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 pr'ythee, call him back.

Oth. Went he henge now?

Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,

That he hath left part of his grief with me;

1 suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

Oth Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other

time.

Des. But shall't be shortly?

Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you.
Des. Shali't be to-night at supper?
Oth. No, not to-night.

Des. To-morrow dinner then?
Oth. I shall not dine at home;

I meet the captains at the citadel.

Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday

morn;

Or Tuesday noon, or night; or Wednesday morn;-
I pray thee, 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 t), is not almost a fault
To incur a private check: When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you could ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on. What? Michael
Cassio,

That came a wooing with you; and 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,-
Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he
will;

I will deny thee nothing.

Des. 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 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 poize and difficulty,
And fearful to be granted.

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

Des. Shall I deny you? No: farewell, my lord. Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I will come to thee straight.

Des. Emilia, come :-Be it as your fancies teach

Oth. What dost thou say, Iago?

A stranger to my thoughts.

Tago. 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,-I entreat you then,
From one that so imperfectly conjects 1,
You'd 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.

Oth. What dost thou mean?

lago. Good name, in man, and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls:

lady,

Know of your love?

Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou

nothing;

hand;

Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. 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 danmed minutes tells he o'er,
Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves!
Oth. 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!

Oth. Why why is this?
Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy,

To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt,
-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;
Pil 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 this, for now I shall have

reason

To shew 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 shew their husbands; their best
conscience

Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown.
Oth. Dost thou say so?

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

She loved them most.

Oth. And so she did.

lago. Why, go to, then;

She that, so young, could give out such a seeming t,
To seel I her father's eyes up, close as oak,-
He thought, 'twas witchcraft:-But I am much to

Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself,lago. 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
Poh! 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 (hapily) repent.

If

Oth. Farewell, farewell:

I more thou dost perceive, let me know more ; Con thy wife to observe: leave me, lago. lago. My lord, I take my leave.

[Going.

Oth. Why did I marry -This honest creature, doubtless,

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your ho

[Exit.

And 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 a while,
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment •
With any strong or vehement opportunity;
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.
Oth. Fear not my government.
Iago. I once more take my leave.
Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings: if I do prove her haggard t
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind,
To prey 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 loath 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:

Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA.

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

Des. How now, my dear Othello?
Your dinner, and the generous islanders
By you invited, do attend your presence.
Oth. I am to blame.

Des. Why is your speech so faint? Are you not well?

Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.
Des. Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away
again:

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
It will be well.

Oth. Your napkin¶ is too little;

[He puts the Handkerchief from him, and it drops.

Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you. Des. I am very sorry that you are not well. [Exeunt Oth. and Des.

Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin; This was her first remembrance from the Moor: My wayward husband hath a hundred times Woo'd me to steal it: but she so loves the token (For he conjured her, she would 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 it lago:

What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I; I nothing, but to please his fantasy.

Enter IAGO.

Iago. How now! what do you here alone?
Emil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.
Iago. A thing for me ?-it is a common thing,-
Emil. Ha!

Iago. To have a foolish wife.

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

Iago. What handkerchief?

Emil. What handkerchief?

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

Iago. Hast stolen it from her?

Emil. No, faith; she let it drop by negligence;' And, to the advantage, I, being here, took't up. Look, here it is.

Iago. A good wench: give it me.

Press hard his re-admission to his pay and

been so earnest

To have me filch it?

Jago. Why, what's that to you? [Snatching it. Emil. If it be not for some purpose of import, Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run mad, When she shall lack it.

Iago. Be not you known of't*; I have use for it. Go, leave me. [Exit Emilia. I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it: titles, light as air, Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This inay do something, The Moor already changes with my poison : Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons, Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste; But, with a little act upon the blood,

Burn like the mines of sulphur.-I did say so:Enter OTHELLO.

Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragorat

Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou ow'dst yesterday.

Oth. Ha ha! false to me?

To me?

Iago. Why, how now, general? no more of that. Oth. Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack:

I swear, 'tis better to be much abused,
Than but to know't a little.

Iugo. How now, my lord?

Oth. What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust? I saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me : I slept the next night well, was free and merry; I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips : He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen, Let him not know it, and he's not robb'd at all. Iago. I am sorry to hear this.

Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp, Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known: 0 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 dread clamours counterfeit, Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

Iago. Is it possible!-My lord,-Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; [Taking him by the Throat. Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, Thou hadst been better have been born a dog, Than answer my waked wrath.

Jugo. Is it come to this?

Oth. Make me to see it; or (at the least) so prove it,

That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop,
To hang a doubt on: or, woe upon thy life!
Iago. My noble lord,--

Oth. 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 defend 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, since love breeds such offence.
Oth. Nay, stay :-Thou shouldst be honest.
Jago. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for,

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 kuives,
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,

I'll not endure it.-Would, I were satisfied!

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

Oth. Would? Nay, I will.

Iago. And may: but how? How satisfied, iny : lord?

Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
Behold her tupp'd?

Oth. Death and damnation! O!

lago. 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 monkies,
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 it.

Oth. Give me a living reason she's disloyal.
Iugo. I do not like the office:

But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,—
Prick'd to it 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!
Oth. O monstrous! monstrous !

Iago. Nay, this was but his dream.

Oth. But this denoted a foregone conclusion; 'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream. Iago. And this may heip to thicken other proofs, That do demonstrate thinly.

Oth. 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?

