you know him?
GRATIANO
Know him? Ay.
IAGO
Signor Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon.
These bloody accidents must excuse my manners
That so neglected you.
GRATIANO
I am glad to see you.
IAGO
How do you, Cassio? O, a chair, a chair!
GRATIANO
Roderigo!
IAGO
He, he, 'tis he.
Enter attendants with chair
O, that's well said, the chair!
GRATIANO
Some good man bear him carefully from hence.
I'll fetch the General's surgeon. For you, mistress,
Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio,
Was my dear friend. What malice was between you?
CASSIO
None in the world, nor do I know the man.
IAGO
(to Bianca) What, look you pale? O, bear him out o'th' air.
Cassio is borne in. Roderigo's body is removed
Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress?
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?
Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.
Behold her well; I pray you look upon her.
Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak
Though tongues were out of use.
Enter Emilia
EMILIA
'Las, what's the matter? What's the matter, husband?
IAGO
Cassio hath here been set on in the dark
By Roderigo and fellows that are scaped:
He's almost slain and Roderigo quite.
EMILIA
Alas, good gentleman! Alas, good Cassio!
IAGO
This is the fruit of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,
Go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.
What, do you shake at that?
BIANCA
He supped at my house, but I therefore shake not.
IAGO
O, did he so? I charge you go with me.
EMILIA
Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!
BIANCA
I am no strumpet, but of life as honest
As you that thus abuse me.
EMILIA
As I? Foh! Fie upon thee!
IAGO
Kind gentlemen, let's see poor Cassio dressed.
Come, mistress, you must tell's another tale.
Emilia, run you to the citadel,
And tell my lord and lady what hath happed.
Will you go on afore? (Aside) This is the night
That either makes me, or fordoes me quite.
Exeunt
Modern text Enter Othello, with a light, Desdemona in her bed
OTHELLO
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul:
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster:
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
Should I repent me; but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume. When I have plucked thy rose,
I cannot give it vital growth again,
It must needs wither. I'll smell it on the tree.
He kisses her
O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.
Be thus when thou art dead and I will kill thee,
And love thee after. One more, and this the last.
So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep.
But they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly –
It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
DESDEMONA
Who's there? Othello?
OTHELLO
Ay, Desdemona.
DESDEMONA
Will you come to bed, my lord?
OTHELLO
Have you prayed tonight, Desdemona?
DESDEMONA
Ay, my lord.
OTHELLO
If you bethink yourself of any crime
Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,
Solicit for it straight.
DESDEMONA
Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that?
OTHELLO
Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by:
I would not kill thy unprepared spirit;
No – heaven forfend! – I would not kill thy soul.
DESDEMONA
Talk you of killing?
OTHELLO
Ay, I do.
DESDEMONA
Then heaven
Have mercy on me!
OTHELLO
Amen, with all my heart!
DESDEMONA
If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.
OTHELLO
Hum!
DESDEMONA
And yet I fear you: for you're fatal then
When your eyes roll so. Why I should fear I know not,
Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.
OTHELLO
Think on thy sins.
DESDEMONA
They are loves I bear to you.
OTHELLO
Ay, and for that thou diest.
DESDEMONA
That death's unnatural that kills for loving.
Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame:
These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope
They do not point on me.
OTHELLO
Peace, and be still!
DESDEMONA
I will – so. What's the matter?
OTHELLO
That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee,
Thou gav'st to Cassio.
DESDEMONA
No, by my life and soul!
Send for the man and ask him.
OTHELLO
Sweet soul, take heed,
Take heed of perjury: thou art on thy deathbed.
DESDEMONA
Ay, but not yet to die.
OTHELLO
Yes, presently.
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
For to deny each article with oath
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.
DESDEMONA
Then Lord have mercy on me!
OTHELLO
I say, amen.
DESDEMONA
And have you mercy too! I never did
Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio
But with such general warranty of heaven
As I might love. I never gave him token.
OTHELLO
By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand!
O perjured woman! Thou dost stone my heart,
And mak'st me call what I intend to do
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.
I saw the handkerchief.
DESDEMONA
He found it then.
I never gave it him. Send for him hither.
Let him confess a truth.
OTHELLO
He hath confessed.
DESDEMONA
What, my lord?
OTHELLO
That he hath used thee.
DESDEMONA
How? Unlawfully?
OTHELLO
Ay.
DESDEMONA
He will not say so.
OTHELLO
No, his mouth is stopped:
Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.
DESDEMONA
O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead?
OTHELLO
Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge
Had stomach for them all.
DESDEMONA
Alas, he is betrayed, and I undone.
OTHELLO
Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face?
DESDEMONA
O banish me, my lord, but kill me not!
OTHELLO
Down, strumpet!
DESDEMONA
Kill me tomorrow: let me live tonight!
OTHELLO
Nay, if you strive –
DESDEMONA
But half an hour!
OTHELLO
Being done, there is no pause.
DESDEMONA
But while I say one prayer!
OTHELLO
It is too late.
DESDEMONA
O Lord, Lord, Lord!
He smothers her
EMILIA
(without) My lord, my lord! What, ho! My lord, my lord!
OTHELLO
What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?
I, that am cruel, am yet merciful:
I would not have thee linger in thy pain.
So, so.
EMILIA
(without) What, ho! My lord, my lord!
OTHELLO
Who's there?
EMILIA
(without) O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you.
OTHELLO
Yes, 'tis Emilia. – By and by. – She's dead.
'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death:
The noise was high. Ha! No more moving?
Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were't good?
I think she stirs again. No. What's best to do?
If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife –
My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife.
O insupportable! O heavy hour!
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
Of sun and moon, and that th' affrighted globe
Should yawn at alteration.
EMILIA
I do beseech you
That I may speak with you. O, good my lord!
OTHELLO
I had forgot thee. O, come in, Emilia.
Soft; by and by. Let me the curtains draw.
Where art thou? (He unlocks door.) What's the matter with thee now?
Enter Emilia
EMILIA
O, my good lord, yonder's foul murder done.
OTHELLO
What! Now?
EMILIA
But now, my lord.
OTHELLO
It is the very error of the moon;
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont,
And makes men mad.
EMILIA
Cassio, my lord, hath killed a young Venetian
Called Roderigo.
OTHELLO
Roderigo killed?
And Cassio killed?
EMILIA
No, Cassio is not killed.
OTHELLO
Not Cassio killed! Then murder's out of tune,
And sweet revenge grows harsh.
DESDEMONA
O, falsely, falsely murdered!
EMILIA
O Lord! What cry is that?
OTHELLO
That? What?
EMILIA
Out and alas, that was my lady's voice!
She draws back the curtains
Help, help, ho, help! O, lady, speak again!
Sweet Desdemona, O sweet mistress, speak!
DESDEMONA
A guiltless death I die.
EMILIA
O, who hath done this deed?
DESDEMONA
Nobody – I myself – farewell.
Commend me to my kind lord – O, farewell!
She dies
OTHELLO
Why, how should she be murdered?
EMILIA
Alas, who knows?
OTHELLO
You heard her say herself it was not I.
EMILIA
She said so: I must needs report the truth.
OTHELLO
She's like a liar gone to burning hell:
'Twas I that killed her.
EMILIA
O, the more angel she,
And you the blacker devil!
OTHELLO
She turned to folly; and she was a whore.
EMILIA
Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.
OTHELLO
She was false as water.
EMILIA
Thou art rash as fire to say
That she was false. O, she was heavenly true!
OTHELLO
Cassio did top her: ask thy husband else.
O, I were damned beneath all depth in hell
But that I did proceed upon just grounds
To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.
EMILIA
My husband!
OTHELLO
Thy husband.
EMILIA
That she was false to wedlock?
OTHELLO
Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true,
If heaven would make me such another world
Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,
I'd not have sold her for it.
EMILIA
My husband!
OTHELLO
Ay, 'twas he that told me on her first.
An honest man he is, and hates the slime
That sticks on filthy deeds.
EMILIA
My husband!
OTHELLO
What needs this iterance, woman? I say thy husband.
EMILIA
O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love!
My husband say that she was false?
OTHELLO
He, woman;
I say thy husband; dost understand the word?
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.
EMILIA
If he say so, may his pernicious soul
Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th' heart.
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
OTHELLO
Ha!
