othello.txt

               Othello, the Moore of Venice
    [1]Shakespeare homepage | [2]Othello | Entire play

  ACT I

  SCENE I. Venice. A street.

     Enter RODERIGO and IAGO

   RODERIGO

     Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly
     That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
     As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.

   IAGO

     'Sblood, but you will not hear me:
     If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me.

   RODERIGO

     Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.

   IAGO

     Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
     In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
     Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,
     I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
     But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,
     Evades them, with a bombast circumstance
     Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;
     And, in conclusion,
     Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,
     'I have already chose my officer.'
     And what was he?
     Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
     One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
     A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;
     That never set a squadron in the field,
     Nor the division of a battle knows
     More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,
     Wherein the toged consuls can propose
     As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,
     Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:
     And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
     At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
     Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd
     By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,
     He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
     And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient.

   RODERIGO

     By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.

   IAGO

     Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service,
     Preferment goes by letter and affection,
     And not by old gradation, where each second
     Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself,
     Whether I in any just term am affined
     To love the Moor.

   RODERIGO

     I would not follow him then.

   IAGO

     O, sir, content you;
     I follow him to serve my turn upon him:
     We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
     Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark
     Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,
     That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
     Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
     For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:
     Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are
     Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,
     Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
     And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
     Do well thrive by them and when they have lined
     their coats
     Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;
     And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,
     It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
     Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:
     In following him, I follow but myself;
     Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
     But seeming so, for my peculiar end:
     For when my outward action doth demonstrate
     The native act and figure of my heart
     In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
     But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
     For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.

   RODERIGO

     What a full fortune does the thicklips owe
     If he can carry't thus!

   IAGO

     Call up her father,
     Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,
     Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,
     And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,
     Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
     Yet throw such changes of vexation on't,
     As it may lose some colour.

   RODERIGO

     Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.

   IAGO

     Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell
     As when, by night and negligence, the fire
     Is spied in populous cities.

   RODERIGO

     What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!

   IAGO

     Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves!
     Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!
     Thieves! thieves!

     BRABANTIO appears above, at a window

   BRABANTIO

     What is the reason of this terrible summons?
     What is the matter there?

   RODERIGO

     Signior, is all your family within?

   IAGO

     Are your doors lock'd?

   BRABANTIO

     Why, wherefore ask you this?

   IAGO

     'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on
     your gown;
     Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;
     Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
     Is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
     Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
     Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
     Arise, I say.

   BRABANTIO

     What, have you lost your wits?

   RODERIGO

     Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?

   BRABANTIO

     Not I what are you?

   RODERIGO

     My name is Roderigo.

   BRABANTIO

     The worser welcome:
     I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:
     In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
     My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,
     Being full of supper and distempering draughts,
     Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come
     To start my quiet.

   RODERIGO

     Sir, sir, sir,--

   BRABANTIO

     But thou must needs be sure
     My spirit and my place have in them power
     To make this bitter to thee.

   RODERIGO

     Patience, good sir.

   BRABANTIO

     What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice;
     My house is not a grange.

   RODERIGO

     Most grave Brabantio,
     In simple and pure soul I come to you.

   IAGO

     'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not
     serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to
     do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll
     have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse;
     you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have
     coursers for cousins and gennets for germans.

   BRABANTIO

     What profane wretch art thou?

   IAGO

     I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
     and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.

   BRABANTIO

     Thou art a villain.

   IAGO

     You are--a senator.

   BRABANTIO

     This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo.

   RODERIGO

     Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you,
     If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,
     As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,
     At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,
     Transported, with no worse nor better guard
     But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,
     To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor--
     If this be known to you and your allowance,
     We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;
     But if you know not this, my manners tell me
     We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe
     That, from the sense of all civility,
     I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:
     Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,
     I say again, hath made a gross revolt;
     Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes
     In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
     Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:
     If she be in her chamber or your house,
     Let loose on me the justice of the state
     For thus deluding you.

   BRABANTIO

     Strike on the tinder, ho!
     Give me a taper! call up all my people!
     This accident is not unlike my dream:
     Belief of it oppresses me already.
     Light, I say! light!

     Exit above

   IAGO

     Farewell; for I must leave you:
     It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,
     To be produced--as, if I stay, I shall--
     Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state,
     However this may gall him with some cheque,
     Cannot with safety cast him, for he's embark'd
     With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,
     Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,
     Another of his fathom they have none,
     To lead their business: in which regard,
     Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.
     Yet, for necessity of present life,
     I must show out a flag and sign of love,
     Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,
     Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;
     And there will I be with him. So, farewell.

     Exit

     Enter, below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with torches

   BRABANTIO

     It is too true an evil: gone she is;
     And what's to come of my despised time
     Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,
     Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
     With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father!
     How didst thou know 'twas she? O she deceives me
     Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers:
     Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?

   RODERIGO

     Truly, I think they are.

   BRABANTIO

     O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!
     Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds
     By what you see them act. Is there not charms
     By which the property of youth and maidhood
     May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
     Of some such thing?

   RODERIGO

     Yes, sir, I have indeed.

   BRABANTIO

     Call up my brother. O, would you had had her!
     Some one way, some another. Do you know
     Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?

   RODERIGO

     I think I can discover him, if you please,
     To get good guard and go along with me.

   BRABANTIO

     Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call;
     I may command at most. Get weapons, ho!
     And raise some special officers of night.
     On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains.

     Exeunt

  SCENE II. Another street.

     Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants with torches

   IAGO

     Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
     Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
     To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity
     Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
     I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.

   OTHELLO

     'Tis better as it is.

   IAGO

     Nay, but he prated,
     And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
     Against your honour
     That, with the little godliness I have,
     I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,
     Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
     That the magnifico is much beloved,
     And hath in his effect a voice potential
     As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;
     Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
     The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
     Will give him cable.

   OTHELLO

     Let him do his spite:
     My services which I have done the signiory
     Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,--
     Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
     I shall promulgate--I fetch my life and being
     From men of royal siege, and my demerits
     May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
     As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
     But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
     I would not my unhoused free condition
     Put into circumscription and confine
     For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?

   IAGO

     Those are the raised father and his friends:
     You were best go in.

   OTHELLO

     Not I I must be found:
     My parts, my title and my perfect soul
     Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

   IAGO

     By Janus, I think no.

     Enter CASSIO, and certain Officers with torches

   OTHELLO

     The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant.
     The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
     What is the news?

   CASSIO

     The duke does greet you, general,
     And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
     Even on the instant.

   OTHELLO

     What is the matter, think you?

   CASSIO

     Something from Cyprus as I may divine:
     It is a business of some heat: the galleys
     Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
     This very night at one another's heels,
     And many of the consuls, raised and met,
     Are at the duke's already: you have been
     hotly call'd for;
     When, being not at your lodging to be found,
     The senate hath sent about three several guests
     To search you out.

   OTHELLO

     'Tis well I am found by you.
     I will but spend a word here in the house,
     And go with you.

     Exit

   CASSIO

     Ancient, what makes he here?

   IAGO

     'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:
     If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

   CASSIO

     I do not understand.

   IAGO

     He's married.

   CASSIO

     To who?

     Re-enter OTHELLO

   IAGO

     Marry, to--Come, captain, will you go?

   OTHELLO

     Have with you.

   CASSIO

     Here comes another troop to seek for you.

   IAGO

     It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
     He comes to bad intent.

     Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers with torches and weapons

   OTHELLO

     Holla! stand there!

   RODERIGO

     Signior, it is the Moor.

   BRABANTIO

     Down with him, thief!

     They draw on both sides

   IAGO

     You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.

   OTHELLO

     Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
     Good signior, you shall more command with years
     Than with your weapons.

   BRABANTIO

     O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?
     Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
     For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
     If she in chains of magic were not bound,
     Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,
     So opposite to marriage that she shunned
     The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
     Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
     Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
     Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.
     Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
     That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
     Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
     That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;
     'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
     I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
     For an abuser of the world, a practiser
     Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
     Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,
     Subdue him at his peril.

   OTHELLO

     Hold your hands,
     Both you of my inclining, and the rest:
     Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
     Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
     To answer this your charge?

   BRABANTIO

     To prison, till fit time
     Of law and course of direct session
     Call thee to answer.

   OTHELLO

     What if I do obey?
     How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
     Whose messengers are here about my side,
     Upon some present business of the state
     To bring me to him?

   First Officer

     'Tis true, most worthy signior;
     The duke's in council and your noble self,
     I am sure, is sent for.

   BRABANTIO

     How! the duke in council!
     In this time of the night! Bring him away:
     Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
     Or any of my brothers of the state,
     Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
     For if such actions may have passage free,
     Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.

     Exeunt

  SCENE III. A council-chamber.

     The DUKE and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending

   DUKE OF VENICE

     There is no composition in these news
     That gives them credit.

   First Senator

     Indeed, they are disproportion'd;
     My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     And mine, a hundred and forty.

   Second Senator

     And mine, two hundred:
     But though they jump not on a just account,--
     As in these cases, where the aim reports,
     'Tis oft with difference--yet do they all confirm
     A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Nay, it is possible enough to judgment:
     I do not so secure me in the error,
     But the main article I do approve
     In fearful sense.

   Sailor

     [Within] What, ho! what, ho! what, ho!

   First Officer

     A messenger from the galleys.

     Enter a Sailor

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Now, what's the business?

   Sailor

     The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;
     So was I bid report here to the state
     By Signior Angelo.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     How say you by this change?

   First Senator

     This cannot be,
     By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant,
     To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
     The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
     And let ourselves again but understand,
     That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
     So may he with more facile question bear it,
     For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
     But altogether lacks the abilities
     That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this,
     We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
     To leave that latest which concerns him first,
     Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,
     To wake and wage a danger profitless.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.

   First Officer

     Here is more news.

     Enter a Messenger

   Messenger

     The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
     Steering with due course towards the isle of Rhodes,
     Have there injointed them with an after fleet.

   First Senator

     Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?

   Messenger

     Of thirty sail: and now they do restem
     Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
     Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
     Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
     With his free duty recommends you thus,
     And prays you to believe him.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.
     Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?

   First Senator

     He's now in Florence.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch.

   First Senator

     Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.

     Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
     Against the general enemy Ottoman.

     To BRABANTIO

     I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior;
     We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight.

   BRABANTIO

     So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me;
     Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
     Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general care
     Take hold on me, for my particular grief
     Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
     That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
     And it is still itself.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Why, what's the matter?

   BRABANTIO

     My daughter! O, my daughter!

   DUKE OF VENICE Senator

     Dead?

   BRABANTIO

     Ay, to me;
     She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
     By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;
     For nature so preposterously to err,
     Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
     Sans witchcraft could not.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
     Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
     And you of her, the bloody book of law
     You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
     After your own sense, yea, though our proper son
     Stood in your action.

   BRABANTIO

     Humbly I thank your grace.
     Here is the man, this Moor, whom now, it seems,
     Your special mandate for the state-affairs
     Hath hither brought.

   DUKE OF VENICE Senator

     We are very sorry for't.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     [To OTHELLO] What, in your own part, can you say to this?

   BRABANTIO

     Nothing, but this is so.

   OTHELLO

     Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
     My very noble and approved good masters,
     That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
     It is most true; true, I have married her:
     The very head and front of my offending
     Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
     And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace:
     For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
     Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
     Their dearest action in the tented field,
     And little of this great world can I speak,
     More than pertains to feats of broil and battle,
     And therefore little shall I grace my cause
     In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
     I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
     Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms,
     What conjuration and what mighty magic,
     For such proceeding I am charged withal,
     I won his daughter.

   BRABANTIO

     A maiden never bold;
     Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion
     Blush'd at herself; and she, in spite of nature,
     Of years, of country, credit, every thing,
     To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on!
     It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect
     That will confess perfection so could err
     Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
     To find out practises of cunning hell,
     Why this should be. I therefore vouch again
     That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood,
     Or with some dram conjured to this effect,
     He wrought upon her.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     To vouch this, is no proof,
     Without more wider and more overt test
     Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
     Of modern seeming do prefer against him.

   First Senator

     But, Othello, speak:
     Did you by indirect and forced courses
     Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?
     Or came it by request and such fair question
     As soul to soul affordeth?

   OTHELLO

     I do beseech you,
     Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
     And let her speak of me before her father:
     If you do find me foul in her report,
     The trust, the office I do hold of you,
     Not only take away, but let your sentence
     Even fall upon my life.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Fetch Desdemona hither.

   OTHELLO

     Ancient, conduct them: you best know the place.

     Exeunt IAGO and Attendants

     And, till she come, as truly as to heaven
     I do confess the vices of my blood,
     So justly to your grave ears I'll present
     How I did thrive in this fair lady's love,
     And she in mine.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Say it, Othello.

   OTHELLO

     Her father loved me; oft invited me;
     Still question'd me the story of my life,
     From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,
     That I have passed.
     I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
     To the very moment that he bade me tell it;
     Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances,
     Of moving accidents by flood and field
     Of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach,
     Of being taken by the insolent foe
     And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
     And portance in my travels' history:
     Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
     Rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven
     It was my hint to speak,--such was the process;
     And of the Cannibals that each other eat,
     The Anthropophagi and men whose heads
     Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear
     Would Desdemona seriously incline:
     But still the house-affairs would draw her thence:
     Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
     She'ld come again, and with a greedy ear
     Devour up my discourse: which I observing,
     Took once a pliant hour, and found good means
     To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
     That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
     Whereof by parcels she had something heard,
     But not intentively: I did consent,
     And often did beguile her of her tears,
     When I did speak of some distressful stroke
     That my youth suffer'd. My story being done,
     She gave me for my pains a world of sighs:
     She swore, in faith, twas strange, 'twas passing strange,
     'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful:
     She wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd
     That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me,
     And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
     I should but teach him how to tell my story.
     And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake:
     She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd,
     And I loved her that she did pity them.
     This only is the witchcraft I have used:
     Here comes the lady; let her witness it.

     Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and Attendants

   DUKE OF VENICE

     I think this tale would win my daughter too.
     Good Brabantio,
     Take up this mangled matter at the best:
     Men do their broken weapons rather use
     Than their bare hands.

   BRABANTIO

     I pray you, hear her speak:
     If she confess that she was half the wooer,
     Destruction on my head, if my bad blame
     Light on the man! Come hither, gentle mistress:
     Do you perceive in all this noble company
     Where most you owe obedience?

   DESDEMONA

     My noble father,
     I do perceive here a divided duty:
     To you I am bound for life and education;
     My life and education both do learn me
     How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
     I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,
     And so much duty as my mother show'd
     To you, preferring you before her father,
     So much I challenge that I may profess
     Due to the Moor my lord.

   BRABANTIO

     God be wi' you! I have done.
     Please it your grace, on to the state-affairs:
     I had rather to adopt a child than get it.
     Come hither, Moor:
     I here do give thee that with all my heart
     Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart
     I would keep from thee. For your sake, jewel,
     I am glad at soul I have no other child:
     For thy escape would teach me tyranny,
     To hang clogs on them. I have done, my lord.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Let me speak like yourself, and lay a sentence,
     Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers
     Into your favour.
     When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
     By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
     To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
     Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
     What cannot be preserved when fortune takes
     Patience her injury a mockery makes.
     The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief;
     He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.

   BRABANTIO

     So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile;
     We lose it not, so long as we can smile.
     He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
     But the free comfort which from thence he hears,
     But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
     That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
     These sentences, to sugar, or to gall,
     Being strong on both sides, are equivocal:
     But words are words; I never yet did hear
     That the bruised heart was pierced through the ear.
     I humbly beseech you, proceed to the affairs of state.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for
     Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best
     known to you; and though we have there a substitute
     of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a
     sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer
     voice on you: you must therefore be content to
     slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this
     more stubborn and boisterous expedition.

   OTHELLO

     The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
     Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
     My thrice-driven bed of down: I do agnise
     A natural and prompt alacrity
     I find in hardness, and do undertake
     These present wars against the Ottomites.
     Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
     I crave fit disposition for my wife.
     Due reference of place and exhibition,
     With such accommodation and besort
     As levels with her breeding.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     If you please,
     Be't at her father's.

   BRABANTIO

     I'll not have it so.

   OTHELLO

     Nor I.

   DESDEMONA

     Nor I; I would not there reside,
     To put my father in impatient thoughts
     By being in his eye. Most gracious duke,
     To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear;
     And let me find a charter in your voice,
     To assist my simpleness.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     What would You, Desdemona?

   DESDEMONA

     That I did love the Moor to live with him,
     My downright violence and storm of fortunes
     May trumpet to the world: my heart's subdued
     Even to the very quality of my lord:
     I saw Othello's visage in his mind,
     And to his honour and his valiant parts
     Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
     So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,
     A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
     The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
     And I a heavy interim shall support
     By his dear absence. Let me go with him.

   OTHELLO

     Let her have your voices.
     Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not,
     To please the palate of my appetite,
     Nor to comply with heat--the young affects
     In me defunct--and proper satisfaction.
     But to be free and bounteous to her mind:
     And heaven defend your good souls, that you think
     I will your serious and great business scant
     For she is with me: no, when light-wing'd toys
     Of feather'd Cupid seal with wanton dullness
     My speculative and officed instruments,
     That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
     Let housewives make a skillet of my helm,
     And all indign and base adversities
     Make head against my estimation!

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Be it as you shall privately determine,
     Either for her stay or going: the affair cries haste,
     And speed must answer it.

   First Senator

     You must away to-night.

   OTHELLO

     With all my heart.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     At nine i' the morning here we'll meet again.
     Othello, leave some officer behind,
     And he shall our commission bring to you;
     With such things else of quality and respect
     As doth import you.

   OTHELLO

     So please your grace, my ancient;
     A man he is of honest and trust:
     To his conveyance I assign my wife,
     With what else needful your good grace shall think
     To be sent after me.

   DUKE OF VENICE

     Let it be so.
     Good night to every one.

     To BRABANTIO

     And, noble signior,
     If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
     Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.

   First Senator

     Adieu, brave Moor, use Desdemona well.

   BRABANTIO

     Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
     She has deceived her father, and may thee.

     Exeunt DUKE OF VENICE, Senators, Officers, & c

   OTHELLO

     My life upon her faith! Honest Iago,
     My Desdemona must I leave to thee:
     I prithee, let thy wife attend on her:
     And bring them after in the best advantage.
     Come, Desdemona: I have but an hour
     Of love, of worldly matters and direction,
     To spend with thee: we must obey the time.

     Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA

   RODERIGO

     Iago,--

   IAGO

     What say'st thou, noble heart?

   RODERIGO

     What will I do, thinkest thou?

   IAGO

     Why, go to bed, and sleep.

   RODERIGO

     I will incontinently drown myself.

   IAGO

     If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why,
     thou silly gentleman!

   RODERIGO

     It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and
     then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.

   IAGO

     O villainous! I have looked upon the world for four
     times seven years; and since I could distinguish
     betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man
     that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say, I
     would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I
     would change my humanity with a baboon.

   RODERIGO

     What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so
     fond; but it is not in my virtue to amend it.

   IAGO

     Virtue! a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus
     or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which
     our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant
     nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up
     thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs, or
     distract it with many, either to have it sterile
     with idleness, or manured with industry, why, the
     power and corrigible authority of this lies in our
     wills. If the balance of our lives had not one
     scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the
     blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us
     to most preposterous conclusions: but we have
     reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal
     stings, our unbitted lusts, whereof I take this that
     you call love to be a sect or scion.

   RODERIGO

     It cannot be.

   IAGO

     It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of
     the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself! drown
     cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy
     friend and I confess me knit to thy deserving with
     cables of perdurable toughness; I could never
     better stead thee than now. Put money in thy
     purse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favour with
     an usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It
     cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her
     love to the Moor,-- put money in thy purse,--nor he
     his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou
     shalt see an answerable sequestration:--put but
     money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in
     their wills: fill thy purse with money:--the food
     that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be
     to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must
     change for youth: when she is sated with his body,
     she will find the error of her choice: she must
     have change, she must: therefore put money in thy
     purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a
     more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money
     thou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt
     an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian not
     too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou
     shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox of
     drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seek
     thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than
     to be drowned and go without her.

   RODERIGO

     Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on
     the issue?

   IAGO

     Thou art sure of me:--go, make money:--I have told
     thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I
     hate the Moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath no
     less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge
     against him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost
     thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many
     events in the womb of time which will be delivered.
     Traverse! go, provide thy money. We will have more
     of this to-morrow. Adieu.

   RODERIGO

     Where shall we meet i' the morning?

   IAGO

     At my lodging.

   RODERIGO

     I'll be with thee betimes.

   IAGO

     Go to; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo?

   RODERIGO

     What say you?

   IAGO

     No more of drowning, do you hear?

   RODERIGO

     I am changed: I'll go sell all my land.

     Exit

   IAGO

     Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
     For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,
     If I would time expend with such a snipe.
     But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:
     And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
     He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
     But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
     Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;
     The better shall my purpose work on him.
     Cassio's a proper man: let me see now:
     To get his place and to plume up my will
     In double knavery--How, how? Let's see:--
     After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
     That he is too familiar with his wife.
     He hath a person and a smooth dispose
     To be suspected, framed to make women false.
     The Moor is of a free and open nature,
     That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
     And will as tenderly be led by the nose
     As asses are.
     I have't. It is engender'd. Hell and night
     Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.

     Exit

  ACT II

  SCENE I. A Sea-port in Cyprus. An open place near the quay.

     Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen

   MONTANO

     What from the cape can you discern at sea?

   First Gentleman

     Nothing at all: it is a highwrought flood;
     I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
     Descry a sail.

   MONTANO

     Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land;
     A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:
     If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,
     What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
     Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?

   Second Gentleman

     A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
     For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
     The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;
     The wind-shaked surge, with high and monstrous mane,
     seems to cast water on the burning bear,
     And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
     I never did like molestation view
     On the enchafed flood.

   MONTANO

     If that the Turkish fleet
     Be not enshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd:
     It is impossible they bear it out.

     Enter a third Gentleman

   Third Gentleman

     News, lads! our wars are done.
     The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks,
     That their designment halts: a noble ship of Venice
     Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
     On most part of their fleet.

   MONTANO

     How! is this true?

   Third Gentleman

     The ship is here put in,
     A Veronesa; Michael Cassio,
     Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello,
     Is come on shore: the Moor himself at sea,
     And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

   MONTANO

     I am glad on't; 'tis a worthy governor.

   Third Gentleman

     But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
     Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly,
     And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
     With foul and violent tempest.

   MONTANO

     Pray heavens he be;
     For I have served him, and the man commands
     Like a full soldier. Let's to the seaside, ho!
     As well to see the vessel that's come in
     As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
     Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
     An indistinct regard.

   Third Gentleman

     Come, let's do so:
     For every minute is expectancy
     Of more arrivance.

     Enter CASSIO

   CASSIO

     Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle,
     That so approve the Moor! O, let the heavens
     Give him defence against the elements,
     For I have lost us him on a dangerous sea.

   MONTANO

     Is he well shipp'd?

   CASSIO

     His bark is stoutly timber'd, his pilot
     Of very expert and approved allowance;
     Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
     Stand in bold cure.

     A cry within 'A sail, a sail, a sail!'

     Enter a fourth Gentleman

   CASSIO

     What noise?

   Fourth Gentleman

     The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea
     Stand ranks of people, and they cry 'A sail!'

   CASSIO

     My hopes do shape him for the governor.

     Guns heard

   Second Gentlemen

     They do discharge their shot of courtesy:
     Our friends at least.

   CASSIO

     I pray you, sir, go forth,
     And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.

   Second Gentleman

     I shall.

     Exit

   MONTANO

     But, good lieutenant, is your general wived?

   CASSIO

     Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid
     That paragons description and wild fame;
     One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
     And in the essential vesture of creation
     Does tire the ingener.

     Re-enter second Gentleman

     How now! who has put in?

   Second Gentleman

     'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

   CASSIO

     Has had most favourable and happy speed:
     Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
     The gutter'd rocks and congregated sands--
     Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,--
     As having sense of beauty, do omit
     Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
     The divine Desdemona.

   MONTANO

     What is she?

   CASSIO

     She that I spake of, our great captain's captain,
     Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
     Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
     A se'nnight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
     And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,
     That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
     Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
     Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits
     And bring all Cyprus comfort!

     Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Attendants

     O, behold,
     The riches of the ship is come on shore!
     Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
     Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
     Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
     Enwheel thee round!

   DESDEMONA

     I thank you, valiant Cassio.
     What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

   CASSIO

     He is not yet arrived: nor know I aught
     But that he's well and will be shortly here.

   DESDEMONA

     O, but I fear--How lost you company?

   CASSIO

     The great contention of the sea and skies
     Parted our fellowship--But, hark! a sail.

     Within 'A sail, a sail!' Guns heard

   Second Gentleman

     They give their greeting to the citadel;
     This likewise is a friend.

   CASSIO

     See for the news.

     Exit Gentleman

     Good ancient, you are welcome.

     To EMILIA

     Welcome, mistress.
     Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
     That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
     That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

     Kissing her

   IAGO

     Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
     As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
     You'll have enough.

   DESDEMONA

     Alas, she has no speech.

   IAGO

     In faith, too much;
     I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
     Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
     She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
     And chides with thinking.

   EMILIA

     You have little cause to say so.

   IAGO

     Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
     Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,
     Saints m your injuries, devils being offended,
     Players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds.

   DESDEMONA

     O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

   IAGO

     Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk:
     You rise to play and go to bed to work.

   EMILIA

     You shall not write my praise.

   IAGO

     No, let me not.

   DESDEMONA

     What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst
     praise me?

   IAGO

     O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
     For I am nothing, if not critical.

   DESDEMONA

     Come on assay. There's one gone to the harbour?

   IAGO

     Ay, madam.

   DESDEMONA

     I am not merry; but I do beguile
     The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.
     Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

   IAGO

     I am about it; but indeed my invention
     Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize;
     It plucks out brains and all: but my Muse labours,
     And thus she is deliver'd.
     If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit,
     The one's for use, the other useth it.

   DESDEMONA

     Well praised! How if she be black and witty?

   IAGO

     If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
     She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.

   DESDEMONA

     Worse and worse.

   EMILIA

     How if fair and foolish?

   IAGO

     She never yet was foolish that was fair;
     For even her folly help'd her to an heir.

   DESDEMONA

     These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i'
     the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for
     her that's foul and foolish?

   IAGO

     There's none so foul and foolish thereunto,
     But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

   DESDEMONA

     O heavy ignorance! thou praisest the worst best.
     But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving
     woman indeed, one that, in the authority of her
     merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?

   IAGO

     She that was ever fair and never proud,
     Had tongue at will and yet was never loud,
     Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay,
     Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may,'
     She that being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,
     Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly,
     She that in wisdom never was so frail
     To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
     She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind,
     See suitors following and not look behind,
     She was a wight, if ever such wight were,--

   DESDEMONA

     To do what?

   IAGO

     To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.

   DESDEMONA

     O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn
     of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say
     you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal
     counsellor?

   CASSIO

     He speaks home, madam: You may relish him more in
     the soldier than in the scholar.

