William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice


Source text for this digital edition:
Shakespeare, William. Othello. Edited by Jessica Slights for the Internet Shakespeare Editions. Victoria: University of Victoria. Last modified 2019-01-11. https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/doc/Oth_M/complete/index.html
Digital text encoding for EMOTHE:
  • Tronch Pérez, Jesús
  • Huertas Martín, Víctor

Note on this digital edition

©Internet Shakespeare Editions.

In contrast to the line numbering based on the continuous Through Line Numbers (from Hinman’s Norton facsimile of Shakespeare’s First Folio), in this digital edition for EMOTHE numbers indicate verse lines and paragrafs in a prose speech within each scene.

List of characters

Othello, the Moor
Brabantio, father to Desdemona
Cassio, an honorable lieutenant
Iago, a villain
Roderigo, a gulled gentleman
Duke of Venice
Senators
Montano, Governor of Cyprus
Lodovico, a noble Venetian
Gratiano, a noble Venetian
Sailors
Clown
Desdemona, wife to Othello
Emilia, wife to Iago
Bianca, a courtesan
Messenger
Herald
Officers
Gentlemen of Cyprus
Musicians
Attendants and servants

1.1

Enter Roderigo and Iago.

Roderigo
1
Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly
2
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
3
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.

Iago
4
’Sblood, but you’ll not hear me! If ever I
5
Did dream of such a matter, abhor me.

Roderigo
6
Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.

Iago
7
Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
8
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
9
Off-capped to him—and by the faith of man
10
I know my price; I am worth no worse a place—
11
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,
12
Evades them with a bombast circumstance
13
Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
14
Non-suits my mediators. For “Certes”, says he,
15
“I have already chose my officer”.
16
And what was he?
17
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
18
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine—
19
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife—
20
That never set a squadron in the field,
21
Nor the division of a battle knows
22
More than a spinster, unless the bookish theoric
23
Wherein the tonguèd consuls can propose
24
As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice
25
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th’election;
26
And I—of whom his eyes had seen the proof
27
At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds,
28
Christened and heathen—must be beleed and calmed
29
By debitor and creditor. This countercaster,
30
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
31
And I, God bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.

Roderigo
32
By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.

Iago
33
Why, there’s no remedy. ’Tis the curse of service;
34
Preferment goes by letter and affection,
35
And not by old gradation, where each second
36
Stood heir to th’first. Now sir, be judge yourself
37
Whether I in any just term am affined
38
To love the Moor.

Roderigo
39
I would not follow him then.

Iago
40
Oh, sir, content you.
41
I follow him to serve my turn upon him.
42
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
43
Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark
44
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave
45
That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
46
Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass,
47
For naught but provender, and when he’s old—cashiered.
48
Whip me such honest knaves! Others there are
49
Who, trimmed in forms and visages of duty,
50
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,
51
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
52
Do well thrive by them—and, when they have lined their coats,
53
Do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul,
54
And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir,
55
It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
56
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.
57
In following him, I follow but myself.
58
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
59
But seeming so for my peculiar end.
60
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
61
The native act and figure of my heart
62
In complement extern, ’tis not long after
63
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
64
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.

Roderigo
65
What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe
66
If he can carry’t thus!

Iago
Call up her father.
67
Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight,
68
Proclaim him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen,
69
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,
70
Plague him with flies; though that his joy be joy,
71
Yet throw such chances of vexation on’t
72
As it may lose some color.

Roderigo
73
Here is her father’s house. I’ll call aloud.

Iago
74
Do, with like timorous accent and dire yell
75
As when, by night and negligence, the fire
76
Is spied in populous cities.

Roderigo
77
What ho! Brabantio, Signor Brabantio, ho!

Iago
78
Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves!
79
Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!
80
Thieves, thieves!

[Enter Brabantio above at a window.]

Brabantio
81
What is the reason of this terrible summons?
82
What is the matter there?

Roderigo
83
Signor, is all your family within?

Iago
84
Are your doors locked?

Brabantio
Why? Wherefore ask you this?

Iago
85
Zounds, sir, you’re robbed! For shame, put on your gown!
86
Your heart is burst; you have lost half your soul.
87
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
88
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!
89
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
90
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
91
Arise, I say!

Brabantio
What, have you lost your wits?

Roderigo
92
Most reverend signor, do you know my voice?

Brabantio
93
Not I. What are you?

Roderigo
94
My name is Roderigo.

Brabantio
95
The worser welcome.
96
I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors.
97
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
98
My daughter is not for thee. And now in madness,
99
Being full of supper and distempering drafts,
100
Upon malicious bravery dost thou come
101
To start my quiet.

Roderigo
Sir, sir, sir—

Brabantio
But thou must needs be sure
102
My spirit and my place have in their power
103
To make this bitter to thee.

Roderigo
Patience, good sir.

Brabantio
104
What tell’st thou me of robbing? This is Venice;
105
My house is not a grange.

Roderigo
Most grave Brabantio,
106
In simple and pure soul, I come to you.

Iago
107Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you’ll have coursers for cousins and jennets for germans.

Brabantio
108
What profane wretch art thou?

Iago
109I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs.

Brabantio
110
Thou art a villain.

Iago
You are a senator.

Brabantio
111
This thou shalt answer. I know thee, Roderigo.

Roderigo
112
Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech you,
113
If’t be your pleasure and most wise consent,
114
As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,
115
At this odd-even and dull watch o’th’night,
116
Transported with no worse nor better guard
117
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,
118
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor—
119
If this be known to you and your allowance,
120
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs.
121
But if you know not this, my manners tell me
122
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe
123
That from the sense of all civility
124
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence.
125
Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,
126
I say again, hath made a gross revolt,
127
Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes
128
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
129
Of here and everywhere. Straight satisfy yourself:
130
If she be in her chamber or your house,
131
Let loose on me the justice of the state
132
For thus deluding you.

Brabantio
Strike on the tinder, ho!
133
Give me a taper. Call up all my people.
134
This accident is not unlike my dream;
135
Belief of it oppresses me already.
136
Light, I say, light!

Exit [Brabantio].

Iago
Farewell, for I must leave you.
137
It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place
138
To be produced—as, if I stay, I shall—
139
Against the Moor. For I do know the state,
140
However this may gall him with some check,
141
Cannot with safety cast him, for he’s embarked
142
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,
143
Which even now stands in act, that for their souls
144
Another of his fathom they have none
145
To lead their business. In which regard,
146
Though I do hate him as I do hell pains,
147
Yet, for necessity of present life,
148
I must show out a flag and sign of love—
149
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,
150
Lead to the Sagittary the raisèd search,
151
And there will I be with him. So farewell.

Exit [Iago].
Enter Brabantio in his nightgown, and servants with torches.

Brabantio
152
It is too true an evil. Gone she is,
153
And what’s to come of my despisèd time
154
Is naught but bitterness. Now Roderigo,
155
Where didst thou see her?—Oh, unhappy girl!—
156
With the Moor sayst thou?—Who would be a father?—
157
How didst thou know ’twas she?—Oh, she deceives me
158
Past thought!—What said she to you? Get more tapers;
159
Raise all my kindred! Are they married think you?

Roderigo
160
Truly, I think they are.

Brabantio
161
O heaven! How got she out? Oh, treason of the blood!
162
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’ minds
163
By what you see them act. Is there not charms
164
By which the property of youth and maidhood
165
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
166
Of some such thing?

Roderigo
Yes, sir, I have indeed.

Brabantio
167
Call up my brother.—Oh, would you had had her!—
168
Some one way, some another.—Do you know
169
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?

Roderigo
170
I think I can discover him, if you please
171
To get good guard and go along with me.

Brabantio
172
Pray you, lead on. At every house I’ll call—
173
I may command at most. Get weapons, ho,
174
And raise some special officers of night!
175
On, good Roderigo; I will deserve your pains.

Exeunt.

1.2

Enter Othello, Iago, [and] attendants, with torches.

Iago
1
Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
2
Yet do I hold it very stuff o’th’conscience
3
To do no contrived murder; I lack iniquity
4
Sometime to do me service. Nine or ten times
5
I had thought t’have yerked him here under the ribs.

Othello
6
’Tis better as it is.

Iago
Nay, but he prated,
7
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
8
Against your honor
9
That with the little godliness I have
10
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,
11
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
12
That the magnifico is much beloved,
13
And hath in his effect a voice potential
14
As double as the duke’s. He will divorce you,
15
Or put upon you what restraint or grievance
16
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
17
Will give him cable.

Othello
Let him do his spite;
18
My services, which I have done the signory,
19
Shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis yet to know—
20
Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
21
I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being
22
From men of royal siege; and my demerits
23
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
24
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,
25
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
26
I would not my unhousèd free condition
27
Put into circumscription and confine
28
For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?

Enter Cassio [and officers] with torches.

Iago
29
Those are the raisèd father and his friends;
30
You were best go in.

Othello
Not I. I must be found.
31
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
32
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

Iago
33
By Janus, I think no.

Othello
34
The servants of the duke? And my lieutenant?
35
The goodness of the night upon you, friends.
36
What is the news?

Cassio
The duke does greet you, general,
37
And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
38
Even on the instant.

Othello
What is the matter, think you?

Cassio
39
Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.
40
It is a business of some heat. The galleys
41
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
42
This very night at one another’s heels,
43
And many of the consuls, raised and met,
44
Are at the duke’s already. You have been hotly called for,
45
When, being not at your lodging to be found,
46
The Senate hath sent about three several quests
47
To search you out.

Othello
’Tis well I am found by you.
48
I will but spend a word here in the house
49
And go with you.

[Exit Othello.]

Cassio
Ancient, what makes he here?

Iago
50
Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack.
51
If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.

Cassio
52
I do not understand.

Iago
He’s married.

Cassio
To who?

Iago
53
Marry to—
[Enter Othello.]
Come captain, will you go?

Othello
Have with you.

Cassio
54
Here comes another troop to seek for you.

Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, [and] officers [with] torches [and weapons].

Iago
55
It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
56
He comes to bad intent.

Othello
Holla, stand there.

Roderigo
57
Signor, it is the Moor.

Brabantio
Down with him, thief.

[Both sides draw their swords.]

Iago
58
You, Roderigo? Come, sir, I am for you.

Othello
59Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signor, you shall more command with years than with your weapons.

Brabantio
60
O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter?
61
Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
62
For I’ll refer me to all things of sense
63
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
64
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
65
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
66
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
67
Would ever have, t’incur a general mock,
68
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
69
Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight.
70
Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense
71
That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
72
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
73
That weaken motion. I’ll have’t disputed on—
74
’Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
75
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
76
For an abuser of the world, a practicer
77
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
78
Lay hold upon him; if he do resist,
79
Subdue him at his peril.

Othello
Hold your hands,
80
Both you of my inclining and the rest.
81
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
82
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go
83
To answer this your charge?

Brabantio
To prison, till fit time
84
Of law and course of direct session
85
Call thee to answer.

Othello
What if I do obey?
86
How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
87
Whose messengers are here about my side
88
Upon some present business of the state
89
To bring me to him?

Officer
’Tis true, most worthy signor.
90
The duke’s in council, and your noble self
91
I am sure is sent for.

Brabantio
How? The duke in council?
92
In this time of the night? Bring him away!
93
Mine’s not an idle cause. The duke himself,
94
Or any of my brothers of the state,
95
Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own;
96
For if such actions may have passage free,
97
Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.

Exeunt.

1.3

Enter Duke [and] Senators [at a table, with lights] and officers.

Duke
1
There is no composition in this news
2
That gives them credit.

1 Senator
Indeed, they are disproportioned;
3
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

Duke
4
And mine a hundred forty.

2 Senator
And mine two hundred.
5
But though they jump not on a just account—
6
As in these cases where the aim reports
7
’Tis oft with difference—yet do they all confirm
8
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

Duke
9
Nay, it is possible enough to judgment;
10
I do not so secure me in the error,
11
But the main article I do approve
12
In fearful sense.

