Iago. She did deceive her father marrying you; And when the feem'd to thake and fear your looks, She lov'd them most.

Oth. And fo fhe did.
Iago. Go to then;

She, that, fo young, could give out such a seeming To feal her father's eyes up, close as oak

He thought 'twas witchcraft--but I'm much to blame: I humbly do befeech you of your pardon,

For too much loving you.

Oth. I'm bound to you for ever.

Iago. I fee 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 confider, what is spoke

Comes from my love. But I do fee you're mov'd

I am to pray you, not to train my fpeech

To groffer iffues, nor to larger reach,

Than to fufpicion.

Oth. I will not..

Iago. Should you do fo, my Lord,

My fpeech would fall into fuch vile fuccefs †,

Which my thoughts aim not at.

My Lord, I fee you're mov'd

Oth. No, not much mov'd

Caffio's my worthy

[friend.

I do not think but Defdemona's honest.

lago. Long live the fo! and long live you to think fo! Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itselflago. Ay, there's the point; as (to be bold with you)

Not to affect many propofed matches

Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we fee in all things nature tends:
Foh! one may finell, in fuch, a will moft rank,
Foul difproportions, thoughts unnatural.
But, pardon me, I do not in pofition
Dilinétly speak of her; tho' I may fear,
Her will, recciling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country-forms,
And, haply, fo repent.

Oth. Farewel, farewel;

*ifies, for conclufions.

† juciefs, for fucceffin, i, e. conclufion ; not profperous iffuer

If more thou doft perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife t' obferve. Leave me, lago.
Iago. My Lord, I take my leave.
Oth. Why did I marry?

This honeft creature, doubtless,

[Going.

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Iago. My Lord, I would I might intreat your Honour
To fcan this thing no farther; leave it to time:
Altho' 'tis fit that Caffio have his place,
For, fure, he fills it up with great ability;
Yet if you please to hold him off a while,
You fhall by that perceive him and his means;
Note, if your Lady strain his entertainment
With any frong or vehement importunity;
Much will be feen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears,
(As worthy caufe I have to fear I am);
And hold her free, I do befeech your Honour.
Oth. Fear not my government.
Iago I once more take my leave.

[Exit.

SCENE VI. Manet Othello. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned fpirit, Of human dealings. If I prove her haggard, Tho' that her jeffes were my dear heart-firings, I'd whiftle her off, and let her down the wind To prey at fortune. Haply, for I'm black, And have not those foft parts of converfation 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 lothe her. Oh, the curse of marriage! That we can call thefe 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' ufe. Yet 'tis the plague of great ones; Prerogativ'd are they lefs than the base; 'Tis deftiny unfhúnnable, like death. Even then this forked plague is fated to us

* learned, for experienced.

When

When we do quicken. Desdemona comes !

Enter Defdemona and Emilia.

If fhe be falfe, oh, then heav'n mocks itself:
I'll not believ't.

Def. How now, my dear Othello?

Your dinner, and the generous islanders
By you invited, do attend your prefence.
Oth. I am to blame.

Def. Why do you fpeak fo faintly?

Are you not well?

Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.

Def. Why, that's with watching, 'twill away again.

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour

It will be well.

Oth. Your napkin is too little;

[She drops her handkerchief.

Let it alone: come, I'll go in with you.

Def. I am very forry that you are not well. [Exeunt.

SCENE VII. Manet Emilia.

Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin;
This was her first remembrance from the Moor;
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd me to fteal it. But fhe fo loves the token,
(For he conjur'd her she should ever keep it),
That the referves it evermore about her,

To kifs and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give't lago; what he'll do with it,

Heav'n knows, not I:

I nothing, but to please his phantafy.

Enter Iàgo.

Jago. How now? what do you here alone?
Emil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

Iago. You have a thing for me?

It is a common thing

Emil. Ha?

Iago. To have a foolish wife.

Emil. Oh, is that all? what will you give me now

For that fame handkerchief?

Iago. What handkerchief?

VOL. VIII.

Emil.

242

Emil. What handkerchief?

Why, that the Moor firft gave to Desdemona,
That which fo often you did bid me steal.
Iago. Haft flolen it from her?

Rmil No; but fhe let it drop by negligence;

And, to th' advantage, I, being here, took't up.
Look, here 'tis.

Iago. A good wench, give it me.

Emil. What will you do with't, you have been fo To have me filch it?

Iago. Why, what is that to you?

[earnest [Snatching it.

Emil. If't be not for fome purpose of import, Give't me again. Poor lady! the'll run mad, When the fhall lack it.

Iago. Be not you known cn't:

[Exit Emilia.

I have ufe for it. Go, leave me→→
I will in Caffio's lodging lofe 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 fomething. "The Moor already changes with my poisons : Dangerous conceits are in their nature poifons, Which at the first are fcarce found to distaste; "But, with a little act upon the blood, "Burn like the mines of fulphur.-I did fay fo."

SCENE VIII. Enter Othello.

Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowfy fyrups of the world,

Shall ever medicine thee to that fweet fleep,

Which thou owedit yesterday.

Oth. Ha! falfe to me!

Iago. Why, how now, General? no more of that.
Oth." Avaunt! be gone! thou'ft fet me on the rack.
I fwear 'tis better to be much abus'd,

Than but to know a little.

Iago. How, my Lord?

Cth." What fenfe had I of her ftol'n hours or luft? "I faw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me ; "I flept the next night well; was free and merry; "I found not Caffio's kiffes on her lips. He that is robb'd, not wanting what is foln, Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all.

lago. I am forry to hear this.

Qth." I had been happy, if the general camp (Pioneers and all) had tafted her sweet body, "So I had nothing known. Oh now, for ever "Farewel the tranquil mind! Farewel content! "Farewel the plumed troops, and the big war, "That make ambition virtue! oh, farewel! "Farewel the neighing fteed, and the fhrill trump, "The fpirit-ftirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, "The royal banner, and all quality,

"Pride, pomp, and circumftance of glorious war! "And, oh, you mortal engines, whofe rude throats "Th' immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit, "Farewel! Othello's occupation's gone?

Iago. Is't poffible, my Lord?

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

[Catching hold on him:

Or, by the worth of man's eternal foul,

Thou hadst been better have been born a dog,
Than anfwer my wak'd wrath.

Iago Is't come to this?

Oth. Make me to fee't; or, at the leaft fo prove it, That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop,

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

Iago. My Noble Lord

Oth. If thou doft flander her, and torture me, Never pray more; abandon all remorse †;

On horrors head horrors accumulate;

Do deeds to make heav'n weep, all earth amaz'd;
For nothing canft thou to damnation add,

Greater than that.

Iago. Oh grace! oh heav'n defend me ! Are you a man? have you a foul? or fenfe? God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool, That liv'ft to make thine honesty a vice!

Oh monstrous, world! take note, take note, oh world, To be direct and honeft, is not fafe.

I thank you for this profit, and from hence

I'll love no friend, fith love breeds fuch offence.