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. Oth. Iago. And so she did. Why, go to, then; She that, so young, could give out such a seem ing, To seal her father's eyes up, close as oak,- I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, Oth. I am bound to thee for ever. Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot. lago. Trust me, I fear it has. I hope, you will consider, what is spoke Comes from my love;-But, I do see you are mov'd: I am to pray you, not to strain my speech Than to suspicion. Oth. I will not. lago. Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall into such vile success As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend: 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,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 sucb, a will most rank, Oth. 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: strings, I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind, VOL. VIII. A A For others' uses, Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; Prerogativ'd are they less than the base; If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!- 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 Oth. Your napkin is too little; What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I; Enter IAGO. Iago. How now! what do you here alone? Emil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you. Tago. A thing for me?-it is a common thing. Emil. Ha! Iago. To have a foolish wife. Emil. O, is that all? What will you give me now For that same handkerchief? lago. What handkerchief? Emil. What handkerchief? Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona; That which so often you did bid me steal. Iago. Hast stolen it from her? Emil. No, 'faith; she let it drop by negligence; And to the advantage, I, being here, took 't up. Look, here it is. Iago. A good wench; give it me. Emil. What will you do with it, that you have been so earnest To have me filch it? 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 mad, When she shall lack it. Iago. 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 conceits 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 sirups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Oth. To me? Ha! ha! false to me? Jago. Why, how now, general? no more of that. Oth. Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack: I swear, 'tis better to be much abus'd, Than but to know a little. lago. How now, my lord? Oth. What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust? I saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me: I slept the next night well, was free and merry; I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips: He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen, Let him not know it, and he's not robb'd at all. 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! Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; [Taking him by the Throat. 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, Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'd, For nothing canst 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!- world, To be direct and honest, is not safe. |