Sailor
13
(Within)
What ho, what ho, what ho!

Enter Sailor.

Officer
14
A messenger from the galleys.

Duke
15
Now, what’s the business?

Sailor
16
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
17
So was I bid report here to the state
18
By Signor Angelo.

Duke
19
How say you by this change?

1 Senator
This cannot be,
20
By no assay of reason. ’Tis a pageant
21
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
22
Th’importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
23
And let ourselves again but understand
24
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
25
So may he with more facile question bear it,
26
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
27
But altogether lacks th’abilities
28
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this,
29
We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
30
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
31
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
32
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
33
Nay, in all confidence he’s not for Rhodes.

Officer
34
Here is more news.

Enter a Messenger.

Messenger
35
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
36
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
37
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.

1 Senator
38
Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?

Messenger
39
Of thirty sail; and now they do restem
40
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
41
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signor Montano,
42
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
43
With his free duty, recommends you thus
44
And prays you to believe him.

Duke
45
’Tis certain then for Cyprus.
46
Marcus Luccicos—is not he in town?

1 Senator
47
He’s now in Florence.

Duke
48
Write from us to him; post-post-haste, dispatch.

1 Senator
49
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.

Enter Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo, and officers.

Duke
50
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
51
Against the general enemy Ottoman.
52
[To Brabantio]
I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signor.
53
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.

Brabantio
54
So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me.
55
Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
56
Hath raised me from my bed; nor doth the general care
57
Take hold on me, for my particular grief
58
Is of so floodgate and o’erbearing nature
59
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
60
And it is still itself.

Duke
Why? What’s the matter?

Brabantio
61
My daughter! Oh, my daughter!

1 Senator
Dead?

Brabantio
Ay, to me.
62
She is abused, stolen from me, and corrupted
63
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks;
64
For nature so preposterously to err—
65
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense—
66
Sans witchcraft could not.

Duke
67
Whoe’er he be that in this foul proceeding
68
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself,
69
And you of her, the bloody book of law
70
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
71
After your own sense, yea, though our proper son
72
Stood in your action.

Brabantio
Humbly I thank your grace.
73
Here is the man—this Moor, whom now it seems
74
Your special mandate for the state affairs
75
Hath hither brought.
We are very sorry for’t.

Duke
76
[To Othello]
What, in your own part, can you say to this?

Brabantio
77
Nothing but “This is so”.

Othello
78
Most potent, grave, and reverend signors,
79
My very noble and approved good masters,
80
That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter,
81
It is most true; true, I have married her.
82
The very head and front of my offending
83
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
84
And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace—
85
For since these arms of mine had seven year’s pith,
86
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used
87
Their dearest action in the tented field—
88
And little of this great world can I speak
89
More than pertains to feats of broils and battle,
90
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
91
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
92
I will a round, unvarnished tale deliver
93
Of my whole course of love—what drugs, what charms,
94
What conjuration, and what mighty magic—
95
For such proceeding I am charged withal—
96
I won his daughter.

Brabantio
A maiden never bold,
97
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
98
Blushed at herself, and she—in spite of nature,
99
Of years, of country, credit, everything—
100
To fall in love with what she feared to look on?
101
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
102
That will confess perfection so could err
103
Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
104
To find out practices of cunning hell
105
Why this should be. I therefore vouch again
106
That with some mixtures powerful o’er the blood,
107
Or with some dram conjured to this effect,
108
He wrought upon her.

Duke
To vouch this is no proof
109
Without more wider and more overt test
110
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
111
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.

1 Senator
112
But, Othello, speak:
113
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
114
Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
115
Or came it by request and such fair question
116
As soul to soul affordeth?

Othello
I do beseech you,
117
Send for the lady to the Sagittary
118
And let her speak of me before her father;
119
If you do find me foul in her report,
120
The trust, the office I do hold of you
121
Not only take away, but let your sentence
122
Even fall upon my life.

Duke
Fetch Desdemona hither.

[Exeunt two or three officers.]

Othello
123
Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place.
[Exit Iago.]
124
And till she come, as truly as to heaven
125
I do confess the vices of my blood,
126
So justly to your grave ears I’ll present
127
How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love,
128
And she in mine.

Duke
Say it, Othello.

Othello
129
Her father loved me, oft invited me,
130
Still questioned me the story of my life
131
From year to year—the battle, sieges, fortune
132
That I have passed.
133
I ran it through, even from my boyish days
134
To th’very moment that he bade me tell it,
135
Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances,
136
Of moving accidents by flood and field,
137
Of hairbreadth scapes i’th’imminent deadly breach;
138
Of being taken by the insolent foe
139
And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
140
And portance in my traveler’s history,
141
Wherein of antars vast and deserts idle,
142
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven,
143
It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
144
And of the cannibals that each other eat,
145
The anthropophagi, and men whose heads
146
Do grow beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
147
Would Desdemona seriously incline,
148
But still the house affairs would draw her thence,
149
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
150
She’d come again and with a greedy ear
151
Devour up my discourse; which I, observing,
152
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
153
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
154
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
155
Whereof by parcels she had something heard,
156
But not intentively. I did consent,
157
And often did beguile her of her tears
158
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
159
That my youth suffered. My story being done,
160
She gave me for my pains a world of kisses;
161
She swore in faith ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange;
162
’Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
163
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
164
That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me,
165
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
166
I should but teach him how to tell my story
167
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
168
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
169
And I loved her that she did pity them.
170
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
171
Here comes the lady; let her witness it.

Enter Desdemona, Iago, [and] attendants.

Duke
172
I think this tale would win my daughter too.
173
Good Brabantio, take up this mangled matter at the best.
174
Men do their broken weapons rather use
175
Than their bare hands.

Brabantio
I pray you hear her speak.
176
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
177
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
178
Light on the man. Come hither, gentle mistress.
179
Do you perceive in all this noble company
180
Where most you owe obedience?

Desdemona
My noble father,
181
I do perceive here a divided duty.
182
To you I am bound for life and education;
183
My life and education both do learn me
184
How to respect you. You are the lord of duty;
185
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband,
186
And so much duty as my mother showed
187
To you, preferring you before her father,
188
So much I challenge that I may profess
189
Due to the Moor my lord.

Brabantio
190
God be with you! I have done.
191
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs.
192
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.
193
Come hither, Moor.
194
[To Othello]
I here do give thee that with all my heart
195
Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart
196
I would keep from thee.
[To Desdemona]
For your sake, jewel,
197
I am glad at soul I have no other child,
198
For thy escape would teach me tyranny
199
To hang clogs on them.
[To the Duke]
I have done, my lord.

Duke
200
Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence,
201
Which as a grise or step may help these lovers
202
Into your favor.
203
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
204
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
205
To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
206
Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
207
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
208
Patience her injury a mockery makes.
209
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief;
210
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.

Brabantio
211
So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile;
212
We lose it not so long as we can smile.
213
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears,
214
But the free comfort which from thence he hears;
215
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
216
That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
217
These sentences to sugar or to gall,
218
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
219
But words are words; I never yet did hear
220
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
221
I humbly beseech you proceed to th’affairs of state.

Duke
222The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a more sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you. You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition.

Othello
223
The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
224
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
225
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
226
A natural and prompt alacrity
227
I find in hardness, and do undertake
228
This present war against the Ottomites.
229
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
230
I crave fit disposition for my wife,
231
Due reference of place and exhibition,
232
With such accommodation and besort
233
As levels with her breeding.

Duke
234
Why, at her father’s.

Brabantio
I will not have it so.

Othello
235
Nor I.

Desdemona
236
Nor would I there reside
237
To put my father in impatient thoughts
238
By being in his eye. Most gracious duke,
239
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear,
240
And let me find a charter in your voice
241
T’assist my simpleness.

Duke
What would you, Desdemona?

Desdemona
242
That I did love the Moor to live with him,
243
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
244
May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
245
Even to the very quality of my lord;
246
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
247
And to his honors and his valiant parts
248
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
249
So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,
250
A moth of peace, and he go to the war,
251
The rites for why I love him are bereft me,
252
And I a heavy interim shall support
253
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.

Othello
254
Let her have your voice.
255
Vouch with me, heaven; I therefore beg it not
256
To please the palate of my appetite,
257
Nor to comply with heat the young affects
258
In my defunct and proper satisfaction,
259
But to be free and bounteous to her mind;
260
And heaven defend your good souls that you think
261
I will your serious and great business scant
262
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
263
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
264
My speculative and officed instruments
265
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
266
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
267
And all indign and base adversities
268
Make head against my estimation.

Duke
269
Be it as you shall privately determine,
270
Either for her stay or going. Th’affair cries haste,
271
And speed must answer it.

1 Senator
You must away tonight.

Desdemona
272
Tonight, my lord?

Duke
This night.

Othello
With all my heart.

Duke
273
At nine i’th’morning here we’ll meet again.
274
Othello, leave some officer behind
275
And he shall our commission bring to you,
276
And such things else of quality and respect
277
As doth import you.

Othello
So please your grace, my ancient—
278
A man he is of honesty and trust—
279
To his conveyance I assign my wife,
280
With what else needful your good grace shall think
281
To be sent after me.

Duke
Let it be so.
282
Goodnight to everyone—and, noble signor,
283
If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
284
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.

1 Senator
285
Adieu, brave Moor, use Desdemona well.

Brabantio
286
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see;
287
She has deceived her father, and may thee.

Exeunt [Duke, Senators, Brabantio, Cassio, Sailor, Messenger, officers, and attendants.]

Othello
288
My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago,
289
My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
290
I prithee let thy wife attend on her,
291
And bring them after in the best advantage.
292
Come Desdemona, I have but an hour
293
Of love, of worldly matter and direction
294
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.

Exeunt [Othello and Desdemona].

Roderigo
295Iago.

Iago
296What sayst thou, noble heart?

Roderigo
297What will I do, think’st thou?

Iago
298Why, go to bed and sleep.

Roderigo
299I will incontinently drown myself.

Iago
300If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman?

Roderigo
301It is silliness to live when to live is torment; and then have we a prescription to die, when death is our physician.

Iago
302Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and, since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.

Roderigo
303What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it.

Iago
304Virtue? A fig! ’Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens to the which our wills are gardeners, so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the beam of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts—whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.

Roderigo
305It cannot be.

Iago
306It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man! Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness. I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars; defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as acerb as coloquintida. She must change for youth; when she is sated with his body, she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself. It is clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.

Roderigo
307Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?

Iago
308Thou art sure of me—go, make money—I have told thee often, and I retell thee again and again: I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.

Roderigo
309Where shall we meet i’th’morning?

Iago
310At my lodging.

Roderigo
311I’ll be with thee betimes.

Iago
312Go to, farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo?

Roderigo
313What say you?

Iago
314No more of drowning, do you hear?

Roderigo
315I am changed.

Iago
316Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse.

Roderigo
317I’ll sell all my land.

Exit [Roderigo].

Iago
318
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse;
319
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
320
If I would time expend with such a snipe
321
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
322
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
323
He’s done my office. I know not if’t be true,
324
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
325
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well;
326
The better shall my purpose work on him.
327
Cassio’s a proper man—let me see now:
328
To get his place and to plume up my will
329
In double knavery—How? How? Let’s see:
330
After some time to abuse Othello’s ears
331
That he is too familiar with his wife.
332
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
333
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
334
The Moor is of a free and open nature
335
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
336
And will as tenderly be led by’th’nose as asses are.
337
I have’t. It is engendered. Hell and night
338
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.

Exit [Iago].

2.1

Enter Montano, [Governor of Cyprus, with] two [other] Gentlemen.

Montano
1
What from the cape can you discern at sea?

1 Gentleman
2
Nothing at all; it is a high-wrought flood.
3
I cannot ’twixt the heaven and the main
4
Descry a sail.

Montano
5
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land.
6
A fuller blast ne’er shook our battlements;
7
If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea,
8
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
9
Can hold the mortise? What shall we hear of this?

