1 1 SCENE, a Bed-chamber : Desdemona is discovered asleep in her bed. Oth. Enter Othello, with a Light and a Sword. T is the cause, it is the cause, my soul;- Let me not name it to you, you chaíte stars! [Lays down the sword. minister, I can again thy former light reftore, Should I repent: but once put out thy light, (29) Put out tbe light, and then put out the light ] The Players have many timess inconfiderately committed an Absurdity here, in making Oihello put out the Candie ; which, 'tis evident, never was the Poet's Intention. Desdemona is discover*d in her Bed, in the dark; and Oibello enters the Chamber with a single 'Taper. If there were any other Lights burning in the Room, where would be the Drift of putting out his? If there were no others, and that he puts bis out, how absurd is it for Desdemona in the Dark to talk of his Eyes rowling, and his gnawing his nether Lip?. - This, I conceive, to have been the Poet's Meaning. Orbello, ftruck in part with Remoise at the Murder he's going to do, thinks it best to do it in the Dark; this compunction of Nature, in the hurry and perturbation o? Thought, and those Remains of Tenderness fill com. bating in his Bufum, frikes him into ar. instant Reflexion, that if he puts out the Light, he can rekindle it; but if he once puts out the Light of ber Life, that will be extinguish'd for While he is buried in this Contemplation, he tnrows his Eyes towarde her; and then, sooth'd with her beauteous Appeara'nce, sers down the Light, to go and kiss her. Upon this, Defa demona wakes; and they continue in Discourse together till he fifles her I cannot ever. I cannot give it vital growth again; [Killing her. Def. Who's there? Othello? Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime Def. Alack, my Lord, Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by. Def. Talk you of killing ? Oth. Think on thy fins. Def. That death's unnatural, that kills for loving. Oth. Oth. Peace, and be ftill. Def. I will fo: what's the matter? Oth. That handkerchief Which I so lov’d, and gave thee, thou gav'ft Casio. Def. No, by my life and soul : send for the man, And ask him. Oth. Sweet foul, take heed, take heed of perjury; Thou art on thy death-bed. Def. Ay, but not yet to die. Oth. Presently ; Def. Oh, heav'n have mercy on me! Des. And have you mercy too ! I never did you my life ; never lov'd Casio, But with such general warranty of heav'n, As I might love. I never gave him token. Oth. By heav'n, I saw my handkerchief in's hand. Def. He found it then ; Oth. He hath confeft. Oih. No, his mouth is stoppid; Des. My fear interprets then-What, is he dead ? Oih. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge Had ftomach for them all. Def. Alas, he is betray'd, and I undone. Oth. Oth. Out, ftrumpet! weep'st thou for him to my face? (Hefmothers ber. - Æmilia, at the door. Æm. MyLord, my Lord! what hoa! my Lord, my Lord! Oth. 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, fo. Æmil, witbin.) What hoa! my Lord, my Lord ! Oth. Yes; 'tis Æmilia--by and by- she's dead. Æmil. I befeech you, That I may speak with you. Oh, good my Lord! · Oth. I had forgot thee; oh, come in, Æmilia. Soft, by and by, let me the curtains draw. Where art thou? what's the matter with thee now? [Unlocks the door. Enter Æmilia. Æmil. Oh, my good Lord, yonder’s foul murder done. Orh. What now? Æmil. But now, my Lord. Oth. It is the very error of the moon ; Æmil. Calho, my Lord, hath kill'd Oth. Rodorigo kill'd? and Caffio kill'd? Oth. Not Caffio kill'd? then murder's out of tune, Def. Oh, falfly, fally murder'd! Def. A guiltless death I die. Def. No body, I myself, farewel; Oth. Why, how should he be murder'd! Æm.Oh, the more angel fhe, and you the blacker devil. Æmil. Thou art rath as fire, to say Oth. Caffio did tup her; ask thy husband else. Æmil. My husband! 1 |