Othello
By
William Shakespeare
Transcription, correction, and markup by Students and Staff of The University of
Virginia, Nial Buford
[TP]
MR. WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARES
COMEDIES,
HISTORIES, &
TRAGEDIES.
Published according to the True Originall Copies.
London
Printed by Isaac Jaggard, and Ed. Blount.
1623.
310
Othello
Act I, Scene I.[Venice: a Sea-port in Cyprus.]
Enter Roderigo and Iago
Brabantio appears above, at a window
Exit above
Exit
Enter, below, Brabantio, and Servants with torches
Exeunt
Scene II
Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants with torches
312
Enter Cassio, and certain Officers with torches
Exit
Re-enter Othello
Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers with torches and weapons
They draw on both sides
Exeunt
Scene III
The Duke and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending
Enter a Sailor
Enter a Messenger
Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers
314
Enter Desdemona, Iago, and Attendants
Exeunt Duke, Senators, Officers
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona
Exit
316
Exit
Act II, Scene I.
Enter Montano and two Gentlemen
Enter a third Gentleman
Enter Cassio
A cry within - 'A sail, a sail, a sail!'
Enter a fourth Gentleman
Guns heard
Exit
Within 'A sail, a sail!'
Kissing her
Enter Othello and Attendants
318
Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants
Exit
Exit
Scene II
Enter a Herald with a proclamation; People following
Exeunt
Scene III
Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants
Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants
Enter Iago
Exit
Exit
320
Enter Roderigo
Exit Roderigo
A cry within - 'Help! help!'
Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo
Striking Roderigo
They fight
Re-enter Othello and Attendants
Assailing Cassio again
Exeunt all but Iago and Cassio
Exit
322
Exit
Act III, Scene I
Enter Cassio, Musicians, and Clown
Music
Enter Clown
Exeunt Musicians
Exit Clown
Enter Iago
Enter Emilia
Exeunt
Scene II
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen
Exeunt
Scene III
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia
Exit Cassio
Enter Othello and Iago
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
324
Exit
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona
Re-enter Iago
326
They rise
Exeunt
Scene IV
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown
Exit
Exit
Enter Cassio and Iago
328
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
Enter Bianca
Exeunt
Act IV, Scene I.
Enter Othello and Iago
Falls in a trance
330
Exit
Exit Cassio
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants
Gives him a letter
Opens the letter, and reads
Going
Exit
Exeunt
Scene II
Enter Othello and Emilia
Enter Desdemona with Emilia
Exit Emilia
332
Exit
Exit
Re-enter Emilia with Iago
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
Enter Roderigo
Exeunt
Scene III.
Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia and Attendants
Exeunt Othello, Lodovico, and Attendants
Exeunt
Act V, Scene I.
Enter Iago and Roderigo
Retires
Enter Cassio
Makes a pass at Cassio
Draws, and wounds Roderigo
Iago, from behind, wounds Cassio in the leg, and exits
Falls
Enter Othello
Exit
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano
Re-enter Iago, with a light
To Lodovico and Gratiano
Stabs Roderigo
Enter Bianca
Enter Emilia
Exeunt
Scene II
Enter Othello
336
He stifles her
Dies
Enter Montano, Gratiano, Iago, and others
He falls on the bed
Iago offers to stab Emilia
He runs at Iago
Iago, from behind, stabs Emilia, and exits
Exeunt Montano and Gratiano
338
Dies
Re-enter Gratiano
Enter Lodovico, Montano, Cassio carried in a chair, and Officers with Iago, prisoner
Wounds Iago
Stabs himself
Dies
Exeunt
Finis
MR. WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARES
COMEDIES,
HISTORIES, &
TRAGEDIES.
Published according to the True Originall Copies.
London
Printed by Isaac Jaggard, and Ed. Blount.
1623.
- Duke of Venice
- Brabantio, a Senator.
- Other Senators.
- Gratiano, brother to Brabantio.
- Lodovico, kinsman to Brabantio.
- Othello, a noble Moor in the service of the Venetian state.
- Cassio, his lieutenant.
- Iago, his ancient.
- Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman.
- Montano, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus.
- Clown, servant to Othello.
- Desdemona, daughter to Brabantio and wife to Othello.
- Emilia, wife to Iago.
- Bianca, mistress to Cassio.
- Sailor, Messenger, Herald, Officers, Gentlemen, Musicians, and Attendants.
Roderigo
1Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly2That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse3As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
Iago
4'Sblood, but you will not hear me:5If ever I did dream of such a matter, 6 Abhor me.
Roderigo
7Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
Iago
8Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,9In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,10Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,11I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:12But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,13Evades them, with a bombast circumstance14Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;15And, in conclusion,16Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,17'I have already chose my officer.'18And what was he?19Forsooth, a great arithmetician,20One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,21A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;22That never set a squadron in the field,23Nor the division of a battle knows24More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,25Wherein the toged consuls can propose26As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,27Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:28And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof29At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds30Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd31By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,32He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,33And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient.
Roderigo
34By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
Iago
35Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service,36Preferment goes by letter and affection,37And not by old gradation, where each second38Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself39Whether I in any just term am affinedTo love the Moor.
Roderigo
40I would not follow him then.
Iago
41O, sir, content you;42I follow him to serve my turn upon him:43We cannot all be masters, nor all masters44Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark45Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,46That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,47Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,48For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:49Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are50Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,51Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,52And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,53Do well thrive by them and when they have linedtheir coats54Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;55And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,56It is as sure as you are Roderigo,57Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:58In following him, I follow but myself;59Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,60But seeming so, for my peculiar end:61For when my outward action doth demonstrate62The native act and figure of my heart63In compliment extern, 'tis not long after64But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve65For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
Roderigo
66What a full fortune does the thicklips owe67If he can carry't thus!
Iago
Call up her father,68Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,69Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,70And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,71Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,72Yet throw such changes of vexation on't,73As it may lose some colour.
Roderigo
74Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.
Iago
75Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell76As when, by night and negligence, the fire77Is spied in populous cities.
Roderigo
78What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
Iago
79Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves!80Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!81Thieves! thieves!
Brabantio
82What is the reason of this terrible summons?83What is the matter there?
Roderigo
Signior, is all your family within?
Iago
84Are your doors lock'd?
Brabantio
85Why, wherefore ask you this?
Iago
86'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown;
Iago
87Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;88Even now, now, very now, an old black ram89Is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise;90Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,91Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:92Arise, I say.
Brabantio
What, have you lost your wits?
Roderigo
93Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?
Brabantio
94Not I what are you?
Roderigo
95My name is Roderigo.
Brabantio
The worser welcome:96I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:97In honest plainness thou hast heard me say98My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,99Being full of supper and distempering draughts,100Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come101To start my quiet.
Roderigo
Sir, sir, sir,--
Brabantio
But thou must needs be sure102My spirit and my place have in them power103To make this bitter to thee.
Roderigo
Patience, good sir.
Brabantio
104What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice;105My house is not a grange.
Roderigo
106Most grave Brabantio,107In simple and pure soul I come to you.
Iago
108'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not109serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to110do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll111have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse;112you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have113coursers for cousins and gennets for germans.
Brabantio
114What profane wretch art thou?
Iago
115I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter116and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.
Brabantio
117Thou art a villain.
Iago
118You are--a Senator.
Brabantio
119This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo.
Roderigo
120Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you,121If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,122As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,123At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,124Transported, with no worse nor better guard125But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,126To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor--127If this be known to you and your allowance,128We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;129But if you know not this, my manners tell me130We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe131That, from the sense of all civility,132I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:133Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,134I say again, hath made a gross revolt;135Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes136In an extravagant and wheeling stranger137Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:138If she be in her chamber or your house,139Let loose on me the justice of the state140For thus deluding you.
Brabantio
Strike on the tinder, ho!141Give me a taper! call up all my people!142This accident is not unlike my dream:143Belief of it oppresses me already.144Light, I say! light!
Iago
Farewell; for I must leave you:145It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,146To be produced--as, if I stay, I shall--147Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state,148However this may gall him with some cheque,149Cannot with safety cast him, for he's embark'd150With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,151Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,152Another of his fathom they have none,153To lead their business: in which regard,154Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.155Yet, for necessity of present life,156I must show out a flag and sign of love,157Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,158Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;159And there will I be with him. So, farewell.
Brabantio
160It is too true an evil: gone she is;161And what's to come of my despised time162Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,163Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!164With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!165How didst thou know 'twas she? O she deceives me166Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers:167Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?
Roderigo
168Truly, I think they are.
Brabantio
169O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!170Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds171By what you see them act. Is there not charms172By which the property of youth and maidhood173May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,174Of some such thing?
Roderigo
Yes, sir, I have indeed.
Brabantio
175Call up my brother. O, would you had had her!176Some one way, some another. Do you know177Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
Roderigo
178I think I can discover him, if you please,179To get good guard and go along with me.
Brabantio
180Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call;181I may command at most. Get weapons, ho!182And raise some special officers of night.183On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains.
Iago
1Though in the trade of war I have slain men,2Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience3To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity4Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times5I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.
Othello
'Tis better as it is.
Iago
6Nay, but he prated,7And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms8Against your honour9That, with the little godliness I have,10I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,11Are you fast married? Be assured of this,12That the magnifico is much beloved,13And hath in his effect a voice potential14As double as the Duke's: he will divorce you;15Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
Iago
16The law, with all his might to enforce it on,17Will give him cable.
Othello
Let him do his spite:18My services which I have done the signiory19Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,--20Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,21I shall promulgate--I fetch my life and being22From men of royal siege, and my demerits23May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune24As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,25But that I love the gentle Desdemona,26I would not my unhoused free condition27Put into circumscription and confine28For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
Iago
29Those are the raised father and his friends:30You were best go in.
Othello
Not I; I must be found:31My parts, my title and my perfect soul32Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
Iago
33By Janus, I think no.
Othello
34The servants of the Duke, and my lieutenant.35The goodness of the night upon you, friends!36What is the news?
Cassio
The Duke does greet you, general,37And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,38Even on the instant.
Othello
What is the matter, think you?
Cassio
39Something from Cyprus as I may divine:40It is a business of some heat: the galleys41Have sent a dozen sequent messengers42This very night at one another's heels,43And many of the consuls, raised and met,44Are at the Duke's already. You have been hotly call'd for;45When, being not at your lodging to be found,46The senate hath sent about three several guests47To search you out.
Othello
'Tis well I am found by you.48I will but spend a word here in the house,49And go with you.
Cassio
Ancient, what makes he here?
Iago
50'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:51If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
Cassio
52I do not understand.
Iago
He's married.
Cassio
To who?
Iago
53Marry, to--Come, captain, will you go?
Othello
Have with you.
Cassio
54Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Iago
55It is Brabantio. General, be advised;56He comes to bad intent.
Othello
Holla! stand there!
Roderigo
57Signior, it is the Moor.
Brabantio
Down with him, thief!
Iago
58You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
Othello
59Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.60Good signior, you shall more command with years61Than with your weapons.
Brabantio
62O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?63Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;64For I'll refer me to all things of sense,65If she in chains of magic were not bound,66Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,67So opposite to marriage that she shunned68The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,69Would ever have, to incur a general mock,70Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom71Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.72Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense73That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,74Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals75That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;76'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.77I therefore apprehend and do attach thee78For an abuser of the world, a practiser79Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.80Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,81Subdue him at his peril.
Othello
Hold your hands,82Both you of my inclining, and the rest:83Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it84Without a prompter. Where will you that I go85To answer this your charge?
Brabantio
To prison, till fit time86Of law and course of direct session87Call thee to answer.
Othello
What if I do obey?88How may the Duke be therewith satisfied,89Whose messengers are here about my side,90Upon some present business of the state91To bring me to him?
First Officer
'Tis true, most worthy signior;92The Duke's in council and your noble self,93I am sure, is sent for.
Brabantio
How! the Duke in council!94In this time of the night! Bring him away:95Mine's not an idle cause: the Duke himself,96Or any of my brothers of the state,97Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;98For if such actions may have passage free,99Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
Duke
1There is no composition in these news2That gives them credit.
First Senator
Indeed, they are disproportion'd;3My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
Duke
4And mine, a hundred and forty.
Second Senator
And mine, two hundred:5But though they jump not on a just account,--6As in these cases, where the aim reports,7'Tis oft with difference--yet do they all confirm8A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
Duke
9Nay, it is possible enough to judgment:10I do not so secure me in the error,11But the main article I do approve12In fearful sense.
Sailor
What, ho! what, ho! what, ho!
First Officer
13A messenger from the galleys.
Duke
Now, what's the business?
Sailor
14The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;15So was I bid report here to the state16By Signior Angelo.
Duke
17How say you by this change?
First Senator
This cannot be,18By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant,19To keep us in false gaze. When we consider20The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,21And let ourselves again but understand,22That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,23So may he with more facile question bear it,24For that it stands not in such warlike brace,25But altogether lacks the abilities26That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this,27We must not think the Turk is so unskilful28To leave that latest which concerns him first,29Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,30To wake and wage a danger profitless.