2 Gentleman
10
A segregation of the Turkish fleet—
11
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
12
The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds,
13
The wind-shaked surge with high and monstrous mane
14
Seems to cast water on the burning Bear
15
And quench the guards of th’ever-fixèd Pole.
16
I never did like molestation view
17
On the enchafèd flood.

Montano
If that the Turkish fleet
18
Be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned;
19
It is impossible to bear it out.

Enter a [third] Gentleman.

3 Gentleman
20
News, lads! Our wars are done.
21
The desperate tempest hath so banged the Turks
22
That their designment halts. A noble ship of Venice
23
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
24
On most part of their fleet.

Montano
How? Is this true?

3 Gentleman
25
The ship is here put in,
26
A Veronnesa. Michael Cassio,
27
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
28
Is come on shore; the Moor himself at sea,
29
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

Montano
30
I am glad on’t; ’tis a worthy governor.

3 Gentleman
31
But this same Cassio, though he speak of comfort
32
Touching the Turkish loss, yet he looks sadly
33
And prays the Moor be safe, for they were parted
34
With foul and violent tempest.

Montano
Pray heavens he be,
35
For I have served him, and the man commands
36
Like a full soldier. Let’s to the seaside, ho!
37
As well to see the vessel that’s come in
38
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
39
Even till we make the main and th’aerial blue
40
An indistinct regard.

3 Gentleman
Come, let’s do so;
41
For every minute is expectancy
42
Of more arrivancy.

Enter Cassio.

Cassio
43
Thanks, you the valiant of this warlike isle
44
That so approve the Moor. Oh, let the heavens
45
Give him defense against the elements,
46
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea.

Montano
47
Is he well shipped?

Cassio
48
His bark is stoutly timbered, and his pilot
49
Of very expert and approved allowance;
50
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
51
Stand in bold cure.

Voices Within
A sail! A sail! A sail!

Cassio
What noise?

1 Gentleman
52
The town is empty; on the brow o’th’sea
53
Stand ranks of people, and they cry “A sail”!

Cassio
54
My hopes do shape him for the governor.

[A shot]

2 Gentleman
55
They do discharge their shot of courtesy;
56
Our friends at least.

Cassio
I pray you sir, go forth
57
And give us truth who ’tis that is arrived.

2 Gentleman
58
I shall.

Exit [2 Gentleman].

Montano
59
But good lieutenant, is your general wived?

Cassio
60
Most fortunately; he hath achieved a maid
61
That paragons description and wild fame,
62
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens
63
And in th’essential vesture of creation
64
Does tire the ingener.
Enter [2] Gentleman.
How now? Who has put in?

2 Gentleman
65
’Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

Cassio
66
He’s had most favorable and happy speed.
67
Tempests themselves, high seas and howling winds,
68
The guttered rocks and congregated sands,
69
Traitors ensteeped to enclog the guiltless keel,
70
As having sense of beauty, do omit
71
Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
72
The divine Desdemona.

Montano
What is she?

Cassio
73
She that I spake of, our great captain’s captain,
74
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,
75
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
76
A sennight’s speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,
77
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath
78
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
79
Make love’s quick pants in Desdemona’s arms,
80
Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits
81
And bring all Cyprus comfort—
(Enter Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia.)
Oh, behold,
82
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
83
You men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
84
Hail to thee, lady, and the grace of heaven,
85
Before, behind thee, and on every hand
86
Enwheel thee round.

Desdemona
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
87
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?

Cassio
88
He is not yet arrived, nor know I aught
89
But that he’s well and will be shortly here.

Desdemona
90
Oh, but I fear—how lost you company?

Cassio
91
The great contention of the sea and skies
92
Parted our fellowship.

Voices Within
A sail! A sail!

Cassio
But hark, a sail.

[A shot]

2 Gentleman
93
They give this greeting to the citadel;
94
This likewise is a friend.

Cassio
See for the news.
95
Good ancient, you are welcome. Welcome, mistress.
[He kisses Emilia.]
96
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
97
That I extend my manners. ’Tis my breeding
98
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

Iago
99
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips
100
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
101
You’d have enough.

Desdemona
Alas, she has no speech!

Iago
102
In faith, too much;
103
I find it still when I have leave to sleep.
104
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
105
She puts her tongue a little in her heart
106
And chides with thinking.

Emilia
107
You have little cause to say so.

Iago
108Come on, come on! You are pictures out of doors, bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.

Desdemona
109
Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer!

Iago
110
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk.
111
You rise to play and go to bed to work.

Emilia
112
You shall not write my praise.

Iago
No, let me not.

Desdemona
113
What wouldst write of me, if thou shouldst praise me?

Iago
114
Oh, gentle lady, do not put me to’t,
115
For I am nothing if not critical.

Desdemona
116
Come on, assay—there’s one gone to the harbor?

Iago
117
Ay, madam.

Desdemona
118
I am not merry, but I do beguile
119
The thing I am by seeming otherwise.
120
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

Iago
121I am about it, but indeed my invention comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze; it plucks out brains and all. But my muse labors, and thus she is delivered:
122
If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit;
123
The one’s for use, the other useth it.

Desdemona
124
Well praised! How if she be black and witty?

Iago
125
If she be black and thereto have a wit,
126
She’ll find a white that shall her blackness hit.

Desdemona
127
Worse and worse.

Emilia
How if fair and foolish?

Iago
128
She never yet was foolish that was fair,
129
For even her folly helped her to an heir.

Desdemona
130These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i’th’alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that’s foul and foolish?

Iago
131
There’s none so foul and foolish thereunto,
132
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

Desdemona
133O heavy ignorance! Thou praisest the worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? One that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself.

Iago
134
She that was ever fair and never proud,
135
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud,
136
Never lacked gold, and yet went never gay,
137
Fled from her wish, and yet said “now I may”.
138
She that being angered, her revenge being nigh,
139
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly.
140
She that in wisdom never was so frail
141
To change the cod’s head for the salmon’s tail.
142
She that could think, and ne’er disclose her mind,
143
See suitors following, and not look behind.
144
She was a wight, if ever such wights were—

Desdemona
145To do what?

Iago
146
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.

Desdemona
147O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio, is he not a most profane and liberal counselor?

Cassio
148He speaks home, madam. You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.

[Cassio takes Desdemona by the hand.]

Iago
149[Aside] He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper! With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do! I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true; ’tis so indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good! Well kissed and excellent courtesy! ’Tis so indeed. Yet again, your fingers to your lips? Would they were clysterpipes for your sake. [Trumpet within.] 150 [Aloud] The Moor. I know his trumpet.

Cassio
151
’Tis truly so.

Desdemona
152
Let’s meet him and receive him.

Cassio
153
Lo, where he comes.

Enter Othello and attendants.

Othello
154
O my fair warrior!

Desdemona
My dear Othello.

Othello
155
It gives me wonder great as my content
156
To see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!
157
If after every tempest come such calms,
158
May the winds blow till they have wakened death,
159
And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas
160
Olympus-high and duck again as low
161
As hell’s from heaven. If it were now to die,
162
’Twere now to be most happy, for I fear
163
My soul hath her content so absolute
164
That not another comfort like to this
165
Succeeds in unknown fate.

Desdemona
The heavens forbid
166
But that our loves and comforts should increase
167
Even as our days do grow.

Othello
Amen to that, sweet powers.
168
I cannot speak enough of this content;
169
It stops me here; it is too much of joy.
170
And this, and this—
[They kiss.]
—the greatest discords be
171
That ere our hearts shall make.

Iago
172[Aside] Oh, you are well tuned now! But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am.

Othello
173
Come, let us to the castle.
174
News, friends: our wars are done; the Turks are drowned.
175
How does my old acquaintance of this isle?
176
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
177
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
178
I prattle out of fashion and I dote
179
In mine own comforts. I prithee, good Iago,
180
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers.
181
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
182
He is a good one, and his worthiness
183
Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,
184
Once more well met at Cyprus.

Exeunt [all but Iago and Roderigo].

Iago
185Do thou meet me presently at the harbor. Come thither, if thou be’st valiant—as they say base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them—list me: the lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Roderigo
186With him? Why, ’tis not possible.

Iago
187Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies. To love him still for prating? Let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed. And what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be a game to enflame it, and, to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favor, sympathy in years, manners, and beauties—all which the Moor is defective in. Now, for want of these required conveniences her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor. Very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice. Now sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position) who stands so eminent in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does—a knave very voluble, no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming for the better compass of his salt and most hidden loose affection? Why none, why none! A slipper and subtle knave, a finder of occasion that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages though true advantage never present itself. A devilish knave! Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after—a pestilent complete knave, and the woman hath found him already.

Roderigo
188I cannot believe that in her; she’s full of most blessed condition.

Iago
189Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks is made of grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that?

Roderigo
190Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy.

Iago
191Lechery, by this hand—an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips that their breaths embraced together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo, when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, th’incorporate conclusion—pish! But sir, be you ruled by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you tonight; for the command, I’ll lay’t upon you. Cassio knows you not; I’ll not be far from you. Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other course you please which the time shall more favorably minister.

Roderigo
192Well.

Iago
193Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them, and the impediment most profitably removed without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

Roderigo
194I will do this, if you can bring it to any opportunity.

Iago
195I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

Roderigo
196Adieu.

Exit [Roderigo].

Iago
197
That Cassio loves her, I do well believ’t;
198
That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit.
199
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
200
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
201
And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona
202
A most dear husband. Now I do love her too,
203
Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure
204
I stand accountant for as great a sin),
205
But partly led to diet my revenge,
206
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
207
Hath leaped into my seat—the thought whereof
208
Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards,
209
And nothing can or shall content my soul
210
Till I am evened with him, wife for wife;
211
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
212
At least into a jealousy so strong
213
That judgment cannot cure; which thing to do,
214
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace
215
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
216
I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
217
Abuse him to the Moor in the right garb
218
(For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too),
219
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
220
For making him egregiously an ass
221
And practicing upon his peace and quiet
222
Even to madness. ’Tis here, but yet confused;
223
Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.

Exit [Iago].

2.2

Enter Othello’sHerald with a proclamation.

Herald
1 [Reading] It is Othello’s pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that upon certain tidings now arrived importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph: some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addition leads him. For besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptial. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices are open and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have tolled eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello.

Exit [Herald].

[2.3]

Enter Othello, Desdemona,Cassio, and attendants.

Othello
1
Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.
2
Let’s teach ourselves that honorable stop
3
Not to outsport discretion.

Cassio
4
Iago hath direction what to do;
5
But notwithstanding, with my personal eye
6
Will I look to’t.

Othello
Iago is most honest.
7
Michael, goodnight. Tomorrow with your earliest
8
Let me have speech with you.
[To Desdemona]
Come, my dear love,
9
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
10
That profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.
11
Goodnight.

[Exeunt all but Cassio.]
Enter Iago.

Cassio
12Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch.

Iago
13Not this hour, lieutenant; ’tis not yet ten o’th’clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona, who let us not therefore blame; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is sport for Jove.

Cassio
14She’s a most exquisite lady.

Iago
15And I’ll warrant her full of game.

Cassio
16Indeed she’s a most fresh and delicate creature.

Iago
17What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.

Cassio
18An inviting eye—and yet methinks right modest.

Iago
19And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

Cassio
20She is indeed perfection.

Iago
21Well, happiness to their sheets. Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello.

Cassio
22Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

Iago
23Oh, they are our friends—but one cup; I’ll drink for you.

Cassio
24I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too, and behold what innovation it makes here. I am infortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more.

Iago
25What, man? ’Tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it.

Cassio
26Where are they?

Iago
27Here at the door. I pray you call them in.

Cassio
28I’ll do’t, but it dislikes me.

