The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

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

state.

Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense
Of pain: Nay, we must think, men are not gods;

Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind Nor of them look for such observances

misgives.

Des. Come, come;

You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

Oth. The handkerchief,—
Des.

I pray, talk me of Cassio.

Oth. The handkerchief,

Des.

A man that, all his time,

Hath founded his good fortune on your love;

Shar'd dangers with you ;

Oth.

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 Iago and Cassio.

Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; 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 ransom me into his love again,

Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio,

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.
Jago. Is my lord angry!
Emil.

As fit the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was (unhandsome warrior as I am,)
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,
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!

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 ? I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

Bian. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What! keep a week away? seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, More tedious than the dial eight score times? O weary reckoning!

Cas.

Pardon me, Bianca; I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; But I shall, in a more continuate time, 6

Strike off this score of absence. 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. To the felt absence now I feel a cause: Is it come to this? Well, well.

Cas. Woman, go to ! Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now, That this is from some mistress, some remembrance: No, in good troth, Bianca.

My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are
caught:

And many worthy and chaste dames, even thus,
All guiltless meet reproach.-What, ho! my lord!
Enter Cassio.

My lord, I say! Othello!-How now, Cassio?
Cas. What is the matter?

Iago. My lord has fallen into an epilepsy;

SCENE I.—The same. Enter Othello, and Iago. This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.

Cas. Rub him about the temples.
lago.

No, forbear:
The lethargy must have his quiet course:
If not, he foams at mouth; and, by and by,
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs :
Do you withdraw yourself a little while,
He will recover straight; when he is gone,

I would on great occasion speak with you.

(Exit Casrio. How is it, general? have you not hurt your head? Oth. Dost thou mock me?

Iago.
I mock you! no, by heaven:
'Would you would bear your fortunes like a man.
Oth. A horned man's a monster, and a beast.
Iago. There's many a beast then in a populous

city,

Iago. Why then 'tis hers, my lord; and, being And many a civil monster. hers,

She may, I think, bestow't on any man.

Oth. She is protectress of her honour too;

May she give that?

Tago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen; They have it very oft, that have it not:

But, for the handkerchief,

Oth. Did he confess it?
Iago.
Good sir, be a man,
Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd,
May draw with you: there's millions now alive,
That nightly lie in those unproper' beds,

Which they dare swear peculiar; your case is better.
O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,

Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have for- To lip a wanton in a secure couch,
got it :-

Thou said'st,-0, it comes o'er my memory,

As doth the raven o'er the infected house,
Boding to all,' he had my handkerchief.
Iago. Ay, what of that?
Oth.
That's not so good, now.
Iago. What, if I had said, I had seen him do you
wrong?

Or heard him say,-As knaves be such abroad,
Who having, by their own importunate suit,
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,
Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose
But they must blab-

Oth.

Hath he said any thing? Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd,

No more than he'll unswear.

Oth.

What hath he said? lago. 'Faith, that he did,-I know not what he did. Oth. What? what? Iago. Lie-Oth. lago. With her, on her; what you will. Oth. Lie with her! lie on her!-We say, lie on her, when they belie her: Lie with her! that's

With her?

(1) The raven was thought to be a constant attendant on a house infected with the plague. (2) Old spelling of suppled, i. e. softened.

And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;
And, knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
Oth. O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.
Iago.
Stand you a while apart;
Confine yourself but in a patient list.
Whilst you were here, ere while mad with your grief
(A passion most unsuiting such a man,)
Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,
And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstacy;
Bade him anon return, and here speak with me;
The which he promis'd. Do but encave yourself,
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorus,
That dwell in every region of his face ;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,-
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
He hath, and is again to cope vour wife;

I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience;
Or I shall say, you are all in all in spleen,
And nothing of a man.

Oth.

Dost thou hear, Iago?
I will be found most cunning in my patience;
But (dost thou hear?) most bloody.
Iago.
That's not amiss;
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
[Othello withdraws.
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
A housewife, that, by selling her desires,

(3) A proverbial saying. (4) Common.
(5) Within the bounds of patience. (6) Hide.

Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature,
That dotes on Cassio,-as 'tis the strumpet's plague,
To beguile many, and be beguil'd by one;
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain
From the excess of laughter:-Here he comes :-
Re-enter Cassio.

As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad,
And his unbookish' jealousy must construe
Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behaviour
Quite in the wrong.-How do you now, lieutenant?
Cas. The worser, that you give me the addition,

Whose want even kills me.

Iago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure of't. Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power,

[Speaking lower.

How quickly should you speed.
Cas.
Alas, poor caitiff!
Oth. Look, how he laughs already! [Aside.
lago. I never knew a woman love man so.
Cas. Alas, poor rogue! I think, i'faith, she loves

me.

well said, well said. [Aside. Now he importunes him out, that you shall marry her:

Ha, ha, ha!