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

Oth. If it be that,

Iago. If it be that, or any that was hers, It speaks against her with the other proots. Oth. 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, lago; 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 thronet,
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy
fraught §.

For 'tis of aspick's tongues!
Iugo. Pray, be content.
Oth. O, blood, Iago, blood!

Iago. Patience, I say, your mind, perhaps, may

change.

Oth. Never, lago. Like to the Pontick sea, Whose icy current and compulsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on To the Propontick, 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, In the due reverence of a sacred vow ¡Kneels. I here engage my words.

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and CLOWN.
Des. Do you know, sirrah, where lieutenant
Cassio lies?

Clo. I dare not say, he lies any where.
Des. Why, man?

Clo. He is a soldier; and for me to say a soldier

hes, is stabbing.

Des. Go to; where lodges he?

Oth. What promise, chuck?

Come now, your

Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with

you.

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

Des. Here, my lord.

Oth. That which I gave you.
Des. I have it not about me.
Oth. Not?

Des. No, indeed, my
Oth. That is a fault:

That handkerchief

lord.

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 a gift of it, my father's eye

Should hold her lothly, 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 of't,
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose or give't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.

Des. Is it possible?

where I lie.

Des. Can any thing be made of this?

Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise a lodging, and say-he lies here, or he lies there, were to lie in my own throat.

Des. Can you enquire him out, and be edified by report ?

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

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

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

[Exit.

Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?

Emil. I know not, madam.

Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my

purse

Full of crusadoes t. And, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough

To put him to ill-thinking.

Emil. Is he not jealous?

Des. Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was born,

Drew all such humours from him.

Emil. Look, where he comes.

Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio

Be call'd to him.-How is't with you, my lord?

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

Des. You may, indeed, say so;

For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. Oth. A libéral hand: the hearts of old, gave hands;

But our new heraldy is-hands, not hearts.

You'll never meet a more sufficient man.
Oth. The handkerchief,--

Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio.
Oth. The handkerchief,-

Des. A man that, all his time,

Hath founded his good fortune on your love;
Shared dangers with you ;--
Oth. The handkerchief,-
Des. In sooth,

You are to blame.
Oth. Away!

Emil. Is not this man jealous?
Des. I ne'er saw this before.

[Exit Othello.

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

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

Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, That, by your virtuous means, I may again Exist, and be a member of his love, Whom I, with all the duty of my heart, Entirely honour; I would not be delay'd: If my offence be of such mortal kind, That neither service past, nor present sorrows,

⚫ Enchantress,

+ Vehement, violent.

Nor purposed merit in futurity,

Can ransome 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 almis.

Des. Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio,

My advocation is not now in tune;

My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in favour, as in humour, alter'd
So help me, every spirit sanctified,

As I have spoken for you all my best;
And stood within the blank + of his displeasure,
For my free speech! You must a while be patient :
What I can do, I will; and more I will,

Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
Iago. Is my lord angry?

Emil. 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.

state,

Des. I pr'ythee, do so.-Something, sure of [Exit lago. Either from Venice; or some unhatch'd practice, Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases, Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, Thongh 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),
Arragning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indicted falsely.

Emil. Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think;

And no conception, nor no jealous toy,
Concerning you.

Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause,

But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind!

Emil. Lady, amen.

I like the work well; ere it be demanded,
(As like enough it will), I'd have it copied :
Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bian. Leave you! wherefore?

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

Cas. Not that I love you not.

Bian. 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.
Cas. Tis but a little way, that I can bring you,
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Bian. Tis very good; I must be circumstanced.
[Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I-The same.

Enter OTELLO and IAGO.

Iago. Will you think so?

Oth. Think so, Iago?
Iago. What,

To kiss in private?

Oth. An unauthorized kiss.

Iago. Or to be naked with her friend abcd, An hour, or more, not meaning any harm?

Oth. Naked abed, 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 hea

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

about:

If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.
Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship.

[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia. Enter BIANCA.

Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! Cus. What make you from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca ? I' faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house. Ban. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What! keep a week away? seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, More tedious than the dial eight score times? O weary reckoning!

Cas. Pardon me, Bianca!

I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;

But I shall, in a more continuate time, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, [Giring her Desdemona's Handkerchief.

Take me this work out ¶.

Bian. O, Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend.

To the felt absence now I feel a cause:

Is it come to this? Well, well.

Cas. Woman, go to!

Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them.

now,

• In countenance.

+ Within the shot of his anger.

* Treason.

Time less interrupted.

Boding to all,-he had my handkerchief.
Iago. Ay, what of that?

Oth. That's not so good, now.

lago. What, if I had said, I had seen him do wrong?

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

Oth. Hath he said any thing?

you

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

Oth. What hath he said?

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

Oth. What? what?

Iago. Lie

Oth. With her?

Iago. With her, on her; what you will,

Oth. Lie with her! lie on her-We say, lie or her, when they belie her: lie with her! that's fulsome.-Handkerchief,-confessions, handkerchief. To confess, and be hang'd for his labour: -First to be hang'd, and then to confess :-I trem ble 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 it possible ?-Confess!-Handkerchiet [Falls in a Trance.

The nuptial feast.

The meaning is not pick out the work, but copy Aus work in another handkerchie.

Jago. Work on, My medicine, work! caught;

Thus credulous fools are

The raven was thought to be a constant attend. ant on a house infected with the plague. + Old spelling of suppled, i. e. softened. † A proverbial saying.