Duke
31Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
First Officer
32Here is more news.
Messenger
33The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,34Steering with due course towards the isle of Rhodes,35Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
First Senator
36Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
Messenger
37Of thirty sail: and now they do restem38Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance39Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,40Your trusty and most valiant servitor,41With his free duty recommends you thus,42And prays you to believe him.
Duke
43'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.44Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
First Senator
45He's now in Florence.
Duke
46Write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch.
First Senator
47Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
Duke
48Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you49Against the general enemy Ottoman.50I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior;51We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight.
Brabantio
52So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me;53Neither my place nor aught I heard of business54Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general care55Take hold on me, for my particular grief56Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature57That it engluts and swallows other sorrows58And it is still itself.
Duke
Why, what's the matter?
Brabantio
59My daughter! O, my daughter!
Senator
Dead?
Brabantio
Ay, to me;60She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted61By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;62For nature so preposterously to err,63(Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,(64Sans witchcraft could not.
Duke
65Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding66Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself67And you of her, the bloody book of law68You shall yourself read in the bitter letter69After your own sense, yea, though our proper son70Stood in your action.
Brabantio
Humbly I thank your grace.71Here is the man, this Moor, whom now, it seems,72Your special mandate for the state-affairs73Hath hither brought.
Senator
We are very sorry for't.
Duke
74
To Othello
What, in your own part, can you say to this?
Brabantio
75Nothing, but this is so.
Othello
76Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,77My very noble and approved good masters,78That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,79It is most true; true, I have married her:80The very head and front of my offending81Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,82And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace:83For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,84Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used85Their dearest action in the tented field,86And little of this great world can I speak,87More than pertains to feats of broil and battle,88And therefore little shall I grace my cause89In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,90I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver91Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms,92What conjuration and what mighty magic,93For such proceeding I am charged withal,94I won his daughter.
Brabantio
A maiden, never bold;95Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion96Blush'd at herself; and she, in spite of nature,97Of years, of country, credit, every thing,98To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on!99It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect100That will confess perfection so could err101Against all rules of nature, and must be driven102To find out practises of cunning hell,103Why this should be. I therefore vouch again104That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood,105Or with some dram conjured to this effect,106He wrought upon her.
Duke
To vouch this, is no proof,107Without more wider and more overt test108Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods109Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
First Senator
110But, Othello, speak:111Did you by indirect and forced courses112Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?113Or came it by request and such fair question114As soul to soul affordeth?
Othello
I do beseech you,115Send for the lady to the Sagittary,116And let her speak of me before her father:117If you do find me foul in her report,118The trust, the office I do hold of you,119Not only take away, but let your sentence120Even fall upon my life.
Duke
Fetch Desdemona hither.
Othello
121Ancient, conduct them: you best know the place.122And, till she come, as truly as to heaven123I do confess the vices of my blood,124So justly to your grave ears I'll present
Othello
125How I did thrive in this fair lady's love,126And she in mine.
Duke
127Say it, Othello.
Othello
128Her father loved me; oft invited me;129Still question'd me the story of my life,130From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,131That I have passed.132I ran it through, even from my boyish days,133To the very moment that he bade me tell it;134Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances,135Of moving accidents by flood and field136Of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach,137Of being taken by the insolent foe138And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence139And portance in my travels' history:140Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,141Rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven142It was my hint to speak,--such was the process;143And of the Cannibals that each other eat,144The Anthropophagi and men whose heads145Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear146Would Desdemona seriously incline:147But still the house-affairs would draw her thence:148Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,149She'ld come again, and with a greedy ear150Devour up my discourse: which I observing,151Took once a pliant hour, and found good means152To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart153That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,154Whereof by parcels she had something heard,155But not intentively: I did consent,156And often did beguile her of her tears,157When I did speak of some distressful stroke158That my youth suffer'd. My story being done,159She gave me for my pains a world of sighs:160She swore, in faith, twas strange, 'twas passing strange,161'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful:162She wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd163That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me,164And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,165I should but teach him how to tell my story.166And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake:167She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd,168And I loved her that she did pity them.169This only is the witchcraft I have used:170Here comes the lady; let her witness it.
Duke
171I think this tale would win my daughter too.172Good Brabantio,173Take up this mangled matter at the best:174Men do their broken weapons rather use175Than their bare hands.
Brabantio
I pray you, hear her speak:176If she confess that she was half the wooer,177Destruction on my head, if my bad blame178Light on the man! Come hither, gentle mistress:179Do you perceive in all this noble company180Where most you owe obedience?
Desdemona
My noble father,181I do perceive here a divided duty:182To you I am bound for life and education;183My life and education both do learn me184How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;185I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,186And so much duty as my mother show'd187To you, preferring you before her father,188So much I challenge that I may profess189Due to the Moor my lord.
Brabantio
God be wi' you! I have done.190Please it your grace, on to the state-affairs:191I had rather to adopt a child than get it.192Come hither, Moor:193I here do give thee that with all my heart194Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart195I would keep from thee. For your sake, jewel,196I am glad at soul I have no other child:197For thy escape would teach me tyranny,198To hang clogs on them. I have done, my lord.
Duke
199Let me speak like yourself, and lay a sentence,200Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers201Into your favour.202When remedies are past, the griefs are ended203By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.204To mourn a mischief that is past and gone205Is the next way to draw new mischief on.206What cannot be preserved when fortune takes207Patience her injury a mockery makes.208The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief;209He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
Brabantio
210So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile;211We lose it not, so long as we can smile.212He bears the sentence well that nothing bears213But the free comfort which from thence he hears,214But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow215That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.216These sentences, to sugar, or to gall,217Being strong on both sides, are equivocal:218But words are words; I never yet did hear219That the bruised heart was pierced through the ear.220I humbly beseech you, proceed to the affairs of state.
Duke
221The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for222Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best223known to you; and though we have there a substitute224of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a225sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer226voice on you: you must therefore be content to227slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this228more stubborn and boisterous expedition.
Othello
229The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,230Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war231My thrice-driven bed of down: I do agnise232A natural and prompt alacrity233I find in hardness, and do undertake234These present wars against the Ottomites.235Most humbly therefore bending to your state,236I crave fit disposition for my wife.237Due reference of place and exhibition,238With such accommodation and besort239As levels with her breeding.
Duke
If you please,240Be't at her father's.
Brabantio
I will not have it so.
Othello
241Nor I.
Desdemona
Nor I; I would not there reside,242To put my father in impatient thoughts243By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,244To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear;245And let me find a charter in your voice,246To assist my simpleness.
Duke
247What would You, Desdemona?
Desdemona
248That I love the Moor to live with him,249My downright violence and storm of fortunes
Desdemona
250May trumpet to the world: my heart's subdued251Even to the very quality of my lord:252I saw Othello's visage in his mind,253And to his honour and his valiant parts254Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.255So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,256A moth of peace, and he go to the war,257The rites for which I love him are bereft me,258And I a heavy interim shall support259By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
Othello
260Let her have your voices.261Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not,262To please the palate of my appetite,263Nor to comply with heat--the young affects264In me defunct--and proper satisfaction.265But to be free and bounteous to her mind:266And heaven defend your good souls, that you think267I will your serious and great business scant268For she is with me: no, when light-wing'd toys269Of feather'd Cupid seal with wanton dullness270My speculative and officed instruments,271That my disports corrupt and taint my business,272Let housewives make a skillet of my helm,273And all indign and base adversities274Make head against my estimation!
Duke
275Be it as you shall privately determine,276Either for her stay or going: the affair cries haste,277And speed must answer it.
First Senator
You must away to-night.
Othello
278With all my heart.
Duke
279At nine i' the morning here we'll meet again.280Othello, leave some officer behind,281And he shall our commission bring to you;282With such things else of quality and respect283As doth import you.
Othello
So please your grace, my ancient;284A man he is of honest and trust:285To his conveyance I assign my wife,286With what else needful your good grace shall think287To be sent after me.
Duke
Let it be so.288Good night to every one.
To Brabantio And, noble signior,289If virtue no delighted beauty lack,290Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
First Senator
291Adieu, brave Moor, use Desdemona well.
Brabantio
292Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:293She has deceived her father, and may thee.
Othello
294My life upon her faith! Honest Iago,295My Desdemona must I leave to thee:296I prithee, let thy wife attend on her:297And bring them after in the best advantage.298Come, Desdemona: I have but an hour299Of love, of worldly matters and direction,300To spend with thee: we must obey the time.
Roderigo
301Iago,--
Iago
302What say'st thou, noble heart?
Roderigo
303What will I do, thinkest thou?
Iago
304Why, go to bed, and sleep.
Roderigo
305I will incontinently drown myself.
Iago
306If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why,307thou silly gentleman!
Roderigo
308It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and310then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
Iago
O villainous! I have looked upon the world for fourtimes seven years; and since I could distinguishbetwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found manthat knew how to love himself. Ere I would say, Iwould drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I316would change my humanity with a baboon.
Roderigo
What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be sofond; but it is not in my virtue to amend it.
Iago
Virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus320or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the whichour wills are gardeners: so that if we will plantnettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed upthyme, supply it with one gender of herbs, ordistract it with many, either to have it sterilewith idleness, or manured with industry, why, the325power and corrigible authority of this lies in ourwills. If the balance of our lives had not onescale of reason to poise another of sensuality, theblood and baseness of our natures would conduct usto most preposterous conclusions: but we have330reason to cool our raging motions, our carnalstings, our unbitted lusts, whereof I take this thatyou call love to be a sect or scion.
Roderigo
It cannot be.
Iago
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of335the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself! drowncats and blind puppies. I have professed me thyfriend and I confess me knit to thy deserving withcables of perdurable toughness; I could neverbetter stead thee than now. Put money in thy340purse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favour withan usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. Itcannot be that Desdemona should long continue herlove to the Moor,-- put money in thy purse,--nor hehis to her: it was a violent commencement, and thoushalt see an answerable sequestration:--put but345money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable intheir wills: fill thy purse with money:--the foodthat to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall beto him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She mustchange for youth: when she is sated with his body,350she will find the error of her choice: she musthave change, she must: therefore put money in thypurse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it amore delicate way than drowning. Make all the moneythou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt355an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian nottoo hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thoushalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox ofdrowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seekthou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than361to be drowned and go without her.
Roderigo
Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend onthe issue?
Iago
Thou art sure of me:--go, make money:--I have told365thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, Ihate the Moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath noless reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revengeagainst him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dostthyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are manyevents in the womb of time which will be delivered.Traverse! go, provide thy money. We will have more372of this to-morrow. Adieu.
Roderigo
Where shall we meet i' the morning?
Iago
At my lodging.
Roderigo
375I'll be with thee betimes.
Iago
Go to; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo?
Roderigo
What say you?
Iago
No more of drowning, do you hear?
Roderigo
382I am changed: I'll go sell all my land.
Iago
383Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:384For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,385If I would time expend with such a snipe.
Iago
386But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:387And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets388He has done my office: I know not if't be true;389But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,390Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;391The better shall my purpose work on him.392Cassio's a proper man: let me see now:393To get his place and to plume up my will394In double knavery--How, how? Let's see:--395After some time, to abuse Othello's ear396That he is too familiar with his wife.397He hath a person and a smooth dispose398To be suspected, framed to make women false.399The Moor is of a free and open nature,400That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,401And will as tenderly be led by the nose402As asses are.403I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night404Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.
Montano
1What from the cape can you discern at sea?
First Gentleman
2Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;3I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,4Descry a sail.
Montano
5Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;6A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:7If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,8What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,9Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?
Second Gentleman
10A segregation of the Turkish fleet:11For do but stand upon the foaming shore,12The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;13The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,14seems to cast water on the burning bear,15And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:16I never did like molestation view17On the enchafed flood.
Montano
If that the Turkish fleet18Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd:19It is impossible they bear it out.
Third Gentleman
20News, lads! our wars are done.21The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,22That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice23Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance24On most part of their fleet.
Montano
25How! is this true?
Third Gentleman
The ship is here put in,26A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,27Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,28Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,29And is in full commission here for Cyprus.
Montano
30I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.
Third Gentleman
31But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort32Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,33And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted34With foul and violent tempest.
Montano
Pray heavens he be;35For I have served him, and the man commands36Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!37As well to see the vessel that's come in38As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,39Even till we make the main and the aerial blue40An indistinct regard.
Third Gentleman
Come, let's do so:41For every minute is expectancy42Of more arrivance.
Cassio
43Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,44That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens45Give him defence against the elements,46For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.
Montano
47Is he well shipp'd?
Cassio
48His bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot49Of very expert and approved allowance;50Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,51Stand in bold cure.
Cassio
52What noise?
Fourth Gentleman
53The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea54Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'
Cassio
55My hopes do shape him for the governor.
Second Gentlemen
56They do discharge their shot of courtesy:57Our friends at least.
Cassio
58I pray you, sir, go forth,59And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
Second Gentleman
I shall.
Montano
60But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?
