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Iago. 'Faith, the cry goes,

Oth. 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.

Oth. Did he confess it?
Iago. Good sir, be a man!

Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd,
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.
Oth. O, thou art wise'; 'tis certain.
Iago. Stand you awhile apart;
Confine yourself but in a patient list,

her.

Cas. Pr'ythee, say true!

that you shall marry

Iago. I am a very villain else. Oth. Have you scored me? Well.

[Aside.

Cas. 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.

Oth. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story. [Aside. Cas. 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 this bauble; by this hand, she falls thus about my neck;

Oth. Crying, O dear Cassio! as it were: his ge[Aside.

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

Oth. Now he tells, how she plucked him to my chamber: 0, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to. [Aside.

Whilst you were here, ere while mad with your grief, sture imports it.
(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 promis'd. 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.

Oth. 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 withdraws.
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 beguil'd by one ;-
He, when he hears of her, caunot refrain
From the excess of laughter. Here he comes:
Re-enter CASSIO.

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Cas. Well, I must leave her company.
Iago. Before me! look, where she comes.
Enter BIANCA.

Cas. 'Tis such another fitchew! marry, a perfumed
What do you mean by this haunting of

one. me?

Bian. 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 whole 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.

Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca? how now? how now?

Oth. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief! [Aside. Bian. An you'll come to supper to-night, you may an you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [Aside.

Iago. After her, after her.
Cas. 'Faith I must, she'll rail in the street else.
Iago. Will you sup there?
Cas. 'Faith, I intend so.

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

Cas. Pr'ythee, come! Will you?
Iago. Go to! say no more!
[Exit Cassio.
Oth. How shall I murder him, Iago?
Iago. Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Oth. O, Iago!

Iago. And did you see she handkerchief?
Oth. 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. Oth. I would have him nine years a killing! fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! Iago. Nay, you must forget that.

- A

Oth. 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 had not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and command him tasks. Iago. Nay, that's not your way. Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is: 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!

- SO

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of so gentle condition!

Iago. Ay, too gentle.

:

Oth. Nay, that's certain but yet the pity of it, Iago!-0, lago, 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.

Oth. I will chop her into messes:- cuckold me!
Iago. 0, 'tis foul in her.
Oth. With mine officer!
Iago. That's fouler.

--

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

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

[A trumpet within. Oth. Excellent good!-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. Lod. 'Save you, worthy general!

Oth. With all my heart, sir! Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you. [Gives him a packet. Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. [Opens the packet, and reeds. Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico? Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior! Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you! How does lieutenant Cassio? Iago. Lives, sir!

Des. Cousin, there's fallen between him and my lord

An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
Oth. Are you sure of that?

Des. My lord?

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Oth. What would you with her, sir? Lod. Who, I, my lord?

-

Oth. 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, to-night, I do entreat that we may sup together. You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus! - Goats and

monkies!

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Exit.

Lod. Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call-all-in-all sufficient?—This the noble 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 chang'd. Lod. Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain? Iago. He is 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.

Lod. What, strike his wife!

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

Lod. I am sorry, that I am deceiv'd in him. [Exeunt.

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Emil. Never, my lord!

Oth. That's strange.

you

Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake; if think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
If any wretch hath 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.

Oth. 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 villainous secrets:
And yet she'll kneel, and pray; I have seen her do't.
Re-enter EMILIA, with DESDEMONA,
Des. My lord, what is your will?
Oth. Pray, chuck, come hither!

Des. What is your pleasure?
Oth. Let me see your eyes?

Look in my face!

Des. What horrible fancy's this?

Oth. Some of your function, mistress; [To Emilia.
Leave procreants alone, and shut the door;
Cough, or cry-hem, if any body come:
Your mystery, your mystery; nay, dispatch!
[Exit Emilia.

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

Oth. Why, what art thou?

Des. Your wife, my lord! your true And loyal wife.

Oth. Come, swear it, damn thyself;

Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves Should fear to seize thee: therefore be doubledamn'd,

Swear- thou are honest!

Des. Heaven doth truly know it.

Oth. Heaven truly knows, that thou art false as hell. Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? How am false?

Oth. O Desdemona!-away! away! away! Des. Alas, the heavy day!- Why do you weep? Am I the occasion of these tears, my lord? 1f, haply, you my father do suspect, An instrument of this your calling back,

I

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-not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Oth. What, not a whore?

Des. No, as I shall be saved.
Oth. Is it possible?

Des. O, heaven forgive us!

Oth. I cry you mercy, then;

I took you for that cunning whore of Venice,
That married with Othello. You, mistress,
Re-enter EMILIA.

That have the office opposite to St Peter,
And keep the gate of hell. 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.
Emil. Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?-
How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady?
Des. 'Faith, half asleep.

Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with
Des. With who?

Emil. Why, with my lord, madam!
Des. Who is thy lord?

Emil. He that is yours, sweet lady!

my

lord?

Des. I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia ;
I cannot weep; nor answer I have none,
But what should go by water. Pr'ythee, to-night,
Lay on my bed my weeding sheets, -remember;
And call thy husband hither!
Emil. Here is a change, indeed!
Des. 'Tis meet I should be us'd so, very meet.

[Exit.

Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him, How have I been behav'd, that he might stick

Why, I have lost him too.

Oth. Had it pleas'd heaven

To try me with affliction; had he 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 part 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,—
0! O!

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!

Des. I hope, my noble lord esteems me honest.
Oth. 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 had'st

ne'er been born!

Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write whore apon? What committed!
Committed!-0 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!