Exit [Cassio].

Iago
29
If I can fasten but one cup upon him
30
With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
31
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
32
As my young mistress’s dog. Now, my sick fool Roderigo,
33
Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out,
34
To Desdemona hath tonight caroused
35
Potations pottle-deep; and he’s to watch.
36
Three else of Cyprus—noble, swelling spirits
37
That hold their honors in a wary distance,
38
The very elements of this warlike isle—
39
Have I tonight flustered with flowing cups,
40
And they watch too. Now ’mongst this flock of drunkards
41
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
42
That may offend the isle. But here they come.
Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen [with wine].
43
If consequence do but approve my dream,
44
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

Cassio
45
’Fore God, they have given me a rouse already.

Montano
46
Good faith, a little one—not past a pint, as I am a soldier.

Iago
47
Some wine, ho!
[Singing]
48
And let me the cannikin clink, clink,
49
And let me the cannikin clink.
50
A soldier’s a man; Oh, man’s life’s but a span,
51
Why then let a soldier drink.
52
Some wine, boys!

Cassio
53
’Fore God, an excellent song!

Iago
54I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander—drink, ho!—are nothing to your English.

Cassio
55
Is your Englishman so exquisite in his drinking?

Iago
56Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk. He sweats not to overthrow your Almain. He gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled.

Cassio
57
To the health of our general!

Montano
58
I am for it, lieutenant, and I’ll do you justice.

Iago
59
O sweet England!
[Singing]
60
King Stephen was and-a worthy peer,
61
His breeches cost him but a crown;
62
He held them sixpence all too dear,
63
With that he called the tailor lown.
64
He was a wight of high renown,
65
And thou art but of low degree;
66
’Tis pride that pulls the country down,
67
And take thy old cloak about thee.
68
Some wine, ho!

Cassio
69
’Fore God, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

Iago
70
Will you hear’t again?

Cassio
71No, for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things. Well, God’s above all, and there be souls must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved.

Iago
72It’s true, good lieutenant.

Cassio
73For mine own part—no offense to the general nor any man of quality—I hope to be saved.

Iago
74And so do I too, lieutenant.

Cassio
75Ay—but by your leave, not before me. The lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let’s have no more of this. Let’s to our affairs. God forgive us our sins. Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. This is my ancient, this is my right hand and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.

Gentleman
76Excellent well.

Cassio
77Why, very well then—you must not think, then, that I am drunk.

Exit [Cassio].

Montano
78To th’platform, masters; come, let’s set the watch.

Iago
79
You see this fellow that is gone before:
80
He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
81
And give direction. And do but see his vice:
82
’Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
83
The one as long as th’other. ’Tis pity of him;
84
I fear the trust Othello puts him in
85
On some odd time of his infirmity
86
Will shake this island.

Montano
But is he often thus?

Iago
87
’Tis evermore his prologue to his sleep.
88
He’ll watch the horologe a double set
89
If drink rock not his cradle.

Montano
It were well
90
The general were put in mind of it;
91
Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature
92
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio
93
And looks not on his evils. Is not this true?

Enter Roderigo.

Iago
94
[Aside to Roderigo]
How now, Roderigo?
95
I pray you, after the lieutenant go.

[Exit Roderigo.]

Montano
96
And ’tis great pity that the noble Moor
97
Should hazard such a place as his own second
98
With one of an ingraft infirmity.
99
It were an honest action to say so
100
To the Moor.

Iago
Not I, for this fair island;
101
I do love Cassio well, and would do much
102
To cure him of this evil—

Voices Within
Help! Help!

Iago
—but hark, what noise?

Enter Cassio pursuing Roderigo.

Cassio
103
Zounds, you rogue! You rascal!

Montano
104
What’s the matter, lieutenant?

Cassio
105A knave teach me my duty? I’ll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle.

Roderigo
106
Beat me?

Cassio
107
Dost thou prate, rogue?

Montano
108
Nay, good lieutenant! Pray, sir, hold your hand.

Cassio
109
Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the mazard.

Montano
110
Come, come, you’re drunk.

Cassio
111
Drunk?

[They fight.]

Iago
112
[Aside to Roderigo]
Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny.
[Exit Roderigo.]
113
Nay, good lieutenant. God’s will, gentlemen!
114
Help, ho! Lieutenant! Sir Montano! Sir!
115
Help, masters! Here’s a goodly watch indeed.
[A bell rings.]
116
Who’s that which rings the bell? Diablo, ho!
117
The town will rise. God’s will, lieutenant, hold.
118
You’ll be ashamed forever.

Enter Othello and attendants [with weapons].

Othello
119
What is the matter here?

Montano
120
Zounds, I bleed still! I am hurt to th’death.
[Lunging at Cassio]
121
He dies!

Othello
Hold, for your lives!

Iago
122
Hold, ho! Lieutenant, Sir Montano, gentlemen!
123
Have you forgot all place of sense and duty?
124
Hold. The general speaks to you—hold, for shame.

Othello
125
Why, how now, ho? From whence ariseth this?
126
Are we turned Turks and to ourselves do that
127
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
128
For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl.
129
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
130
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.
131
Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle
132
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters?
133
Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,
134
Speak. Who began this? On thy love, I charge thee.

Iago
135
I do not know. Friends all, but now, even now,
136
In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
137
Divesting them for bed; and then, but now,
138
As if some planet had unwitted men,
139
Swords out and tilting one at other’s breasts
140
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
141
Any beginning to this peevish odds.
142
And would in action glorious I had lost
143
Those legs that brought me to a part of it.

Othello
144
How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?

Cassio
145
I pray you pardon me; I cannot speak.

Othello
146
Worthy Montano, you were wont to be civil;
147
The gravity and stillness of your youth
148
The world hath noted, and your name is great
149
In mouths of wisest censure. What’s the matter
150
That you unlace your reputation thus,
151
And spend your rich opinion for the name
152
Of a nightbrawler? Give me answer to it.

Montano
153
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger.
154
Your officer Iago can inform you—
155
While I spare speech, which something now offends me—
156
Of all that I do know; nor know I aught
157
By me that’s said or done amiss this night,
158
Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice,
159
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
160
When violence assails us.

Othello
Now, by heaven,
161
My blood begins my safer guides to rule,
162
And passion, having my best judgment collied,
163
Assays to lead the way. Zounds, if I stir,
164
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
165
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
166
How this foul rout began, who set it on,
167
And he that is approved in this offense,
168
Though he had twinned with me both at a birth,
169
Shall lose me. What, in a town of war
170
Yet wild, the people’s hearts brimful of fear,
171
To manage private and domestic quarrel
172
In night and on the court and guard of safety?
173
’Tis monstrous! Iago, who began’t?

Montano
174
If, partially affined or leagued in office,
175
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
176
Thou art no soldier.

Iago
Touch me not so near.
177
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
178
Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio;
179
Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth
180
Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general:
181
Montano and myself being in speech,
182
There comes a fellow crying out for help,
183
And Cassio following with determined sword
184
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
185
Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause;
186
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
187
Lest by his clamor, as it so fell out,
188
The town might fall in fright. He, swift of foot,
189
Outran my purpose, and I returned then, rather
190
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
191
And Cassio high in oath, which till tonight
192
I ne’er might say before. When I came back—
193
For this was brief—I found them close together
194
At blow and thrust, even as again they were
195
When you yourself did part them.
196
More of this matter cannot I report,
197
But men are men; the best sometimes forget.
198
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
199
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,
200
Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
201
From him that fled some strange indignity
202
Which patience could not pass.

Othello
I know, Iago,
203
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
204
Making it light to Cassio.—Cassio, I love thee,
205
But never more be officer of mine.
(Enter Desdemona, attended.)
206
Look if my gentle love be not raised up.
207
I’ll make thee an example.

Desdemona
208
What is the matter, dear?

Othello
All’s well, sweeting.
209
Come away to bed.
[To Montano]
Sir, for your hurts
210
Myself will be your surgeon. Lead him off.
[Montano is led off.]
211
Iago, look with care about the town,
212
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
213
Come, Desdemona; ’tis the soldier’s life
214
To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife.

Exeunt [Othello, Desdemona, and attendants.]

Iago
215What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

Cassio
216Ay, past all surgery.

Iago
217Marry, God forbid.

Cassio
218Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation.

Iago
219As I am an honest man, I had thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man, there are more ways to recover the general again. You are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice—even so as one would beat his offenseless dog to affright an imperious lion. Sue to him again and he’s yours.

Cassio
220I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one’s own shadow? O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!

Iago
221What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?

Cassio
222I know not.

Iago
223Is’t possible?

Cassio
224I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore. O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should with joy, pleasance, revel and applause transform ourselves into beasts!

Iago
225Why, but you are now well enough. How came you thus recovered?

Cassio
226It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath; one unperfectness shows me another to make me frankly despise myself.

Iago
227Come, you are too severe a moraler. As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen; but since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

Cassio
228I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard. Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast—Oh, strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil.

Iago
229Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

Cassio
230I have well approved it, sir—I drunk?

Iago
231You, or any man living, may be drunk at a time, man. I tell you what you shall do: our general’s wife is now the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and devotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again. She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested. This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter, and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

Cassio
232You advise me well.

Iago
233I protest in the sincerity of love and honest kindness.

Cassio
234I think it freely; and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me. I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me.

Iago
235You are in the right. Goodnight, lieutenant. I must to the watch.

Cassio
236Goodnight, honest Iago.

Exit Cassio.

Iago
237
And what’s he, then, that says I play the villain,
238
When this advice is free I give, and honest,
239
Probal to thinking, and, indeed, the course
240
To win the Moor again? For ’tis most easy
241
Th’inclining Desdemona to subdue
242
In any honest suit. She’s framed as fruitful
243
As the free elements. And then for her
244
To win the Moor were to renounce his baptism,
245
All seals and symbols of redeemèd sin;
246
His soul is so enfettered to her love
247
That she may make, unmake, do what she list
248
Even as her appetite shall play the god
249
With his weak function. How am I then a villain
250
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course
251
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
252
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
253
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
254
As I do now. For whiles this honest fool
255
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,
256
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
257
I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear:
258
That she repeals him for her body’s lust;
259
And by how much she strives to do him good,
260
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
261
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
262
And out of her own goodness make the net
263
That shall enmesh them all.
Enter Roderigo.
How now, Roderigo?

Roderigo
264I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent, I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgeled, and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

Iago
265
How poor are they that have not patience?
266
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
267
Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,
268
And wit depends on dilatory time.
269
Does’t not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,
270
And thou by that small hurt hath cashiered Cassio.
271
Though other things grow fair against the sun,
272
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe.
273
Content thyself awhile. By the mass, ’tis morning;
274
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
275
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted.
276
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter.
277
Nay, get thee gone.
(Exit Roderigo.)
Two things are to be done:
278
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
279
I’ll set her on.
280
Myself awhile to draw the Moor apart
281
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
282
Soliciting his wife. Ay, that’s the way;
283
Dull not device by coldness and delay.

Exit [Iago].

3.1

Enter Cassio, Musicians, and Clown.

Cassio
1Masters, play here—I will content your pains—something that’s brief, and bid “Good morrow, general”.

[The musicians play.]

Clown
2Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples that they speak i’th’nose thus?

Musician
3How, sir? How?

Clown
4Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

Musician
5Ay, marry, are they, sir.

Clown
6Oh, thereby hangs a tale.

Musician
7Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

Clown
8Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters—here’s money for you—and the general so likes your music that he desires you for love’s sake to make no more noise with it.

Musician
9Well, sir, we will not.

Clown
10If you have any music that may not be heard, to’t 11again. But, as they say, to hear music the general 12does not greatly care.

Musician
13We have none such, sir.

Clown
14Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, vanish into air, away.

Exit Musicians.

Cassio
15Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?

Clown
16No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

Cassio
17Prithee keep up thy quillets. There’s a poor piece of gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the general’s wife be stirring, tell her there’s one Cassio entreats her a little favor of speech. Wilt thou do this?