Cassio
61Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid62That paragons description and wild fame;63One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,64And in the essential vesture of creation65Does tire the ingener.How now! who has put in?
Second Gentleman
66'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.
Cassio
67Has had most favourable and happy speed:68Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,69The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands--70Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,--71As having sense of beauty, do omit72Their mortal natures, letting go safely by73The divine Desdemona.
Montano
What is she?
Cassio
74She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,75Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,76Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts77A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,78And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,79That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,80Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,81Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits82And bring all Cyprus comfort!O, behold,83The riches of the ship is come on shore!84Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.85Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,86Before, behind thee, and on every hand,87Enwheel thee round!
Desdemona
I thank you, valiant Cassio.88What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Cassio
89He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught90But that he's well and will be shortly here.
Desdemona
91O, but I fear--How lost you company?
Cassio
92The great contention of the sea and skies93Parted our fellowship--But, hark! a sail.
Second Gentleman
94They give this greeting to the citadel;95This likewise is a friend.
Cassio
See for the news.96Good ancient, you are welcome.Welcome, mistress.97Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,98That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding99That gives me this bold show of courtesy.
Iago
100Sir, would she give you so much of her lips101As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,102You'll have enough.
Desdemona
Alas, she has no speech.
Iago
103In faith, too much;104I find it still, when I have list to sleep:105Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,106She puts her tongue a little in her heart,107And chides with thinking.
Emilia
108You have little cause to say so.
Iago
109Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,110Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,111Saints m your injuries, devils being offended,112Players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds.
Desdemona
113O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
Iago
114Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:115You rise to play and go to bed to work.
Emilia
116You shall not write my praise.
Iago
No, let me not.
Desdemona
117What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldstpraise me?
Iago
118O gentle lady, do not put me to't;119For I am nothing, if not critical.
Desdemona
120Come on assay. There's one gone to the harbour?
Iago
121Ay, madam.
Desdemona
122I am not merry; but I do beguile123The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.124Come, how wouldst thou praise me?
Iago
125I am about it; but indeed my invention126Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;127It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,128And thus she is deliver'd.129If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,130The one's for use, the other useth it.
Desdemona
131Well praised! How if she be black and witty?
Iago
132If she be black, and thereto have a wit,133She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
Desdemona
134Worse and worse.
Emilia
135How if fair and foolish?
Iago
136She never yet was foolish that was fair;137For even her folly help'd her to an heir.
Desdemona
138These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'139the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for140her that's foul and foolish?
Iago
141There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,142But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.
Desdemona
143O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best.145But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving146woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her147merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?
Iago
148She that was ever fair and never proud,149Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,150Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,151Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may,'152She that being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,153Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,154She that in wisdom never was so frail155To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;156She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,157See suitors following and not look behind,158She was a wight, if ever such wight were,--
Desdemona
159To do what?
Iago
160To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.
Desdemona
161O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn162of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say163you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal164counsellor?
Cassio
165He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in166the soldier than in the scholar.
Iago
167
Aside
He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,
168whisper: with as little a web as this will I169ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon170her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.171You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as172these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had173been better you had not kissed your three fingers so174oft, which now again you are most apt to play the175sir in. Very good; well kissed! an excellent176courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers177to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!178The Moor! I know his trumpet.
Cassio
179'Tis truly so.
Desdemona
180Let's meet him and receive him.
Cassio
181Lo, where he comes!
Othello
182O my fair warrior!
Desdemona
My dear Othello!
Othello
183It gives me wonder great as my content184To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!185If after every tempest come such calms,186May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!187And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas188Olympus-high and duck again as low189As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,190'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,191My soul hath her content so absolute192That not another comfort like to this193Succeeds in unknown fate.
Desdemona
The heavens forbid194But that our loves and comforts should increase,195Even as our days do grow!
Othello
Amen to that, sweet powers!196I cannot speak enough of this content;197It stops me here; it is too much of joy:198And this, and this, the greatest discords be199That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iago
Aside
O, you are well tuned now!
200But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,201As honest as I am.
Othello
Come, let us to the castle.202News, friends; our wars are done, the Turksare drown'd.203How does my old acquaintance of this isle?204Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;205I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,206I prattle out of fashion, and I dote207In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,208Go to the bay and disembark my coffers:209Bring thou the master to the citadel;210He is a good one, and his worthiness211Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,212Once more, well met at Cyprus.
Iago
213Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come214hither. If thou be'st valiant,-- as, they say, base215men being in love have then a nobility in their216natures more than is native to them--list me. The217lieutenant tonight watches on the court of218guard:--first, I must tell thee this--Desdemona is219directly in love with him.
Roderigo
220With him! why, 'tis not possible.
Iago
221Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.222Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor,223but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies:224and will she love him still for prating? let not225thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed;226and what delight shall she have to look on the227devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of228sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to229give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,230sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which the Moor is231defective in: now, for want of these required conveniences, her232delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge233disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it234and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted,235--as it is a most pregnant and unforced position--who stands so236eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio237does? a knave very voluble; no further238conscionable than in putting on the mere form of239civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing240of his salt and most hidden loose affection? why,241none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a242finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and243counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never244present itself; a devilish knave. Besides, the245knave is handsome, young, and hath all those246requisites in him that folly and green minds look247after: a pestilent complete knave; and the woman248hath found him already.
Roderigo
249I cannot believe that in her; she's full of250most blessed condition.
Iago
251Blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of252grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never253have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou254not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst255not mark that?
Roderigo
256Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.
Iago
257Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue258to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met259so near with their lips that their breaths embraced260together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these261mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes262the master and main exercise, the incorporate263conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I264have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night;265for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows266you not. I'll not be far from you: do you find some267occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too268loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other269course you please, which the time shall more 270favourably minister.
Roderigo
271Well.
Iago
272Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply273may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for274even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to275mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true276taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So277shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by278the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the279impediment most profitably removed, without the280which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
Roderigo
281I will do this, if I can bring it to any282opportunity.
Iago
283I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel:284I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.
Roderigo
285Adieu.
Iago
286That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;287That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:288The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,289Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,290And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona291A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;292Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure293I stand accountant for as great a sin,294But partly led to diet my revenge,295For that I do suspect the lusty Moor296Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof297Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;298And nothing can or shall content my soul299Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife,300Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor301At least into a jealousy so strong302That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,303If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash304For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,305I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,306Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb--307For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too--308Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.309For making him egregiously an ass310And practising upon his peace and quiet311Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:312Knavery's plain face is never seen tin used.
Herald
1It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant2general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived,3importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet,4every man put himself into triumph; some to dance,5some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and6revels his addiction leads him: for, besides these7beneficial news, it is the celebration of his8nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be9proclaimed. All offices are open, and there is full10liberty of feasting from this present hour of five11till the bell have told eleven.
Herald
12Bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!
Othello
1Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:2Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,3Not to outsport discretion.
Cassio
4Iago hath direction what to do;5But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye6Will I look to't.
Othello
Iago is most honest.7Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest8Let me have speech with you.
To Desdemona Come, my dear love,9The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;10That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.11Good night.
Cassio
12Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.
Iago
13Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the14clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love15of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame:16he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and17she is sport for Jove.
Cassio
18She's a most exquisite lady.
Iago
19And, I'll warrant her, full of game.
Cassio
20Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate 21 creature.
Iago
22What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of23provocation.
Cassio
24An inviting eye; and yet methinks right25modest.
Iago
26And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to 27 love?
Cassio
28She is indeed perfection.
Iago
29Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I30have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace31of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to32the health of black Othello.
Cassio
33Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and34unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish35courtesy would invent some other custom of36entertainment.
Iago
37O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for38you.
Cassio
39I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was40craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation41it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity,42and dare not task my weakness with any more.
Iago
43What, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants44desire it.
Cassio
45Where are they?
Iago
46Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
Cassio
47I'll do't; but it dislikes me.
Iago
48If I can fasten but one cup upon him,49With that which he hath drunk to-night already,50He'll be as full of quarrel and offence51As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,52Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,53To Desdemona hath to-night caroused54Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:55Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,56That hold their honours in a wary distance,57The very elements of this warlike isle,58Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,59And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,60Am I to put our Cassio in some action61That may offend the isle.--But here they come:62If consequence do but approve my dream,63My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
Cassio
64'Fore God, they have given me a rouse 65already.
Montano
66Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am67a soldier.
Iago
68Some wine, ho!69And let me the canakin clink, clink;70And let me the canakin clink71A soldier's a man;72A life's but a span;73Why, then, let a soldier drink.74Some wine, boys!
Cassio
75'Fore God, an excellent song.
Iago
76I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are77most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and78your swag-bellied Hollander--Drink, ho!--are nothing79to your English.
Cassio
80Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking?81drinking
Iago
82Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead83drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he84gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle85can be filled.
Cassio
86To the health of our general!
Montano
87I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.
Iago
88O sweet England!89King Stephen was a worthy peer,90His breeches cost him but a crown;91He held them sixpence all too dear,92With that he call'd the tailor lown.93He was a wight of high renown,94And thou art but of low degree:95'Tis pride that pulls the country down;96Then take thine auld cloak about thee.97Some wine, ho!
Cassio
98Why, this is a more exquisite song than 99the other.
Iago
100Will you hear't again?
Cassio
101No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that102does those things. Well, God's above all; and there103be souls must be saved, and there be souls must104not be saved.
Iago
105It's true, good lieutenant.
Cassio
106For mine own part,--no offence to the general, nor107any man of quality,--I hope to be saved.
Iago
108And so do I too, lieutenant.
Cassio
109Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the110lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's111have no more of this; let's to our affairs.--Forgive112us our sins!--Gentlemen, let's look to our business.113Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my114ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:115I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and116speak well enough.
Gentlemen
117Excellent well.
Cassio
118Why, very well then; you must not think then 119that I am drunk.
Montano
120To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.
Iago
121You see this fellow that is gone before;122He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar123And give direction: and do but see his vice;124'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
Iago
125The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.126I fear the trust Othello puts him in.127On some odd time of his infirmity,128Will shake this island.
Montano
But is he often thus?
Iago
129'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:130He'll watch the horologe a double set,131If drink rock not his cradle.
Montano
It were well132The general were put in mind of it.133Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature134Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,135And looks not on his evils: is not this true?
Iago
136
Aside to him
How now, Roderigo!
137I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.
Montano
138And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor139Should hazard such a place as his own second140With one of an ingraft infirmity:141It were an honest action to say142So to the Moor.
Iago
Not I, for this fair island:143I do love Cassio well; and would do much144To cure him of this evil--But, hark! what noise?
Cassio
145You rogue! you rascal!
Montano
146What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cassio
147A knave teach me my duty!148I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.
Roderigo
149Beat me?
Cassio
150Dost thou prate, rogue?
Montano
151Nay, good lieutenant;152I pray you, sir, hold your hand.
Cassio
153Let me go, sir,154Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Montano
155Come, come, you're drunk.
Cassio
156Drunk?
Iago
157
Aside to Roderigo
Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny.
158Nay, good lieutenant,--alas, gentlemen;--159Help, ho!--Lieutenant,--sir,--Montano,--sir;160Help, masters!--Here's a goodly watch indeed!161Who's that which rings the bell?--Diablo, ho!162The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold!163You will be shamed for ever.
Othello
164What is the matter here?
Montano
I bleed still; 165I am hurt to the death. He dies.
Othello
Hold, for your lives!
Iago
166Hold, ho! Lieutenant,--sir--Montano,--gentlemen,--167Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?168Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!
Othello
169Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?170Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that171Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?172For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:173He that stirs next to carve for his own rage174Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.175Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle176From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?177Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,178Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.
Iago
179I do not know: friends all but now, even now,180In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom181Devesting them for bed; and then, but now--182As if some planet had unwitted men--183Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,184In opposition bloody. I cannot speak185Any beginning to this peevish odds;186And would in action glorious I had lost187Those legs that brought me to a part of it!
Othello
188How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
Cassio
189I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.
Othello
190Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;191The gravity and stillness of your youth192The world hath noted, and your name is great193In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,194That you unlace your reputation thus195And spend your rich opinion for the name196Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.
Montano
197Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:198Your officer, Iago, can inform you,--199While I spare speech, which something now
offends me,--200Of all that I do know: nor know I aught201By me that's said or done amiss this night;202Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,203And to defend ourselves it be a sin204When violence assails us.
Othello
Now, by heaven,205My blood begins my safer guides to rule;206And passion, having my best judgment collied,207Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,208Or do but lift this arm, the best of you209Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know210How this foul rout began, who set it on;211And he that is approved in this offence,212Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,213Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,214Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,215To manage private and domestic quarrel,216In night, and on the court and guard of safety!217'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?
Montano
218If partially affined, or leagued in office,219Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,220Thou art no soldier.
Iago
Touch me not so near:221I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth222Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;223Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth224Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.225Montano and myself being in speech,226There comes a fellow crying out for help:227And Cassio following him with determined sword,228To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman229Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:230Myself the crying fellow did pursue,231Lest by his clamour--as it so fell out--232The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,233Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather234For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,235And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night236I ne'er might say before. When I came back--237For this was brief--I found them close together,238At blow and thrust; even as again they were239When you yourself did part them.240More of this matter cannot I report:241But men are men; the best sometimes forget:242Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,243As men in rage strike those that wish them best,244Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received245From him that fled some strange indignity,246Which patience could not pass.
