The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss,
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his

wronger; But, oh, what damned minutes tells he o'er, Who doats, yet doubts : suspects, yet strongly loves !

Oth. Oh misery!

lago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; But riches endless, is as poor as winter, To him that ever fears he fall be poor. Good heav'n! 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 fufpicions ? No; to be once in doubt,
Is once to be resolv’d. Exchange me for a goat,
When I fall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy interence. 'Tis not to make me jealousy
To say, my wite is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, fings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are most 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, lago,
I'll fee, before I doubt; when I doubt, provez.
And, on the proof, there is no more but this,';
Away at once with love, or jealousy.

Iago. I'm glad d of this; for now I fall have reafor
To thew the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit. Therefore, as I'm bound,
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife, observe her well with Callio;
Wear your eye, thus : not jealous, nor secure;
I would not have your free and noble nature.
Out of self-bounty be abus'd; look to't.
I know our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heav'n see the pranks,
They dare not shely their husbands; their best conscience
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.
Oth. Dost thou say so?

lago.

for ever.

lago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And when she feem'd to take, and fear your looks, She lov'd them moft.

Oih. And so she did.

Iago. 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'm much to blame:
I humbly do befeech you of your pardon,
For too much loving you.

Oth. I'm bound to you
lago. I fee, this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago. Trust me, I fear, it has :
I hope, you will consider, what is spoke
Comes from

my

love. But, I do fee, you're mov'dan
I am to pray you, not to strain my speech
To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,
Than to fufpicion.

Oth. I will not.

lago. Should you do so, my Lord,
My speech would fall into such vile success,
Which my thoughts aim notat. Caffio's my worthy friend,
My Lord, I see, you're movid-

Oth. No, not much mov'd-
I do not think, but Desdemona's honest.

Lago. Long live she lo! and long live you to think so!
Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself-

lago. Ay, there's the point;cas (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 disproportions, thoughts unnatural.
But, pardon me, I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her; tho' I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And, haply, so repent.

Oth. Farewel, farewel;
VOL. VIII.

N

If

If more thou doit perceive, let me know more :
Set on thy wife t'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.

lago. My Lord, I would, I might entreat your Honour To scan this thing no farther; leave it to time: Altho''tis fit that Cafio have his place, For, sure, he fills it up with great ability; Yet if you please to hold him off awhile, You Mall by that perceive him, and his means ;. Note, if your lady ftrain 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. Oth. Fear not my government. lago. I once more take my leave.

[Exit. Manet Othello. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned fpirit, Of human dealings. If I prove her haggard, Tho' 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'm black, And have not those foft parts of conversation That chamberers have ; or, for I am declin'd Into the vale of years, yet that's not muchShe's gone, I am abus'd, and my relief Must be to loath her. Oh the 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' use. Yet 'tis the plague of Great ones ; Prerogativ'd are they less than the base ; 'Tis destiny unfhunnable, like death.

Ey'n

Ev'n then, this forked plague is fated to us,
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes !

Enter Desdemona and Æmilia.
If she be false, oh, then heav'n mocks itself:
I'll not believe't.

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

Oth, I am to blame.

Def. Why do you speak fo faintly? Are you not well ?

Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.

Def. Why, 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;

[She drops her handkerchief. Let it alone: come, I'll go in with you. Def. I am very forry, that you are not well. [Exeunt.

Manet Æmilia.
Æmil. I am glad, I have found this napkin;
This was her first remembrance from the Moor ;
My wayward husband hath á hundred times
Woo'd me to steal it. But she fo loves the token,
(For he conjur'd her, she should ever keep it)
That the reserves it evermore about her,
To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And giv't lago; what he'll do with it,
Heav'n knows, not I:
I nothing, but to please his fantasy,

Enter Iago. lago. How now? what do

you

here alone? Æmil. Do not you chide ; I have a thing for you.

Iago. You have a thing for me?
It is a common thing

Emil. Ha?
lago. To have a foolish wife.

N 2

Æmi!

Æmil. Oh, is that all? what will you give me now For that fame handkerchief?

Iago. What handkerchief?

Æmil. What handkerchief:.
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often

you

did bid me steal. lago. Hast stollen it from her ?

A mil. No;, but she let it drop hy negligence; And, to th' advantage, I, being here, took’t up: Look, here 'tisi

laga. A good wench, give it me.

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

lago. Why, what is that to you? [Snatching it,

Æmil. If't be not for some purpose of import,
Give’t me again. Poor lady! she'll run mad,
When the shall lack it.

lago. Be not you known on't;
I have use for it. Go, leave me [Exit Æmil.
I will in Casio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light
Are, to the jealous, confirmations (trong
As proofs of holy Writ. This may do something,
The Moor already changes with my poisons :
Dang’rous conceits are in their nature 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 fo.

Enter Othello..
Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy fyrups of the world,
Shall ever med'cine thee to that sweet sleep,
Which thou hadft yesterday,

Oth. Ha! false to me!
Jaga. Why, how now, General? no more of that.

Oth, Avant! be gone! thou'st set me on the rack :
I swear, 'tis better to be much abus'd,
Than but to know a little,
lage. How, my Lord?

Oth,

1