Des. By heaven, you do me wrong!
Oth. Are not you a strumpet?
Des. No, as I am a christian :

If to preserve this vessel for my lord,
From any other foul unlawful touch,

The small'st opinion on my great'st abuse?
Re-enter EMILIA, with IAGO.

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is it
with you?

Des. 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?

Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her, Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,

As true hearts cannot bear.

Des. Am I that name, Iago?
Iago. What name, fair lady?

Des. Such, as she says, my lord did say I was.
Emil. He call'd her, whore; a beggar, in his drink,
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.
Iago. Why did he so?

Des. I do not know; I am sure, I am none such.
Iago. Do not weep, do not weep! Alas, the day!
Emil. Has 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?
Des. It is my wretched fortune.
Iago. Beshrew him for it!
How comes this trick upon him?
Des. Nay, heaven doth know.

Emil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,

Some cogging cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devis'd this slander; I'll be hang'd else.
Lago. Fye, there is no such man; it is impossible.
Des. If any such there be, heaven pardon him!
Emil. 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 abus'd by some most villainous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow:-
O heaven, that such companions thou'dst unfold;
And put in every honest hand a whip,
To lash the rascal naked through the world,
Even from the east to the west!

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What shall I do to win my lord again?

Good friend, go to him: for, by this light of heaven,

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I know not how I lost him. Here I kneci:
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.

[Trumpets.

Des. If 'twere no other,
Iago. It is but so, I warrant you.
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!
And the great messengers of Venice say:
Go in, and weep not! all things shall be well!
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
Enter RODERico.

How now, Roderigo?
Rod. I do not find, that thou deal'st justly with me.
Iago. What in the contrary?

Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, Iago; and rather (as it seems to me now,) keep'st me from 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.

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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 enjoyest
not Desdemona, take me from this world with trea-
chery, and devise engines for my life.

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

Des

Ste

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A: 0

And s

Bat t

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Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from And
Venice, to depute Cassio in Othello's place.
Rod. Is that true? Why, then Othello and Desde-
mona 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. Rod. How do you mean-removing of him? Iago. Why, by making him incapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains.

Des

This

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Des

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Her

Rod. And that you would have me do?
Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit, and a
right. He sups to-night with a harlot, and thither
will I go to him; - he knows not yet of his ho-
nourable fortune: if you will watch his going thence,
(which I shall fashion to fall out between twelve The
and one,) you may take him at your pleasure; !
will be near to second your attempt, and he shall
fall between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but He
go along with me; I' will show you such a necessityin
his death, that you shall think yourself bound to put Lay
it on him. It is now high supper-time, and the
night grows to waste: about it.

Rod. 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.

-

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

Oth. O, pardon me! 'will do me good to walk. Lod. Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship!

Des. Your honour is most welcome!

0,- Desdemona,
Des. My lord?

Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Rod. 'Faith, I have heard too much, for your words, Oth. Will you walk, sir? —
and performances, are no kin together.
Iago. You charge me most unjustly.
Rod. 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 has received them,
and returned me expectations and comforts of sud-
den respect and acquittance; but I find none.
Iago. Well! go to! very well!

Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man! nor
'tis not very well. By this hand, I say, it is very
scurvy; and begin to find myself fobbed in it.
Iago. Very well.

Rod. 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.

Jago. You have said now.

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

Jago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even, from this instant, do build on thee a better opinion than ever. 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. Rod. It hath not appeared.

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

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Iago. 1 grant, indeed, it hath not appeared, and your If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me
suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Ro- In one of those same sheets.
derigo, if thou hast that within thee indeed, which Emil. Come, come, you talk!

2.

Des. My mother had a maid call'd - Barbara; She was in love; and he, she lov'd, prov'd 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. Pr'ythee, dispatch!
Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?
Des. No, unpin me here!

This Lodovico is a proper man.
Emil. A very handsome man.
Des. And he speaks well.

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

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Sing willow, etc.

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

Emil. 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. Des. I do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as mauy

To the vantage, as would store the world they play'd 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

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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?

Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the It is so too: and have not we affections?

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Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve,Nay, that's not next. - Hark! who is it that knocks?

Emil. It is the wind.

Des. I call'd my love, false love; but what said

he then?

Sing willow, etc.

If I court mo. women, you'll couch with mo men.

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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.
Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.
Iago. Here, at thy hand; be bold, and take thy
[Retires to a little distance.
O, these men, these Rod. I have no great devotion to the deed;
And yet he has given me satisfying reasons:-

So, get thee gone; good night! Mine eyes do itch;
Doth that bode weeping?

Emil. 'Tis neither here nor there.
Des. I have heard it said so.

men!

Doth thou in conscience think,

That there be women do abuse their husbands

In such gross kind?

sword.

tell me, Emilia,-'Tis but a man gone: - forth, my sword! he dies!
[Goes to his stand.
Iago. I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the

Emil. There be some such, no question.

sense,

Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all the And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, world?

Emil. Why, would not you?

Des. No, by this heavenly light!

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

Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all world?

the

Or Cassio, him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large

O 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,

Emil. The world is a huge thing: 'tis a great That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor price

For a small vice.

May unfold me to him: there stand I in much peril:
No, he must die!— but so, I hear him coming.

Enter CASSIO.

Rod. I know his gait, 'tis he. -Villain, thou diest! [Rushes from his post, and makes a pass at

Cassio.

Des. Good troth, I think thou would'st not. Emil. By my 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 Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, exhibition: but, for the whole world, why, who But that my coat is better, than thou think'st; would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him I will make proof of thine. a monarch? I should venture purgatory for❜t. [Draws, and wounds Roderigo.

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