Clown
18She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.

Cassio
19
Do, my good friend.

Exit Clown.
Enter Iago.

Cassio
In happy time, Iago.

Iago
20
You have not been abed then?

Cassio
21
Why, no; the day had broke before we parted.
22
I have made bold, Iago, to send in to your wife.
23
My suit to her is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
24
Procure me some access.

Iago
I’ll send her to you presently,
25
And I’ll devise a mean to draw the Moor
26
Out of the way, that your converse and business
27
May be more free.

Exit [Iago].

Cassio
I humbly thank you for’t.
28
I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.

Enter Emilia.

Emilia
29
Good morrow, good lieutenant. I am sorry
30
For your displeasure, but all will sure be well.
31
The general and his wife are talking of it,
32
And she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies
33
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus
34
And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom
35
He might not but refuse you. But he protests he loves you
36
And needs no other suitor but his likings
37
To take the safest occasion by the front
38
To bring you in again.

Cassio
Yet I beseech you,
39
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
40
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
41
With Desdemon alone.

Emilia
Pray you come in.
42
I will bestow you where you shall have time
43
To speak your bosom freely.

Cassio
I am much bound to you.

[Exeunt.]

3.2

Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.

Othello
1
These letters give, Iago, to the pilot,
2
And by him do my duties to the Senate.
[Othello hands Iago some papers.]
3
That done, I will be walking on the works;
4
Repair there to me.

Iago
Well, my good lord, I’ll do’t.

Othello
5
This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see’t?

Gentlemen
6
We’ll wait upon your lordship.

Exeunt.

3.3

Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.

Desdemona
7
Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
8
All my abilities in thy behalf.

Emilia
9
Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband
10
As if the cause were his.

Desdemona
11
Oh, that’s an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,
12
But I will have my lord and you again
13
As friendly as you were.

Cassio
Bounteous madam,
14
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
15
He’s never anything but your true servant.

Desdemona
16
I know’t. I thank you. You do love my lord;
17
You have known him long, and be you well assured
18
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
19
Than in a politic distance.

Cassio
Ay, but, lady,
20
That policy may either last so long,
21
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
22
Or breed itself so out of circumstances
23
That I being absent and my place supplied,
24
My general will forget my love and service.

Desdemona
25
Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here,
26
I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
27
If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it
28
To the last article. My lord shall never rest:
29
I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
30
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
31
I’ll intermingle everything he does
32
With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
33
For thy solicitor shall rather die
34
Than give thy cause away.

Enter Othello and Iago.

Emilia
Madam, here comes my lord.

Cassio
35
Madam, I’ll take my leave.

Desdemona
Why stay, and hear me speak.

Cassio
36
Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease,
37
Unfit for mine own purposes.

Desdemona
38
Well, do your discretion.

Exit Cassio.

Iago
39
Ha? I like not that.

Othello
What dost thou say?

Iago
40
Nothing, my lord; or if—I know not what.

Othello
41
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

Iago
42
Cassio, my lord? No sure, I cannot think it
43
That he would steal away so guilty-like,
44
Seeing your coming.

Othello
I do believe ’twas he.

Desdemona
45
How now, my lord?
46
I have been talking with a suitor here,
47
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

Othello
48
Who is’t you mean?

Desdemona
49
Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
50
If I have any grace or power to move you,
51
His present reconciliation take;
52
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
53
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
54
I have no judgment in an honest face.
55
I prithee call him back.

Othello
56
Went he hence now?

Desdemona
Aye, sooth, so humbled
57
That he hath left part of his grief with me
58
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

Othello
59
Not now, sweet Desdemon—some other time.

Desdemona
60
But shall’t be shortly?

Othello
The sooner, sweet, for you.

Desdemona
61
Shall’t be tonight, at supper?

Othello
No, not tonight.

Desdemona
62
Tomorrow dinner, then?

Othello
I shall not dine at home;
63
I meet the captains at the citadel.

Desdemona
64
Why then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn,
65
On Tuesday noon or night, or Wednesday morn.
66
I prithee name the time, but let it not
67
Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent;
68
And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
69
Save that they say the wars must make example
70
Out of her best—is not almost a fault
71
T’incur a private check. When shall he come?
72
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
73
What you would ask me that I should deny
74
Or stand so mamm’ring on? What? Michael Cassio,
75
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time
76
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
77
Hath ta’en your part—to have so much to do
78
To bring him in? By’r Lady, I could do much—

Othello
79
Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will;
80
I will deny thee nothing.

Desdemona
Why, this is not a boon;
81
’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
82
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
83
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
84
To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
85
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
86
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,
87
And fearful to be granted.

Othello
I will deny thee nothing.
88
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this:
89
To leave me but a little to myself.

Desdemona
90
Shall I deny you? No! Farewell, my lord.

Othello
91
Farewell, my Desdemona. I’ll come to thee straight.

Desdemona
92
Emilia, come.
[To Othello]
Be as your fancies teach you.
93
Whate’er you be, I am obedient.

Exeunt [Desdemona and Emilia].

Othello
94
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
95
But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
96
Chaos is come again.

Iago
97
My noble lord—

Othello
What dost thou say, Iago?

Iago
98
Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady,
99
Know of your love?

Othello
He did, from first to last.
100
Why dost thou ask?

Iago
101
But for a satisfaction of my thought,
102
No further harm.

Othello
Why of thy thought, Iago?

Iago
103
I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

Othello
104
Oh yes, and went between us very oft.

Iago
105
Indeed?

Othello
106
Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught in that?
107
Is he not honest?

Iago
108
Honest, my lord?

Othello
109
Honest? Ay, honest.

Iago
110
My lord, for aught I know.

Othello
111
What dost thou think?

Iago
112
Think, my lord?

Othello
113
“Think, my lord”? By heaven, thou echo’st me
114
As if there were some monster in thy thought
115
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something.
116
I heard thee say even now, thou lik’st not that
117
When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?
118
And when I told thee he was of my counsel
119
Of my whole course of wooing, thou cried’st “Indeed”?
120
And didst contract and purse thy brow together
121
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
122
Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me,
123
Show me thy thought.

Iago
124
My lord, you know I love you.

Othello
I think thou dost;
125
And for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty,
126
And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath,
127
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.
128
For such things in a false disloyal knave
129
Are tricks of custom, but in a man that’s just,
130
They’re close dilations, working from the heart,
131
That passion cannot rule.

Iago
For Michael Cassio,
132
I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest.

Othello
133
I think so too.

Iago
Men should be what they seem,
134
Or those that be not, would they might seem none.

Othello
135
Certain, men should be what they seem.

Iago
136
Why then, I think Cassio’s an honest man.

Othello
137
Nay, yet there’s more in this.
138
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,
139
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
140
The worst of words.

Iago
Good my lord, pardon me.
141
Though I am bound to every act of duty,
142
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.
143
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false—
144
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
145
Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so pure
146
Wherein uncleanly apprehensions
147
Keep leets and law-days, and in sessions sit
148
With meditations lawful?

Othello
149
Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
150
If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
151
A stranger to thy thoughts.

Iago
I do beseech you,
152
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess—
153
As I confess it is my nature’s plague
154
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
155
Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom
156
From one that so imperfectly conceits
157
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
158
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
159
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
160
Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom
161
To let you know my thoughts.

Othello
What dost thou mean?

Iago
162
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
163
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
164
Who steals my purse, steals trash—’tis something, nothing;
165
’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands—
166
But he that filches from me my good name
167
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
168
And makes me poor indeed.

Othello
I’ll know thy thoughts.

Iago
169
You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
170
Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody.

Othello
171
Ha?

Iago
Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy.
172
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
173
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
174
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
175
But oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o’er
176
Who dotes yet doubts, suspects yet soundly loves?

Othello
177
Oh, misery!

Iago
178
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
179
But riches fineless is as poor as winter
180
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
181
Good God, the souls of all my tribe defend
182
From jealousy.

Othello
Why? Why is this?
183
Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,
184
To follow still the changes of the moon
185
With fresh suspicions? No! To be once in doubt
186
Is to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
187
When I shall turn the business of my soul
188
To such exsuffilate and blowed surmises
189
Matching thy inference. ’Tis not to make me jealous
190
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
191
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances;
192
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
193
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
194
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
195
For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
196
I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
197
And on the proof, there is no more but this:
198
Away at once with love or jealousy.

Iago
199
I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
200
To show the love and duty that I bear you
201
With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound,
202
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
203
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio.
204
Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.
205
I would not have your free and noble nature
206
Out of self-bounty be abused. Look to’t.
207
I know our country disposition well.
208
In Venice they do let God see the pranks
209
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
210
Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown.

Othello
211
Dost thou say so?

Iago
212
She did deceive her father, marrying you;
213
And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,
214
She loved them most.

Othello
And so she did.

Iago
Why, go to then.
215
She that so young could give out such a seeming
216
To seel her father’s eyes up close as oak
217
He thought ’twas witchcraft—but I am much to blame.
218
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
219
For too much loving you.

Othello
I am bound to thee forever.

Iago
220
I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.

Othello
221
Not a jot, not a jot.

Iago
I’faith, I fear it has.
222
I hope you will consider what is spoke
223
Comes from your love. But I do see you’re moved.
224
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
225
To grosser issues, nor to larger reach
226
Than to suspicion.

Othello
227
I will not.

Iago
Should you do so, my lord,
228
My speech should fall into such vile success,
229
Which my thoughts aimed not. Cassio’s my worthy friend.
230
My lord, I see you’re moved.

Othello
No, not much moved.
231
I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.

Iago
232
Long live she so, and long live you to think so.

Othello
233
And yet how nature, erring from itself—

Iago
234
Ay, there’s the point—as, to be bold with you,
235
Not to affect many proposed matches
236
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
237
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
238
Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank,
239
Foul disproportions, thoughts unnatural.
240
But, pardon me, I do not in position
241
Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
242
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
243
May fall to match you with her country forms,
244
And happily repent.

Othello
Farewell, farewell.
245
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more.
246
Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.

Iago
247
[Starting to exit]
My lord, I take my leave.

Othello
248
Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
249
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

Iago
250
[Returning]
My lord, I would I might entreat your honor
251
To scan this thing no farther; leave it to time.
252
Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place—
253
For sure he fills it up with great ability—
254
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,
255
You shall by that perceive him and his means.
256
Note if your lady strain his entertainment
257
With any strong or vehement importunity;
258
Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
259
Let me be thought too busy in my fears,
260
(As worthy cause I have to fear I am),
261
And hold her free, I do beseech your honor.

Othello
262
Fear not my government.

Iago
I once more take my leave.

Exit [Iago].

Othello
263
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,
264
And knows all qualities with a learned spirit
265
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
266
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
267
I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind
268
To prey at fortune. Haply for I am black
269
And have not those soft parts of conversation
270
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
271
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
272
She’s gone. I am abused and my relief
273
Must be to loathe her. Oh, curse of marriage,
274
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
275
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad
276
And live upon the vapor of a dungeon
277
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
278
For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague to great ones,
279
Prerogatived are they less than the base;
280
’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
281
Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us
282
When we do quicken. Look where she comes—
(Enter Desdemona and Emilia.)
283
If she be false, heaven mocked itself;
284
I’ll not believe’t.

Desdemona
How now, my dear Othello?
285
Your dinner, and the generous islanders
286
By you invited, do attend your presence.

Othello
287
I am to blame.

Desdemona
Why do you speak so faintly?
288
Are you not well?

Othello
289
I have a pain upon my forehead, here.

Desdemona
290
Why, that’s with watching; ’twill away again.
291
Let me but bind it hard; within this hour
292
It will be well.

[Desdemona tries to bind Othello’s head with her handkerchief.]

Othello
Your napkin is too little.
[The handkerchief falls.]
293
Let it alone. Come, I’ll go in with you.