Othello
I know, Iago,247Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,248Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee249But never more be officer of mine.250Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!251I'll make thee an example.
Desdemona
252What is the matter, dear?
Othello
All's well now, sweeting; 253 Come away to bed. Sir, for your hurts, 254Myself will be your surgeon. Lead him off:255Iago, look with care about the town,256And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.257Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life258To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.
Iago
259What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
Cassio
260Ay, past all surgery.
Iago
261Marry, heaven forbid!
Cassio
262Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost263my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of264myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,265Iago, my reputation!
Iago
266As I am an honest man, I thought you had received267some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than268in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false269imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without270deserving: you have lost no reputation at all,271unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man!272there are ways to recover the general again: you273are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in274policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his275offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue276to him again, and he's yours.
Cassio
277I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so278good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so279indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot?280and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse281fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible282spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by,283let us call thee devil!
Iago
284What was he that you followed with your sword? What285had he done to you?
Cassio
286I know not.
Iago
287Is't possible?
Cassio
288I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly;289a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men290should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away291their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance292revel and applause, transform ourselves into 293beasts!
Iago
294Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus295recovered?
Cassio
296It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place297to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me298another, to make me frankly despise myself.
Iago
299Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time,300the place, and the condition of this country301stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen;302but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.
Cassio
303I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me304I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,305such an answer would stop them all. To be now a306sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a307beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is308unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.
Iago
309Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,310if it be well used: exclaim no more against it.311And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.
Cassio
312I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!
Iago
313You or any man living may be drunk! at a time, man.314I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife315is now the general: may say so in this respect, for316that he hath devoted and given up himself to the317contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and318graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune319her help to put you in your place again: she is of320so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition,321she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more322than she is requested: this broken joint between323you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my324fortunes against any lay worth naming, this325crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.
Cassio
326You advise me well.
Iago
327I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest328kindness.
Cassio
329I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will330beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me:331I am desperate of my fortunes if they cheque332 me.
Iago
333You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I334must to the watch.
Cassio
335Good night, honest Iago.
Iago
336And what's he then that says I play the villain?337When this advice is free I give and honest,338Probal to thinking and indeed the course339To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy340The inclining Desdemona to subdue341In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful342As the free elements. And then for her343To win the Moor--were't to renounce his baptism,344All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,345His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,346That she may make, unmake, do what she list,347Even as her appetite shall play the god348With his weak function. How am I then a villain349To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,350Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!351When devils will the blackest sins put on,352They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,353As I do now: for whiles this honest fool354Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes355And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,356I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,357That she repeals him for her body's lust;358And by how much she strives to do him good,359She shall undo her credit with the Moor.360So will I turn her virtue into pitch,361And out of her own goodness make the net362That shall enmesh them all.363How now, Roderigo!
Roderigo
364I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that365hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is366almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well367cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall
Roderigo
368have so much experience for my pains, and so, with369no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.
Iago
370How poor are they that have not patience!371What wound did ever heal but by degrees?372Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;373And wit depends on dilatory time.374Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee.375And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:376Though other things grow fair against the sun,377Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:378Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;379Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.380Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:381Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:382Nay, get thee gone.
Exit Roderigo
Two things are to be done:383My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;384I'll set her on;385Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,386And bring him jump when he may Cassio find387Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way388Dull not device by coldness and delay.
Cassio
1Masters, play here; I will content your pains;2Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.'
Clown
3Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples,4that they speak i' the nose thus?
First Musician
5How, sir, how!
Clown
6Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?
First Musician
7Ay, marry, are they, sir.
Clown
8O, thereby hangs a tail.
First Musician
9Whereby hangs a tale, sir?
Clown
10Marry. sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know.11But, masters, here's money for you: and the general12so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's13sake, to make no more noise with it.
First Musician
14Well, sir, we will not.
Clown
15If you have any music that may not be heard, to't16again: but, as they say to hear music the general17does not greatly care.
First Musician
18We have none such, sir.
Clown
19Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away:20go; vanish into air; away!
Cassio
21Dost thou hear, my honest friend?
Clown
22No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.
Cassio
23Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece24of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends25the general's wife be stirring, tell her there's26one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech:27wilt thou do this?
Clown
28She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I29shall seem to notify unto her.
Cassio
30In happy time, Iago.
Iago
31You have not been a-bed, then?
Cassio
32Why, no; the day had broke33Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,34To send in to your wife: my suit to her35Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona36Procure me some access.
Iago
I'll send her to you presently;37And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor38Out of the way, that your converse and business39May be more free.
Cassio
I humbly thank you for't.40I never knewA Florentine more kind and honest.
Emilia
41Good morrow, good Lieutenant: I am sorry42For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.43The general and his wife are talking of it;44And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,45That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus,46And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom47He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you48And needs no other suitor but his likings49To take the safest occasion by the front50To bring you in again.
Cassio
Yet, I beseech you,51If you think fit, or that it may be done,52Give me advantage of some brief discourse53With Desdemona alone.
Emilia
Pray you, come in;54I will bestow you where you shall have time55To speak your bosom freely.
Cassio
I am much bound to you.
Othello
1These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;2And by him do my duties to the senate:3That done, I will be walking on the works;4Repair there to me.
Iago
Well, my good lord, I'll do't.
Othello
5This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't?
Gentleman
6We'll wait upon your lordship.
Desdemona
1Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do2All my abilities in thy behalf.
Emilia
3Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband,4As if the case were his.
Desdemona
5O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,6But I will have my lord and you again7As friendly as you were.
Cassio
Bounteous madam,8Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,9He's never any thing but your true servant.
Desdemona
10I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord:11You have known him long; and be you well assured12He shall in strangeness stand no further off13Than in a polite distance.
Cassio
Ay, but, lady,14That policy may either last so long,15Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,16Or breed itself so out of circumstance,17That, I being absent and my place supplied,18My general will forget my love and service.
Desdemona
19Do not doubt that; before Emilia here
Desdemona
20I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,21If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it22To the last article: my lord shall never rest;23I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;24His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;25I'll intermingle every thing he does26With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;27For thy solicitor shall rather die28Than give thy cause away.
Emilia
29Madam, here comes my lord.
Cassio
30Madam, I'll take my leave.
Desdemona
31Why, stay, and hear me speak.
Cassio
32Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,33Unfit for mine own purposes.
Desdemona
34Well, do your discretion.
Iago
35Ha! I like not that.
Othello
What dost thou say?
Iago
36Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what.
Othello
37Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
Iago
38Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,39That he would steal away so guilty-like,40Seeing you coming.
Othello
I do believe 'twas he.
Desdemona
41How now, my lord!42I have been talking with a suitor here,43A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Othello
44Who is't you mean?
Desdemona
45Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,46If I have any grace or power to move you,47His present reconciliation take;48For if he be not one that truly loves you,49That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,50I have no judgment in an honest face:51I prithee, call him back.
Othello
Went he hence now?
Desdemona
52Ay, sooth; so humbled53That he hath left part of his grief with me,54To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
Othello
55Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.
Desdemona
56But shall't be shortly?
Othello
The sooner, sweet, for you.
Desdemona
57Shall't be to-night at supper?
Othello
No, not to-night.
Desdemona
58To-morrow dinner, then?
Othello
I shall not dine at home;59I meet the captains at the citadel.
Desdemona
60Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;61On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:62I prithee, name the time, but let it not63Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;64And yet his trespass, in our common reason--65Save that, they say, the wars must make examples66Out of their best--is not almost a fault67To incur a private cheque. When shall he come?68Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,69What you would ask me, that I should deny,70Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,71That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,72When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,73Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do74To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,--
Othello
75Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;76I will deny thee nothing.
Desdemona
Why, this is not a boon;77'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,78Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,79Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit80To your own person: nay, when I have a suit81Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,82It shall be full of poise and difficult weight83And fearful to be granted.
Othello
I will deny thee nothing:84Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,85To leave me but a little to myself.
Desdemona
86Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.
Othello
87Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.
Desdemona
88Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;89Whate'er you be, I am obedient.
Othello
90Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,91But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,92Chaos is come again.
Iago
93My noble lord--
Othello
What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago
94Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,95Know of your love?
Othello
96He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?
Iago
97But for a satisfaction of my thought;98No further harm.
Othello
Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago
99I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
Othello
100O, yes; and went between us very oft.
Iago
101Indeed!
Othello
102Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that?103Is he not honest?
Iago
Honest, my lord!
Othello
104Honest! ay, honest.
Iago
My lord, for aught I know.
Othello
105What dost thou think?
Iago
Think, my lord!
Othello
106Think, my lord!By heaven, thou echo'st me,107As if there were some monster in his thought108Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:109I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,110When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?111And when I told thee he was of my counsel112In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'113And didst contract and purse thy brow together,114As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain115Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,116Show me thy thought.
Iago
My lord, you know I love you.
Othello
117I think thou dost;118And, for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty,119And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,120Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:121For such things in a false disloyal knave122Are tricks of custom, but in a man that's just123They are close delations, working from the heart124That passion cannot rule.
Iago
For Michael Cassio,125I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.
Othello
126I think so too.
Iago
Men should be what they seem;127Or those that be not, would they might seem none!
Othello
128Certain, men should be what they seem.
Iago
129Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man.
Othello
130Nay, yet there's more in this:131I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,132As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
Othello
133The worst of words.
Iago
Good my lord, pardon me:134Though I am bound to every act of duty,135I am not bound to that all slaves are free.136Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;137As where's that palace whereinto foul things138Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,139But some uncleanly apprehensions140Keep leets and law-days and in session sit141With meditations lawful?
Othello
142Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,143If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear144A stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago
I do beseech you--145Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,146As, I confess, it is my nature's plague147To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy148Shapes faults that are not--that your wisdom yet,149From one that so imperfectly conceits,150Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble151Out of his scattering and unsure observance.152It were not for your quiet nor your good,153Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,154To let you know my thoughts.
Othello
What dost thou mean?
Iago
155Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,156Is the immediate jewel of their souls:157Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;158'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:159But he that filches from me my good name160Robs me of that which not enriches him161And makes me poor indeed.
Othello
162By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.
Iago
163You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;164Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Othello
165Ha!
Iago
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;166It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock167The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss168Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;169But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er170Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!
Othello
171O misery!
Iago
172Poor and content is rich and rich enough,173But riches fineless is as poor as winter174To him that ever fears he shall be poor.175Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend176From jealousy!
Othello
Why, why is this?177Think'st thou I'ld make a lie of jealousy,178To follow still the changes of the moon179With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt180Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,181When I shall turn the business of my soul182To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,183Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous184To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,185Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;186Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:187Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw188The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;189For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;190I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;191And on the proof, there is no more but this,--192Away at once with love or jealousy!
Iago
193I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason194To show the love and duty that I bear you195With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,196Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.197Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;198Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:199I would not have your free and noble nature,200Out of self-bounty, be abused; look to't:201I know our country disposition well;202In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks203They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience204Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.
Othello
205Dost thou say so?
Iago
206She did deceive her father, marrying you;207And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,208She loved them most.
Othello
And so she did.
Iago
Why, go to then;209She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,210To seal her father's eyes up close as oak-211He thought 'twas witchcraft--but I am much to blame;212I humbly do beseech you of your pardon213For too much loving you.
Othello
I am bound to thee for ever.
Iago
214I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Othello
215Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago
I' faith, I fear it has.216I hope you will consider what is spoke217Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved:218I am to pray you not to strain my speech219To grosser issues nor to larger reach220Than to suspicion.
Othello
221I will not.
Iago
Should you do so, my lord,222My speech should fall into such vile success223As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend--224My lord, I see you're moved.
Othello
No, not much moved:225I do not think but Desdemona's honest.
Iago
226Long live she so! and long live you to think so!
Othello
227And yet, how nature erring from itself,--
Iago
228Ay, there's the point: as--to be bold with you--229Not to affect many proposed matches230Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,231Whereto we see in all things nature tends--232Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,233Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural.234But pardon me; I do not in position235Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear236Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,237May fall to match you with her country forms238And happily repent.
Othello
Farewell, farewell:239If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;240Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago:
Iago
241
Going
My lord, I take my leave.
Othello
242Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless243Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Iago
244
Returning
My lord, I would I might entreat your honour245To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:246Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,247For sure, he fills it up with great ability,248Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,249You shall by that perceive him and his means:250Note, if your lady strain his entertainment251With any strong or vehement importunity;252Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,253Let me be thought too busy in my fears--254As worthy cause I have to fear I am--255And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Othello
256Fear not my government.
Iago
257I once more take my leave.
Othello
258This fellow's of exceeding honesty,259And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,260Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,261Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,262I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind,263To pray at fortune. Haply, for I am black264And have not those soft parts of conversation265That chamberers have, or for I am declined266Into the vale of years,--yet that's not much--267She's gone. I am abused; and my relief268Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,269That we can call these delicate creatures ours,270And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,271And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,272Than keep a corner in the thing I love273For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;274Prerogatived are they less than the base;275'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:276Even then this forked plague is fated to us277When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:278If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!279I'll not believe't.
