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Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,

That he hath left part of his grief with me ;
I suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.
Des. But shall't be shortly?
Oth.

Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean something:
I heard thee say but now,-Thou lik'dst not that,
When Cassio left my wife; What didst not like?
And, when I told thee-he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing, thou cried'st. Indeed?
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
No, not to-night. Some horrible conceit : If thou dost love me,
Show me thy thought.

The sooner, sweet, for you.
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth.

Des. To-morrow dinner then?
Oth.

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

Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;
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 examples
Out of their best,) is not almost a fault

To incur a private check: When shall he come ?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you could ask me, that I should deny,

Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a wocing with you; and many a time,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,-
Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.

Des.
Why, this is not a boon;
"Tis as I should intreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm;
Or sue to you to do peculiar profit

To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit,
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficulty,
And fearful to be granted.

Oth.

I will deny thee nothing: Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, To leave me but a little to myself,

Des. Shall I deny you? No: Farewell, my lord. Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I will come to thee straight.

Des. Emilia, come:-Be it as your fancies teach you; Whate'er you be, I am obedient. [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.

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Oth. What dost thou say, Iago?

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As where's that palace, whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions

Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit
With meditations lawful?

Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, laga, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak’at his ea A stranger to thy thoughts.

Iago.
I do beseech you,—
Though I, perchance, am vicious in my guess,
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses; and, oft, my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not,-I entreat you then,

Tago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, From one that so imperfectly conjects, Know of your love?

You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble

Oth, He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask? Out of his scattering and unsure observance :Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought;

No further harm.

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It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

Oth.
What dost thou meat!
Iago. Good name, in man, and woman, dear my
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:

Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something,

nothing;

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands,
But he, that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that, which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.

Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought.
lago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. Ha!

Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy ; It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mork

The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But. O, what damned minutes tells he o'er,

Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. O misery!

Iago. Poor, and content, ís rich, and rich enough; But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter,

To him that ever fears he shall be poor :-
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

Oth.

Why? why is this?

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

lage. I am glad of this: for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit; therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me :-1 speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye-thus, not jealous, nor secure:
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't:

I know our country disposition well;

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience

Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown.

Oth. Dost thou say so?

Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you ; And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks, She lov'd them most.

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I hope, you will consider, what is spoke

Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself,→
Iago. Ay, there's the point :-As,-to be bold with
you,-

Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree;
Whereto, we see, in all things nature tends:
Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank,
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.-
But pardon me; I do not, in position,
Distinctly speak of her: though I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And (hapily) repent.

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Oth. Why did I marry? This honest creature, doubtless,

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time;
And though it be fit that Cassio have his place,
(For, sure, he fills it up with great ability,)
Yet, if you please to hold him off a while,
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement opportunity;
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears,
(As worthy cause I have, to fear-I am,)
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Oth. Fear not my government.
lago.
I once more take my leave. [Exit.
Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings: 1f I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind,
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black;
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have: or, for I am declin'd
Into the vale of years ;—yet that's not much;
She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief
Must be to loath her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love,

For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;
Prerogativ'd are they less than the base;
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death;
Even then this forked plague is fated to us,
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:
Enter Desdemona and Emilia.

Comes from my love;-But, I do see you are mov'd :- If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!

I am to pray you, not to strain my speech

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

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I'll not believe it.

Des.

How now, my dear Othello? Your dinner, and the generous islanders

By you invited, do attend your presence.

Oth. I am to blame.

Des. Why is your speech so faint? are you not well?

Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.

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

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[He puts the handkerchief from him, and it drops. Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

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

[Exeunt Othello and Desdemona. Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin ; This was her first remembrance from the Moor: My wayward husband bath a hundred times Woo'd me to steal it: but she so loves the token, (For he conjur'd her, she should ever keep it,) That she reserves it evermore about her,

To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give it Iago!

What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I;
I nothing, but to please his fantasy.

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Iago. Why, what's that to you? [Snatching it. Emil. If it be not for some purpose of import, Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run fad, When she shall lack it.

lago. Be not you known of't: I have use for it. Go, leave me. [Exit Emilia.

I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it: Trifles, light as air,
Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison :-
Dangerous conccits are, in their natures, poisons,
Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste;
But, with a little act upon the blood,

Burn like the mines of sulphur.-I did say so :-
Enter Othello.

Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou ow'dst yesterday.

Oth.

To me?

Ha ha! false to me?

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Iago. I am sorry to hear this.

Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known: O now, for ever, Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars, That make ambition virtue! O, farewell! Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner; and all quality,

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! And O, you mortal engines, whose rude throats The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit, Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

Iago. Is it possible?-My lord,

Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;

[Taking him by the thre

Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog,
Than answer my wak'd wrath.

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,
To hang a doubt on: or, woe upon thy life!

lago. My noble lord,——

Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me,
Never pray more: abandon all remorse;
On horror's head horrors accumulate:

Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'l,
For nothing caust thou to damnation add,
Greater than that.

