Des. Do not doubt that: before Emilia here With Cassio's suit. Therefore, be merry, Cassio; Enter OTHELLO and IAGO, at a distance. Cas. Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purpose. Des. Well, do your discretion. [Exit CASSIO. What dost thou say? Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if-I know not what. Oth. Was not that Cassio, parted from my wife? Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio, Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do Des. Oth. 1 will deny thee nothing: Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, I heard thee say but now,-thou lik'dst 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, Iago. My lord, you know I love you. Therefore, these stops of thine fright me the more; I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and false, As where's that palace, whereinto foul things Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, Iago. To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Oth. 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, Oth. I'll know thy thoughts Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. Oth. Ha! Iago. O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth make 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! 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.- 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, Is once to be resolv'd. 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, If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago. Iago. 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. To scan this thing no further; leave it to time. [Exit. 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, 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 declin'd Into the vale of years;-yet that's not much :She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief Must be to 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, Even then this forked plague is fated to us, Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA. If she be false, O! then heaven mocks itself.- Des. Des. Why is your speech so faint? are you not well? Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here. again: Let me but bind it hard, within this hour Your napkin is too little; Lets fall her handkerchief. To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out, I nothing, but to please his fantasy. Emil. What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest To have me filch it? Iago. Why, what's that to you? [Snatching it. Emil. 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, Burn like the mines of sulphur.-I did say so :- Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandra 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 abus'd, I Oth. What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust? saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me : I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry; I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips: He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen, Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war! And O! you mortal engines, whose rude throats Th' immorial Jove's dread clamours counterfeit, Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone! Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'd, Iago. O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world! I thank you for this profit; and, from hence, Oth. By the world, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives, Oth. Death and damnation! O! Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys |