I'll watch him tame, and talk him out of patience; Enter Othello and Iago, at a distance. Madam, here comes Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave. Why, stay, Cas. Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease, Well, well, [Exit Cassio. Iago. Ha! I like not that. I it, I do believe, 'twas he. . Oth. Who is't, you mean? Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good my lord, If I have any grace, or power to move you, a His present reconciliation take; Went he hence now? time. Des. But shall’t be shortly? Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you. Des. Shall't be to-night at supper? Oth. No, not to-night. Des. To-morrow dinner then? Oth. I shall not dine at home; I 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 wooing with you; and many a time, When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Hath ta’en your part; to have so much to do will; Why, this is not a boon; 'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm; Or sue to you to do 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 poize 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: Farewel, my lord. Oth. Farewel, 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 Emilia. Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. Iago. My noble lord, - What dost thou say, Iago? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Know of your love? Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask? Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought; Why of thy thought, Iago? with her. Oth, O, yes; and went between us very oft. . Iago. Indeed Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed :-Discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest? Iago. Honest, my lord? Ay, honest. Think, my lord? Think, my lord ! By heaven, he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean some thing: I heard thee say but now,—Thou lik’dst not that, When Cassio left my wife; What did’st not like? And, when I told thee—he was of my counsel In my whole course of wooing, thou cry’dst, In deed? Iago. My lord, you know I love you. I think, thou dost; And, for I know thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv’st them breath, Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: For such things, in a false disloyal knave, a Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just, They are close denotements, working from the heart, That passion cannot rule. Iago. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. Oth. I think so too. Men should be what they seem; Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none! Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem. Iago. Why then, I think that Cassio is an honest man. Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this: I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts The worst of words. Iago. Good my lord, pardon me; Though I am bound to every act of duty, I I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and false,As where's that palace, whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure, But some uncleanly apprehensions Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sịt With meditations lawful? Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear |