Def. Indeed! is't true? Oth. Moft veritable, therefore look to't well, Df. Then would to heav'n, that I had never seen't f Oth. Ha? wherefore? Def. Why do you speak fo startingly, and rash? Oth. Is't loft is't gone? fpeak, is it out o'th' way ?? Def. Blefs us! Oth. Say you ? Def. It is not loft; but what, an if it were P Def. I fay, it is not loft. Oth. Fetch't, let me fee't. Def. Why, fo I can, Sir; but I will not now: This is a trick to put me from my fuit, Pray you, let Caio be receiv'd again. Óth. Fetch me the handkerchief-my mind mifgivesDef. Come, you'll ne'er meet a more fufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief Def. A man, that, all his time, Hath founded his good fortunes on your love; Shar'd dangers with you. Oth. The handkerchief Def. Infooth, you are to blame. Oth. Away! [Exit Othello Manent Defdemona and Emilia. Emil. Is not this man jealous? Def. I ne'er faw this before. Sure, there's fome wonder in this handkerchief: Emil. "Tis not a year, or two, fhews us a man: lago. There is no other way, 'tis fhe muft'do't ; And lo, the happiness! go and importune her. [you ? Def. How now, good Caffe, what's the news with: Cal. Madam, my former fuit. I do befeech you, That. That by your virtuous means I may again Can ranfom me into his love again; Def. Alas! thrice-gentle Caffio,. My advocation is not now in tune; My Lord is not my Lord; nor fhould I know him, So help me every spirit fanctified, As I have fpoken for you all my best; For my free speech! You must a-while be patient; Than for myself I dare. Let that fuffice you.. Emil. He went hence but now; And, certainly, in ftrange unquietness. Iago. Can he be angry? I have feen the cannon, When it hath blown his ranks into the air, (42) And fout myself up in some other course, To Fortune's arms.] i. e. to be embraced by Fortune: which was a greater happiness than Caffio yet dreamt of. I don't know whether we are to difpute here with Mr. Pope's eyes, or his understanding, for departing from all the old copies, which read as they fhould doz And but myself up in fome other course, To Fortune's alms. i. e. To chance, and cafualty. So before, in this play} I'd while her off, and let her down the wind. To prey at Fortune. i. e. at random. And fo, in King Lear ;, -Let your ftudy Be to content your Lord, who hath receiv'd you e. a beggar fript of the indulgence of fortune, And, And, like the Devil, from his very arm Manent Desdemona, Æmilia, and Caffio. [Exit. Def. I pr'ythee, do fo.-Something, fure, of State, Either from Venice, or fome unhatch'd practice, Made here demonftrable in Cyprus to him, Hath puddled his clear fpirit; and, in fuch cases,, Our other healthful members with a sense Of pain. Nay, we muft think, Men are not Gods ;; As fits the bridal. Befhrew me much, Emilia, Emil. Pray heav'n, it be State-matter, as you think; and no conception, Def. Alas-the-day, I never gave him cause. But jealous, for they're jealous. It's a monster Def. Heav'n keep that monster from Othello's mind! Def. I will go feek him. Caffic, walk hereabout; If I do find him fit, I'll move your fuit, And feek t' effect it to my uttermoft. Cof. I humbly thank your Ladyship. [Exeunt Defdem. and Amil. at one door Caffio, at the other. SCENE changes to the Street before the Palace, Re-enter Caffio, meeting Bianca. Bian. AVE you, friend Caffio. from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? Cof. Pardon me, Bianca: I have this while with leaden thoughts been preft; Strike off this fcore of abfence. Sweet Bianca, [Giving ber Desdemona's Handkerchief. Take me this work out. Bian. Oh Caffio, whence came this? Of thy felt abfence now I feel a cause: Caf. Go to, woman: Throw your vile gueffes in the Devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now, That this is from fome mistress, fome remembrance ? No, in good troth, Bianca. Bian. Why, whose is it? Caf. I know not neither; I found it in my chamber; I like the work well: ere it be demanded, Caf. I do attend here on the General, And think it no addition, nor my wish, Bian. Why, I pray you? Caf. Not that I love you not. Bian. I Eian. But that you do not love me; pray you, bring me on the way a little; And fay, if I fhall fee you foon at night? Cof. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, For 1 attend here. But I'll fee you foon. 13 Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumftanc'd. [Exe A CT IV. SCENE, a Court before the Palace. Enter Othello, and Iago. IAGO. ILL you think fo! WILL Oth. Think fo, Iago? Jago. What, to kifs in private ? Oth. An unauthoriz'd kifs ? lago. Or to be naked with her friend in bed, An hour or more, not meaning any harm? Oth. Naked in hed, lago, and not mean harm? (43) It is hypocrify against the Devil: They that mean virtuously, and yet do fo, The Devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heav'n. (43) Naked in bed, Iago, and mean no barm? It is hypocrify against the devil.] This passage puts me in mind of a fingular fet of devotees in the primitive church of both fexes, (whom S. Cyprian condemns in one of his epiftles) and which had continued a confiderable time, as we may fee from Dodwell's Cyprianic Differtations, where we have a full account of them. There were feveral of both fexes, who had made their vows and profeffions of chastity; and, as the extreameft trial of their virtue, fcrupled not to lie naked together in bed. Some had been excommunicated for it of the female fex, who yet ftuck to their innocence, and offer'd to undergo any trials of their virginity. Whether our Author had thefe diffembling devotees in his mind or no, I dare not pretend to fay: but some of the feet, if I remember right, were detected and brought to punishment in his time.. Mr. Warburton. |