Oth. A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands; Oth. What promise, chuck? Come now, your promise. Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. Oth. I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me; Lend me thy handkerchief. Des. Here, my lord. I have it not about me. That is a fault. 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 loathed, and his spirits should hunt And bid me, when my fate would have me wive, Des. Is't possible? Oth. 'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it: A sibyl, that had number'd in the world The sun to course two hundred compasses, In her prophetic fury sew'd the work; The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk; Des. Indeed! is't true? Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well. Oth. 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! Oth. Say you? Des. It is not lost; but what an if it were? Oth. How! Des. I say, it is not lost. Fetch't, let me see't. Oth. Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit: Pray you, let Cassio be receiv'd again. Oth. Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives. You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief! Des. Oth. The handkerchief! I pray, talk me of Cassio. A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, Shar'd dangers with you, Oth. The handkerchief! Des. In sooth, you are to blame. Oth. Away! Emil. 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: Enter CASSIO and IAGO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't: And, lo, the happiness! go and importune her. [Exit. 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 office of my heart, Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd. If my offence be of such mortal kind That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content, And shut myself up in some other course, Des. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio! My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, 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 awhile be patient: 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: Des. I pr'ythee, do so. [Exit IAGO.] Something, sure, of state, Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practice Our other healthful members even to that sense As fits the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; And he's indicted falsely. Emil. Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, And no conception nor no jealous toy Concerning you. Des. Alas the day, I never gave him cause! Emil. But jealous 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! Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: And seek to effect it to my uttermost. [Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA. Enter BIANCA. Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! What make you from home? Cas. Pardon me, Bianca: I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; Sweet Bianca, [Giving her DESDEMONA's handkerchief. Take me this work out. Bian. O Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend: Cas. Go to, woman! Bian. Why, whose is it? Cas. I know not neither: I found it in my chamber. As like enough it will,—I'd have it copied : Cas. I do attend here on the general; Bian. Why, I pray you? Cas. Not that I love you not. But that you do not love me, I pray you, bring me on the way a little; And say if I shall see you soon at night. Cas. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, For I attend here: but I'll see you soon. Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanc'd. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-CYPRUS. Before the Castle. Enter OTHELLO and IAGO. Iago. Or to be naked with her friend in bed An hour or more, not meaning any harm? Oth. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! It is hypocrisy against the devil: They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. But if I give my wife a handkerchief,— Oth. What then? Iago. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. Oth. She is protectress of her honour too : May she give that? Iago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen; They have it very oft that have it not: But, for the handkerchief, Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it :Thou said'st,-O, it comes o'er my memory As doth the raven o'er the infected house, Boding to all, he had my handkerchief. Oth. Iago. That's not so good now. If I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Oth. Hath he said anything? What hath he said? What, Oth. |