   IAGO

     [Aside] He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,
     whisper: with as little a web as this will I
     ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon
     her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship.
     You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as
     these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had
     been better you had not kissed your three fingers so
     oft, which now again you are most apt to play the
     sir in. Very good; well kissed! an excellent
     courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers
     to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!

     Trumpet within

     The Moor! I know his trumpet.

   CASSIO

     'Tis truly so.

   DESDEMONA

     Let's meet him and receive him.

   CASSIO

     Lo, where he comes!

     Enter OTHELLO and Attendants

   OTHELLO

     O my fair warrior!

   DESDEMONA

     My dear Othello!

   OTHELLO

     It gives me wonder great as my content
     To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
     If after every tempest come such calms,
     May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
     And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
     Olympus-high and duck again as low
     As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
     'Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
     My soul hath her content so absolute
     That not another comfort like to this
     Succeeds in unknown fate.

   DESDEMONA

     The heavens forbid
     But that our loves and comforts should increase,
     Even as our days do grow!

   OTHELLO

     Amen to that, sweet powers!
     I cannot speak enough of this content;
     It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
     And this, and this, the greatest discords be

     Kissing her

     That e'er our hearts shall make!

   IAGO

     [Aside] O, you are well tuned now!
     But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
     As honest as I am.

   OTHELLO

     Come, let us to the castle.
     News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks
     are drown'd.
     How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
     Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
     I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
     I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
     In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,
     Go to the bay and disembark my coffers:
     Bring thou the master to the citadel;
     He is a good one, and his worthiness
     Does challenge much respect. Come, Desdemona,
     Once more, well met at Cyprus.

     Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants

   IAGO

     Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come
     hither. If thou be'st valiant,-- as, they say, base
     men being in love have then a nobility in their
     natures more than is native to them--list me. The
     lieutenant tonight watches on the court of
     guard:--first, I must tell thee this--Desdemona is
     directly in love with him.

   RODERIGO

     With him! why, 'tis not possible.

   IAGO

     Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed.
     Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor,
     but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies:
     and will she love him still for prating? let not
     thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed;
     and what delight shall she have to look on the
     devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of
     sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to
     give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,
     sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which
     the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these
     required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will
     find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge,
     disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will
     instruct her in it and compel her to some second
     choice. Now, sir, this granted,--as it is a most
     pregnant and unforced position--who stands so
     eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio
     does? a knave very voluble; no further
     conscionable than in putting on the mere form of
     civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing
     of his salt and most hidden loose affection? why,
     none; why, none: a slipper and subtle knave, a
     finder of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and
     counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never
     present itself; a devilish knave. Besides, the
     knave is handsome, young, and hath all those
     requisites in him that folly and green minds look
     after: a pestilent complete knave; and the woman
     hath found him already.

   RODERIGO

     I cannot believe that in her; she's full of
     most blessed condition.

   IAGO

     Blessed fig's-end! the wine she drinks is made of
     grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never
     have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou
     not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst
     not mark that?

   RODERIGO

     Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.

   IAGO

     Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure prologue
     to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met
     so near with their lips that their breaths embraced
     together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these
     mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes
     the master and main exercise, the incorporate
     conclusion, Pish! But, sir, be you ruled by me: I
     have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night;
     for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows
     you not. I'll not be far from you: do you find
     some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking
     too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what
     other course you please, which the time shall more
     favourably minister.

   RODERIGO

     Well.

   IAGO

     Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply
     may strike at you: provoke him, that he may; for
     even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to
     mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true
     taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So
     shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by
     the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the
     impediment most profitably removed, without the
     which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

   RODERIGO

     I will do this, if I can bring it to any
     opportunity.

   IAGO

     I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel:
     I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

   RODERIGO

     Adieu.

     Exit

   IAGO

     That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
     That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:
     The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
     Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
     And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
     A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;
     Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
     I stand accountant for as great a sin,
     But partly led to diet my revenge,
     For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
     Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof
     Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
     And nothing can or shall content my soul
     Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife,
     Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
     At least into a jealousy so strong
     That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
     If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
     For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
     I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
     Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb--
     For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too--
     Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.
     For making him egregiously an ass
     And practising upon his peace and quiet
     Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:
     Knavery's plain face is never seen tin used.

     Exit

  SCENE II. A street.

     Enter a Herald with a proclamation; People following

   Herald

     It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant
     general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived,
     importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet,
     every man put himself into triumph; some to dance,
     some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and
     revels his addiction leads him: for, besides these
     beneficial news, it is the celebration of his
     nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be
     proclaimed. All offices are open, and there is full
     liberty of feasting from this present hour of five
     till the bell have told eleven. Heaven bless the
     isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello!

     Exeunt

  SCENE III. A hall in the castle.

     Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants

   OTHELLO

     Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:
     Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
     Not to outsport discretion.

   CASSIO

     Iago hath direction what to do;
     But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
     Will I look to't.

   OTHELLO

     Iago is most honest.
     Michael, good night: to-morrow with your earliest
     Let me have speech with you.

     To DESDEMONA

     Come, my dear love,
     The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
     That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.
     Good night.

     Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants

     Enter IAGO

   CASSIO

     Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

   IAGO

     Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the
     clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love
     of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame:
     he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and
     she is sport for Jove.

   CASSIO

     She's a most exquisite lady.

   IAGO

     And, I'll warrant her, fun of game.

   CASSIO

     Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.

   IAGO

     What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of
     provocation.

   CASSIO

     An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.

   IAGO

     And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

   CASSIO

     She is indeed perfection.

   IAGO

     Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I
     have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace
     of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to
     the health of black Othello.

   CASSIO

     Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and
     unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish
     courtesy would invent some other custom of
     entertainment.

   IAGO

     O, they are our friends; but one cup: I'll drink for
     you.

   CASSIO

     I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was
     craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innovation
     it makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmity,
     and dare not task my weakness with any more.

   IAGO

     What, man! 'tis a night of revels: the gallants
     desire it.

   CASSIO

     Where are they?

   IAGO

     Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.

   CASSIO

     I'll do't; but it dislikes me.

     Exit

   IAGO

     If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
     With that which he hath drunk to-night already,
     He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
     As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,
     Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,
     To Desdemona hath to-night caroused
     Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
     Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,
     That hold their honours in a wary distance,
     The very elements of this warlike isle,
     Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,
     And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards,
     Am I to put our Cassio in some action
     That may offend the isle.--But here they come:
     If consequence do but approve my dream,
     My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

     Re-enter CASSIO; with him MONTANO and Gentlemen; servants following with wine

   CASSIO

     'Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.

   MONTANO

     Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am
     a soldier.

   IAGO

     Some wine, ho!

     Sings

     And let me the canakin clink, clink;
     And let me the canakin clink
     A soldier's a man;
     A life's but a span;
     Why, then, let a soldier drink.
     Some wine, boys!

   CASSIO

     'Fore God, an excellent song.

   IAGO

     I learned it in England, where, indeed, they are
     most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and
     your swag-bellied Hollander--Drink, ho!--are nothing
     to your English.

   CASSIO

     Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?

   IAGO

     Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead
     drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he
     gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle
     can be filled.

   CASSIO

     To the health of our general!

   MONTANO

     I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.

   IAGO

     O sweet England!
     King Stephen was a worthy peer,
     His breeches cost him but a crown;
     He held them sixpence all too dear,
     With that he call'd the tailor lown.
     He was a wight of high renown,
     And thou art but of low degree:
     'Tis pride that pulls the country down;
     Then take thine auld cloak about thee.
     Some wine, ho!

   CASSIO

     Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

   IAGO

     Will you hear't again?

   CASSIO

     No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that
     does those things. Well, God's above all; and there
     be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

   IAGO

     It's true, good lieutenant.

   CASSIO

     For mine own part,--no offence to the general, nor
     any man of quality,--I hope to be saved.

   IAGO

     And so do I too, lieutenant.

   CASSIO

     Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the
     lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's
     have no more of this; let's to our affairs.--Forgive
     us our sins!--Gentlemen, let's look to our business.
     Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my
     ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:
     I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and
     speak well enough.

   All

     Excellent well.

   CASSIO

     Why, very well then; you must not think then that I am drunk.

     Exit

   MONTANO

     To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch.

   IAGO

     You see this fellow that is gone before;
     He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
     And give direction: and do but see his vice;
     'Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
     The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
     I fear the trust Othello puts him in.
     On some odd time of his infirmity,
     Will shake this island.

   MONTANO

     But is he often thus?

   IAGO

     'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:
     He'll watch the horologe a double set,
     If drink rock not his cradle.

   MONTANO

     It were well
     The general were put in mind of it.
     Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature
     Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
     And looks not on his evils: is not this true?

     Enter RODERIGO

   IAGO

     [Aside to him] How now, Roderigo!
     I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

     Exit RODERIGO

   MONTANO

     And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
     Should hazard such a place as his own second
     With one of an ingraft infirmity:
     It were an honest action to say
     So to the Moor.

   IAGO

     Not I, for this fair island:
     I do love Cassio well; and would do much
     To cure him of this evil--But, hark! what noise?

     Cry within: 'Help! help!'

     Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO

   CASSIO

     You rogue! you rascal!

   MONTANO

     What's the matter, lieutenant?

   CASSIO

     A knave teach me my duty!
     I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.

   RODERIGO

     Beat me!

   CASSIO

     Dost thou prate, rogue?

     Striking RODERIGO

   MONTANO

     Nay, good lieutenant;

     Staying him

     I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

   CASSIO

     Let me go, sir,
     Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.

   MONTANO

     Come, come,
     you're drunk.

   CASSIO

     Drunk!

     They fight

   IAGO

     [Aside to RODERIGO] Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny.

     Exit RODERIGO

     Nay, good lieutenant,--alas, gentlemen;--
     Help, ho!--Lieutenant,--sir,--Montano,--sir;
     Help, masters!--Here's a goodly watch indeed!

     Bell rings

     Who's that which rings the bell?--Diablo, ho!
     The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold!
     You will be shamed for ever.

     Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants

   OTHELLO

     What is the matter here?

   MONTANO

     'Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.

     Faints

   OTHELLO

     Hold, for your lives!

   IAGO

     Hold, ho! Lieutenant,--sir--Montano,--gentlemen,--
     Have you forgot all sense of place and duty?
     Hold! the general speaks to you; hold, hold, for shame!

   OTHELLO

     Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
     Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that
     Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
     For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
     He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
     Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
     Silence that dreadful bell: it frights the isle
     From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
     Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
     Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.

   IAGO

     I do not know: friends all but now, even now,
     In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
     Devesting them for bed; and then, but now--
     As if some planet had unwitted men--
     Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
     In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
     Any beginning to this peevish odds;
     And would in action glorious I had lost
     Those legs that brought me to a part of it!

   OTHELLO

     How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?

   CASSIO

     I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.

   OTHELLO

     Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
     The gravity and stillness of your youth
     The world hath noted, and your name is great
     In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
     That you unlace your reputation thus
     And spend your rich opinion for the name
     Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

   MONTANO

     Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
     Your officer, Iago, can inform you,--
     While I spare speech, which something now
     offends me,--
     Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
     By me that's said or done amiss this night;
     Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
     And to defend ourselves it be a sin
     When violence assails us.

   OTHELLO

     Now, by heaven,
     My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
     And passion, having my best judgment collied,
     Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,
     Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
     Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
     How this foul rout began, who set it on;
     And he that is approved in this offence,
     Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
     Shall lose me. What! in a town of war,
     Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
     To manage private and domestic quarrel,
     In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
     'Tis monstrous. Iago, who began't?

   MONTANO

     If partially affined, or leagued in office,
     Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
     Thou art no soldier.

   IAGO

     Touch me not so near:
     I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
     Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
     Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
     Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
     Montano and myself being in speech,
     There comes a fellow crying out for help:
     And Cassio following him with determined sword,
     To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
     Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:
     Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
     Lest by his clamour--as it so fell out--
     The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
     Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
     For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
     And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night
     I ne'er might say before. When I came back--
     For this was brief--I found them close together,
     At blow and thrust; even as again they were
     When you yourself did part them.
     More of this matter cannot I report:
     But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
     Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
     As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
     Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
     From him that fled some strange indignity,
     Which patience could not pass.

   OTHELLO

     I know, Iago,
     Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
     Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee
     But never more be officer of mine.

     Re-enter DESDEMONA, attended

     Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!
     I'll make thee an example.

   DESDEMONA

     What's the matter?

   OTHELLO

     All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed.
     Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon:
     Lead him off.

     To MONTANO, who is led off

     Iago, look with care about the town,
     And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
     Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life
     To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.

     Exeunt all but IAGO and CASSIO

   IAGO

     What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

   CASSIO

     Ay, past all surgery.

   IAGO

     Marry, heaven forbid!

   CASSIO

     Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost
     my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
     myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation,
     Iago, my reputation!

   IAGO

     As I am an honest man, I thought you had received
     some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than
     in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false
     imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without
     deserving: you have lost no reputation at all,
     unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man!
     there are ways to recover the general again: you
     are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in
     policy than in malice, even so as one would beat his
     offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion: sue
     to him again, and he's yours.

   CASSIO

     I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so
     good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so
     indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot?
     and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse
     fustian with one's own shadow? O thou invisible
     spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by,
     let us call thee devil!

   IAGO

     What was he that you followed with your sword? What
     had he done to you?

   CASSIO

     I know not.

   IAGO

     Is't possible?

   CASSIO

     I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly;
     a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men
     should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away
     their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance
     revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!

   IAGO

     Why, but you are now well enough: how came you thus
     recovered?

   CASSIO

     It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place
     to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me
     another, to make me frankly despise myself.