Desdemona
How now, my dear Othello!280Your dinner, and the generous islanders281By you invited, do attend your presence.
Othello
282I am to blame.
Desdemona
Why do you speak so faintly?283Are you not well?
Othello
284I have a pain upon my forehead here.
Desdemona
285'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:286Let me but bind it hard, within this hour287It will be well.
Othello
Your napkin is too little:288Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.
Desdemona
289I am very sorry that you are not well.
Emilia
290I am glad I have found this napkin:291This was her first remembrance from the Moor:292My wayward husband hath a hundred times293Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token,294For he conjured her she should ever keep it,295That she reserves it evermore about her296To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,297And give't Iago: what he will do with it298Heaven knows, not I;299I nothing but to please his fantasy.
Iago
300How now! what do you here alone?
Emilia
301Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.
Iago
302A thing for me? it is a common thing--
Emilia
303Ha!
Iago
304To have a foolish wife.
Emilia
305O, is that all? What will you give me now306For the same handkerchief?
Iago
What handkerchief?
Emilia
307What handkerchief?308Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;309That which so often you did bid me steal.
Iago
310Hast stol'n it from her?
Emilia
311No, 'faith; she let it drop by negligence.312And, to the advantage, I, being here, took't up.313Look, here it is.
Iago
A good wench; give it me.
Emilia
314What will you do with 't, that you have been so earnest315To have me filch it?
Iago
Snatching it
Why, what's that to you?
Emilia
316If it be not for some purpose of import,317Give't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad318When she shall lack it.
Iago
319Be not acknown on 't; I have use for it.320Go, leave me.321I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,322And let him find it. Trifles light as air323Are to the jealous confirmations strong324As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.325The Moor already changes with my poison:326Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons.327Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,328But with a little act upon the blood.329Burn like the mines of Sulphur. I did say so:330Look, where he comes!Not poppy, nor mandragora,331Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,332Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep333Which thou owedst yesterday.
Othello
Ha! ha! false to me?
Iago
334Why, how now, general! no more of that.
Othello
335Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:336I swear 'tis better to be much abused337Than but to know't a little.
Iago
How now, my lord!
Othello
338What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?339I saw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:340I slept the next night well, was free and merry;341I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips:342He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n,343Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all.
Iago
344I am sorry to hear this.
Othello
345I had been happy, if the general camp,346Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,347So I had nothing known. O, now, for ever348Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!349Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars,350That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!351Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,352The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,353The royal banner, and all quality,354Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!355And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats356The immortal Jove's dead clamours counterfeit,357Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!
Iago
358Is't possible, my lord?
Othello
359Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,360Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof:
Othello
361Or by the worth of man's eternal soul,362Thou hadst been better have been born a dog363Than answer my waked wrath!
Iago
Is't come to this?
Othello
364Make me to see't; or, at the least, so prove it,365That the probation bear no hinge nor loop366To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life!
Iago
367My noble lord,--
Othello
368If thou dost slander her and torture me,369Never pray more; abandon all remorse;370On horror's head horrors accumulate;371Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;372For nothing canst thou to damnation add373Greater than that.
Iago
O grace! O heaven forgive me!374Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?375God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool.376That livest to make thine honesty a vice!377O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,378To be direct and honest is not safe.379I thank you for this profit; and from hence380I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence.
Othello
381Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.
Iago
382I should be wise, for honesty's a fool383And loses that it works for.
Othello
By the world,384I think my wife be honest and think she is not;385I think that thou art just and think thou art not.386I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh387As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black388As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,389Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,390I'll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!
Iago
391I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:392I do repent me that I put it to you.393You would be satisfied?
Othello
Would! nay, I will.
Iago
394And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord?395Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on--396Behold her topp'd?
Othello
Death and damnation! O!
Iago
397It were a tedious difficulty, I think,398To bring them to that prospect: damn them then,399If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster400More than their own! What then? how then?401What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?402It is impossible you should see this,403Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,404As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross405As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,406If imputation and strong circumstances,407Which lead directly to the door of truth,408Will give you satisfaction, you may have't.
Othello
409Give me a living reason she's disloyal.
Iago
410I do not like the office:411But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,412Prick'd to't by foolish honesty and love,413I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;414And, being troubled with a raging tooth,415I could not sleep.416There are a kind of men so loose of soul,417That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:418One of this kind is Cassio:419In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona,420Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;'421And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,422Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,423As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots424That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg425Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then426Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'
Othello
427O monstrous! monstrous!
Iago
Nay, this was but his dream.
Othello
428But this denoted a foregone conclusion:429'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
Iago
430And this may help to thicken other proofs431That do demonstrate thinly.
Othello
I'll tear her all to pieces.
Iago
432Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done;433She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,434Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief435Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?
Othello
436I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.
Iago
437I know not that; but such a handkerchief--438I am sure it was your wife's--did I to-day439See Cassio wipe his beard with.
Othello
If it be that--
Iago
440If it be that, or any that was hers,441It speaks against her with the other proofs.
Othello
442O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!443One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.444Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago;445All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.446'Tis gone.447Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!448Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne449To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,450For 'tis of aspics' tongues!
Iago
Yet be content.
Othello
451O, blood, blood, blood!
Iago
452Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.
Othello
453Never, Iago: Like to the Pontic sea,454Whose icy current and compulsive course455Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on456To the Propontic and the Hellespont,457Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,458Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,459Till that a capable and wide revenge460Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven,461In the due reverence of a sacred vow462I here engage my words.
Iago
Do not rise yet.463Witness, you ever-burning lights above,464You elements that clip us round about,465Witness that here Iago doth give up466The execution of his wit, hands, heart,467To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,468And to obey shall be in me remorse,469What bloody business ever.
Othello
I greet thy love,470Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,471And will upon the instant put thee to't:472Within these three days let me hear thee say473That Cassio's not alive.
Iago
474My friend is dead; 'tis done at your request:475But let her live.
Othello
476Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!477Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw,478To furnish me with some swift means of death479For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.
Iago
I am your own for ever.
Desdemona
1Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant 2Cassio lies?
Clown
3I dare not say he lies any where.
Desdemona
4Why, man?
Clown
5He's a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies,6'tis stabbing.
Desdemona
7Go to: where lodges he?
Clown
8To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you 9where I lie.
Desdemona
10Can any thing be made of this?
Clown
11I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a12lodging and say he lies here or he lies there, were13to lie in mine own throat.
Desdemona
14Can you inquire him out, and be edified by 15report?
Clown
16I will catechise the world for him; that is, make17questions, and by them answer.
Desdemona
18Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have19moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be 20well.
Clown
21To do this is within the compass of man's wit: and22therefore I will attempt the doing it.
Desdemona
23Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?
Emilia
24I know not, madam.
Desdemona
25Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse26Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor27Is true of mind and made of no such baseness28As jealous creatures are, it were enough29To put him to ill thinking.
Emilia
Is he not jealous?
Desdemona
30Who, he? I think the sun where he was born31Drew all such humours from him.
Emilia
Look, where he comes.
Desdemona
32I will not leave him now till Cassio33Be call'd to him.How is't with you, my lord
Othello
34Well, my good lady.O, hardness to dissemble!--35How do you, Desdemona?
Desdemona
Well, my good lord.
Othello
36Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady.
Desdemona
37It yet hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.
Othello
38This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart:39Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires40A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,41Much castigation, exercise devout;42For here's a young and sweating devil here,43That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand,4A frank one.
Desdemona
44You may, indeed, say so;45For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.
Othello
46A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands;47But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
Desdemona
48I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.
Othello
49What promise, chuck?
Desdemona
50I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
Othello
51I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;52Lend me thy handkerchief.
Desdemona
Here, my lord.
Othello
53That which I gave you.
Desdemona
I have it not about me.
Othello
54Not?
Desdemona
No, indeed, my lord.
Othello
55That is a fault. That handkerchief56Did an Egyptian to my mother give;57She was a charmer, and could almost read58The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it,59'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father60Entirely to her love, but if she lost it61Or made gift of it, my father's eye62Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt63After new fancies: she, dying, gave it me;64And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,65To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't;66Make it a darling like your precious eye;67To lose't or give't away were such perdition68As nothing else could match.
Desdemona
Is't possible?
Othello
69'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it:70A sibyl, that had number'd in the world71The sun to course two hundred compasses,72In her prophetic fury sew'd the work;73The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;74And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful75Conserved of maidens' hearts.
Desdemona
Indeed! is't true?
Othello
76Most veritable; therefore look to't well.
Desdemona
77Then would to God that I had never seen't!
Othello
78Ha! wherefore?
Desdemona
79Why do you speak so startingly and rash?
Othello
80Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way?
Desdemona
81Heaven bless us!
Othello
82Say you?
Desdemona
83It is not lost; but what an if it were?
Othello
84How!
Desdemona
85I say, it is not lost.
Othello
86Fetch't, let me see't.
Desdemona
87Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now.88This is a trick to put me from my suit:Pray you, let Cassio be received again.
Othello
89Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.
Desdemona
90Come, come;91You'll never meet a more sufficient man.
Othello
92The handkerchief!
Desdemona
93I pray, talk me of Cassio.
Othello
94The handkerchief!
Desdemona
A man that all his time95Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,96Shared dangers with you,--
Othello
97The handkerchief!
Desdemona
98In sooth, you are to blame.
Othello
99Away!
Emilia
100Is not this man jealous?
Desdemona
I ne'er saw this before.101Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:102I am most unhappy in the loss of it.
Emilia
103'Tis not a year or two shows us a man:104They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;105To eat us hungerly, and when they are full,106They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!
Iago
107There is no other way; 'tis she must do't:108And, lo, the happiness! go, and importune her.
Desdemona
109How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you?
Cassio
110Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you111That by your virtuous means I may again112Exist, and be a member of his love113Whom I with all the office of my heart114Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.115If my offence be of such mortal kind116That nor my service past, nor present sorrows,117Nor purposed merit in futurity,118Can ransom me into his love again,119But to know so must be my benefit;120So shall I clothe me in a forced content,121And shut myself up in some other course,122To fortune's alms.
Desdemona
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio!123My advocation is not now in tune;124My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,125Were he in favour as in humour alter'd.126So help me every spirit sanctified,127As I have spoken for you all my best128And stood within the blank of his displeasure129For my free speech! you must awhile be patient:130What I can do I will; and more I will131Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
Iago
132Is my lord angry?
Emilia
He went hence but now,133And certainly in strange unquietness.
Iago
134Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon,135When it hath blown his ranks into the air,136And, like the devil, from his very arm137Puff'd his own brother:--and can he be angry?138Something of moment then: I will go meet him:139There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry.
Desdemona
140I prithee, do so.Something, sure, of state,141Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practise142Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,143Hath puddled his clear spirit: and in such cases144Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,145Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;146For let our finger ache, and it indues147Our other healthful members even to that sense148Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,149Nor of them look for such observances150As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,151I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,152Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;153But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,154And he's indicted falsely.
Emilia
155Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think,156And no conception nor no jealous toy157Concerning you.
Desdemona
158Alas the day! I never gave him cause.
Emilia
159But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;160They are not ever jealous for the cause,161But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster162Begot upon itself, born on itself.
Desdemona
163Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind!
Emilia
164Lady, amen.
Desdemona
165I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout:166If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit167And seek to effect it to my uttermost.
Cassio
168I humbly thank your ladyship.
Bianca
169Save you, friend Cassio!
Cassio
What make you from home?170How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?171I' faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.
Bianca
172And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.173What, keep a week away? seven days and nights?174Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,175More tedious than the dial eightscore times?176O weary reckoning!
Cassio
Pardon me, Bianca:177I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd:178But I shall, in a more continuate time,179Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,180Take me this work out.
Bianca
O Cassio, whence came this?181This is some token from a newer friend:182To the felt absence now I feel a cause:183Is't come to this? Well, well.
Cassio
Go to, woman!184Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,185From whence you have them. You are jealous now186That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:187No, in good troth, Bianca.
Bianca
Why, whose is it?
Cassio
188I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.189I like the work well: ere it be demanded--190As like enough it will--I'ld have it copied:191Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bianca
192Leave you! wherefore?
Cassio
193I do attend here on the general;194And think it no addition, nor my wish,195To have him see me woman'd.
Bianca
Why, I pray you?
Cassio
196Not that I love you not.
Bianca
But that you do not love me.197I pray you, bring me on the way a little,198And say if I shall see you soon at night.
Cassio
199'Tis but a little way that I can bring you;200For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Bianca
201'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced.
Iago
1Will you think so?
Othello
Think so, Iago!
Iago
What,2To kiss in private?
Othello
An unauthorized kiss.
Iago
3Or to be naked with her friend in bed4An hour or more, not meaning any harm?
Othello
5Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm!6It is hypocrisy against the devil:7They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,8The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.
Iago
9So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip:10But if I give my wife a handkerchief,--
Othello
11What then?