Desdemona
294
I am very sorry that you are not well.

Exeunt [Othello and Desdemona].

Emilia
295
[Picking up the handkerchief]
I am glad I have found this napkin.
296
This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
297
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
298
Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token—
299
For he conjured her she should ever keep it—
300
That she reserves it evermore about her
301
To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work taken out
302
And give’t Iago. What he will do with it,
303
Heaven knows, not I;
304
I nothing but to please his fantasy.

Enter Iago.

Iago
305
How now? What do you here alone?

Emilia
306
Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

Iago
307
You have a thing for me? It is a common thing—

Emilia
308
Ha?

Iago
309
To have a foolish wife.

Emilia
310
Oh, is that all? What will you give me now
311
For that same handkerchief?

Iago
What handkerchief?

Emilia
312
What handkerchief?
313
Why that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,
314
That which so often you did bid me steal.

Iago
315
Hast stolen it from her?

Emilia
316
No, but she let it drop by negligence,
317
And, to th’advantage, I, being here, took’t up.
318
Look, here ’tis.

Iago
A good wench. Give it me.

Emilia
319
What will you do with’t, that you have been
320
So earnest to have me filch it?

[Iago snatches the handkerchief.]

Iago
Why, what is that to you?

Emilia
321
If it be not for some purpose of import,
322
Giv’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad
323
When she shall lack it.

Iago
Be not acknown on’t;
324
I have use for it. Go, leave me.
Exit Emilia.
325
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin
326
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
327
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
328
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
329
The Moor already changes with my poison.
330
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,
331
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
332
But with a little act upon the blood,
333
Burn like the mines of sulfur. I did say so.
Enter Othello.
334
Look where he comes. Not poppy, nor mandragora,
335
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
336
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
337
Which thou owedst yesterday.

Othello
Ha, ha! False to me?

Iago
338
Why, how now, general? No more of that.

Othello
339
Avaunt, be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack.
340
I swear ’tis better to be much abused
341
Than but to know’t a little.

Iago
How now, my lord?

Othello
342
What sense had I in her stolen hours of lust?
343
I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me.
344
I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry.
345
I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips.
346
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen,
347
Let him not know’t, and he’s not robbed at all.

Iago
348
I am sorry to hear this.

Othello
349
I had been happy if the general camp,
350
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,
351
So I had nothing known. Oh, now, forever
352
Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content;
353
Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars
354
That makes ambition virtue! Oh, farewell!
355
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
356
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
357
The royal banner, and all quality,
358
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
359
And O you mortal engines whose rude throats
360
The immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit,
361
Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone.

Iago
362
Is’t possible, my lord?

Othello
363
Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore!
364
Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof,
[Othello grabs Iago.]
365
Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,
366
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
367
Than answer my waked wrath.

Iago
Is’t come to this?

Othello
368
Make me to see’t, or at the least so prove it
369
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
370
To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!

Iago
371
My noble lord—

Othello
372
If thou dost slander her and torture me,
373
Never pray more; abandon all remorse,
374
On horror’s head horrors accumulate,
375
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed,
376
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
377
Greater than that.

Iago
O grace! O heaven forgive me!
378
Are you a man? Have you a soul? or sense?
379
God b’wi’you, take mine office. O wretched fool
380
That lov’st to make thine honesty a vice!
381
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
382
To be direct and honest is not safe.
383
I thank you for this profit, and from hence
384
I’ll love no friend sith love breeds such offense.

Othello
385
Nay, stay; thou shouldst be honest.

Iago
386
I should be wise, for honesty’s a fool
387
And loses that it works for.

Othello
By the world,
388
I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;
389
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not.
390
I’ll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh
391
As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black
392
As mine own face. If there be cords or knives,
393
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
394
I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied.

Iago
395
I see you are eaten up with passion;
396
I do repent me that I put it to you.
397
You would be satisfied?

Othello
Would? Nay, and I will.

Iago
398
And may—but how? how satisfied, my lord?
399
Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
400
Behold her topped?

Othello
Death and damnation! Oh!

Iago
401
It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
402
To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then,
403
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
404
More than their own. What then? How then?
405
What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction?
406
It is impossible you should see this
407
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
408
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
409
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
410
If imputation and strong circumstances,
411
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
412
Will give you satisfaction, you might have’t.

Othello
413
Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.

Iago
414
I do not like the office;
415
But sith I am entered in this cause so far—
416
Pricked to’t by foolish honesty and love—
417
I will go on: I lay with Cassio lately,
418
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
419
I could not sleep. There are a kind of men
420
So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
421
Their affairs; one of this kind is Cassio.
422
In sleep I heard him say "Sweet Desdemona”,
423
"Let us be wary; let us hide our loves”.
424
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
425
Cry “O sweet creature”!, then kiss me hard,
426
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
427
That grew upon my lips, then laid his leg
428
O’er my thigh, and sighed, and kissed, and then
429
Cried “Cursèd fate that gave thee to the Moor”!

Othello
430
Oh, monstrous! monstrous!

Iago
Nay, this was but his dream.

Othello
431
But this denoted a foregone conclusion;
432
’Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.

Iago
433
And this may help to thicken other proofs
434
That do demonstrate thinly.

Othello
I’ll tear her all to pieces!

Iago
435
Nay, yet be wise, yet we see nothing done;
436
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this:
437
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
438
Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?

Othello
439
I gave her such a one; ’twas my first gift.

Iago
440
I know not that, but such a handkerchief—
441
I am sure it was your wife’s—did I today
442
See Cassio wipe his beard with.

Othello
If it be that—

Iago
443
If it be that, or any, it was hers.
444
It speaks against her with the other proofs.

Othello
445
Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
446
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
447
Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago:
448
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven—’tis gone!
449
Arise, black vengeance from the hollow hell.
450
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
451
To tyrannous hate. Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
452
For ’tis of aspics’ tongues.

Iago
Yet be content.

[Othello kneels.]

Othello
453
Oh, blood, blood, blood!

Iago
454
Patience, I say. Your mind may change.

Othello
455
Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic Sea,
456
Whose icy current and compulsive course
457
Ne’er keeps retiring ebb but keeps due on
458
To the Propontic and the Hellespont,
459
Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
460
Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love,
461
Till that a capable and wide revenge
462
Swallow them up. Now, by yon marble heaven,
463
In the due reverence of a sacred vow,
464
I here engage my words.

Iago
Do not rise yet.
465
Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
466
You elements that clip us round about,
[Iago kneels.]
467
Witness that here Iago doth give up
468
The execution of his wit, hands, heart
469
To wronged Othello’s service. Let him command,
470
And to obey shall be in me remorse,
471
What bloody business ever.

[Othello and Iago rise.]

Othello
I greet thy love
472
Not with vain thanks but with acceptance bounteous,
473
And will upon the instant put thee to’t.
474
Within these three days let me hear thee say
475
That Cassio’s not alive.

Iago
My friend is dead;
476
’Tis done at your request. But let her live.

Othello
477
Damn her, lewd minx! Oh, damn her, damn her!
478
Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw
479
To furnish me with some swift means of death
480
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

Iago
481
I am your own forever.

Exeunt.

3.4

Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.

Desdemona
1Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?

Clown
2I dare not say he lies anywhere.

Desdemona
3Why, man?

Clown
4He’s a soldier, and for me to say a soldier lies, ’tis stabbing.

Desdemona
5Go to! Where lodges he?

Clown
6To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie.

Desdemona
7Can anything be made of this?

Clown
8I know not where he lodges, and for me to devise a lodging, and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie in mine own throat.

Desdemona
9Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?

Clown
10I will catechize the world for him—that is, make questions and by them answer.

Desdemona
11Seek him, bid him come hither, tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf, and hope all will be well.

Clown
12To do this is within the compass of man’s wit, and therefore I will attempt the doing it.

Exit Clown.

Desdemona
13
Where should I lose the handkerchief, Emilia?

Emilia
14
I know not, madam.

Desdemona
15
Believe me, I had rather lose my purse
16
Full of crusadoes; and but my noble Moor
17
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
18
As jealous creatures are, it were enough
19
To put him to ill thinking.

Emilia
Is he not jealous?

Desdemona
20
Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
21
Drew all such humors from him.

Emilia
Look where he comes.

Enter Othello.

Desdemona
22
I will not leave him now till Cassio
23
Be called to him. How is’t with you, my lord?

Othello
24
Well, my good lady.
[Aside]
– Oh, hardness to dissemble!
25
How do you, Desdemona?

Desdemona
Well, my good lord.

Othello
26
Give me your hand.
[Othello takes Desdemona’s hand.]
This hand is moist, my lady.

Desdemona
27
It hath felt no age, nor known no sorrow.

Othello
28
This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart—
29
Hot, hot and moist. This hand of yours requires
30
A sequester from liberty—fasting and prayer,
31
Much castigation, exercise devout—
32
For here’s a young and sweating devil here
33
That commonly rebels. ’Tis a good hand,
34
A frank one.

Desdemona
You may indeed say so,
35
For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart.

Othello
36
A liberal hand. The hearts of old gave hands,
37
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.

Desdemona
38
I cannot speak of this. Come, now your promise.

Othello
39
What promise, chuck?

Desdemona
40
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.

Othello
41
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;
42
Lend me thy handkerchief.

Desdemona
Here, my lord.

Othello
43
That which I gave you.

Desdemona
I have it not about me.

Othello
44
Not?

Desdemona
45
No, faith, my lord.

Othello
46
That’s a fault. That handkerchief
47
Did an Egyptian to my mother give.
48
She was a charmer and could almost read
49
The thoughts of people. She told her while she kept it
50
’Twould make her amiable and subdue my father
51
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it,
52
Or made a gift of it, my father’s eye
53
Should hold her loathed, and his spirits should hunt
54
After new fancies. She, dying, gave it me,
55
And bid me, when my fate would have me wived,
56
To give it her. I did so; and, take heed on’t,
57
Make it a darling like your precious eye.
58
To lose’t or give’t away were such perdition
59
As nothing else could match.

Desdemona
Is’t possible?

Othello
60
’Tis true. There’s magic in the web of it:
61
A sybil that had numbered in the world
62
The sun to course two hundred compasses,
63
In her prophetic fury sewed the work;
64
The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk,
65
And it was dyed in mummy, which the skillful
66
Conserved of maidens’ hearts.

Desdemona
I’faith, is’t true?

Othello
67
Most veritable; therefore look to’t well.

Desdemona
68
Then would to God that I had never seen’t!

Othello
69
Ha? Wherefore?

Desdemona
70
Why do you speak so startingly and rash?

Othello
71
Is’t lost? Is’t gone? Speak, is’t out o’th’way?

Desdemona
72
Heaven bless us!

Othello
73
Say you?

Desdemona
74
It is not lost; but what and if it were?

Othello
75
How?

Desdemona
76
I say it is not lost.

Othello
77
Fetch’t, let me see’t.

Desdemona
78
Why so I can; but I will not now.
79
This is a trick to put me from my suit.
80
Pray you, let Cassio be received again.

Othello
81
Fetch me the handkerchief, my mind misgives.

Desdemona
82
Come, come!
83
You’ll never meet a more sufficient man—

Othello
84
The handkerchief.

Desdemona
A man that all his time
85
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,
86
Shared dangers with you—

Othello
The handkerchief.

Desdemona
87
I’faith, you are to blame.

Othello
Zounds!

Exit Othello.

Emilia
88
Is not this man jealous?

Desdemona
I ne’er saw this before.
89
Sure there’s some wonder in this handkerchief;
90
I am most unhappy in the loss.

Emilia
91
’Tis not a year or two shows us a man.
92
They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;
93
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full
94
They belch us.
(Enter Iago and Cassio.)
Look you, Cassio and my husband.

Iago
95
There is no other way; ’tis she must do’t—
96
And lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.

Desdemona
97
How now, good Cassio, what’s the news with you?