   IAGO

     Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time,
     the place, and the condition of this country
     stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen;
     but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

   CASSIO

     I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me
     I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra,
     such an answer would stop them all. To be now a
     sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a
     beast! O strange! Every inordinate cup is
     unblessed and the ingredient is a devil.

   IAGO

     Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,
     if it be well used: exclaim no more against it.
     And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

   CASSIO

     I have well approved it, sir. I drunk!

   IAGO

     You or any man living may be drunk! at a time, man.
     I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife
     is now the general: may say so in this respect, for
     that he hath devoted and given up himself to the
     contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and
     graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune
     her help to put you in your place again: she is of
     so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition,
     she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more
     than she is requested: this broken joint between
     you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my
     fortunes against any lay worth naming, this
     crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

   CASSIO

     You advise me well.

   IAGO

     I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

   CASSIO

     I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will
     beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me:
     I am desperate of my fortunes if they cheque me here.

   IAGO

     You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I
     must to the watch.
     CASSIO: Good night, honest Iago.

     Exit

   IAGO

     And what's he then that says I play the villain?
     When this advice is free I give and honest,
     Probal to thinking and indeed the course
     To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy
     The inclining Desdemona to subdue
     In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful
     As the free elements. And then for her
     To win the Moor--were't to renounce his baptism,
     All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
     His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,
     That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
     Even as her appetite shall play the god
     With his weak function. How am I then a villain
     To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
     Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
     When devils will the blackest sins put on,
     They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
     As I do now: for whiles this honest fool
     Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes
     And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
     I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,
     That she repeals him for her body's lust;
     And by how much she strives to do him good,
     She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
     So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
     And out of her own goodness make the net
     That shall enmesh them all.

     Re-enter RODERIGO

     How now, Roderigo!

   RODERIGO

     I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that
     hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is
     almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well
     cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall
     have so much experience for my pains, and so, with
     no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

   IAGO

     How poor are they that have not patience!
     What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
     Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;
     And wit depends on dilatory time.
     Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee.
     And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:
     Though other things grow fair against the sun,
     Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe:
     Content thyself awhile. By the mass, 'tis morning;
     Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
     Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
     Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:
     Nay, get thee gone.

     Exit RODERIGO

     Two things are to be done:
     My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
     I'll set her on;
     Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,
     And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
     Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way
     Dull not device by coldness and delay.

     Exit

  ACT III

  SCENE I. Before the castle.

     Enter CASSIO and some Musicians

   CASSIO

     Masters, play here; I will content your pains;
     Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.'

     Music

     Enter Clown

   Clown

     Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples,
     that they speak i' the nose thus?

   First Musician

     How, sir, how!

   Clown

     Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?

   First Musician

     Ay, marry, are they, sir.

   Clown

     O, thereby hangs a tail.

   First Musician

     Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

   Clown

     Marry. sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know.
     But, masters, here's money for you: and the general
     so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's
     sake, to make no more noise with it.

   First Musician

     Well, sir, we will not.

   Clown

     If you have any music that may not be heard, to't
     again: but, as they say to hear music the general
     does not greatly care.

   First Musician

     We have none such, sir.

   Clown

     Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away:
     go; vanish into air; away!

     Exeunt Musicians

   CASSIO

     Dost thou hear, my honest friend?

   Clown

     No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

   CASSIO

     Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece
     of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends
     the general's wife be stirring, tell her there's
     one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech:
     wilt thou do this?

   Clown

     She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I
     shall seem to notify unto her.

   CASSIO

     Do, good my friend.

     Exit Clown

     Enter IAGO

     In happy time, Iago.

   IAGO

     You have not been a-bed, then?

   CASSIO

     Why, no; the day had broke
     Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
     To send in to your wife: my suit to her
     Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona
     Procure me some access.

   IAGO

     I'll send her to you presently;
     And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
     Out of the way, that your converse and business
     May be more free.

   CASSIO

     I humbly thank you for't.

     Exit IAGO

     I never knew
     A Florentine more kind and honest.

     Enter EMILIA

   EMILIA

     Good morrow, good Lieutenant: I am sorry
     For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.
     The general and his wife are talking of it;
     And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,
     That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus,
     And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom
     He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you
     And needs no other suitor but his likings
     To take the safest occasion by the front
     To bring you in again.

   CASSIO

     Yet, I beseech you,
     If you think fit, or that it may be done,
     Give me advantage of some brief discourse
     With Desdemona alone.

   EMILIA

     Pray you, come in;
     I will bestow you where you shall have time
     To speak your bosom freely.

   CASSIO

     I am much bound to you.

     Exeunt

  SCENE II. A room in the castle.

     Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Gentlemen

   OTHELLO

     These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;
     And by him do my duties to the senate:
     That done, I will be walking on the works;
     Repair there to me.

   IAGO

     Well, my good lord, I'll do't.

   OTHELLO

     This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't?

   Gentleman

     We'll wait upon your lordship.

     Exeunt

  SCENE III. The garden of the castle.

     Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA

   DESDEMONA

     Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
     All my abilities in thy behalf.

   EMILIA

     Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband,
     As if the case were his.

   DESDEMONA

     O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,
     But I will have my lord and you again
     As friendly as you were.

   CASSIO

     Bounteous madam,
     Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
     He's never any thing but your true servant.

   DESDEMONA

     I know't; I thank you. You do love my lord:
     You have known him long; and be you well assured
     He shall in strangeness stand no further off
     Than in a polite distance.

   CASSIO

     Ay, but, lady,
     That policy may either last so long,
     Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
     Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
     That, I being absent and my place supplied,
     My general will forget my love and service.

   DESDEMONA

     Do not doubt that; before Emilia here
     I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,
     If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
     To the last article: my lord shall never rest;
     I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
     His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
     I'll intermingle every thing he does
     With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;
     For thy solicitor shall rather die
     Than give thy cause away.

   EMILIA

     Madam, here comes my lord.

   CASSIO

     Madam, I'll take my leave.

   DESDEMONA

     Why, stay, and hear me speak.

   CASSIO

     Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease,
     Unfit for mine own purposes.

   DESDEMONA

     Well, do your discretion.

     Exit CASSIO

     Enter OTHELLO and IAGO

   IAGO

     Ha! I like not that.

   OTHELLO

     What dost thou say?

   IAGO

     Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what.

   OTHELLO

     Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

   IAGO

     Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
     That he would steal away so guilty-like,
     Seeing you coming.

   OTHELLO

     I do believe 'twas he.

   DESDEMONA

     How now, my lord!
     I have been talking with a suitor here,
     A man that languishes in your displeasure.

   OTHELLO

     Who is't you mean?

   DESDEMONA

     Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
     If I have any grace or power to move you,
     His present reconciliation take;
     For if he be not one that truly loves you,
     That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
     I have no judgment in an honest face:
     I prithee, call him back.

   OTHELLO

     Went he hence now?

   DESDEMONA

     Ay, sooth; so humbled
     That he hath left part of his grief with me,
     To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

   OTHELLO

     Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.

   DESDEMONA

     But shall't be shortly?

   OTHELLO

     The sooner, sweet, for you.

   DESDEMONA

     Shall't be to-night at supper?

   OTHELLO

     No, not to-night.

   DESDEMONA

     To-morrow dinner, then?

   OTHELLO

     I shall not dine at home;
     I meet the captains at the citadel.

   DESDEMONA

     Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;
     On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:
     I prithee, name the time, but let it not
     Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;
     And yet his trespass, in our common reason--
     Save that, they say, the wars must make examples
     Out of their best--is not almost a fault
     To incur a private cheque. When shall he come?
     Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
     What you would ask me, that I should deny,
     Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,
     That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,
     When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
     Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
     To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,--

   OTHELLO

     Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;
     I will deny thee nothing.

   DESDEMONA

     Why, this is not a boon;
     'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
     Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
     Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
     To your own person: nay, when I have a suit
     Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
     It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
     And fearful to be granted.

   OTHELLO

     I will deny thee nothing:
     Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
     To leave me but a little to myself.

   DESDEMONA

     Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.

   DESDEMONA

     Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;
     Whate'er you be, I am obedient.

     Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA

   OTHELLO

     Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
     But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
     Chaos is come again.

   IAGO

     My noble lord--

   OTHELLO

     What dost thou say, Iago?

   IAGO

     Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
     Know of your love?

   OTHELLO

     He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?

   IAGO

     But for a satisfaction of my thought;
     No further harm.

   OTHELLO

     Why of thy thought, Iago?

   IAGO

     I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

   OTHELLO

     O, yes; and went between us very oft.

   IAGO

     Indeed!

   OTHELLO

     Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that?
     Is he not honest?

   IAGO

     Honest, my lord!

   OTHELLO

     Honest! ay, honest.

   IAGO

     My lord, for aught I know.

   OTHELLO

     What dost thou think?

   IAGO

     Think, my lord!

   OTHELLO

     Think, my lord!
     By heaven, he echoes me,
     As if there were some monster in his thought
     Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:
     I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,
     When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
     And when I told thee he was of my counsel
     In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'
     And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
     As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
     Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,
     Show me thy thought.

   IAGO

     My lord, you know I love you.

   OTHELLO

     I think thou dost;
     And, for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty,
     And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,
     Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:
     For such things in a false disloyal knave
     Are tricks of custom, but in a man that's just
     They are close delations, working from the heart
     That passion cannot rule.

   IAGO

     For Michael Cassio,
     I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

   OTHELLO

     I think so too.

   IAGO

     Men should be what they seem;
     Or those that be not, would they might seem none!

   OTHELLO

     Certain, men should be what they seem.

   IAGO

     Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man.

   OTHELLO

     Nay, yet there's more in this:
     I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,
     As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
     The worst of words.

   IAGO

     Good my lord, pardon me:
     Though I am bound to every act of duty,
     I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.
     Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;
     As where's that palace whereinto foul things
     Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
     But some uncleanly apprehensions
     Keep leets and law-days and in session sit
     With meditations lawful?

   OTHELLO

     Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
     If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear
     A stranger to thy thoughts.

   IAGO

     I do beseech you--
     Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,
     As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
     To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
     Shapes faults that are not--that your wisdom yet,
     From one that so imperfectly conceits,
     Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
     Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
     It were not for your quiet nor your good,
     Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
     To let you know my thoughts.

   OTHELLO

     What dost thou mean?

   IAGO

     Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
     Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
     Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
     'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
     But he that filches from me my good name
     Robs me of that which not enriches him
     And makes me poor indeed.

   OTHELLO

     By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.

   IAGO

     You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
     Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.

   OTHELLO

     Ha!

   IAGO

     O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
     It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
     The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss
     Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
     But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
     Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!

   OTHELLO

     O misery!

   IAGO

     Poor and content is rich and rich enough,
     But riches fineless is as poor as winter
     To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
     Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
     From jealousy!

   OTHELLO

     Why, why is this?
     Think'st thou I'ld make a lie of jealousy,
     To follow still the changes of the moon
     With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
     Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,
     When I shall turn the business of my soul
     To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
     Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous
     To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
     Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;
     Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:
     Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
     The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
     For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;
     I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
     And on the proof, there is no more but this,--
     Away at once with love or jealousy!

   IAGO

     I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason
     To show the love and duty that I bear you
     With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
     Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
     Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
     Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:
     I would not have your free and noble nature,
     Out of self-bounty, be abused; look to't:
     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't undone, but keep't unknown.

   OTHELLO

     Dost thou say so?

   IAGO

     She did deceive her father, marrying you;
     And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
     She loved them most.

   OTHELLO

     And so she did.

   IAGO

     Why, go to then;
     She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,
     To seal her father's eyes up close as oak-
     He thought 'twas witchcraft--but I am much to blame;
     I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
     For too much loving you.

   OTHELLO

     I am bound to thee for ever.

   IAGO

     I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.

   OTHELLO

     Not a jot, not a jot.

   IAGO

     I' faith, I fear it has.
     I hope you will consider what is spoke
     Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved:
     I am to pray you not to strain my speech
     To grosser issues nor to larger reach
     Than to suspicion.

   OTHELLO

     I will not.

   IAGO

     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're moved.

   OTHELLO

     No, not much moved:
     I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

   IAGO

     Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

   OTHELLO

     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 such a will most rank,
     Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural.
     But pardon me; I do not in position
     Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear
     Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
     May fall to match you with her country forms
     And happily repent.

   OTHELLO

     Farewell, farewell:
     If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
     Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago:

   IAGO

     [Going] My lord, I take my leave.

   OTHELLO

     Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
     Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

   IAGO

     [Returning] My lord, I would I might entreat
     your honour
     To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:
     Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,
     For sure, he fills it up with great ability,
     Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,
     You shall by that perceive him and his means:
     Note, if your lady strain his entertainment
     With any strong or vehement importunity;
     Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
     Let me be thought too busy in my fears--
     As worthy cause I have to fear I am--
     And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.

   OTHELLO

     Fear not my government.

   IAGO

     I once more take my leave.

     Exit

   OTHELLO

     This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
     And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
     Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
     Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
     I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind,
     To pray at fortune. Haply, for I am black
     And have not those soft parts of conversation
     That chamberers have, or for I am declined
     Into the vale of years,--yet that's not much--
     She's gone. I am abused; and my relief
     Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
     That we can call these 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' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;
     Prerogatived are they less than the base;
     'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:
     Even then this forked plague is fated to us
     When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:

     Re-enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA

     If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!
     I'll not believe't.

   DESDEMONA

     How now, my dear Othello!
     Your dinner, and the generous islanders
     By you invited, do attend your presence.

   OTHELLO

     I am to blame.

   DESDEMONA

     Why do you speak so faintly?
     Are you not well?

   OTHELLO

     I have a pain upon my forehead here.

   DESDEMONA

     'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:
     Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
     It will be well.

   OTHELLO

     Your napkin is too little:

     He puts the handkerchief from him; and it drops

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

   DESDEMONA

     I am very sorry that you are not well.

     Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA

   EMILIA

     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 steal it; but she so loves the token,
     For he conjured her she should ever keep it,
     That she reserves it evermore about her
     To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
     And give't Iago: what he will do with it
     Heaven knows, not I;
     I nothing but to please his fantasy.

     Re-enter Iago

   IAGO

     How now! what do you here alone?

   EMILIA

     Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

   IAGO

     A thing for me? it is a common thing--

   EMILIA

     Ha!

   IAGO

     To have a foolish wife.

   EMILIA

     O, is that all? What will you give me now
     For the same handkerchief?

   IAGO

     What handkerchief?

   EMILIA

     What handkerchief?
     Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
     That which so often you did bid me steal.

   IAGO

     Hast stol'n it from her?

   EMILIA

     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.

   EMILIA

     What will you do with 't, that you have been
     so earnest
     To have me filch it?

   IAGO

     [Snatching it] Why, what's that to you?

   EMILIA

     If it be not for some purpose of import,
     Give't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad
     When she shall lack it.

   IAGO

     Be not acknown on '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:
     Look, where he comes!

     Re-enter OTHELLO

     Not poppy, nor mandragora,
     Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
     Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
     Which thou owedst yesterday.

   OTHELLO

     Ha! ha! false to me?

   IAGO

     Why, how now, general! no more of that.

   OTHELLO

     Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:
     I swear 'tis better to be much abused
     Than but to know't a little.

   IAGO

     How now, my lord!

   OTHELLO

     What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?
     I saw't 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 stol'n,
     Let him not know't, and he's not robb'd at all.

   IAGO

     I am sorry to hear this.

   OTHELLO

     I had been happy, if the general camp,
     Pioners 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!
     And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
     The immortal Jove's dead clamours counterfeit,
     Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

   IAGO

     Is't possible, my lord?

   OTHELLO

     Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,
     Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof:
     Or by the worth of man's eternal soul,
     Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
     Than answer my waked wrath!

   IAGO

     Is't come to this?

   OTHELLO

     Make me to see't; or, at the least, so prove it,
     That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
     To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life!

   IAGO

     My noble lord,--

   OTHELLO

     If thou dost slander her and torture me,
     Never pray more; abandon all remorse;
     On horror's head horrors accumulate;
     Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;
     For nothing canst thou to damnation add
     Greater than that.

   IAGO

     O grace! O heaven forgive me!
     Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
     God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool.
     That livest to make thine honesty a vice!
     O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
     To be direct and honest is not safe.
     I thank you for this profit; and from hence
     I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence.

   OTHELLO

     Nay, stay: thou shouldst be honest.

   IAGO

     I should be wise, for honesty's a fool
     And loses that it works for.

   OTHELLO

     By the world,
     I think my wife be honest and think she is not;
     I think that thou art just and think thou art not.
     I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh
     As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black
     As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,
     Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
     I'll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!

   IAGO

     I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:
     I do repent me that I put it to you.
     You would be satisfied?

   OTHELLO

     Would! nay, I will.

   IAGO

     And may: but, how? how satisfied, my lord?
     Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on--
     Behold her topp'd?

   OTHELLO

     Death and damnation! O!

   IAGO

     It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
     To bring them to that prospect: damn them then,
     If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
     More than their own! What then? how then?
     What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
     It is impossible you should see this,
     Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
     As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
     As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
     If imputation and strong circumstances,
     Which lead directly to the door of truth,
     Will give you satisfaction, you may have't.

   OTHELLO

     Give me a living reason she's disloyal.

   IAGO

     I do not like the office:
     But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,
     Prick'd to't by foolish honesty and love,
     I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;
     And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
     I could not sleep.
     There are a kind of men so loose of soul,
     That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:
     One of this kind is Cassio:
     In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona,
     Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;'
     And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
     Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,
     As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots
     That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg
     Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then
     Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!'

   OTHELLO

     O monstrous! monstrous!

   IAGO

     Nay, this was but his dream.

   OTHELLO

     But this denoted a foregone conclusion:
     'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.

   IAGO

     And this may help to thicken other proofs
     That do demonstrate thinly.

   OTHELLO

     I'll tear her all to pieces.

   IAGO

     Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done;
     She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,
     Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
     Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?

   OTHELLO

     I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.

   IAGO

     I know not that; but such a handkerchief--
     I am sure it was your wife's--did I to-day
     See Cassio wipe his beard with.

   OTHELLO

     If it be that--

   IAGO

     If it be that, or any that was hers,
     It speaks against her with the other proofs.

   OTHELLO

     O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
     One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
     Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago;
     All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
     'Tis gone.
     Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!
     Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
     To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
     For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

   IAGO

     Yet be content.

   OTHELLO

     O, blood, blood, blood!

   IAGO

     Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.

   OTHELLO

     Never, Iago: Like to the Pontic sea,
     Whose icy current and compulsive course
     Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on
     To the Propontic and the Hellespont,
     Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,
     Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love,
     Till that a capable and wide revenge
     Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven,

     Kneels

     In the due reverence of a sacred vow
     I here engage my words.

   IAGO

     Do not rise yet.

     Kneels

     Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
     You elements that clip us round about,
     Witness that here Iago doth give up
     The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
     To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,
     And to obey shall be in me remorse,
     What bloody business ever.

     They rise

   OTHELLO

     I greet thy love,
     Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,
     And will upon the instant put thee to't:
     Within these three days let me hear thee say
     That Cassio's not alive.

   IAGO

     My friend is dead; 'tis done at your request:
     But let her live.

   OTHELLO

     Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!
     Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw,
     To furnish me with some swift means of death
     For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

   IAGO

     I am your own for ever.

     Exeunt

  SCENE IV. Before the castle.

     Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and Clown

   DESDEMONA

     Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?

   Clown

     I dare not say he lies any where.

   DESDEMONA

     Why, man?

   Clown

     He's a soldier, and for one to say a soldier lies,
     is stabbing.

   DESDEMONA

     Go to: where lodges he?

   Clown

     To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where I lie.

   DESDEMONA

     Can any thing be made of this?

   Clown

     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 mine own throat.

   DESDEMONA

     Can you inquire him out, and be edified by report?

   Clown

     I will catechise the world for him; that is, make
     questions, and by them answer.

   DESDEMONA

     Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have
     moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.

   Clown

     To do this is within the compass of man's wit: and
     therefore I will attempt the doing it.

     Exit

   DESDEMONA

     Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?

   EMILIA

     I know not, madam.

   DESDEMONA

     Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
     Full of crusadoes: 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.

   EMILIA

     Is he not jealous?

   DESDEMONA

     Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
     Drew all such humours from him.

   EMILIA

     Look, where he comes.

   DESDEMONA

     I will not leave him now till Cassio
     Be call'd to him.

     Enter OTHELLO

     How is't with you, my lord

   OTHELLO

     Well, my good lady.

     Aside

     O, hardness to dissemble!--
     How do you, Desdemona?

   DESDEMONA

     Well, my good lord.

   OTHELLO

     Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady.

   DESDEMONA

     It yet hath felt no age nor known no sorrow.

   OTHELLO

     This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart:
     Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires
     A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,
     Much castigation, exercise devout;
     For here's a young and sweating devil here,
     That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand,
     A frank one.

   DESDEMONA

     You may, indeed, say so;
     For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.

   OTHELLO

     A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands;
     But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.

   DESDEMONA

     I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.

   OTHELLO

     What promise, chuck?

   DESDEMONA

     I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.

   OTHELLO

     I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;
     Lend me thy handkerchief.

   DESDEMONA

     Here, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     That which I gave you.

   DESDEMONA

     I have it not about me.

   OTHELLO

     Not?

   DESDEMONA

     No, indeed, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     That is a fault.
     That handkerchief
     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 gift of it, my father's eye
     Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt
     After new fancies: she, dying, gave it me;
     And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,
     To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't;
     Make it a darling like your precious eye;
     To lose't or give't away were such perdition
     As nothing else could match.

   DESDEMONA

     Is't possible?

   OTHELLO

     '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;
     And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful
     Conserved of maidens' hearts.

   DESDEMONA

     Indeed! is't true?

   OTHELLO

     Most veritable; therefore look to't well.

   DESDEMONA

     Then would to God that I had never seen't!

   OTHELLO

     Ha! wherefore?

   DESDEMONA

     Why do you speak so startingly and rash?

   OTHELLO

     Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out
     o' the way?

   DESDEMONA

     Heaven bless us!

   OTHELLO

     Say you?

   DESDEMONA

     It is not lost; but what an if it were?

   OTHELLO

     How!

   DESDEMONA

     I say, it is not lost.

   OTHELLO

     Fetch't, let me see't.

   DESDEMONA

     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 received again.

   OTHELLO

     Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.

   DESDEMONA

     Come, come;
     You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

   OTHELLO

     The handkerchief!

   DESDEMONA

     I pray, talk me of Cassio.

   OTHELLO

     The handkerchief!

   DESDEMONA

     A man that all his time
     Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,
     Shared dangers with you,--

   OTHELLO

     The handkerchief!

   DESDEMONA

     In sooth, you are to blame.

   OTHELLO

     Away!

     Exit

   EMILIA

     Is not this man jealous?

   DESDEMONA

     I ne'er saw this before.
     Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
     I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

   EMILIA

     'Tis not a year or two shows us a man:
     They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
     To eat us hungerly, and when they are full,
     They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!

     Enter CASSIO and IAGO

   IAGO

     There is no other way; 'tis she must do't:
     And, lo, the happiness! go, and importune her.

   DESDEMONA

     How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you?

   CASSIO

     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,
     Nor purposed merit in futurity,
     Can ransom me into his love again,
     But to know so must be my benefit;
     So shall I clothe me in a forced content,
     And shut myself up in some other course,
     To fortune's alms.

   DESDEMONA

     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 awhile be patient:
     What I can do I will; and more I will
     Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.

   IAGO

     Is my lord angry?

   EMILIA

     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:
     There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry.

   DESDEMONA

     I prithee, do so.

     Exit IAGO

     Something, sure, of state,
     Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practise
     Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,
     Hath puddled his clear spirit: and in such cases
     Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
     Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;
     For let our finger ache, and it indues
     Our other healthful members even to that sense
     Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,
     Nor of them look for such observances
     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 indicted falsely.

   EMILIA

     Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think,
     And no conception nor no jealous toy
     Concerning you.

   DESDEMONA

     Alas the day! I never gave him cause.

   EMILIA

     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.

   DESDEMONA

     Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind!

   EMILIA

     Lady, amen.

   DESDEMONA

     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.

   CASSIO

     I humbly thank your ladyship.

     Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA

     Enter BIANCA

   BIANCA

     Save you, friend Cassio!

   CASSIO

     What make you from home?
     How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?
     I' faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

   BIANCA

     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!

   CASSIO

     Pardon me, Bianca:
     I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd:
     But I shall, in a more continuate time,
     Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,

     Giving her DESDEMONA's handkerchief

     Take me this work out.

   BIANCA

     O Cassio, whence came this?
     This is some token from a newer friend:
     To the felt absence now I feel a cause:
     Is't come to this? Well, well.

   CASSIO

     Go to, woman!
     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.

   BIANCA

     Why, whose is it?

   CASSIO

     I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.
     I like the work well: ere it be demanded--
     As like enough it will--I'ld have it copied:
     Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.

   BIANCA

     Leave you! wherefore?

   CASSIO

     I do attend here on the general;
     And think it no addition, nor my wish,
     To have him see me woman'd.

   BIANCA

     Why, I pray you?

   CASSIO

     Not that I love you not.

   BIANCA

     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.

   CASSIO

     'Tis but a little way that I can bring you;
     For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.

   BIANCA

     'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced.

     Exeunt

  ACT IV

  SCENE I. Cyprus. Before the castle.

     Enter OTHELLO and IAGO

   IAGO

     Will you think so?

   OTHELLO

     Think so, Iago!

   IAGO

     What,
     To kiss in private?

   OTHELLO

     An unauthorized kiss.

   IAGO

     Or to be naked with her friend in bed
     An hour or more, not meaning any harm?

   OTHELLO

     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.

   IAGO

     So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip:
     But if I give my wife a handkerchief,--

   OTHELLO

     What then?

   IAGO

     Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers,
     She may, I think, bestow't on any man.

   OTHELLO

     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,--

   OTHELLO

     By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it.
     Thou said'st, 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?

   OTHELLO

     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--

   OTHELLO

     Hath he said any thing?

   IAGO

     He hath, my lord; but be you well assured,
     No more than he'll unswear.

   OTHELLO

     What hath he said?

   IAGO

     'Faith, that he did--I know not what he did.

   OTHELLO

     What? what?

   IAGO

     Lie--

   OTHELLO

     With her?

   IAGO

     With her, on her; what you will.

   OTHELLO

     Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when
     they belie her. Lie with her! that's fulsome.
     --Handkerchief--confessions--handkerchief!--To
     confess, and be hanged for his labour;--first, to be
     hanged, and then to confess.--I tremble at it.
     Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing
     passion without some instruction. It is not words
     that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips.
     --Is't possible?--Confess--handkerchief!--O devil!--

     Falls in a trance

   IAGO

     Work on,
     My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught;
     And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,
     All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord!
     My lord, I say! Othello!

     Enter CASSIO

     How now, Cassio!

   CASSIO

     What's the matter?

   IAGO

     My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy:
     This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.

   CASSIO

     Rub him about the temples.

   IAGO

     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 CASSIO

     How is it, general? have you not hurt your head?

   OTHELLO

     Dost thou mock me?

   IAGO

     I mock you! no, by heaven.
     Would you would bear your fortune like a man!

   OTHELLO

     A horned man's a monster and a beast.