Iago
12Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers,13She may, I think, bestow't on any man.
Othello
14She is protectress of her honour too:15May she give that?
Iago
16Her honour is an essence that's not seen;17They have it very oft that have it not:18But, for the handkerchief,--
Othello
19By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.20Thou said'st, it comes o'er my memory,21As doth the raven o'er the infected house,22Boding to all--he had my handkerchief.
Iago
23Ay, what of that?
Othello
That's not so good now.
Iago
What,24If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?25Or heard him say,--as knaves be such abroad,26Who having, by their own importunate suit,27Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,28Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose29But they must blab--
Othello
Hath he said any thing?
Iago
30He hath, my lord; but be you well assured,31No more than he'll unswear.
Othello
What hath he said?
Iago
32'Faith, that he did--I know not what he did.
Othello
33What? what?
Iago
34Lie--
Othello
With her?
Iago
With her, on her; what you will.
Othello
35Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when36they belie her. Lie with her! that's fulsome.37--Handkerchief--confessions--handkerchief!--To38confess, and be hanged for his labour;--first, to be39hanged, and then to confess.--I tremble at it.40Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing41passion without some instruction. It is not words42that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips.43--Is't possible?--Confess--handkerchief!--O devil!--
Iago
44Work on,45My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught;46And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,47All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord!48My lord, I say! Othello!How now, Cassio!
Cassio
49What's the matter?
Iago
50My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy:51This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.
Cassio
52Rub him about the temples.
Iago
53The lethargy must have his quiet course:54If not, he foams at mouth and by and by55Breaks out to savage madness. Look he stirs:56Do you withdraw yourself a little while,57He will recover straight: when he is gone,58I would on great occasion speak with you.59How is it, general? have you not hurt your head?
Othello
60Dost thou mock me?
Iago
I mock you! no, by heaven.61Would you would bear your fortune like a man!
Othello
62A horned man's a monster and a beast.
Iago
63There's many a beast then in a populous city,64And many a civil monster.
Othello
65Did he confess it?
Iago
Good sir, be a man;66Think every bearded fellow that's but yoked67May draw with you: there's millions now alive68That nightly lie in those unproper beds69Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is better.70O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,71To lip a wanton in a secure couch,72And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;73And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
Othello
74O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.
Iago
Stand you awhile apart;75Confine yourself but in a patient list.76Whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief--77A passion most unsuiting such a man--78Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,79And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy,80Bade him anon return and here speak with me;81The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,82And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,83That dwell in every region of his face;84For I will make him tell the tale anew,85Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when86He hath, and is again to cope your wife:87I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience;88Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,89And nothing of a man.
Othello
Dost thou hear, Iago?90I will be found most cunning in my patience;91But--dost thou hear?--most bloody.
Iago
That's not amiss;92But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?93Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,94A housewife that by selling her desires95Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature96That dotes on Cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague97To beguile many and be beguiled by one:98He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain99From the excess of laughter. Here he comes:100As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;101And his unbookish jealousy must construe102Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behavior,103Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?
Cassio
104The worser that you give me the addition105Whose want even kills me.
Iago
106Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on't.107Now, if this suit lay in Bianco's power,108How quickly should you speed!
Cassio
Alas, poor caitiff!
Othello
109Look, how he laughs already!
Iago
110I never knew woman love man so.
Cassio
111Alas, poor rogue! I think, i' faith, she loves me.
Othello
112Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out.
Iago
113Do you hear, Cassio?
Othello
Now he importunes him114To tell it o'er: go to; well said, well said.
Iago
115She gives it out that you shall marry hey:116Do you intend it?
Cassio
117Ha, ha, ha!
Othello
118Do you triumph, Roman? do you triumph?
Cassio
119I marry her! what? a customer! Prithee, bear some120charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome.121Ha, ha, ha!
Othello
122So, so, so, so: they laugh that win.
Iago
123'Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.
Cassio
124Prithee, say true.
Iago
125I am a very villain else.
Othello
126Have you scored me? Well.
Cassio
127This is the monkey's own giving out: she is128persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and129flattery, not out of my promise.
Othello
130Iago beckons me; now he begins 131the story.
Cassio
132She was here even now; she haunts me in every place.133I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with134certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble,135and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my 136neck--
Othello
137Crying 'O dear Cassio!' as it were: his gesture138imports it.
Cassio
139So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales,140and pulls me: ha, ha, ha!
Othello
141Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. O,142I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall143throw it to.
Cassio
144Well, I must leave her company.
Iago
145Before me! look, where she comes.
Cassio
146'Tis such another fitchew! marry a perfumed one.147What do you mean by this haunting of me?
Bianca
148Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you149mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now?150I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the151work?--A likely piece of work, that you should find152it in your chamber, and not know who left it there!153This is some minx's token, and I must take out the154work? There; give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever155you had it, I'll take out no work on't.
Cassio
156How now, my sweet Bianca! how now! how 157now!
Othello
158By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!
Bianca
159An you'll come to supper to-night, you may; an you160will not, come when you are next 161prepar'd for.
Iago
162After her, after her.
Cassio
163'Faith, I must; she'll rail in the street else.
Iago
164Will you sup there?
Cassio
165'Faith, I intend so.
Iago
166Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain167speak with you.
Cassio
168Prithee, come; will you?
Iago
169Go to; say no more.
Othello
170
Advancing
How shall I murder him, Iago?
Iago
171Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Othello
172O Iago!
Iago
173And did you see the handkerchief?
Othello
174Was that mine?
Iago
175Yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes the176foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he177hath given it his whore.
Othello
178I would have him nine years a-killing.179A fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman!
Iago
180Nay, you must forget that.
Othello
181Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night;182for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to183stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the184world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by185an emperor's side and command him tasks.
Iago
186Nay, that's not your way.
Othello
187Hang her! I do but say what she is: so delicate188with her needle: an admirable musician: O! she189will sing the savageness out of a bear: of so high190and plenteous wit and invention:--
Iago
191She's the worse for all this.
Othello
192O, a thousand thousand times: and then, of so193gentle a condition!
Iago
194Ay, too gentle.
Othello
195Nay, that's certain: but yet the pity of it, Iago!196O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
Iago
197If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her198patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes199near nobody.
Othello
200I will chop her into messes: cuckold me!
Iago
201O, 'tis foul in her.
Othello
202With mine officer!
Iago
203That's fouler.
Othello
204Get me some poison, Iago; this night: I'll not205expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty206unprovide my mind again: this night, Iago.
Iago
207Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even208the bed she hath contaminated.
Othello
209Good, good: the justice of it pleases: very 210good.
Iago
211And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: you212shall hear more by midnight.
Othello
213Excellent good.
A trumpet within What trumpet is that same?
Iago
214Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico215Come from the Duke: and, see, your wife is with him.
Lodovico
216Save you, worthy general!
Othello
With all my heart, sir.
Lodovico
217The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you.
Othello
218I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
Desdemona
219And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?
Iago
220I am very glad to see you, signior221Welcome to Cyprus.
Lodovico
222I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
Iago
223Lives, sir.
Desdemona
224Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord225An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
Othello
226Are you sure of that?
Desdemona
227My lord?
Othello
228
Reads
'This fail you not to do, as you 229
will--'
Lodovico
230He did not call; he's busy in the paper.231Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio?
Desdemona
232A most unhappy one: I would do much233To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
Othello
234Fire and brimstone!
Desdemona
My lord?
Othello
Are you wise?
Desdemona
235What, is he angry?
Lodovico
May be the letter moved him;236For, as I think, they do command him home,237Deputing Cassio in his government.
Desdemona
238Trust me, I am glad on't.
Othello
Indeed!
Desdemona
My lord?
Othello
239I am glad to see you mad.
Desdemona
Why, sweet Othello,--
Othello
240
Striking her
Devil!
Desdemona
241I have not deserved this.
Lodovico
242My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,243Though I should swear I saw't: 'tis very much:244Make her amends; she weeps.
Othello
O devil, devil!245If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,246Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.247Out of my sight!
Desdemona
I will not stay to offend you.
Lodovico
248Truly, an obedient lady:249I do beseech your lordship call her back.
Othello
250Mistress!
Desdemona
My lord?
Othello
What would you with her, sir?
Lodovico
251Who, I, my lord?
Othello
252Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn:253Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,254And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;255And she's obedient, as you say, obedient,256Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.257Concerning this, sir,--O well-painted passion!--258I am commanded home. Get you away;259I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate,260And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt!261Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight,262I do entreat that we may sup together:263You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.--Goats and monkeys!
Lodovico
264Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate265Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature266Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue267The shot of accident, nor dart of chance,268Could neither graze nor pierce?
Iago
He is much changed.
Lodovico
269Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain?
Iago
270He's that he is: I may not breathe my censure271What he might be: if what he might he is not,272I would to heaven he were!
Lodovico
What, strike his wife!
Iago
273'Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew274That stroke would prove the worst!
Lodovico
Is it his use?275Or did the letters work upon his blood,And new-create this fault?
Iago
276Alas, alas!277It is not honesty in me to speak278What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,279And his own courses will denote him so280That I may save my speech: do but go after,281And mark how he continues.
Lodovico
282I am sorry that I am deceived in him.
Othello
1You have seen nothing then?
Emilia
2Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.
Othello
3Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.
Emilia
4But then I saw no harm, and then I heard5Each syllable that breath made up between them.
Othello
6What, did they never whisper?
Emilia
Never, my lord.
Othello
7Nor send you out o' the way?
Emilia
8Never.
Othello
9To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?
Emilia
10Never, my lord.
Othello
11That's strange.
Emilia
12I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,13Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,14Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.15If any wretch have put this in your head,16Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse!17For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true,18There's no man happy; the purest of their wives19Is foul as slander.
Othello
Bid her come hither: go.20She says enough; yet she's a simple bawd21That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,22A closet lock and key of villanous secrets23And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't.
Desdemona
24My lord, what is your will?
Othello
Pray, chuck, come hither.
Desdemona
25What is your pleasure?
Othello
Let me see your eyes;26Look in my face.
Desdemona
What horrible fancy's this?
Othello
27
To Emilia
Some of your function, mistress;
28Leave procreants alone and shut the door;29Cough, or cry 'hem,' if any body come:30Your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch.
Desdemona
31Upon my knees, what doth your speech import?32I understand a fury in your words.33But not the words.
Othello
Why, what art thou?
Desdemona
34Your wife, my lord; your true35And loyal wife.
Othello
Come, swear it, damn thyself36Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves37Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damn'd:38Swear thou art honest.
Desdemona
Heaven doth truly know it.
Othello
39Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.
Desdemona
40To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false?
Othello
41O Desdemona! away! away! away!
Desdemona
42Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?43Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?44If haply you my father do suspect45An instrument of this your calling back,46Lay not your blame on me: If you have lost him,47Why, I have lost him too.
Othello
Had it pleased heaven48To try me with affliction; had they rain'd49All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head.50Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips,51Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,52I should have found in some place of my soul53A drop of patience: but, alas, to make me54A fixed figure for the time of scorn55To point his slow unmoving finger at!56Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:57But there, where I have garner'd up my heart,58Where either I must live, or bear no life;59The fountain from the which my current runs,60Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!61Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads62To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,63Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin,--64Ay, there, look grim as hell!
Desdemona
65I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.
Othello
66O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles,67That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,68Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet69That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been born!
Desdemona
70Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Othello
71Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,72Made to write 'whore' upon? What committed,
Othello
73Committed? O thou public commoner!74I should make very forges of my cheeks,75That would to cinders burn up modesty,76Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed!77Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks,78The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets79Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth,80And will not hear it. What committed!81Impudent strumpet!
Desdemona
By heaven, you do me wrong.
Othello
82Are you not a strumpet?
Desdemona
No, as I am a Christian:83If to preserve this vessel for my lord84From any other foul unlawful touch85Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Othello
86What, not a whore?
Desdemona
No, as I shall be saved.
Othello
87Is't possible?
Desdemona
88O, heaven forgive us!
Othello
I cry you mercy, then:89I took you for that cunning whore of Venice90That married with Othello.You, mistress,91That have the office opposite to Saint Peter,92And keep the gate of hell!
Re-enter Emilia You, you, ay, you!93We have done our course; there's money for your pains:94I pray you, turn the key and keep our counsel.
Emilia
95Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?96How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady?
Desdemona
97'Faith, half asleep.
Emilia
98Good madam, what's the matter with my lord?
Desdemona
99With who?
Emilia
100Why, with my lord, madam.
Desdemona
101Who is thy lord?
Emilia
He that is yours, sweet lady.
Desdemona
102I have none: do not talk to me, Emilia;103I cannot weep; nor answer have I none,104But what should go by water. Prithee, tonight105Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember;106And call thy husband hither.
Emilia
Here's a change indeed!
Desdemona
107'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.108How have I been behaved, that he might stick109The small'st opinion on my least misuse?
Iago
110What is your pleasure, madam? How is't with you?
Desdemona
111I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes112Do it with gentle means and easy tasks:113He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,114I am a child to chiding.