Cassio
98
Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you
99
That by your virtuous means I may again
100
Exist and be a member of his love,
101
Whom I, with all the office of my heart,
102
Entirely honor. I would not be delayed.
103
If my offense be of such mortal kind
104
That nor my service past, nor present sorrows,
105
Nor purposed merit in futurity
106
Can ransom me into his love again,
107
But to know so must be my benefit;
108
So shall I clothe me in a forced content
109
And shut myself up in some other course
110
To fortune’s alms.

Desdemona
Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio,
111
My advocation is not now in tune;
112
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him
113
Were he in favor as in humor altered.
114
So help me every spirit sanctified
115
As I have spoken for you all my best,
116
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
117
For my free speech. You must awhile be patient.
118
What I can do, I will; and more I will
119
Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.

Iago
120
Is my lord angry?

Emilia
He went hence but now,
121
And certainly in strange unquietness.

Iago
122
Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon
123
When it hath blown his ranks into the air
124
And, like the devil, from his very arm
125
Puffed his own brother—and is he angry?
126
Something of moment then. I will go meet him;
127
There’s matter in’t indeed if he be angry.

Desdemona
128
I prithee do so.
Exit [Iago].
Something sure of state,
129
Either from Venice or some unhatched practise
130
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,
131
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases
132
Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things,
133
Though great ones are their object. ’Tis even so.
134
For let our finger ache and it endues
135
Our other healthful members even to a sense
136
Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not gods,
137
Nor of them look for such observancy
138
As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia.
139
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,
140
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
141
But now I find I had suborned the witness,
142
And he’s indicted falsely.

Emilia
Pray heaven it be
143
State matters, as you think, and no conception
144
Nor no jealous toy concerning you.

Desdemona
145
Alas the day! I never gave him cause.

Emilia
146
But jealous souls will not be answered so;
147
They are not ever jealous for the cause,
148
But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster
149
Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Desdemona
150
Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind.

Emilia
151
Lady, amen.

Desdemona
152
I will go seek him. Cassio, walk here about.
153
If I do find him fit, I’ll move your suit
154
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.

Cassio
155
I humbly thank your ladyship.

Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
Enter Bianca.

Bianca
156
’Save you, friend Cassio.

Cassio
What make you from home?
157
How is’t with you, my most fair Bianca?
158
I’faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

Bianca
159
And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
160
What, keep a week away? Seven days and nights?
161
Eight score eight hours? And lovers’ absent hours
162
More tedious than the dial eight score times?
163
Oh, weary reckoning!

Cassio
Pardon me, Bianca.
164
I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed,
165
But I shall in a more continuate time
166
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
167
Take me this work out.

[Cassio gives Desdemona’s handkerchief to Bianca.]

Bianca
O Cassio, whence came this?
168
This is some token from a newer friend.
169
To the felt absence now I feel a cause.
170
Is’t come to this? Well, well.

Cassio
Go to, woman!
171
Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth,
172
From whence you have them. You are jealous now
173
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance?
174
No, by my faith, Bianca.

Bianca
Why, whose is it?

Cassio
175
I know not neither; I found it in my chamber.
176
I like the work well; ere it be demanded,
177
As like enough it will, I would have it copied.
178
Take it and do’t, and leave me for this time.

Bianca
179
Leave you? Wherefore?

Cassio
180
I do attend here on the general,
181
And think it no addition nor my wish
182
To have him see me womaned.

Bianca
Why, I pray you?

Cassio
183
Not that I love you not.

Bianca
But that you do not love me.
184
I pray you bring me on the way a little,
185
And say if I shall see you soon at night.

Cassio
186
’Tis but a little way that I can bring you,
187
For I attend here, but I’ll see you soon.

Bianca
188
’Tis very good. I must be circumstanced.

Exeunt.

4.1

Enter Othello and Iago.

Iago
1
Will you think so?

Othello
Think so, Iago?

Iago
What,
2
To kiss in private?

Othello
An unauthorized kiss?

Iago
3
Or to be naked with her friend in bed
4
An hour or more, not meaning any harm?

Othello
5
Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm?
6
It is hypocrisy against the devil.
7
They that mean virtuously and yet do so,
8
The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.

Iago
9
If they do nothing, ’tis a venial slip;
10
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—

Othello
11
What then?

Iago
12
Why then ’tis hers, my lord, and, being hers,
13
She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.

Othello
14
She is protectress of her honor too;
15
May she give that?

Iago
16
Her honor is an essence that’s not seen;
17
They have it very oft, that have it not.
18
But for the handkerchief—

Othello
19
By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it!
20
Thou saidst—Oh, it comes o’re my memory
21
As doth the raven o’er the infectious house,
22
Boding to all—he had my handkerchief.

Iago
23
Ay, what of that?

Othello
That’s not so good now.

Iago
24
What if I had said I had seen him do you wrong?
25
Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad
26
Who, having by their own importunate suit
27
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress
28
Convincèd or supplied them, cannot choose
29
But they must blab—

Othello
Hath he said anything?

Iago
30
He hath, my lord, but be you well assured,
31
No more than he’ll unswear.

Othello
What hath he said?

Iago
32
Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.

Othello
33
What? What?

Iago
Lie.

Othello
With her?

Iago
34
With her, on her—what you will.

Othello
35Lie with her? Lie on her? We say “lie on her” when they belie her. Lie with her? Zounds, that’s fulsome! Handkerchief! Confessions! Handkerchief!—To confess and be hanged for his labor. First to be hanged and then to confess! I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips!—Is’t possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil!

[Othello] falls in a trance.

Iago
36
Work on,
37
My medicine works! Thus credulous fools are caught,
38
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus,
39
All guiltless, meet reproach. What ho! My lord?
40
My lord, I say! Othello!
(Enter Cassio.)
How now, Cassio?

Cassio
41
What’s the matter?

Iago
42
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy.
43
This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.

Cassio
44
Rub him about the temples.

Iago
No, forbear.
45
The lethargy must have his quiet course;
46
If not, he foams at mouth and by and by
47
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs.
48
Do you withdraw yourself a little while.
49
He will recover straight. When he is gone,
50
I would on great occasion speak with you.
[Exit Cassio.]
51
How is it, general? Have you not hurt your head?

Othello
52
Dost thou mock me?

Iago
I mock you not, by heaven!
53
Would you would bear your fortune like a man.

Othello
54
A hornèd man’s a monster and a beast.

Iago
55
There’s many a beast then in a populous city,
56
And many a civil monster.

Othello
57
Did he confess it?

Iago
Good sir, be a man.
58
Think every bearded fellow that’s but yoked
59
May draw with you. There’s millions now alive
60
That nightly lie in those unproper beds,
61
Which they dare swear peculiar. Your case is better.
62
Oh, ’tis the spite of hell, the fiend’s arch-mock,
63
To lip a wanton in a secure couch
64
And to suppose her chaste. No, let me know,
65
And, knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.

Othello
66
Oh, thou art wise, ’tis certain.

Iago
Stand you awhile apart;
67
Confine yourself but in a patient list:
68
Whilst you were here, o’erwhelmèd with your grief—
69
A passion most unsuiting such a man—
70
Cassio came hither. I shifted him away
71
And laid good ’scuses upon your ecstasy,
72
Bade him anon return and here speak with me,
73
The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,
74
And mark the fleers, the gibes and notable scorns
75
That dwell in every region of his face.
76
For I will make him tell the tale anew:
77
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
78
He hath and is again to cope your wife.
79
I say, but mark his gesture—marry, patience!
80
Or I shall say you’re all in all in spleen
81
And nothing of a man.

Othello
Dost thou hear, Iago?
82
I will be found most cunning in my patience,
83
But—dost thou hear?—most bloody.

Iago
That’s not amiss,
84
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
[Othello withdraws.]
85
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
86
A huswife that by selling her desires
87
Buys herself bread and cloth. It is a creature
88
That dotes on Cassio—as ’tis the strumpet’s plague
89
To beguile many and be beguiled by one.
90
He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain
91
From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
(Enter Cassio.)
92
As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;
93
And his unbookish jealousy must conster
94
Poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, and light behaviors
95
Quite in the wrong. How do you, lieutenant?

Cassio
96
The worser that you give me the addition
97
Whose want even kills me.

Iago
98
Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on’t.
99
Now if this suit lay in Bianca’s power,
100
How quickly should you speed.

Cassio
Alas, poor caitiff!

Othello
101
[Aside]
Look how he laughs already.

Iago
102
I never knew a woman love man so.

Cassio
103
Alas, poor rogue, I think i’faith she loves me.

Othello
104
[Aside]
Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out.

Iago
105
Do you hear, Cassio?

Othello
[Aside]
Now he importunes him
106
To tell it o’er. Go to, well said, well said.

Iago
107
She gives it out that you shall marry her.
108
Do you intend it?

Cassio
109
Ha, ha, ha!

Othello
110
[Aside]
Do you triumph, Roman? Do you triumph?

Cassio
111
I marry? What, a customer?
112
Prithee bear some charity to my wit;
113
Do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello
114
[Aside]
So, so, so, so! They laugh that wins.

Iago
115
Faith, the cry goes that you marry her.

Cassio
116
Prithee say true.

Iago
117
I am a very villain else.

Othello
118
[Aside]
Have you scored me? Well.

Cassio
119
This is the monkey’s own giving out.
120
She is persuaded I will marry her
121
Out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.

Othello
122
[Aside]
Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.

Cassio
123She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was the other day talking on the seabank with certain Venetians, and thither comes the bauble and, by this hand, she falls me thus about my neck.

Othello
124[Aside] Crying “O dear Cassio”! as it were; his gesture imports it.

Cassio
125So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so shakes and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha!

Othello
126[Aside] Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. Oh, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

Cassio
127Well, I must leave her company.

Iago
128Before me! Look where she comes.

Enter Bianca.

Cassio
129
’Tis such another fitchew—marry, a perfumed one!
130
What do you mean by this haunting of me?

Bianca
131Let 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 work? A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber and know not who left it there. This is some minx’s token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse! [Bianca throws down the handkerchief.] 132Wheresoever you had it, I’ll take out no work on’t.

Cassio
133How now, my sweet Bianca? How now? How now?

Othello
134
[Aside]
By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!

Bianca
135If you’ll come to supper tonight, you may; if you will not, come when you are next prepared for.

Exit [Bianca].

Iago
136After her, after her!

Cassio
137Faith, I must; she’ll rail in the streets else.

Iago
138Will you sup there?

Cassio
139Faith, I intend so.

Iago
140Well, I may chance to see you, for I would very fain speak with you.

Cassio
141Prithee come, will you?

Iago
142Go to, say no more.

[Exit Cassio.]

Othello
143
[Coming forward]
How shall I murder him, Iago?

Iago
144
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?

Othello
145Oh, Iago!

Iago
146
And did you see the handkerchief?

Othello
147Was that mine?

Iago
148Yours, 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.

Othello
149I would have him nine years a-killing! 150A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!

Iago
151Nay, you must forget that.

Othello
152Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world hath not a sweeter creature! She might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks.

Iago
153Nay, that’s not your way.

Othello
154Hang her, I do but say what she is: so delicate with her needle, an admirable musician—Oh, she will sing the savageness out of a bear—of so high plenteous wit and invention!

Iago
155She’s the worse for all this.

Othello
156Oh, a thousand, a thousand times—and then of so gentle a condition!

Iago
157Ay, too gentle.

Othello
158Nay, that’s certain—but yet the pity of it, Iago! Oh, Iago, the pity of it, Iago!

Iago
159If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend; for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

Othello
160I will chop her into messes—cuckold me?

Iago
161Oh, ’tis foul in her.

Othello
162With mine officer?

Iago
163That’s fouler.

Othello
164Get 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
165Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

Othello
166Good, good—the justice of it pleases! Very good.

Iago
167And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.

Othello
168
Excellent good—
[A trumpet sounds.]
What trumpet is that same?