   IAGO

     There's many a beast then in a populous city,
     And many a civil monster.

   OTHELLO

     Did he confess it?

   IAGO

     Good sir, be a man;
     Think every bearded fellow that's but yoked
     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,
     To lip a wanton in a secure couch,
     And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;
     And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.

   OTHELLO

     O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.

   IAGO

     Stand you awhile apart;
     Confine yourself but in a patient list.
     Whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief--
     A passion most unsuiting such a man--
     Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,
     And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy,
     Bade him anon return and here speak with me;
     The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,
     And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,
     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 your 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.

   OTHELLO

     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 retires

     Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
     A housewife that by selling her desires
     Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature
     That dotes on Cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague
     To beguile many and be beguiled 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 behavior,
     Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?

   CASSIO

     The worser that you give me the addition
     Whose want even kills me.

   IAGO

     Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on't.

     Speaking lower

     Now, if this suit lay in Bianco's power,
     How quickly should you speed!

   CASSIO

     Alas, poor caitiff!

   OTHELLO

     Look, how he laughs already!

   IAGO

     I never knew woman love man so.

   CASSIO

     Alas, poor rogue! I think, i' faith, she loves me.

   OTHELLO

     Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out.

   IAGO

     Do you hear, Cassio?

   OTHELLO

     Now he importunes him
     To tell it o'er: go to; well said, well said.

   IAGO

     She gives it out that you shall marry hey:
     Do you intend it?

   CASSIO

     Ha, ha, ha!

   OTHELLO

     Do you triumph, Roman? do you triumph?

   CASSIO

     I marry her! what? a customer! Prithee, bear some
     charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome.
     Ha, ha, ha!

   OTHELLO

     So, so, so, so: they laugh that win.

   IAGO

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

   CASSIO

     Prithee, say true.

   IAGO

     I am a very villain else.

   OTHELLO

     Have you scored me? Well.

   CASSIO

     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.

   OTHELLO

     Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.

   CASSIO

     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 the bauble,
     and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck--

   OTHELLO

     Crying 'O dear Cassio!' as it were: his gesture
     imports it.

   CASSIO

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

   OTHELLO

     Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. O,
     I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall
     throw it to.

   CASSIO

     Well, I must leave her company.

   IAGO

     Before me! look, where she comes.

   CASSIO

     'Tis such another fitchew! marry a perfumed one.

     Enter BIANCA

     What do you mean by this haunting of me?

   BIANCA

     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. I must take out the
     work?--A likely piece 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'll take out no work on't.

   CASSIO

     How now, my sweet Bianca! how now! how now!

   OTHELLO

     By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!

   BIANCA

     An you'll come to supper to-night, you may; an you
     will not, come when you are next prepared for.

     Exit

   IAGO

     After her, after her.

   CASSIO

     'Faith, I must; she'll rail in the street else.

   IAGO

     Will you sup there?

   CASSIO

     'Faith, I intend so.

   IAGO

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

   CASSIO

     Prithee, come; will you?

   IAGO

     Go to; say no more.

     Exit CASSIO

   OTHELLO

     [Advancing] How shall I murder him, Iago?

   IAGO

     Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?

   OTHELLO

     O Iago!

   IAGO

     And did you see the handkerchief?

   OTHELLO

     Was that mine?

   IAGO

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

   OTHELLO

     I would have him nine years a-killing.
     A fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman!

   IAGO

     Nay, you must forget that.

   OTHELLO

     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.

   OTHELLO

     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.

   OTHELLO

     O, a thousand thousand times: and then, of so
     gentle a condition!

   IAGO

     Ay, too gentle.

   OTHELLO

     Nay, that's certain: but yet the pity of it, Iago!
     O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!

   IAGO

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

   OTHELLO

     I will chop her into messes: cuckold me!

   IAGO

     O, 'tis foul in her.

   OTHELLO

     With mine officer!

   IAGO

     That's fouler.

   OTHELLO

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

   IAGO

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

   OTHELLO

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

   IAGO

     And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: you
     shall hear more by midnight.

   OTHELLO

     Excellent good.

     A trumpet within

     What trumpet is that same?

   IAGO

     Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico
     Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him.

     Enter LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants

   LODOVICO

     Save you, worthy general!

   OTHELLO

     With all my heart, sir.

   LODOVICO

     The duke and senators of Venice greet you.

     Gives him a letter

   OTHELLO

     I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

     Opens the letter, and reads

   DESDEMONA

     And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?

   IAGO

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

   LODOVICO

     I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

   IAGO

     Lives, sir.

   DESDEMONA

     Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord
     An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.

   OTHELLO

     Are you sure of that?

   DESDEMONA

     My lord?

   OTHELLO

     [Reads] 'This fail you not to do, as you will--'

   LODOVICO

     He did not call; he's busy in the paper.
     Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio?

   DESDEMONA

     A most unhappy one: I would do much
     To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

   OTHELLO

     Fire and brimstone!

   DESDEMONA

     My lord?

   OTHELLO

     Are you wise?

   DESDEMONA

     What, is he angry?

   LODOVICO

     May be the letter moved him;
     For, as I think, they do command him home,
     Deputing Cassio in his government.

   DESDEMONA

     Trust me, I am glad on't.

   OTHELLO

     Indeed!

   DESDEMONA

     My lord?

   OTHELLO

     I am glad to see you mad.

   DESDEMONA

     Why, sweet Othello,--

   OTHELLO

     [Striking her] Devil!

   DESDEMONA

     I have not deserved this.

   LODOVICO

     My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
     Though I should swear I saw't: 'tis very much:
     Make her amends; she weeps.

   OTHELLO

     O devil, devil!
     If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
     Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
     Out of my sight!

   DESDEMONA

     I will not stay to offend you.

     Going

   LODOVICO

     Truly, an obedient lady:
     I do beseech your lordship, call her back.

   OTHELLO

     Mistress!

   DESDEMONA

     My lord?

   OTHELLO

     What would you with her, sir?

   LODOVICO

     Who, I, my lord?

   OTHELLO

     Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn:
     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, tonight,
     I do entreat that we may sup together:
     You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.--Goats and monkeys!

     Exit

   LODOVICO

     Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
     Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
     Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue
     The shot of accident, nor dart of chance,
     Could neither graze nor pierce?

   IAGO

     He is much changed.

   LODOVICO

     Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain?

   IAGO

     He's that he is: I may not breathe my censure
     What he might be: if what he might he is not,
     I would to heaven he were!

   LODOVICO

     What, strike his wife!

   IAGO

     'Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
     That stroke would prove the worst!

   LODOVICO

     Is it his use?
     Or did the letters work upon his blood,
     And new-create this fault?

   IAGO

     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.

   LODOVICO

     I am sorry that I am deceived in him.

     Exeunt

  SCENE II. A room in the castle.

     Enter OTHELLO and EMILIA

   OTHELLO

     You have seen nothing then?

   EMILIA

     Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.

   OTHELLO

     Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.

   EMILIA

     But then I saw no harm, and then I heard
     Each syllable that breath made up between them.

   OTHELLO

     What, did they never whisper?

   EMILIA

     Never, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     Nor send you out o' the way?

   EMILIA

     Never.

   OTHELLO

     To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?

   EMILIA

     Never, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     That's strange.

   EMILIA

     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 have 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.

   OTHELLO

     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.

     Enter DESDEMONA with EMILIA

   DESDEMONA

     My lord, what is your will?

   OTHELLO

     Pray, chuck, come hither.

   DESDEMONA

     What is your pleasure?

   OTHELLO

     Let me see your eyes;
     Look in my face.

   DESDEMONA

     What horrible fancy's this?

   OTHELLO

     [To EMILIA] Some of your function, mistress;
     Leave procreants alone and shut the door;
     Cough, or cry 'hem,' if any body come:
     Your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch.

     Exit EMILIA

   DESDEMONA

     Upon my knees, what doth your speech import?
     I understand a fury in your words.
     But not the words.

   OTHELLO

     Why, what art thou?

   DESDEMONA

     Your wife, my lord; your true
     And loyal wife.

   OTHELLO

     Come, swear it, damn thyself
     Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves
     Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damn'd:
     Swear thou art honest.

   DESDEMONA

     Heaven doth truly know it.

   OTHELLO

     Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.

   DESDEMONA

     To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false?

   OTHELLO

     O Desdemona! away! away! away!

   DESDEMONA

     Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?
     Am I the motive 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.

   OTHELLO

     Had it pleased heaven
     To try me with affliction; had they 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 place 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!
     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 cherubin,--
     Ay, there, look grim as hell!

   DESDEMONA

     I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.

   OTHELLO

     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!

   DESDEMONA

     Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?

   OTHELLO

     Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
     Made to write 'whore' upon? What committed!
     Committed! O 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!

   DESDEMONA

     By heaven, you do me wrong.

   OTHELLO

     Are you not a strumpet?

   DESDEMONA

     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.

   OTHELLO

     What, not a whore?

   DESDEMONA

     No, as I shall be saved.

   OTHELLO

     Is't possible?

   DESDEMONA

     O, heaven forgive us!

   OTHELLO

     I cry you mercy, then:
     I took you for that cunning whore of Venice
     That married with Othello.

     Raising his voice

     You, mistress,
     That have the office opposite to Saint Peter,
     And keep the gate of hell!

     Re-enter EMILIA

     You, you, ay, you!
     We have done our course; there's money for your pains:
     I pray you, turn the key and keep our counsel.

     Exit

   EMILIA

     Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?
     How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady?

   DESDEMONA

     'Faith, half asleep.

   EMILIA

     Good madam, what's the matter with my lord?

   DESDEMONA

     With who?

   EMILIA

     Why, with my lord, madam.

   DESDEMONA

     Who is thy lord?

   EMILIA

     He that is yours, sweet lady.

   DESDEMONA

     I have none: do not talk to me, Emilia;
     I cannot weep; nor answer have I none,
     But what should go by water. Prithee, tonight
     Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember;
     And call thy husband hither.

   EMILIA

     Here's a change indeed!

     Exit

   DESDEMONA

     'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.
     How have I been behaved, that he might stick
     The small'st opinion on my least misuse?

     Re-enter EMILIA with IAGO

   IAGO

     What is your pleasure, madam?
     How is't with you?

   DESDEMONA

     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?

   EMILIA

     Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her.
     Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
     As true hearts cannot bear.

   DESDEMONA

     Am I that name, Iago?

   IAGO

     What name, fair lady?

   DESDEMONA

     Such as she says my lord did say I was.

   EMILIA

     He call'd her whore: a beggar in his drink
     Could not have laid such terms upon his callat.

   IAGO

     Why did he so?

   DESDEMONA

     I do not know; I am sure I am none such.

   IAGO

     Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day!

   EMILIA

     Hath 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?

   DESDEMONA

     It is my wretched fortune.

   IAGO

     Beshrew him for't!
     How comes this trick upon him?

   DESDEMONA

     Nay, heaven doth know.

   EMILIA

     I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
     Some busy and insinuating rogue,
     Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
     Have not devised this slander; I'll be hang'd else.

   IAGO

     Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.

   DESDEMONA

     If any such there be, heaven pardon him!

   EMILIA

     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 likelihood?
     The Moor's abused by some most villanous knave,
     Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
     O heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold,
     And put in every honest hand a whip
     To lash the rascals naked through the world
     Even from the east to the west!

   IAGO

     Speak within door.

   EMILIA

     O, fie upon them! Some such squire he was
     That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,
     And made you to suspect me with the Moor.

   IAGO

     You are a fool; go to.

   DESDEMONA

     O good Iago,
     What shall I do to win my lord again?
     Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
     I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:
     If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,
     Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,
     Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,
     Delighted them in any other form;
     Or that I do not yet, and ever did.
     And ever will--though he do shake me off
     To beggarly divorcement--love him dearly,
     Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;
     And his unkindness may defeat my life,
     But never taint my love. I cannot say 'whore:'
     It does abhor me now I speak the word;
     To do the act that might the addition earn
     Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.

   IAGO

     I pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour:
     The business of the state does him offence,
     And he does chide with you.

   DESDEMONA

     If 'twere no other--

   IAGO

     'Tis but so, I warrant.

     Trumpets within

     Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!
     The messengers of Venice stay the meat;
     Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.

     Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA

     Enter RODERIGO

     How now, Roderigo!

   RODERIGO

     I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.

   IAGO

     What in the contrary?

   RODERIGO

     Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago;
     and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me
     all conveniency than suppliest me with the least
     advantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure
     it, nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what
     already I have foolishly suffered.

   IAGO

     Will you hear me, Roderigo?

   RODERIGO

     'Faith, I have heard too much, for your words and
     performances are no kin together.

   IAGO

     You charge me most unjustly.

   RODERIGO

     With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of
     my means. The jewels you have had from me to
     deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a
     votarist: you have told me she hath received them
     and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden
     respect and acquaintance, but I find none.

   IAGO

     Well; go to; very well.

   RODERIGO

     Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis
     not very well: nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin
     to find myself fobbed in it.

   IAGO

     Very well.

   RODERIGO

     I tell you 'tis not very well. I will make myself
     known to Desdemona: if she will return me my
     jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my
     unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself I
     will seek satisfaction of you.

   IAGO

     You have said now.

   RODERIGO

     Ay, and said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.

   IAGO

     Why, now I see there's mettle in thee, and even from
     this instant to build on thee a better opinion than
     ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast
     taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I
     protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.

   RODERIGO

     It hath not appeared.

   IAGO

     I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your
     suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But,
     Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I
     have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean
     purpose, courage and valour, this night show it: if
     thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,
     take me from this world with treachery and devise
     engines for my life.

   RODERIGO

     Well, what is it? is it within reason and compass?