EMILIA
Do thy worst:
This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven
Than thou wast worthy her.
OTHELLO
Peace, you were best.
EMILIA
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm
As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!
As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed –
I care not for thy sword – I'll make thee known,
Though I lost twenty lives. Help! Help, ho! Help!
The Moor hath killed my mistress! Murder! Murder!
Enter Montano, Gratiano, and Iago
MONTANO
What is the matter? How now, General!
EMILIA
O, are you come, Iago? You have done well,
That men must lay their murders on your neck.
GRATIANO
What is the matter?
EMILIA
Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man:
He says thou told'st him that his wife was false.
I know thou didst not: thou'rt not such a villain.
Speak, for my heart is full.
IAGO
I told him what I thought, and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true.
EMILIA
But did you ever tell him she was false?
IAGO
I did.
EMILIA
You told a lie, an odious damned lie:
Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie!
She false with Cassio! Did you say with Cassio?
IAGO
With Cassio, mistress! Go to, charm your tongue.
EMILIA
I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak:
My mistress here lies murdered in her bed.
ALL
O heavens forfend!
EMILIA
And your reports have set the murder on.
OTHELLO
Nay, stare not masters: it is true indeed.
GRATIANO
'Tis a strange truth.
MONTANO
O monstrous act!
EMILIA
Villainy, villainy, villainy!
I think upon't, I think – I smell't – O villainy!
I thought so then; I'll kill myself for grief.
O villainy, villainy!
IAGO
What, are you mad? I charge you get you home.
EMILIA
Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.
'Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home.
OTHELLO
(falling on bed) O! O! O!
EMILIA
Nay, lay thee down and roar,
For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent
That e'er did lift up eye.
OTHELLO
(rising)
O, she was foul!
I scarce did know you, uncle; there lies your niece,
Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stopped.
I know this act shows horrible and grim.
GRATIANO
Poor Desdemon, I am glad thy father's dead:
Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief
Shore his old thread in twain. Did he live now,
This sight would make him do a desperate turn,
Yea, curse his better angel from his side,
And fall to reprobance.
OTHELLO
'Tis pitiful: but yet Iago knows
That she with Cassio hath the act of shame
A thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it,
And she did gratify his amorous works
With that recognizance and pledge of love
Which I first gave her. I saw it in his hand:
It was a handkerchief, an antique token
My father gave my mother.
EMILIA
O God! O heavenly Powers!
IAGO
Zounds, hold your peace!
EMILIA
'Twill out, 'twill out. I peace?
No, I will speak as liberal as the north;
Let heaven, and men, and devils, let them all,
All, all cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.
IAGO
Be wise, and get you home.
EMILIA
I will not.
Iago draws his sword
GRATIANO
Fie!
Your sword upon a woman!
EMILIA
O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak'st of
I found by fortune and did give my husband,
For often, with a solemn earnestness –
More than indeed belonged to such a trifle –
He begged of me to steal it.
IAGO
Villainous whore!
EMILIA
She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it
And I did give't my husband.
IAGO
Filth, thou liest!
EMILIA
By heaven I do not, I do not, gentlemen.
O murderous coxcomb, what should such a fool
Do with so good a wife?
OTHELLO
Are there no stones in heaven
But what serve for the thunder? Precious villain!
He runs at Iago; Montano disarms him;
Iago stabs Emilia from behind and exit
GRATIANO
The woman falls: sure he hath killed his wife.
EMILIA
Ay, ay: O, lay me by my mistress' side.
GRATIANO
He's gone, but his wife's killed.
MONTANO
'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,
Which I have here recovered from the Moor.
Come guard the door without: let him not pass,
But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,
For 'tis a damned slave.
Exeunt Montano and Gratiano
OTHELLO
I am not valiant neither,
But ever puny whipster gets my sword.
But why should honour outlive honesty?
Let it go all.
EMILIA
What did thy song bode, lady?
Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan.
And die in music. (Singing) Willow, willow, willow.
Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor,
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
So speaking as I think, I die, I die.
She dies
OTHELLO
I have another weapon in this chamber:
It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper.
O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.
GRATIANO
(within) If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;
Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.
OTHELLO
Look in upon me then, and speak with me,
Or naked as I am I will assault thee.