To tell it o'er: Go to;
Iago. She gives it
Do you intend it?
Cas.
Oth. Do you triumph, Roman? do you triumph?
[Aside.
Cas. I marry her!-what? a customer! I pr'y-
thee, bear some charity to my wit; do not think
so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!

Oth. So, so, so, so: They laugh that win.

[Aside.

Iago. 'Faith, the cry goes, that you shall marry her.

Cas. Pr'ythee, say true.

lago. I am a very villain else.
Oth. Have you scored me? Well.

[Aside. Cas. This is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.

Oth. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story. [Aside. Cas. She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was, the other day, talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes this bauble; by this hand, she falls thus about my neck;

Oth. Crying, O dear Cassio! as it were: his gesture imports it. [Aside.

Cas. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so hales, and pulls me: ha, ha, ha!

Oth. Now he tells, how she pluck'd him to my chamber: 0, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

Cas. Well, I must leave her company.
Iago. Before me! look where she comes.

Enter Bianca.

Aside.

of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some minx's token, and I must take out the work? There,-give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I' take out no work on't.

Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca! how now? how now?

Oth. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!

[Aside. Bian. An you'll come to supper to-night, you may: an you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [Exit.

lago. After her, after her.

Cas. 'Faith I must, she'll rail in the street else. Iago. Will you sup there?

Cas. 'Faith, I intend so.

Iago. Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain speak with you.

Cas. Pr'ythee come; Will you?
Iego. Go to say no more.

[Exit Cassio. Oth. How shall I murder him, Iago? Iago. Did you perceive how he laughed at his

vice?

Oth. O, Iago!

Iago. And did you see the handkerchief?
Oth. Was that mine?

prizes the foolish woman, your wife! she gave it Iago. Yours, by this hand: and to see how he him, and he hath given it his whore.

Oth. I would have him nine years a killing :A fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! Iago. Nay, you must forget that.

Oth. Ay, let her rot and perish, and be damned to-night; for she shall not live: No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and command him tasks.

Iago. Nay, that's not your way.

Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is:-So delicate with her needle !-An admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!of so high and plenteous wit and invention! Iago. She's the worse for all this.

Oth. O, a thousand, a thousand times:-And then, of so gentle a condition!"

Iago. Ay, too gentle.

Oth. Nay, that's certain: But yet the pity of it, lago!-0, lago, the pity of it, Iago!

her patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it
lago. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give
comes near nobody.

Oth. I will chop her into messes :-Cuckold me!
Iago. O, 'tis foul in her.
Oth. With mine officer!
lago. That's fouler.

I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beau-
Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night:-
ty unprovide my mind again: this night, lago.

Iago. Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases; very good.

Iago. And, for Cassio,-let me be his undertaker: Cas. 'Tis such another fitchew! marry, a per-You shall hear more by midnight. fumed one.-What do you mean by this haunting of me?

Bian. Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief, you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it.

[A trumpel within. Oth. Excellent good,-What trumpet is that same?

Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico,

I must take out the whole work?-A likely piece Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with

him.

(5) Of so sweet a disposition.

The shot of accident, nor dart of chance,
Could neither graze, nor pierce?
Iago.
He is much chang'd.
Lod. Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain?
Iago. He is that he is; I may not breathe my

Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.
Lod. 'Save you, worthy general!
With all my heart, sir.
Oth.
Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
[Gives him a packet.
Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
[Opens the packet and reads.
Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodo-I

vico?

Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior; Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you: How goes lieutenant Cassio? lago. Lives, sir.

Des. Cousin, there's fallen between him and my

lord

Des.
I have not deserv'd this.
Lod. My lord, this would not be believ'd in
Venice,

Though I should swear I saw it: 'Tis very much;
Make her amends, she weeps.

Oth.

O devil! devil!

Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep:
And she's obedient, as you say,-obedient,-
Very obedient;-Proceed you in your tears.-
Concerning this, sir,-O well-painted passion!
I am commanded home:--Get you away;
I'll send for you anon.-Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice;-Hence, avaunt!
[Exit Desdemona.
Cassio shall have my place. And,-sir, to-night,
I do entreat that we may sup together.
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.-Goats, and
monkies!

[Exit.

Lod. Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate Call-all-in-all sufficient?-this the noble nature Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue 1) Reconcile.

censure.

What he might be,-if, what he might, he is not,— would to heaven, he were.

Lod.
What, strike his wife!
lago. 'Faith, that was not so well; Yet 'would
I knew,

That stroke would prove the worst.

Lod.

And new-create this fault?

Or did the letters work upon his blood,

Iago.

Is it his use?

Alas, alas!

It is not honesty in me, to speak
What I have seen and known. You shall observe
him;

And his own courses will denote him so,
That I may save my speech: Do but go after,
And mark how he continues.

Lod. I am sorry, that I am deceiv'd in him.

[Exeunt. SCENE II-A room in the castle. Enter Othello, and Emilia.

Oth. You have seen nothing then?

