Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time. Des. But shall 't be shortly? Des. Shall 't be to-night at supper? Des. To-morrow dinner then? I meet the captains at the citadel. [morn; Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday 10 Or Tuesday noon, or night; or Wednesday morn; I pray thee, name the time; but let it not Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent; And yet his trespass, in our common reason, (Save that, they say, the wars must make ex-15 amples Out of their best) is not almost a fault To incur a private check: When shall he come? I will deny thee nothing. Des. Why, this is not a boon; "Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, Oth. I will deny thee nothing: Des. Shall I deny you? no: Farewell, my lord. Des. Emilia, come :- -Be it as your fancies [Exit with Emil. Oth. Excellent wretch'! Perdition catch my soul, But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. Jago. My noble lord. Oth. What dost thou say, Iago? Know of your love? Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought; Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think, he had been acquainted Oth. O yes; and went between us very oft. Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed;-Discern'st thou Is he not honest? Iago. Honest, my lord? Iago. My lord, for aught I know. [me, Oth. Think, my lord;-By heaven, he echoes 201 heard thee say but now,-Thou lik'dst not that, 25 30 And didst contract and purse thy brow together, Iago. My lord, you know I love you. nesty, And,-for I know thou art full of love and ho[breath,And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: 35 For such things, in a false disloyal knave, Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just, Iago. For Michael Cassio, 401 dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. 45 50 [lady, [ask? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou To hesitate, to stand in suspence. 2 i. c. of weight. 3 The word wretch, in some parts of England, is a term of the softest and fondest tenderness. It expresses the utmost degree of amniableness, joined with an idea, which perhaps all tenderness includes, of feebleness, softness, and want of protection. i. e. When I cease to love thee, the world is at an end; i. e. there remains nothing va luable or important. i. e. occult and secret accusations, working involuntarily from the heart, which, though resolved to conceal the fault, cannot rule its passion of resentment. they might no longer seem, or bear the shape of men. i. e. would Utter As where's that palace, whereinto foul things Keep letts, and law-days, and in session sit Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt, is-once to be resolv'd: Exchange me for a goat, 5 When I shall turn the business of my soul To such exsuffolate and blown surmises", Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous, [ear 10 Iago. I do beseech you, Oth. What dost thou mean? Iago. Good name, in man and woman, dear Is the immediate jewel of their souls: 'Twas mine,'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought. Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. (th. Ha! 3 Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; Iago. Poor,and content, is rich, and rich enough; Oth. Why? why is this? Tosay-my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, [reason Iago. I am glad of this; for now I shall have conscience 30 Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown. Oth. Dost thou say so? 35 40 45 Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd toshake,and fear your looks," She lov'd them most'. 'The poet's meaning is, "Who has a breast so little apt to form ill opinions of others, but that foul suspicions will sometimes mix with his fairest and most candid thoughts, and erect a court in his mind, to enquire of the offences apprehended?" i. e. am apt to put the worst construction on every thing. 3i. e. loaths that which nourishes and sustains it. This being a miserable state, lago bids him beware of it. * i. e. unbounded, endless, unnumbered treasures. "The allusion is to a bubble. 6 Self-bounty, for inherent generosity. 'Dr. Johnson observes, that "this and the following argument of lago ought to be deeply impressed on every reader. Deceit and falsehood, whatever conveniencies they may for a time promise or produce, are, in the sum of life, obstacles to happiness. Those who profit by the cheat, distrust the deceiver; and the act by which kindness was sought, puts an end to confidence. The same objection may be made with a lower degree of strengthagainst the imprudent generosity of disproportionate marriages. When the first heat of passion is over, it is easily succeeded by suspicion, that the same violence of inclination, which caused one irregularity, may stimulate to another; and those who have shewn, that their passions are too powerful for their prudence, will, with very slight appearances against them, be censured, as not very likely to restrain them by their virtue." Close as oak, means, close as the grain of the oak: To seel is an expression taken from falconry. I am 3Y 3 I am to pray you not to strain my speech Oth. I will not. Iago. Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall into such vile success 2 My lord, I see you are mov'd. Oth. No, not much mov'd: I do not think but Desdemona's honest. Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself,— And knows all qualities, with a learned' spirit, Iago. Ay, there's the point: As,-to be bold 15 For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; with you, Not to affect many proposed matches, Of her own clime, complexion, and degree; 20 May fall to match you with her country forms, 25 Oth. Farewell, farewell: If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; [Going. 30 [folds. Sees and knows more, much more, than he un- To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: his [Exit. 2 Iago means, 4 Oth. Your napkin 1 is too little; [She drops her handkerchief, 35 Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you. Des. I am very sorry that you are not well. [Exeunt Des. and Oth, Emil. I am glad, I have found this napkin; This was her first remembrance from the Moor: 40 My wayward husband hath a hundred times Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token, What he 'll do with it, heaven knows, not I; 1 Issues, for conclusions. attended by such infamous degree of success, as my thoughts do not even aim at." "Should you do so, my lord, my words would be is self-will overgrown and exuberant. A rank will, i. e. You shall discover whether he thinks his best means, his most powerful interest, is by the solicitation of your lady. i. e. press hard his re-admission to pay and office.