   IAGO

     Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice
     to depute Cassio in Othello's place.

   RODERIGO

     Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona
     return again to Venice.

   IAGO

     O, no; he goes into Mauritania and takes away with
     him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be
     lingered here by some accident: wherein none can be
     so determinate as the removing of Cassio.

   RODERIGO

     How do you mean, removing of him?

   IAGO

     Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place;
     knocking out his brains.

   RODERIGO

     And that you would have me to do?

   IAGO

     Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right.
     He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I
     go to him: he knows not yet of his horrorable
     fortune. If you will watch his going thence, which
     I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one,
     you may take him at your pleasure: I will be near
     to second your attempt, and he shall fall between
     us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with
     me; I will show you such a necessity in his death
     that you shall think yourself bound to put it on
     him. It is now high suppertime, and the night grows
     to waste: about it.

   RODERIGO

     I will hear further reason for this.

   IAGO

     And you shall be satisfied.

     Exeunt

  SCENE III. Another room In the castle.

     Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA and Attendants

   LODOVICO

     I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.

   OTHELLO

     O, pardon me: 'twill do me good to walk.

   LODOVICO

     Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.

   DESDEMONA

     Your honour is most welcome.

   OTHELLO

     Will you walk, sir?
     O,--Desdemona,--

   DESDEMONA

     My lord?

   OTHELLO

     Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned
     forthwith: dismiss your attendant there: look it be done.

   DESDEMONA

     I will, my lord.

     Exeunt OTHELLO, LODOVICO, and Attendants

   EMILIA

     How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did.

   DESDEMONA

     He says he will return incontinent:
     He hath commanded me to go to bed,
     And bade me to dismiss you.

   EMILIA

     Dismiss me!

   DESDEMONA

     It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,.
     Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:
     We must not now displease him.

   EMILIA

     I would you had never seen him!

   DESDEMONA

     So would not I my love doth so approve him,
     That even his stubbornness, his cheques, his frowns--
     Prithee, unpin me,--have grace and favour in them.

   EMILIA

     I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.

   DESDEMONA

     All's one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds!
     If I do die before thee prithee, shroud me
     In one of those same sheets.

   EMILIA

     Come, come you talk.

   DESDEMONA

     My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:
     She was in love, and he she loved proved mad
     And did forsake her: she had a song of 'willow;'
     An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,
     And she died singing it: that song to-night
     Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,
     But to go hang my head all at one side,
     And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dispatch.

   EMILIA

     Shall I go fetch your night-gown?

   DESDEMONA

     No, unpin me here.
     This Lodovico is a proper man.

   EMILIA

     A very handsome man.

   DESDEMONA

     He speaks well.

   EMILIA

     I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot
     to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.

   DESDEMONA

     [Singing] The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
     Sing all a green willow:
     Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
     Sing willow, willow, willow:
     The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans;
     Sing willow, willow, willow;
     Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;
     Lay by these:--

     Singing

     Sing willow, willow, willow;
     Prithee, hie thee; he'll come anon:--

     Singing

     Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
     Let nobody blame him; his scorn I approve,-
     Nay, that's not next.--Hark! who is't that knocks?

   EMILIA

     It's the wind.

   DESDEMONA

     [Singing] I call'd my love false love; but what
     said he then?
     Sing willow, willow, willow:
     If I court moe women, you'll couch with moe men!
     So, get thee gone; good night Ate eyes do itch;
     Doth that bode weeping?

   EMILIA

     'Tis neither here nor there.

   DESDEMONA

     I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men!
     Dost thou in conscience think,--tell me, Emilia,--
     That there be women do abuse their husbands
     In such gross kind?

   EMILIA

     There be some such, no question.

   DESDEMONA

     Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

   EMILIA

     Why, would not you?

   DESDEMONA

     No, by this heavenly light!

   EMILIA

     Nor I neither by this heavenly light;
     I might do't as well i' the dark.

   DESDEMONA

     Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

   EMILIA

     The world's a huge thing: it is a great price.
     For a small vice.

   DESDEMONA

     In troth, I think thou wouldst not.

   EMILIA

     In troth, I think I should; and undo't when I had
     done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a
     joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for
     gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty
     exhibition; but for the whole world,--why, who would
     not make her husband a cuckold to make him a
     monarch? I should venture purgatory for't.

   DESDEMONA

     Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong
     For the whole world.

   EMILIA

     Why the wrong is but a wrong i' the world: and
     having the world for your labour, tis a wrong in your
     own world, and you might quickly make it right.

   DESDEMONA

     I do not think there is any such woman.

   EMILIA

     Yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would
     store the world they played for.
     But I do think it is their husbands' faults
     If wives do fall: say that they slack their duties,
     And pour our treasures into foreign laps,
     Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
     Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us,
     Or scant our former having in despite;
     Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,
     Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
     Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell
     And have their palates both for sweet and sour,
     As husbands have. What is it that they do
     When they change us for others? Is it sport?
     I think it is: and doth affection breed it?
     I think it doth: is't frailty that thus errs?
     It is so too: and have not we affections,
     Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?
     Then let them use us well: else let them know,
     The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

   DESDEMONA

     Good night, good night: heaven me such uses send,
     Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

     Exeunt

  ACT V

  SCENE I. Cyprus. A street.

     Enter IAGO and RODERIGO

   IAGO

     Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come:
     Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home:
     Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow:
     It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,
     And fix most firm thy resolution.

   RODERIGO

     Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.

   IAGO

     Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand.

     Retires

   RODERIGO

     I have no great devotion to the deed;
     And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons:
     'Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword: he dies.

   IAGO

     I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,
     And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
     Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
     Every way makes my gain: live Roderigo,
     He calls me to a restitution large
     Of gold and jewels that I bobb'd from him,
     As gifts to Desdemona;
     It must not be: if Cassio do remain,
     He hath a daily beauty in his life
     That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor
     May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril:
     No, he must die. But so: I hear him coming.

     Enter CASSIO

   RODERIGO

     I know his gait, 'tis he.--Villain, thou diest!

     Makes a pass at CASSIO

   CASSIO

     That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,
     But that my coat is better than thou know'st
     I will make proof of thine.

     Draws, and wounds RODERIGO

   RODERIGO

     O, I am slain!

     IAGO from behind wounds CASSIO in the leg, and exit

   CASSIO

     I am maim'd for ever. Help, ho! murder! murder!

     Falls

     Enter OTHELLO

   OTHELLO

     The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word.

   RODERIGO

     O, villain that I am!

   OTHELLO

     It is even so.

   CASSIO

     O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!

   OTHELLO

     'Tis he:--O brave Iago, honest and just,
     That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong!
     Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead,
     And your unblest fate hies: strumpet, I come.
     Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;
     Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted.

     Exit

     Enter LODOVICO and GRATIANO

   CASSIO

     What, ho! no watch? no passage? murder! murder!

   GRATIANO

     'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful.

   CASSIO

     O, help!

   LODOVICO

     Hark!

   RODERIGO

     O wretched villain!

   LODOVICO

     Two or three groan: it is a heavy night:
     These may be counterfeits: let's think't unsafe
     To come in to the cry without more help.

   RODERIGO

     Nobody come? then shall I bleed to death.

   LODOVICO

     Hark!

     Re-enter IAGO, with a light

   GRATIANO

     Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.

   IAGO

     Who's there? whose noise is this that ones on murder?

   LODOVICO

     We do not know.

   IAGO

     Did not you hear a cry?

   CASSIO

     Here, here! for heaven's sake, help me!

   IAGO

     What's the matter?

   GRATIANO

     This is Othello's ancient, as I take it.

   LODOVICO

     The same indeed; a very valiant fellow.

   IAGO

     What are you here that cry so grievously?

   CASSIO

     Iago? O, I am spoil'd, undone by villains!
     Give me some help.

   IAGO

     O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?

   CASSIO

     I think that one of them is hereabout,
     And cannot make away.

   IAGO

     O treacherous villains!
     What are you there? come in, and give some help.

     To LODOVICO and GRATIANO

   RODERIGO

     O, help me here!

   CASSIO

     That's one of them.

   IAGO

     O murderous slave! O villain!

     Stabs RODERIGO

   RODERIGO

     O damn'd Iago! O inhuman dog!

   IAGO

     Kill men i' the dark!--Where be these bloody thieves?--
     How silent is this town!--Ho! murder! murder!--
     What may you be? are you of good or evil?

   LODOVICO

     As you shall prove us, praise us.

   IAGO

     Signior Lodovico?

   LODOVICO

     He, sir.

   IAGO

     I cry you mercy. Here's Cassio hurt by villains.

   GRATIANO

     Cassio!

   IAGO

     How is't, brother!

   CASSIO

     My leg is cut in two.

   IAGO

     Marry, heaven forbid!
     Light, gentlemen; I'll bind it with my shirt.

     Enter BIANCA

   BIANCA

     What is the matter, ho? who is't that cried?

   IAGO

     Who is't that cried!

   BIANCA

     O my dear Cassio! my sweet Cassio! O Cassio,
     Cassio, Cassio!

   IAGO

     O notable strumpet! Cassio, may you suspect
     Who they should be that have thus many led you?

   CASSIO

     No.

   GRATIANO

     I am to find you thus: I have been to seek you.

   IAGO

     Lend me a garter. So. O, for a chair,
     To bear him easily hence!

   BIANCA

     Alas, he faints! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

   IAGO

     Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash
     To be a party in this injury.
     Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come;
     Lend me a light. Know we this face or no?
     Alas my friend and my dear countryman
     Roderigo! no:--yes, sure: O heaven! Roderigo.

   GRATIANO

     What, of Venice?

   IAGO

     Even he, sir; did you know him?

   GRATIANO

     Know him! ay.

   IAGO

     Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon;
     These bloody accidents must excuse my manners,
     That so neglected you.

   GRATIANO

     I am glad to see you.

   IAGO

     How do you, Cassio? O, a chair, a chair!

   GRATIANO

     Roderigo!

   IAGO

     He, he 'tis he.

     A chair brought in

     O, that's well said; the chair!

   GRATIANO

     Some good man bear him carefully from hence;
     I'll fetch the general's surgeon.

     To BIANCA

     For you, mistress,
     Save you your labour. He that lies slain
     here, Cassio,
     Was my dear friend: what malice was between you?

   CASSIO

     None in the world; nor do I know the man.

   IAGO

     [To BIANCA] What, look you pale? O, bear him out
     o' the air.

     CASSIO and RODERIGO are borne off

     Stay you, good gentlemen. Look you pale, mistress?
     Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?
     Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.
     Behold her well; I pray you, look upon her:
     Do you see, gentlemen? nay, guiltiness will speak,
     Though tongues were out of use.

     Enter EMILIA

   EMILIA

     'Las, what's the matter? what's the matter, husband?

   IAGO

     Cassio hath here been set on in the dark
     By Roderigo and fellows that are scaped:
     He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.

   EMILIA

     Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!

   IAGO

     This is the fruit of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,
     Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night.

     To BIANCA

     What, do you shake at that?

   BIANCA

     He supp'd at my house; but I therefore shake not.

   IAGO

     O, did he so? I charge you, go with me.

   EMILIA

     Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!

   BIANCA

     I am no strumpet; but of life as honest
     As you that thus abuse me.

   EMILIA

     As I! foh! fie upon thee!

   IAGO

     Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio dress'd.
     Come, mistress, you must tell's another tale.
     Emilia run you to the citadel,
     And tell my lord and lady what hath happ'd.
     Will you go on? I pray.

     Aside

     This is the night
     That either makes me or fordoes me quite.

     Exeunt

  SCENE II. A bedchamber in the castle: DESDEMONA in bed asleep;

     a light burning.

     Enter OTHELLO

   OTHELLO

     It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,--
     Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!--
     It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood;
     Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
     And smooth as monumental alabaster.
     Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
     Put out the light, and then put out the light:
     If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
     I can again thy former light restore,
     Should I repent me: but once put out thy light,
     Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
     I know not where is that Promethean heat
     That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd the rose,
     I cannot give it vital growth again.
     It must needs wither: I'll smell it on the tree.

     Kissing her

     Ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
     Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.
     Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
     And love thee after. One more, and this the last:
     So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,
     But they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly;
     It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.

   DESDEMONA

     Who's there? Othello?

   OTHELLO

     Ay. Desdemona.

   DESDEMONA

     Will you come to bed, my lord?

   OTHELLO

     Have you pray'd to-night, Desdemona?

   DESDEMONA

     Ay, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     If you bethink yourself of any crime
     Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,
     Solicit for it straight.

   DESDEMONA

     Alas, my lord, what do you mean by that?

   OTHELLO

     Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by:
     I would not kill thy unprepared spirit;
     No; heaven forfend! I would not kill thy soul.

   DESDEMONA

     Talk you of killing?

   OTHELLO

     Ay, I do.

   DESDEMONA

     Then heaven
     Have mercy on me!

   OTHELLO

     Amen, with all my heart!

   DESDEMONA

     If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.

   OTHELLO

     Hum!

   DESDEMONA

     And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then
     When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not,
     Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.

   OTHELLO

     Think on thy sins.

   DESDEMONA

     They are loves I bear to you.

   OTHELLO

     Ay, and for that thou diest.

   DESDEMONA

     That death's unnatural that kills for loving.
     Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?
     Some bloody passion shakes your very frame:
     These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,
     They do not point on me.

   OTHELLO

     Peace, and be still!

   DESDEMONA

     I will so. What's the matter?

   OTHELLO

     That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee
     Thou gavest to Cassio.

   DESDEMONA

     No, by my life and soul!
     Send for the man, and ask him.

   OTHELLO

     Sweet soul, take heed,
     Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed.

   DESDEMONA

     Ay, but not yet to die.