Emil. Nor ever heard; nor ever did suspect. Oth. Yes, you have scen Cassio and she together. Emil. But then I saw no harm: and then I heard Each syllable, that breath made up between them. Oth. What, did they never whisper? Emil. Never, my lord. Oth. Nor send you out o'the way? Emil.

Never.

Oth. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? Emil. Never, my lord.

Oth.

That's strange.
Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.:
If any wretch hath put this in your head,
Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse!
For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true,
There's no man happy; the purest of their wives
Is foul as slander.
Oth.

Bid her come hither:-go.-
[Exit Emilia.

She says enough :-yet she's a simple bawd,
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,
A closet-lock-and-key of villanous secrets:
And yet she'll kneel, and pray; I have seen her do't.
Re-enter Emilia, with Desdemona.
Des. My lord, what is your will?
Oth.
Pray, chuck, come hither.
Des. What is your pleasure?
Oth.
Let me see your eyes;
Look in my face.
Des.
What horrible fancy's this?
Oth. Some of your function, mistress; [To Emil.
Leave procreants alone, and shut the door;
Cough, or cry-hem, if any body come:
Your mystery, your mystery;-nay, despatch.
[Exit Emilia
Des. Upon my knees, what doth your speech
import?

Oth. O Desdemona!-away! away! away! Des. Alas, the heavy day!-Why do you weep? Am I the occasion of these tears, my lord? If, haply, you my father do suspect, An instrument of this your calling back,

Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him, Why, I have lost him too.

Oth.

Had it pleas'd heaven
To try me with affliction; had he rain'd
All kinds of sores, and shames, on my bare head;
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips;
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes;
I should have found in some part of my soul

A drop of patience: but (alas!) to make me
A fixed figure, for the time of scorn
To point his slow unmoving finger at,-
O! O!

Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner'd' up my heart;
Where either I must live, or bear no life;
The fountain from the which my current runs,
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern, for foul toads
To knot and gender in!-turn thy complexion there!
Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd 'cherubim ;
Ay, there, look grim as hell!

Des. I hope, my noble lord esteems me honest.
Oth. O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles,
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,
Who art so lovely fair, and smell'st so sweet,
That the sense aches at thee.-Would, thou hadst
ne'er been born!

Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, Made to write whore upon? What committed! Committed!-0 thou public commoner! I should make very forges of my cheeks, That would to cinders burn up modesty, Did I but speak thy deeds.-What committed! Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets, Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth, And will not hear it: What committed!Impudent strumpet!

Des.

By heaven, you do me wrong. Oth. Are you not a strumpet? Des. No, as I am a Christian: If to preserve this vessel for my lord, From any other foul unlawful touch, Be-not to be a strumpet, I am none. Oth. What, not a whore? Des.

Oth. Is it possible?

Des. With who? Emil.

Why, with my lord, madam.

Des. Who is thy lord? Emil. He that is yours, sweet lady. Des. I have none: Do not talk to me, Emilia; I cannot weep; nor answer I have none, But what should go by water. Pr'ythee, to-night Lay on my bed my wedding sheets,-remember ;And call thy husband hither.

Emil. Here is a change, indeed! [Exit. Des. 'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet. How have I been belav'd, that he might stick The small'st opinion on my great'st abuse?

Re-enter Emilia, with Iago.

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is it with you?

Des. I cannot tell. Those, that do teach young

babes,

Do it with gentle means, and easy tasks:
He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,
I am a child to chiding.

Iago.
What's the matter, lady?
Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her,
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.
Des. Am I that name, Iago?
Iago.

What name, fair lady? Des. Such as, she says, my lord did say I was. Emil. He call'd her, whore; a beggar, in his drink,

Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.
Iago. Why did he so?

Des. I do not know; I am sure, I am none such.
Iago. Do not weep, do not weep; Alas, the day!
Emil. Has she forsook so many noble matches,
Her father, and her country, and her friends,
To be call'd-whore? would it not make one weep?
Des. It is my wretched fortune.
lago.

Beshrew him for it!

How comes the trick upon him?
Des.
Nay, heaven doth know.
Emil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devis'd this slander; I'll be hang'd else.
Iago. Fie, there is no such man: it is impossible.
Des. If any such there be, heaven pardon him!
Emil. A halter pardon him? and hell gnaw his
bones!

Why should he call her, whore? who keeps her

company?

What place? what time? what form? what like-
lihood?

No, as I shall be saved. The Moor's abus'd by some most villanous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow :-
O, heaven, that such companions thou'dst unfold;
And put in every honest hand a whip,

Des. O, heaven forgive us!
Oth.

I cry you mercy, then;
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice,
That married with Othello.-You, mistress,

To lash the rascal naked through the world, Even from the east to the west!

lago.

Speak within door. Emil. O, fie upon him! some such squire he was, That turn'd your wit the seamy side without, And made you to suspect me with the Moor. lago. You are a fool; go to.

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Accurately Printed from ..., Volum 2