Iago
What's the matter, lady?
Emilia
115Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her.116Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,117As true hearts cannot bear.
Desdemona
118Am I that name, Iago?
Iago
What name, fair lady?
Desdemona
119Such as she says my lord did say I was.
Emilia
120He call'd her whore: a beggar in his drink121Could not have laid such terms upon his callat.
Iago
122Why did he so?
Desdemona
123I do not know; I am sure I am none such.
Iago
124Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day!
Emilia
125Hath she forsook so many noble matches,126Her father and her country and her friends,127To be call'd whore? would it not make one weep?
Desdemona
128It is my wretched fortune.
Iago
Beshrew him for't!129How comes this trick upon him?
Desdemona
130Nay, heaven doth know.
Emilia
I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,131Some busy and insinuating rogue,132Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,133Have not devised this slander; I'll be hang'd else.
Iago
134Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.
Desdemona
135If any such there be, heaven pardon him!
Emilia
136A halter pardon him! and hell gnaw his bones!137Why should he call her whore? who keeps her company?138What place? what time? what form? what likelihood?139The Moor's abused by some most villanous knave,140Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.141O heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold,142And put in every honest hand a whip143To lash the rascals naked through the world144Even from the east to the west!
Iago
Speak within door.
Emilia
145O, fie upon them! Some such squire he was146That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,147And made you to suspect me with the Moor.
Iago
148You are a fool; go to.
Desdemona
O good Iago,149What shall I do to win my lord again?150Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,151I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:152If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,153Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,154Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,155Delighted them in any other form;156Or that I do not yet, and ever did.157And ever will--though he do shake me off158To beggarly divorcement--love him dearly,159Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;160And his unkindness may defeat my life,161But never taint my love. I cannot say 'whore:'162It does abhor me now I speak the word;163To do the act that might the addition earn164Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.
Iago
165I pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour:166The business of the state does him offence,167And he does chide with you.
Desdemona
168If 'twere no other--
Iago
'Tis but so, I warrant.169Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!170The messengers of Venice stay the meat;171Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
Iago
172How now, Roderigo!
Roderigo
173I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.
Iago
174What in the contrary?
Roderigo
175Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago;176and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me177all conveniency than suppliest me with the least178advantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure179it, nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what180already I have foolishly suffered.
Iago
181Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Roderigo
182'Faith, I have heard too much: and your words and183performances are no kin together.
Iago
184You charge me most unjustly.
Roderigo
185With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of186my means. The jewels you have had from me to187deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a188votarist: you have told me she hath received them189and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden190respect and acquaintance, but I find none.
Iago
191Well; go to; very well.
Roderigo
192Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis193not very well: nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin194to find myself fobbed in it.
Iago
195Very well.
Roderigo
196I tell you 'tis not very well. I will make myself197known to Desdemona: if she will return me my198jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my199unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself I200will seek satisfaction of you.
Iago
201You have said now.
Roderigo
202Ay, and said nothing but what I protest 203intendment of doing.
Iago
204Why, now I see there's mettle in thee, and even from205this instant to build on thee a better opinion than206ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast207taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I208protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.
Roderigo
209It hath not appeared.
Iago
210I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your211suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But,212Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I213have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean214purpose, courage and valour, this night show it: if215thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,216take me from this world with treachery and devise217engines for my life.
Roderigo
218Well, what is it? is it within reason and 219compass?
Iago
220Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice221to depute Cassio in Othello's place.
Roderigo
222Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona223return again to Venice.
Iago
224O, no; he goes into Mauritania and takes away with225him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be226lingered here by some accident: wherein none can be227so determinate as the removing of Cassio.
Roderigo
228How do you mean, removing of him?
Iago
229Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place;230knocking out his brains.
Roderigo
231And that you would have me to do?
Iago
232Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right.233He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I234go to him: he knows not yet of his horrorable235fortune. If you will watch his going thence, which236I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one,237you may take him at your pleasure: I will be near238to second your attempt, and he shall fall between239us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with240me; I will show you such a necessity in his death241that you shall think yourself bound to put it on242him. It is now high suppertime, and the night grows243to waste: about it.
Roderigo
244I will hear further reason for this.
Iago
245And you shall be satisfied.
Lodovico
1I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.
Othello
2O, pardon me: 'twill do me good to walk.
Lodovico
3Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.
Desdemona
4Your honour is most welcome.
Othello
Will you walk, sir?5O,--Desdemona,--
Desdemona
6My lord?
Othello
7Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned8forthwith: dismiss your attendant there: 9look it be done.
Desdemona
10I will, my lord.
Emilia
11How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did.
Desdemona
12He says he will return incontinent:13He hath commanded me to go to bed,14And bade me to dismiss you.
Emilia
Dismiss me!
Desdemona
15It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,.16Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:17We must not now displease him.
Emilia
18I would you had never seen him!
Desdemona
19So would not I my love doth so approve him,20That even his stubbornness, his cheques, his frowns--21Prithee, unpin me,--have grace and favour in them.
Emilia
22I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.
Desdemona
23All's one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds!24If I do die before thee prithee, shroud me25In one of those same sheets.
Emilia
Come, come you talk.
Desdemona
26My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:27She was in love, and he she loved proved mad28And did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;'29An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,30And she died singing it: that song to-night31Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,32But to go hang my head all at one side,33And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dispatch.
Emilia
34Shall I go fetch your night-gown?
Desdemona
No, unpin me here.35This Lodovico is a proper man.
Emilia
36A very handsome man.
Desdemona
37He speaks well.
Emilia
38I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot39to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.
Desdemona
40
Singing
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,41Sing all a green willow:42Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,43Sing willow, willow, willow:44The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans;45Sing willow, willow, willow;46Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;45Sing willow;48(Lay by these)49Sing willow, willow, willow;50(Prithee, hie thee: he'll come anon)51Sing all a green willow must be my garland.52Let nobody blame him; his scorn I approve,53(Nay, that's not next.Hark! who is't that knocks?)
Emilia
54It's the wind.
Desdemona
55
Singing
I call'd my love false love; but what said he then?56Sing willow, willow, willow.57If I court moe women, you'll couch with moe men!58So, get thee gone; good night Ate eyes do itch;59Doth that bode weeping?
Emilia
'Tis neither here nor there.
Desdemona
60I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men!61Dost thou in conscience think,--tell me, Emilia,--62That there be women do abuse their husbands63In such gross kind?
Emilia
There be some such, no question.
Desdemona
64Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?
Emilia
65Why, would not you?
Desdemona
No, by this heavenly light!
Emilia
66Nor I neither by this heavenly light;67I might do't as well i' the dark.
Desdemona
68Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?
Emilia
69The world's a huge thing: it is a great price.70For a small vice.
Desdemona
In troth, I think thou wouldst not.
Emilia
71In troth, I think I should; and undo't when I had72done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a73joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for74gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty75exhibition; but for the whole world,--why, who would76not make her husband a cuckold to make him a77monarch? I should venture purgatory for't.
Desdemona
78Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong79For the whole world.
Emilia
80Why the wrong is but a wrong i' the world: and81having the world for your labour, tis a wrong in your82own world, and you might quickly make it right.
Desdemona
83I do not think there is any such woman.
Emilia
84Yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would85store the world they played for.
Emilia
86But I do think it is their husbands' faults87If wives do fall: say that they slack their duties,88And pour our treasures into foreign laps,89Or else break out in peevish jealousies,90Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us,91Or scant our former having in despite;92Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,93Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know94Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell95And have their palates both for sweet and sour,96As husbands have. What is it that they do97When they change us for others? Is it sport?98I think it is: and doth affection breed it?99I think it doth: is't frailty that thus errs?100It is so too: and have not we affections,101Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?102Then let them use us well: else let them know,103The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.
Desdemona
104Good night, good night: Heaven me such uses send,105Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!
Iago
1Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come:2Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home:3Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow:4It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,5And fix most firm thy resolution.
Roderigo
6Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.
Iago
7Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand.
Roderigo
8I have no great devotion to the deed;9And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons:10'Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword: he dies.
Iago
11I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,12And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,13Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,14Every way makes my gain: live Roderigo,15He calls me to a restitution large16Of gold and jewels that I bobb'd from him,17As gifts to Desdemona;18It must not be: if Cassio do remain,19He hath a daily beauty in his life20That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor21May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril:22No, he must die. But so, I hear him coming.
Roderigo
23I know his gait, 'tis he.--Villain, thou diest!
Cassio
24That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,25But that my coat is better than thou know'st26I will make proof of thine.
Roderigo
O, I am slain!
Cassio
27I am maim'd for ever. Help, ho! murder! murder!
Othello
28The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word.
Roderigo
29O, villain that I am!
Othello
It is even so.
Cassio
30O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!
Othello
31'Tis he:--O brave Iago, honest and just,32That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong!33Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead,34And your unblest fate hies: strumpet, I come.35Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;36Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted.
Cassio
37What, ho! no watch? no passage? murder! murder!
Gratiano
38'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful.
Cassio
39O, help!
Lodovico
40Hark!
Roderigo
41O wretched villain!
Lodovico
42Two or three groan: it is a heavy night:43These may be counterfeits: let's think't unsafe44To come in to the cry without more help.
Roderigo
45Nobody come? then shall I bleed to death.
Lodovico
46Hark!
Gratiano
47Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.
Iago
48Who's there? whose noise is this that ones on murder?
Lodovico
49We do not know.
Iago
Did not you hear a cry?
Cassio
50Here, here! for heaven's sake, help me!
Iago
What's the matter?
Gratiano
51This is Othello's ancient, as I take it.
Lodovico
52The same indeed; a very valiant fellow.
Iago
53What are you here that cry so grievously?
Cassio
54Iago? O, I am spoil'd, undone by villains!55Give me some help.
Iago
56O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?
Cassio
57I think that one of them is hereabout,
Cassio
And cannot make away.
Iago
58O treacherous villains!59What are you there? come in, and give some help.
Roderigo
60O, help me here!
Cassio
61That's one of them.
Iago
O murderous slave! O villain!
Roderigo
62O damn'd Iago! O inhuman dog!
Iago
63Kill men i' the dark!--Where be these bloody thieves?--64How silent is this town!--Ho! murder! murder!--65What may you be? are you of good or evil?
Lodovico
66As you shall prove us, praise us.
Iago
67Signior Lodovico?
Lodovico
68He, sir.
Iago
69I cry you mercy. Here's Cassio hurt by villains.
Gratiano
70Cassio!
Iago
71How is't, brother!
Cassio
72My leg is cut in two.
Iago
Marry, heaven forbid!73Light, gentlemen; I'll bind it with my shirt.
Bianca
74What is the matter, ho? who is't that cried?
Iago
75Who is't that cried!
Bianca
76O my dear Cassio! my sweet Cassio! O Cassio,77Cassio, Cassio!
Iago
78O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect79Who they should be that have thus many led you?
Cassio
80No.
Gratiano
81I am to find you thus: I have been to seek you.
Iago
82Lend me a garter. So. O, for a chair,83To bear him easily hence!
Bianca
84Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!
Iago
85Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash86To be a party in this injury.87Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come;88Lend me a light. Know we this face or no?89Alas my friend and my dear countryman90Roderigo! no:--yes, sure: O heaven! Roderigo.
Gratiano
91What, of Venice?
Iago
92Even he, sir; did you know him?
Gratiano
Know him! ay.
Iago
93Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon;94These bloody accidents must excuse my manners,95That so neglected you.
Gratiano
I am glad to see you.
Iago
96How do you, Cassio? O, a chair, a chair!
Gratiano
97Roderigo!
Iago
98He, he 'tis he.O, that's well said; the chair!
Gratiano
99Some good man bear him carefully from hence;100I'll fetch the general's surgeon.
To Bianca
For you, mistress,101Save you your labour. He that lies slain here, Cassio,102Was my dear friend: what malice was between you?
Cassio
103None in the world; nor do I know the man.
Iago
104
To Bianca
What, look you pale? O, bear him out o' the air.105Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress?106Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?107Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.108Behold her well; I pray you, look upon her:109Do you see, gentlemen? nay, guiltiness will speak,110Though tongues were out of use.
Emilia
111'Las, what's the matter? what's the matter, husband?
Iago
112Cassio hath here been set on in the dark113By Roderigo and fellows that are scaped:114He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.
Emilia
115Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!
Iago
116This is the fruit of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,117Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night.118What, do you shake at that?
Bianca
119He supp'd at my house; but I therefore shake not.
Iago
120O, did he so? I charge you, go with me.
Emilia
121Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!
Bianca
122I am no strumpet; but of life as honest123As you that thus abuse me.
Emilia
As I! foh! fie upon thee!
Iago
124Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio dress'd.125Come, mistress, you must tell's another tale.126Emilia run you to the citadel,127And tell my lord and lady what hath happ'd.128Will you go on afore?
Aside
This is the night129That either makes me or fordoes me quite.