   OTHELLO

     Yes, presently:
     Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
     For to deny each article with oath
     Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
     That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.

   DESDEMONA

     Then Lord have mercy on me!

   OTHELLO

     I say, amen.

   DESDEMONA

     And have you mercy too! I never did
     Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio
     But with such general warranty of heaven
     As I might love: I never gave him token.

   OTHELLO

     By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand.
     O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart,
     And makest me call what I intend to do
     A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:
     I saw the handkerchief.

   DESDEMONA

     He found it then;
     I never gave it him: send for him hither;
     Let him confess a truth.

   OTHELLO

     He hath confess'd.

   DESDEMONA

     What, my lord?

   OTHELLO

     That he hath used thee.

   DESDEMONA

     How? unlawfully?

   OTHELLO

     Ay.

   DESDEMONA

     He will not say so.

   OTHELLO

     No, his mouth is stopp'd;
     Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.

   DESDEMONA

     O! my fear interprets: what, is he dead?

   OTHELLO

     Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge
     Had stomach for them all.

   DESDEMONA

     Alas! he is betray'd and I undone.

   OTHELLO

     Out, strumpet! weep'st thou for him to my face?

   DESDEMONA

     O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!

   OTHELLO

     Down, strumpet!

   DESDEMONA

     Kill me to-morrow: let me live to-night!

   OTHELLO

     Nay, if you strive--

   DESDEMONA

     But half an hour!

   OTHELLO

     Being done, there is no pause.

   DESDEMONA

     But while I say one prayer!

   OTHELLO

     It is too late.

     He stifles her

   EMILIA

     [Within] My lord , my lord! what, ho! my lord, my lord!

   OTHELLO

     What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead?
     I that am cruel am yet merciful;
     I would not have thee linger in thy pain: So, so.

   EMILIA

     [Within] What, ho! my lord, my lord!

   OTHELLO

     Who's there?

   EMILIA

     [Within] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you!

   OTHELLO

     Yes: 'tis Emilia. By and by. She's dead.
     'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death.--
     The noise was here. Ha! no more moving?
     Still as the grave. Shall she come in? were't good?--
     I think she stirs again:--no. What's best to do?
     If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife:
     My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife.
     O insupportable! O heavy hour!
     Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
     Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe
     Should yawn at alteration.

   EMILIA

     [Within] I do beseech you
     That I may speak with you, O, good my lord!

   OTHELLO

     I had forgot thee: O, come in, Emilia;
     Soft; by and by. Let me the curtains draw.
     Where art thou?

     Unlocks the door

     Enter EMILIA

     What's the matter with thee now?

   EMILIA

     O, my good lord, yonder's foul murders done!

   OTHELLO

     What, now?

   EMILIA

     But now, my lord.

   OTHELLO

     It is the very error of the moon;
     She comes more nearer earth than she was wont,
     And makes men mad.

   EMILIA

     Cassio, my lord, hath kill'd a young Venetian
     Call'd Roderigo.

   OTHELLO

     Roderigo kill'd!
     And Cassio kill'd!

   EMILIA

     No, Cassio is not kill'd.

   OTHELLO

     Not Cassio kill'd! then murder's out of tune,
     And sweet revenge grows harsh.

   DESDEMONA

     O, falsely, falsely murder'd!

   EMILIA

     Alas, what cry is that?

   OTHELLO

     That! what?

   EMILIA

     Out, and alas! that was my lady's voice.
     Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again!
     Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!

   DESDEMONA

     A guiltless death I die.

   EMILIA

     O, who hath done this deed?

   DESDEMONA

     Nobody; I myself. Farewell
     Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!

     Dies

   OTHELLO

     Why, how should she be murder'd?

   EMILIA

     Alas, who knows?

   OTHELLO

     You heard her say herself, it was not I.

   EMILIA

     She said so: I must needs report the truth.

   OTHELLO

     She's, like a liar, gone to burning hell:
     'Twas I that kill'd her.

   EMILIA

     O, the more angel she,
     And you the blacker devil!

   OTHELLO

     She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore.

   EMILIA

     Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.

   OTHELLO

     She was false as water.

   EMILIA

     Thou art rash as fire, to say
     That she was false: O, she was heavenly true!

   OTHELLO

     Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.
     O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell,
     But that I did proceed upon just grounds
     To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

   EMILIA

     My husband!

   OTHELLO

     Thy husband.

   EMILIA

     That she was false to wedlock?

   OTHELLO

     Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true,
     If heaven would make me such another world
     Of one entire and Perfect chrysolite,
     I'ld not have sold her for it.

   EMILIA

     My husband!

   OTHELLO

     Ay, 'twas he that told me first:
     An honest man he is, and hates the slime
     That sticks on filthy deeds.

   EMILIA

     My husband!

   OTHELLO

     What needs this iteration, woman? I say thy husband.

   EMILIA

     O mistress, villany hath made mocks with love,
     My husband say that she was false!

   OTHELLO

     He, woman;
     I say thy husband: dost understand the word?
     My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.

   EMILIA

     If he say so, may his pernicious soul
     Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart:
     She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

   OTHELLO

     Ha!

   EMILIA

     Do thy worst:
     This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven
     Than thou wast worthy her.

   OTHELLO

     Peace, you were best.

   EMILIA

     Thou hast not half that power to do me harm
     As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!
     As ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed--
     I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known,
     Though I lost twenty lives.--Help! help, ho! help!
     The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! murder!

     Enter MONTANO, GRATIANO, IAGO, and others

   MONTANO

     What is the matter? How now, general!

   EMILIA

     O, are you come, Iago? you have done well,
     That men must lay their murders on your neck.

   GRATIANO

     What is the matter?

   EMILIA

     Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man:
     He says thou told'st him that his wife was false:
     I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain:
     Speak, for my heart is full.

   IAGO

     I told him what I thought, and told no more
     Than what he found himself was apt and true.

   EMILIA

     But did you ever tell him she was false?

   IAGO

     I did.

   EMILIA

     You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;
     Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.
     She false with Cassio!--did you say with Cassio?

   IAGO

     With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.

   EMILIA

     I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak:
     My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed,--

   All

     O heavens forfend!

   EMILIA

     And your reports have set the murder on.

   OTHELLO

     Nay, stare not, masters: it is true, indeed.

   GRATIANO

     'Tis a strange truth.

   MONTANO

     O monstrous act!

   EMILIA

     Villany, villany, villany!
     I think upon't, I think: I smell't: O villany!--
     I thought so then:--I'll kill myself for grief:--
     O villany, villany!

   IAGO

     What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home.

   EMILIA

     Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak:
     'Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
     Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home.

   OTHELLO

     O! O! O!

     He falls on the bed

   EMILIA

     Nay, lay thee down and roar;
     For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent
     That e'er did lift up eye.

   OTHELLO

     [Rising] O, she was foul!
     I scarce did know you, uncle: there lies your niece,
     Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd:
     I know this act shows horrible and grim.

   GRATIANO

     Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead:
     Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief
     Shore his old thread in twain: did he live now,
     This sight would make him do a desperate turn,
     Yea, curse his better angel from his side,
     And fall to reprobation.

   OTHELLO

     'Tis pitiful; but yet Iago knows
     That she with Cassio hath the act of shame
     A thousand times committed; Cassio confess'd it:
     And she did gratify his amorous works
     With that recognizance and pledge of love
     Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand:
     It was a handkerchief, an antique token
     My father gave my mother.

   EMILIA

     O heaven! O heavenly powers!

   IAGO

     Come, hold your peace.

   EMILIA

     'Twill out, 'twill out: I peace!
     No, I will speak as liberal as the north:
     Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,
     All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.

   IAGO

     Be wise, and get you home.

   EMILIA

     I will not.

     IAGO offers to stab EMILIA

   GRATIANO

     Fie!
     Your sword upon a woman?

   EMILIA

     O thou dull Moor! that handkerchief thou speak'st of
     I found by fortune and did give my husband;
     For often, with a solemn earnestness,
     More than indeed belong'd to such a trifle,
     He begg'd of me to steal it.

   IAGO

     Villanous whore!

   EMILIA

     She give it Cassio! no, alas! I found it,
     And I did give't my husband.

   IAGO

     Filth, thou liest!

   EMILIA

     By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.
     O murderous coxcomb! what should such a fool
     Do with so good a woman?

   OTHELLO

     Are there no stones in heaven
     But what serve for the thunder?--Precious villain!

     He runs at IAGO IAGO, from behind, stabs EMILIA, and exit

   GRATIANO

     The woman falls; sure, he hath kill'd his wife.

   EMILIA

     Ay, ay: O, lay me by my mistress' side.

   GRATIANO

     He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.

   MONTANO

     'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,
     Which I have here recover'd from the Moor:
     Come, guard the door without; let him not pass,
     But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,
     For 'tis a damned slave.

     Exeunt MONTANO and GRATIANO

   OTHELLO

     I am not valiant neither,
     But ever puny whipster gets my sword:
     But why should honour outlive honesty?
     Let it go all.

   EMILIA

     What did thy song bode, lady?
     Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan.
     And die in music.

     Singing

     Willow, willow, willow,--
     Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor;
     So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
     So speaking as I think, I die, I die.

     Dies

   OTHELLO

     I have another weapon in this chamber;
     It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper:--
     O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

   GRATIANO

     [Within] If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear:
     Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.

   OTHELLO

     Look in upon me then and speak with me,
     Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee.

     Re-enter GRATIANO

   GRATIANO

     What is the matter?

   OTHELLO

     Behold, I have a weapon;
     A better never did itself sustain
     Upon a soldier's thigh: I have seen the day,
     That, with this little arm and this good sword,
     I have made my way through more impediments
     Than twenty times your stop: but, O vain boast!
     Who can control his fate? 'tis not so now.
     Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd;
     Here is my journey's end, here is my butt,
     And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.
     Do you go back dismay'd? 'tis a lost fear;
     Man but a rush against Othello's breast,
     And he retires. Where should Othello go?
     Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starr'd wench!
     Pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt,
     This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven,
     And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl!
     Even like thy chastity. O cursed slave!
     Whip me, ye devils,
     From the possession of this heavenly sight!
     Blow me about in winds! roast me in sulphur!
     Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!
     O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead!
     Oh! Oh! Oh!

     Enter LODOVICO. MONTANO, CASSIO carried in a chair, and Officers with IAGO, prisoner

   LODOVICO

     Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

   OTHELLO

     That's he that was Othello: here I am.

   LODOVICO

     Where is that viper? bring the villain forth.

   OTHELLO

     I look down towards his feet; but that's a fable.
     If that thou best a devil, I cannot kill thee.

     Wounds IAGO

   LODOVICO

     Wrench his sword from him.

   IAGO

     I bleed, sir; but not kill'd.

   OTHELLO

     I am not sorry neither: I'ld have thee live;
     For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die.

   LODOVICO

     O thou Othello, thou wert once so good,
     Fall'n in the practise of a damned slave,
     What shall be said to thee?

   OTHELLO

     Why, any thing:
     An honourable murderer, if you will;
     For nought I did in hate, but all in honour.

   LODOVICO

     This wretch hath part confess'd his villany:
     Did you and he consent in Cassio's death?

   OTHELLO

     Ay.

   CASSIO

     Dear general, I never gave you cause.

   OTHELLO

     I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.
     Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil
     Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?

   IAGO

     Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:
     From this time forth I never will speak word.

   LODOVICO

     What, not to pray?

   GRATIANO

     Torments will ope your lips.

   OTHELLO

     Well, thou dost best.

   LODOVICO

     Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n,
     Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter
     Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo;
     And here another: the one of them imports
     The death of Cassio to be undertook
     By Roderigo.

   OTHELLO

     O villain!

   CASSIO

     Most heathenish and most gross!

   LODOVICO

     Now here's another discontented paper,
     Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,
     Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain;
     But that belike Iago in the interim
     Came in and satisfied him.

   OTHELLO

     O the pernicious caitiff!
     How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief
     That was my wife's?

   CASSIO

     I found it in my chamber:
     And he himself confess'd but even now
     That there he dropp'd it for a special purpose
     Which wrought to his desire.

   OTHELLO

     O fool! fool! fool!

   CASSIO

     There is besides in Roderigo's letter,
     How he upbraids Iago, that he made him
     Brave me upon the watch; whereon it came
     That I was cast: and even but now he spake,
     After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,
     Iago set him on.

   LODOVICO

     You must forsake this room, and go with us:
     Your power and your command is taken off,
     And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,
     If there be any cunning cruelty
     That can torment him much and hold him long,
     It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,
     Till that the nature of your fault be known
     To the Venetian state. Come, bring him away.

   OTHELLO

     Soft you; a word or two before you go.
     I have done the state some service, and they know't.
     No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
     When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
     Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
     Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak
     Of one that loved not wisely but too well;
     Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought
     Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand,
     Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
     Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,
     Albeit unused to the melting mood,
     Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
     Their medicinal gum. Set you down this;
     And say besides, that in Aleppo once,
     Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk
     Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,
     I took by the throat the circumcised dog,
     And smote him, thus.

     Stabs himself

   LODOVICO

     O bloody period!

   GRATIANO

     All that's spoke is marr'd.

   OTHELLO

     I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this;
     Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

     Falls on the bed, and dies

   CASSIO

     This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon;
     For he was great of heart.

   LODOVICO

     [To IAGO] O Spartan dog,
     More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea!
     Look on the tragic loading of this bed;
     This is thy work: the object poisons sight;
     Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house,
     And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,
     For they succeed on you. To you, lord governor,
     Remains the censure of this hellish villain;
     The time, the place, the torture: O, enforce it!
     Myself will straight aboard: and to the state
     This heavy act with heavy heart relate.

     Exeunt