Iago. O grace! O heaven defend me ! Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense?— God be wi' you; take mine office.-O wretched fool, That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice!O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O work, To be direct and honest, is not safe.—

I thank you for this profit; and, from hence, I'll love no friend, since love breeds such offences 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, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not I think that thou art just, and think thou art not; I'll have some proof: Her name, that was as fresh As Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black As mine own face,-If there be cords, or knives, Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams, I'll not endure it.-Would, I were satisfied! Iago. I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion: I do repent me, that I put it to you. You would be satisfied?

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Oth.

Death and damnation! O! Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think, To bring them to that prospect: Damn them then, If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster, More than their own! What then? how then? What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?

It is impossible, you should see this,

Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
If imputation, and strong circumstances,—
Which lead directly to the door of truth,

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Will give you satisfaction, you may have it.
Oth. Give me a living reason she's disloyal.
Iago. I do not like the office:

Bat, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,-
Prick'd to it by foolish honesty and love,-
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep.

There are a kind of men so loose of soul,

That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs;
One of this kind is Cassio:

In sleep I heard him say.-Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!

And then, sir, would he gripe, and wring my hand,
Cry,-O, sweet creature! and then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then
Cried,-Cursed fate! that gave thee to the Moor!
Oth. O monstrous! monstrous!
Iago.
Nay, this was but his dream.
Oth. But this denoted a foregone conclusion;
"Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
Iago. And this may help to thicken other proofs,
That do demonstrate thinly.

Oth.
I'll tear her all to pieces.
Jago. 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,Iago. If it be that, or any that was 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, Lago;

All my fond love thus I do blow to heaven: 'Tis gone.

Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!

Yield up, O love, thy crown, and hearted throne, To tyrannous hate! swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

Iago.

Pray, be content.

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SCENE IV.-The same. Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.

Des. Do you know, sirral, where lieutenant Cassio
lies?

Clown. I dare not say, he lies any where.
Des. Why, man?

Clown. He is 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 he lies there, were to lie in my own throat.

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

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

Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him, I have moved 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 it. [Exit. Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? Emil. I know not, madam.

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

Emil. Is he not jealous: Des. Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was born, Drew all such humours from him.

Emil. Look, where he comes. Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio Be call'd to him.-How is't with you, my lord?

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Did an Egyptian to my mother give ;

She was a charmer, and could almost read

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

Des.

Is it possible?

Oth. "Tis true: there's magic in the web of it:
A sibyl, that had number'd in the world
The sun to make two hundred compasses,
In her prophetic fury sew'd the work:

The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;
And it was died in mummy, which the skilful
Conserv'd of maidens' hearts.

Des.
Indeed! is't true?
Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well.
Des. Then would to heaven, that I had never seen it.
Oil. Ha! wherefore?

Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash?
Oth. Is't lost is't gone? speak, is it out of the way?
Des. Heaven bless us !

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Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now;

This is a trick, to put me from my suit;

I pray, let Cassio be receiv'd again.

And, lo, the happiness! go. and importune her.

Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you?

Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you,
That, by your virtuous means, I may again
Exist, and be a member of his love,
Whom I, with all the duty of my heart,
Entirely honour; I would not be delay'd:
If my offence be of such mortal kind,
That neither service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purpos'd merit in futurity,

Can ransome me into his love again;
But to know so must be my benefit;
So shall I clothe me in a fore'd content;
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune's alms.

Des.

Alas! thrice-gentle Castio,
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in favour, as in humour, alter'd.

So help me, every spirit sanctified,

As I have spoken for you all my best;
And stood within the blank of his displeasure,
For my free speech! You must a while be patient:
What I can do, I will; and more I will,
Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
Iago. Is my lord angry?
Emil.

He went hence but now,
And, certainly, in strange unquietness.
Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon,
When it hath blown his ranks into the air,
And, like the devil, from his very arm
Puff'd his own brother ;-And can he be angry?
Something of moment, then I will go meet him;
There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry. [Exit.

Des. I pr'ythee, do so.-Something, sure, of state,Either from Venice; or some unhatch'd practice, Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases, Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so For let our finger ache,

And it endues our other healthful members
Even to that sense of pain. Nay, we must think,
Men are not gods;

Nor of them look for such observances
As fit the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia,

Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgives. I was (unhandsome warrior as I am.)

Des. Come, come;

You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

O:h. The handkerchief,-
Des.

Oth. The handkerchief,-
Des.

I pray, talk me of Cassio.

Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness, And he's indited falsely.

Emil. Pray heaven, it be state-matters, as you think; And no conception, nor no jealous toy A man that, all his time, Concerning you. Hath founded his good fortune on your love; Shar'd dangers with you ;——

Oh.

Des. In sooth,

You are to blame.

Oth.

Emil.

Away!

The handkerchief,—

[Exit Othello.

Is not this man jealous?

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

Emil. "Tis not a year or two shows us a man:
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full,

They belch us. Look you! Cassio, and my husband. Enter lago and Cassio.

Jago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't;

Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. Emil. But jealons souls will not be answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Emil. Lady, amen!

Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to effect it to my uttermost. Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship.

[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia, Enter Bianca.

Bian. Save you, friend Cassio!

Cas.

What make you from home How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?

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