Othello
1It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,--2Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!--3It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood;4Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,5And smooth as monumental alabaster.6Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.7Put out the light, and then put out the light:8If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,9I can again thy former light restore,10Should I repent me: but once put out thy light,11Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,12I know not where is that Promethean heat13That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd the rose,14I cannot give it vital growth again.15It must needs wither: I'll smell it on the tree.16Ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade17Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.18Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,19And love thee after. One more, and this the last:20So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,21But they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly;22It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
Desdemona
23Who's there? Othello?
Othello
Ay. Desdemona.
Desdemona
24Will you come to bed, my lord?
Othello
25Have you pray'd to-night, Desdemona?
Desdemona
Ay, my lord.
Othello
26If you bethink yourself of any crime27Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,28Solicit for it straight.
Desdemona
29Alas, my lord, what do you mean by that?
Othello
30Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by:31I would not kill thy unprepared spirit;32No; heaven forfend! I would not kill thy soul.
Desdemona
33Talk you of killing?
Othello
Ay, I do.
Desdemona
Then heaven 34Have mercy on me.
Othello
Amen, with all my heart!
Desdemona
35If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.
Othello
36Hum!
Desdemona
37And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then38When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not,39Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.
Othello
40Think on thy sins.
Desdemona
They are loves I bear to you.
Othello
41Ay, and for that thou diest.
Desdemona
42That death's unnatural that kills for loving.43Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?44Some bloody passion shakes your very frame:45These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,46They do not point on me.
Othello
Peace, and be still!
Desdemona
47I will so. What's the matter?
Othello
48That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee49Thou gavest to Cassio.
Desdemona
No, by my life and soul!50Send for the man, and ask him.
Othello
Sweet soul, take heed,51Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed.
Desdemona
52Ay, but not yet to die.
Othello
Yes, presently:53Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;54For to deny each article with oath55Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception56That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.
Desdemona
57Then Lord have mercy on me!
Othello
I say, amen.
Desdemona
58And have you mercy too! I never did59Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio60But with such general warranty of heaven61As I might love: I never gave him token.
Othello
62By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand.63O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart,64And makest me call what I intend to do65A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:66I saw the handkerchief.
Desdemona
He found it then;67I never gave it him: send for him hither;68Let him confess a truth.
Othello
He hath confess'd.
Desdemona
69What, my lord?
Othello
70That he hath used thee.
Desdemona
How? unlawfully?
Othello
Ay.
Desdemona
71He will not say so.
Othello
No, his mouth is stopp'd;72Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.
Desdemona
73O! my fear interprets: what, is he dead?
Othello
74Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge75Had stomach for them all.
Desdemona
76Alas! he is betray'd and I undone.
Othello
77Out, strumpet! weep'st thou for him to my face?
Desdemona
78O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!
Othello
79Down, strumpet!
Desdemona
80Kill me to-morrow: let me live to-night!
Othello
81Nay, if you strive--
Desdemona
82But half an hour!
Othello
Being done, there is no pause.
Desdemona
83But while I say one prayer!
Othello
It is too late.
Emilia
84
Within
My lord, my lord!85What, ho! my lord, my lord!
Othello
86What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead?87I that am cruel am yet merciful;88I would not have thee linger in thy pain: So, so.
Emilia
89
Within
What, ho! my lord, my lord!
Othello
Who's there?
Emilia
90
Within
O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you!
Othello
91Yes: 'tis Emilia. By and by. She's dead.92'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death.--93The noise was here. Ha! no more moving?94Still as the grave. Shall she come in? were't good?--95I think she stirs again:--no. What's best to do?96If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife:97My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife.98O insupportable! O heavy hour!99Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse100Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe101Should yawn at alteration.
Emilia
Within
I do beseech you
102That I may speak with you, O, good my lord!
Othello
103I had forgot thee: O, come in, Emilia;104Soft; by and by. Let me the curtains draw.105Where art thou?What's the matter with thee now?
Emilia
106O, my good lord, yonder's foul murders done!
Othello
107What, now?
Emilia
108But now, my lord.
Othello
109It is the very error of the moon;110She comes more nearer earth than she was wont,111And makes men mad.
Emilia
112Cassio, my lord, hath kill'd a young Venetian113Call'd Roderigo.
Othello
Roderigo kill'd?114And Cassio kill'd?
Emilia
No, Cassio is not kill'd.
Othello
115Not Cassio kill'd! then murder's out of tune,116And sweet revenge grows harsh.
Desdemona
117O, falsely, falsely murder'd!
Emilia
Alas, what cry is that?
Othello
118That! what?
Emilia
119Out, and alas! that was my lady's voice.120Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again!121Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!
Desdemona
122A guiltless death I die.
Emilia
123O, who hath done this deed?
Desdemona
124Nobody; I myself. Farewell125Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!
Othello
126Why, how should she be murder'd?
Emilia
Alas, who knows?
Othello
127You heard her say herself, it was not I.
Emilia
128She said so: I must needs report the truth.
Othello
129She's, like a liar, gone to burning hell:130'Twas I that kill'd her.
Emilia
O, the more angel she,131And you the blacker devil!
Othello
132She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore.
Emilia
133Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.
Othello
134She was false as water.
Emilia
Thou art rash as fire, to say135That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!
Othello
136Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.137O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell,138But that I did proceed upon just grounds139To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.
Emilia
140My husband!
Othello
141Thy husband.
Emilia
142That she was false to wedlock?
Othello
143Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true,144If heaven would make me such another world145Of one entire and Perfect chrysolite,146I'ld not have sold her for it.
Emilia
My husband?
Othello
147Ay, 'twas he that told me first:148An honest man he is, and hates the slime149That sticks on filthy deeds.
Emilia
My husband?
Othello
150What needs this iteration, woman? I say thy husband.
Emilia
151O mistress, villany hath made mocks with love,152My husband say that she was false!
Othello
He, woman;153I say thy husband: dost understand the word?154My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.
Emilia
155If he say so, may his pernicious soul156Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart:157She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
Othello
158Ha!
Emilia
159Do thy worst:160This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven161Than thou wast worthy her.
Othello
Peace, you were best.
Emilia
162Thou hast not half that power to do me harm163As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!164As ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed--165I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known,166Though I lost twenty lives.--Help! help, ho! help!167The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! murder!
Montano
168What is the matter? How now, general!
Emilia
169O, are you come, Iago? you have done well,170That men must lay their murders on your neck.
Gratiano
171What is the matter?
Emilia
172Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man:173He says thou told'st him that his wife was false:174I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain:175Speak, for my heart is full.
Iago
176I told him what I thought, and told no more177Than what he found himself was apt and true.
Emilia
178But did you ever tell him she was false?
Iago
179I did.
Emilia
180You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;181Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.182She false with Cassio!--did you say with Cassio?
Iago
183With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.
Emilia
184I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak:185My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed,--
All
186O heavens forfend!
Emilia
187And your reports have set the murder on.
Othello
188Nay, stare not, masters: it is true, indeed.
Gratiano
189'Tis a strange truth.
Montano
190O monstrous act!
Emilia
Villany, villany, villany!191I think upon't, I think: I smell't: O villany!--192I thought so then:--I'll kill myself for grief:--193O villany, villany!
Iago
194What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home.
Emilia
195Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak:196'Tis proper I obey him, but not now.197Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home.
Othello
198O! O! O!
Emilia
Nay, lay thee down and roar;199For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent200That e'er did lift up eye.
Othello
Rising
O, she was foul!
201I scarce did know you, uncle: there lies your niece,202Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd:203I know this act shows horrible and grim.
Gratiano
204Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead:205Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief206Shore his old thread in twain: did he live now,207This sight would make him do a desperate turn,208Yea, curse his better angel from his side,209And fall to reprobation.
Othello
210'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows211That she with Cassio hath the act of shame212A thousand times committed; Cassio confess'd it:213And she did gratify his amorous works214With that recognizance and pledge of love215Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand:216It was a handkerchief, an antique token217My father gave my mother.
Emilia
218O heaven! O heavenly powers!
Iago
219Come, hold your peace.
Emilia
'Twill out, 'twill out: I peace!220No, I will speak as liberal as the north:221Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,222All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.
Iago
223Be wise, and get you home.
Emilia
I will not.
Gratiano
Fie!224Your sword upon a woman?
Emilia
225O thou dull Moor! that handkerchief thou speak'st of226I found by fortune and did give my husband;227For often, with a solemn earnestness,228More than indeed belong'd to such a trifle,229He begg'd of me to steal it.
Iago
Villanous whore!
Emilia
230She give it Cassio! no, alas! I found it,231And I did give't my husband.
Iago
Filth, thou liest!
Emilia
232By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.233O murderous coxcomb! what should such a fool234Do with so good a wife?
Othello
Are there no stones in heaven235But what serve for the thunder?--Precious villain!
Gratiano
236The woman falls; sure, he hath kill'd his wife.
Emilia
237Ay, ay: O, lay me by my mistress' side.
Gratiano
238He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.
Montano
239'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,240Which I have here recover'd from the Moor:241Come, guard the door without; let him not pass,242But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,243For 'tis a damned slave.
Othello
I am not valiant neither,244But ever puny whipster gets my sword:245But why should honour outlive honesty?246Let it go all.
Emilia
What did thy song bode, lady?247Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan.248And die in music.
Singing
Willow, willow, willow,--249Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor;250So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;251So speaking as I think, I die, I die.
Othello
252I have another weapon in this chamber;253It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper:--254O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.
Gratiano
255
Within
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear:
256Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.
Othello
257Look in upon me then and speak with me,258Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee.
Gratiano
259What is the matter?
Othello
Behold, I have a weapon;260A better never did itself sustain261Upon a soldier's thigh: I have seen the day,262That, with this little arm and this good sword,263I have made my way through more impediments264Than twenty times your stop: but, O vain boast!265Who can control his fate? 'tis not so now.266Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd;267Here is my journey's end, here is my butt,268And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.269Do you go back dismay'd? 'tis a lost fear;270Man but a rush against Othello's breast,271And he retires. Where should Othello go?272Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starr'd wench!273Pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt,274This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven,275And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl!276Even like thy chastity. O cursed slave!277Whip me, ye devils,278From the possession of this heavenly sight!279Blow me about in winds! roast me in sulphur!280Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!281O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead!282Oh! Oh! Oh!
Lodovico
283Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?
Othello
284That's he that was Othello: here I am.
Lodovico
285Where is that viper? bring the villain forth.
Othello
286I look down towards his feet; but that's a fable.287If that thou best a devil, I cannot kill thee.
Lodovico
288Wrench his sword from him.
Iago
I bleed, sir; but not kill'd.
Othello
289I am not sorry neither: I'ld have thee live;290For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die.
Lodovico
291O thou Othello, thou wert once so good,292Fall'n in the practise of a damned slave,293What shall be said to thee?
Othello
Why, any thing:294An honourable murderer, if you will;295For nought I did in hate, but all in honour.
Lodovico
296This wretch hath part confess'd his villany:297Did you and he consent in Cassio's death?
Othello
298Ay.
Cassio
299Dear general, I never gave you cause.
Othello
300I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.301Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil302Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?
Iago
303Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:304From this time forth I never will speak word.
Lodovico
305What, not to pray?
Gratiano
Torments will ope your lips.
Othello
306Well, thou dost best.
Lodovico
307Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n,308Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter309Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo;310And here another: the one of them imports311The death of Cassio to be undertook312By Roderigo.
Othello
313O villain!
Cassio
Most heathenish and most gross!
Lodovico
314Now here's another discontented paper,315Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,316Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain;317But that belike Iago in the interim318Came in and satisfied him.
Othello
O the pernicious caitiff!319How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief320That was my wife's?
Cassio
I found it in my chamber:321And he himself confess'd but even now322That there he dropp'd it for a special purpose323Which wrought to his desire.
Othello
O fool! fool! fool!
Cassio
324There is besides in Roderigo's letter,325How he upbraids Iago, that he made him326Brave me upon the watch; whereon it came327That I was cast: and even but now he spake,328After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,329Iago set him on.
Lodovico
330You must forsake this room, and go with us:331Your power and your command is taken off,332And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,333If there be any cunning cruelty334That can torment him much and hold him long,335It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,336Till that the nature of your fault be known337To the Venetian state. Come, bring him away.
Othello
338Soft you; a word or two before you go.339I have done the state some service, and they know't.340No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,341When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,342Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,343Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak344Of one that loved not wisely but too well;345Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought346Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand,347Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away348Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,349Albeit unused to the melting mood,350Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees351Their medicinal gum. Set you down this;352And say besides, that in Aleppo once,353Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk354Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,355I took by the throat the circumcised dog,356And smote him, thus.
Lodovico
357O bloody period!
Gratiano
All that's spoke is marr'd.
Othello
358I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this;359Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
Cassio
360This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon;361For he was great of heart.
Lodovico
To Iago
O Spartan dog,
362More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea!363Look on the tragic loading of this bed;364This is thy work: the object poisons sight;365Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house,366And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,367For they succeed on you. To you, lord governor,368Remains the censure of this hellish villain;369The time, the place, the torture: O, enforce it!370Myself will straight aboard: and to the state371This heavy act with heavy heart relate.