Enter Gratiano
GRATIANO
What is the matter?
OTHELLO
Behold, I have a weapon:
A better never did itself sustain
Upon a soldier's thigh. I have seen the day
That with this little arm and this good sword,
I have made my way through more impediments
Than twenty times your stop. but, O vain boast! –
Who can control his fate? –'Tis not so now.
Be not afraid, though you do see me weaponed;
Here is my journey's end, here is my butt
And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.
Do you go back dismayed? 'Tis a lost fear:
Man but a rush against Othello's breast,
And he retires. Where should Othello go?
He goes to the bed
Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred wench,
Pale as thy smock! When we shall meet at compt
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven
And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl,
Even like thy chastity.
O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils,
From the possession of this heavenly sight!
Blow me about in winds! Roast me in sulphur!
Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!
O Desdemona! Dead Desdemon! Dead! O! O!
Enter Lodovico, Cassio in a chair, Montano and Iago
with officers
LODOVICO
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?
OTHELLO
That's he that was Othello: here I am.
LODOVICO
Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.
OTHELLO
I look down towards his feet; but that's a fable.
If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee.
He wounds Iago
LODOVICO
Wrench his sword from him.
IAGO
I bleed, sir, but not killed.
OTHELLO
I am not sorry neither; I'd have thee live,
For, in my sense 'tis happiness to die.
LODOVICO
O, thou Othello, that wast once so good,
Fallen in the practice of a damned slave,
What shall be said to thee?
OTHELLO
Why, anything:
An honourable murderer, if you will:
For naught did I in hate, but all in honour.
LODOVICO
This wretch hath part confessed his villainy.
Did you and he consent in Cassio's death?
OTHELLO
Ay.
CASSIO
Dear General, I never gave you cause.
OTHELLO
I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.
Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil
Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?
IAGO
Demand me nothing; what you know, you know:
From this time forth I never will speak word.
LODOVICO
What! Not to pray?
GRATIANO
Torments will ope your lips.
OTHELLO
Well, thou dost best.
LODOVICO
Sir, you shall understand what hath befallen,
Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter
Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo,
And here another: the one of them imports
The death of Cassio, to be undertook
By Roderigo.
OTHELLO
O villain!
CASSIO
Most heathenish and most gross!
LODOVICO
Now here's another discontented paper
Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems
Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain,
But that, belike, Iago, in the nick,
Came in and satisfied him.
OTHELLO
O the pernicious caitiff!
How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief
That was my wife's?
CASSIO
I found it in my chamber;
And he himself confessed but even now
That there he dropped it for a special purpose
Which wrought to his desire.
OTHELLO
O fool, fool, fool!
CASSIO
There is besides, in Roderigo's letter,
How he upbraids Iago, that he made him
Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came
That I was cast; and even but now he spake
After long seeming dead – Iago hurt him,
Iago set him on.
LODOVICO
You must forsake this room and go with us.
Your power and your command is taken off
And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,
If there be any cunning cruelty
That can torment him much, and hold him long,
It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,
Till that the nature of your fault be known
To the Venetian state. Come, bring him away.
OTHELLO
Soft you; a word or two before you go.
I have done the state some service and they know't:
No more of that. I pray you in your letters
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate
Speak of me as I am: nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely, but too well;
Of one, not easily jealous but, being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand
Like the base Indian threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,
Albeit unused to the melting mood,
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their med'cinable gum. Set you down this:
And say, besides, that in Aleppo once
Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk
Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,
I took by th' throat the circumcised dog
And smote him thus.
He stabs himself
LODOVICO
O bloody period!
GRATIANO
All that's spoke is marred!
OTHELLO
I kissed thee, ere I killed thee: no way but this,
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
He falls on the bed and dies
CASSIO
This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,
For he was great of heart.
LODOVICO
O, Spartan dog,
More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea,
Look on the tragic loading of this bed:
This is thy work. The object poisons sight:
Let it be hid.
The curtains are drawn
Gratiano, keep the house
And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,
For they succeed on you. To you, Lord Governor,
Remains the censure of this hellish villain:
The time, the place, the torture, O, enforce it!
Myself will straight aboard, and to the state
This heavy act with heavy heart relate.
Exeunt
|