-Entertainment was the military term for admission of soldiers. distrust my ability to contain my passion. • i. e. do not 'Learned, for experienced. wild hawk, a hawk difficult to be reclaim'd.-It appears also, that haggard was a term of reproach'someA haggard hawk is a times applied to a wanton. "Jesses are short straps of leather tied about the foot of a hawk, by which she is held on the fist. 10 Dr. Johnson observes, that the falconers always let fly the hawk against the wind; if she flies with the wind behind her, she seldom returns. If therefore a hawk was for any reason to be dismissed, she was let down the wind, and from that time shifted for herself, and prey'd at fortune. "i. e. men of intrigue. 12 In allusion, according to Dr. Johnson, to a barbed or forked arrow, which, once infixed, cannot be extracted. Or, according to Dr. Percy, the forked plague may mean the cuckold's horns. "The generous islanders are the islanders of rank, distinction. 14 i. e. your pocket-handkerchief. 11 Amil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for [mon thing. you. Jago. You have a thing for me?-It is a com Amil. Ha! Iago. To have a foolish wife. For that same handkerchief? [now 5 Emil. O, is that all? what will you give me Iago. What handkerchief? Emil. What handkerchief? Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! Iago. Is it possible?-My lord, Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona; 10 Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; That which so often you did bid me steal. Jago. Hast stolen it from her? Amil. No; but she let it drop by negligence; Jago. A good wench; give it me. To have me filch it? 15 Jago. Why, what is that to you? [Snatching it. 20 Amil. If it be not for some purpose of import, Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run mad, When she shall lack it. Iago. Be not you known on 't; I have use for it. I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor man- Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Oth. Ha! ha! false to me? to me? lago. Why, how now, general? no more of that. I swear, 'tis better to be much abus'd, Iago. How now, my lord? 30 [Catching hold on him. Iago. Is it come to this? Oth. Make me to see it; or (at the least) so prove it, That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop, Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'd; Iago. O grace! O heaven defend me! Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense?— fool, That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice!— I thank you for this profit: and, from hence, 35I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence, Oth. Nay, stay:-Thou should'st be honest. Iago. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool, And loses that it works for. Oth. By the world, 40I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; Oth. What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust? Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp, 1i. e. I being opportunely here, took it quality, and the ancients used it when they possessedst, or hadst. i. e. pity. a tup. Jago. And may; But, how? how satisfied, my Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on? Behold her tupp'd? Oth. Death and damnation! O! Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think, To bring 'em to that prospect: Damn them then, If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster, up. 3Y4 2 Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, [loyal. There are a kind of men so loose of soul, In sleep I heard him say,-Sweet Desdemona, And then, sir, would he gripe, and wring my hand; Oth. But this denoted a foregone conclusion3; 'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream. lago. And this may help to thicken other proofs, That do demonstrate thinly. Oth. I'll tear her all to pieces. Iago. Nay, but be wise; yet we see nothing done; She may be honest yet. Tell me but this, Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief, Spotted with strawberries, in your wife's hand? Oth. I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift. Iago. I know not that: but such a handkerchief (I am sure, it was your wife's) did I to-day See Cassio wipe his beard with. Oth. If it be that,— Jago. If it be that, or any, if 'twas hers, It speaks against her, with the other proofs, Oth. O, that the slave had forty thousand lives; One is too poor, too weak for my revenge! Now do I see 'tis true.-Look here, Iago; All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven: 'Tis gone. 20 Oth. I greet thy love, [teous, Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance boun- [quest: Iago. My friend is dead; 'tis done at your reBut let her live. Oth. Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw, 25 To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant, Iago. I am your own for ever. [Excunt. 30 35 Clown. I dare not say, he lies any where. Clown. He's a soldier; and for me to say a soldier lies, is stabbing. Des. Go to; Where lodges he? Clown. To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where I lie. Des. Can any thing be made of this? Clown. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise a lodging, and say-he lies here, or 45 he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Iago. Pray, be content. Oth. O, blood, Iago, blood! [change. Iago. Patience, I say; your mind, perhaps, may 55 Des. Can you enquire him out? and be edify'd by report? Clown. I will catechize the world for him; that is, make questions, and make them answer. Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him, I have mov'd my lord in his behalf, and hope, all will be well. Clown. To do this is within the compass of man's wit; and therefore I will attempt the doing of it. [Exit, Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? Emil. I know not, madam. Prime is prompt, from the Celtic or British prim. ! Conj. e. swell, 2 Living for speaking, manifest. clusion, for fact. * Hearted throne, is the heart on which thou wast enthroned. because the draught is of poison. i. e. ample; capacious. 'Mr. Tollet explains this passage thus: "Let him command any bloody business, and to obey shall be in me an act of pity and compassion for wrong'd Othello.-Remorse frequently signifies pity, mercy, compassion; or a tender, ness of heart, unattended with the stings of a guilty conscience, Des |