Des. Can any thing be made of this? Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise a lodging, and say—he lies here, or he lies there, were to lie in my own throat. Des. Can you enquire him out, and be edified by report? Clo. I will catechize the world for him; that is, make questions, and by them answer. Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him, I have moved my lord in his behalf, and hope, all will be well. Clo. To do this, is within the compass of man's wit; and therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit. Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia ? Emil. I know not, madam. I Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full of cruzadoes. And, but my noble Moor Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are, it were enough To put him to ill-thinking. Emil. Is he not jealous? Des. Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was born, Drew all such humours from him. Emil. Look, where he comes. Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio Enter OTHELLO, Oth. Well, my good lady :-[Aside.] O, hardness to dissemble ! How do you, Desdemona ? Des. Well, my good lord. Oth. Give me your hand: This hand is moist, my lady. Des. It yet has felt no age, nor known no sorrow. Oth. This argues fruitfulness, and liberal heart;Hot, hot, and moist: This hand of yours requires A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer, Much castigation,2 exercise devout ; For here's a young and sweating devil here, That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, A frank one. Des. You may, indeed, say so; Oth. A liberal hand: The hearts of old, gave hands; But our new heraldry is—hands, not hearts. Des. I cannot speak of this. promise. Oth. What promise, chuck? Come now your Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. Oth. I have a salt and sullen rheum offends me; Lend me thy handkerchief. Des. Here, my lord. Oth. That which I gave you. 1 2 Penance, discipline. Did an Egyptian to my mother give; She was a charmer,3 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 loathly, and his spirits should hunt And bid me, when my fate would have me wive, To lose or give't away, were such perdition, Des. Is it possible? Oth. "Tis true: there's magick in the web of it: The sun to make two hundred compasses, The worms were hallow'd, that did breed the silk; Des. Indeed! is't true? Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well. Des. Then 'would to heaven, that I had never seen it. 3 Enchantress. Oth. Ha! wherefore? Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash ?4 Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out of the Des. It is not lost; But what an if it were? Des. I say, it is not lost. Oth. Fetch't, let me see it. 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. Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind mis gives. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio. A man that, all his time, Hath founded his good fortune on your love; Shar'd dangers with you; Des. I ne'er saw this before. Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: I am most unhappy in the loss of it. 4. Vehement, violent. 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. Jago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and impórtune her. Des. How now? good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, Can ransome me into his love again, 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 a while be patient: 5 In countenance. • Within the shot of his anger. |