Iago
169
I warrant something from Venice.
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and attendants.
170
’Tis Lodovico, this, comes from the duke.
171
See, your wife’s with him.

Lodovico
172God save you, worthy general.

Othello
173With all my heart, sir.

Lodovico
174
[Giving Othello a letter]
The Duke and the Senators of Venice greet you.

Othello
175
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

Desdemona
176
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?

Iago
177
I am very glad to see you, signor.
178
Welcome to Cyprus.

Lodovico
179
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

Iago
180
Lives, sir.

Desdemona
181
Cousin, there’s fallen between him and my lord
182
An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.

Othello
183
Are you sure of that?

Desdemona
My lord?

Othello
184 [Reading] “This fail you not to do, as you will—”

Lodovico
185
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
186
Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?

Desdemona
187
A most unhappy one. I would do much
188
T’atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

Othello
189
Fire and brimstone!

Desdemona
My lord?

Othello
Are you wise?

Desdemona
190
What, is he angry?

Lodovico
Maybe the letter moved him.
191
For, as I think, they do command him home,
192
Deputing Cassio in his government.

Desdemona
193
By my troth, I am glad on’t.

Othello
Indeed?

Desdemona
My lord?

Othello
194
I am glad to see you mad.

Desdemona
Why, sweet Othello?

Othello
[Striking her]
Devil!

Desdemona
195
I have not deserved this.

Lodovico
196
My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
197
Though I should swear I saw’t. ’Tis very much.
198
Make her amends; she weeps.

Othello
O devil, devil!
199
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,
200
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.—
201
Out of my sight!

Desdemona
[Starting to exit]
I will not stay to offend you.

Lodovico
202
Truly obedient lady!
203
I do beseech your lordship call her back.

Othello
204
Mistress!

Desdemona
[Returning]
My lord?

Othello
What would you with her, sir?

Lodovico
205
Who I, my lord?

Othello
206
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
207
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on
208
And turn again. And she can weep, sir, weep;
209
And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient,
210
Very obedient.—Proceed you in your tears!—
211
Concerning this, sir—O well-painted passion!—
212
I am commanded home.—Get you away!
213
I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate
214
And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!—
[Exit Desdemona.]
215
Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight
216
I do entreat that we may sup together.
217
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.—Goats and monkeys!

Exit [Othello].

Lodovico
218
Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
219
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
220
Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue
221
The shot of accident nor dart of chance
222
Could neither graze nor pierce?

Iago
He is much changed.

Lodovico
223
Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?

Iago
224
He’s that he is; I may not breathe my censure.
225
What he might be—if what he might, he is not—
226
I would to heaven he were.

Lodovico
What? Strike his wife?

Iago
227
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
228
That stroke would prove the worst.

Lodovico
Is it his use?
229
Or did the letters work upon his blood
230
And new-create his fault?

Iago
Alas, alas!
231
It is not honesty in me to speak
232
What I have seen and known. You shall observe him
233
And his own courses will denote him so
234
That I may save my speech; do but go after
235
And mark how he continues.

Lodovico
236
I am sorry that I am deceived in him.

Exeunt.

4.2

Enter Othello and Emilia.

Othello
1
You have seen nothing then?

Emilia
2
Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.

Othello
3
Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together.

Emilia
4
But then I saw no harm; and then I heard
5
Each syllable that breath made up between them.

Othello
6
What? Did they never whisper?

Emilia
7
Never, my lord.

Othello
8
Nor send you out o’th’way?

Emilia
9
Never.

Othello
10
To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?

Emilia
11
Never, my lord.

Othello
12
That’s strange.

Emilia
13
I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
14
Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other,
15
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
16
If any wretch have put this in your head,
17
Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse,
18
For if she be not honest, chaste, and true,
19
There’s no man happy. The purest of their wives
20
Is foul as slander.

Othello
Bid her come hither—go.
(Exit Emilia.)
21
She says enough; yet she’s a simple bawd
22
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,
23
A closet lock and key of villainous secrets,
24
And yet she’ll kneel and pray—I have seen her do’t.

Enter Desdemona and Emilia.

Desdemona
25
My lord, what is your will?

Othello
Pray you, chuck, come hither.

Desdemona
26
What is your pleasure?

Othello
Let me see your eyes;
27
Look in my face.

Desdemona
What horrible fancy’s this?

Othello
28
[To Emilia]
of your function, mistress,
29
Leave procreants alone and shut the door,
30
Cough or cry “hem”! if anybody come.
31
Your mystery, your mystery—nay, dispatch!

Exit Emilia.

Desdemona
32
[Kneeling]
Upon my knee, what doth your speech import?
33
I understand a fury in your words,
34
But not the words.

Othello
Why? What art thou?

Desdemona
35
Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife.

Othello
36
Come, swear it; damn thyself,
37
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves
38
Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double damned:
39
Swear thou art honest.

Desdemona
Heaven doth truly know it.

Othello
40
Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.

Desdemona
41
[Rising]
To whom, my lord? With whom? How am I false?

Othello
42
Ah Desdemon, away, away, away.

Desdemona
43
Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?
44
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?
45
If haply you my father do suspect
46
An instrument of this your calling back,
47
Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him,
48
I have lost him too.

Othello
Had it pleased heaven
49
To try me with affliction, had they rained
50
All kind of sores and shames on my bare head,
51
Steeped me in poverty to the very lips,
52
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,
53
I should have found in some place of my soul
54
A drop of patience. But, alas, to make me
55
The fixèd figure for the time of scorn
56
To point his slow and moving finger at!
57
Yet could I bear that too, well, very well;
58
But there where I have garnered up my heart,
59
Where either I must live or bear no life,
60
The fountain from the which my current runs
61
Or else dries up—to be discarded thence—
62
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
63
To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,
64
Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin;
65
I here look grim as hell.

Desdemona
66
I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.

Othello
67
Oh ay, as summer flies are in the shambles,
68
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,
69
Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet
70
That the sense aches at thee,
71
Would thou had’st ne’er been born!

Desdemona
72
Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?

Othello
73
Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
74
Made to write “whore” upon? What committed?
75
Committed? O thou public commoner,
76
I should make very forges of my cheeks
77
That would to cinders burn up modesty
78
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed?
79
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks;
80
The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
81
Is hushed within the hollow mine of earth
82
And will not hear’t—what committed?—impudent strumpet!

Desdemona
83
By heaven, you do me wrong.

Othello
84
Are not you a strumpet?

Desdemona
No, as I am a Christian.
85
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
86
From any other foul unlawful touch
87
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.

Othello
88
What, not a whore?

Desdemona
No, as I shall be saved.

Othello
89
Is’t possible?

Desdemona
O heaven, forgive us.

Othello
90
I cry you mercy then.
91
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice
92
That married with Othello.
(Enter Emilia.)
[To Emilia]
You, mistress,
93
That have the office opposite to Saint Peter
94
And keeps the gate of hell. You, you! Ay, you.
95
We have done our course.
[Giving her money])
There’s money for your pains.
96
I pray you turn the key and keep our counsel.

Exit [Othello].

Emilia
97
Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?
98
How do you, madam? How do you, my good lady?

Desdemona
99
Faith, half asleep.

Emilia
100
Good madam, what’s the matter with my lord?

Desdemona
101
With who?

Emilia
Why, with my lord, madam.

Desdemona
102
Who is thy lord?

Emilia
He that is yours, sweet lady.

Desdemona
103
I have none. Do not talk to me, Emilia.
104
I cannot weep, nor answers have I none
105
But what should go by water. Prithee tonight
106
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets, remember,
107
And call thy husband hither.

Emilia
Here’s a change indeed.

Exit [Emilia].

Desdemona
108
’Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.
109
How have I been behaved that he might stick
110
The smallest opinion on my least misuse?

Enter Iago and Emilia.

Iago
111
What is your pleasure, madam? How is’t with you?

Desdemona
112
I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes
113
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks.
114
He might have chid me so, for in good faith
115
I am a child to chiding.

Iago
What is the matter, lady?

Emilia
116
Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her,
117
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her
118
That true hearts cannot bear it.

Desdemona
119
Am I that name, Iago?

Iago
What name, fair lady?

Desdemona
120
Such as she said my lord did say I was.

Emilia
121
He called her whore! A beggar in his drink
122
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.

Iago
123
Why did he so?

Desdemona
124
I do not know; I am sure I am none such.

Iago
125
Do not weep, do not weep—alas the day!

Emilia
126
Hath she forsook so many noble matches,
127
Her father, and her country, and her friends,
128
To be called whore? Would it not make one weep?

Desdemona
129
It is my wretched fortune.

Iago
Beshrew him for’t!
130
How comes this trick upon him?

Desdemona
Nay, heaven doth know.

Emilia
131
I will be hanged if some eternal villain,
132
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
133
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
134
Have not devised this slander; I will be hanged else.

Iago
135
Fie, there is no such man! It is impossible.

Desdemona
136
If any such there be, heaven pardon him.

Emilia
137
A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones.
138
Why should he call her whore? Who keeps her company?
139
What place? What time? What form? What likelihood?
140
The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave,
141
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
142
O heavens, that such companions thou’d’st unfold
143
And put in every honest hand a whip
144
To lash the rascals naked through the world
145
Even from the east to th’west.

Iago
Speak within door.

Emilia
146
Oh, fie upon them! Some such squire he was
147
That turned your wit the seamy side without
148
And made you to suspect me with the Moor.

Iago
149
You are a fool; go to.

Desdemona
Alas, Iago,
150
What shall I do to win my lord again?
151
Good friend, go to him; for by this light of heaven,
152
I know not how I lost him.
[She kneels.]
Here I kneel.
153
If e’er my will did trespass ’gainst his love,
154
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,
155
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense
156
Delighted them in any other form,
157
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,
158
And ever will—though he do shake me off
159
To beggarly divorcement—love him dearly,
160
Comfort forswear me.
[She stands.]
Unkindness may do much,
161
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
162
But never taint my love. I cannot say “whore”.
163
It does abhor me now I speak the word;
164
To do the act that might the addition earn,
165
Not the world’s mass of vanity could make me.

Iago
166
I pray you be content; ’tis but his humor.
167
The business of the state does him offense,
168
And he does chide with you.

Desdemona
169
If ’twere no other—

Iago
It is but so, I warrant.
[Trumpets within]
170
Hark how these instruments summon to supper.
171
The messengers of Venice stays the meat.
172
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
(Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.)
(Enter Roderigo.)
173
How now Roderigo?

Roderigo
174
I do not find that thou deal’st justly with me.

Iago
175What in the contrary?

Roderigo
176Every day thou doff’st me with some device, Iago, and rather, as it seems to me now, keep’st from me all conveniency, then 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.

Iago
177Will you hear me, Roderigo?

Roderigo
178Faith, I have heard too much, and your words and performances are no kin together.

Iago
179You charge me most unjustly.

Roderigo
180With naught but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means; the jewels you have had from me to deliver Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist. You have told me she hath received them, and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.

Iago
181Well, go to, very well.

Roderigo
182“Very well, go to”! I cannot “go to”, man, nor ’tis not “very well”. By this hand, I say ’tis very scurvy, and begin to find myself fopped in it.

Iago
183Very well.

Roderigo
184I 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.

Iago
185You have said now.

Roderigo
186Ay, and said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.

Iago
187Why, now I see there’s mettle in thee, and even from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. 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.

Roderigo
188It hath not appeared.

Iago
189I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed which I have greater reason to believe now than ever—I mean purpose, courage, and valor—this night show it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life.

Roderigo
190Well, what is it? Is it within reason and compass?

Iago
191Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.

Roderigo
192Is that true? Why then Othello and Desdemona return 193again to Venice.

Iago
194Oh no, he goes into Mauritania and taketh 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.

Roderigo
195How do you mean removing him?

Iago
196Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place—knocking out his brains.

Roderigo
197And that you would have me to do.

Iago
198Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups tonight with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him. He knows not yet of his honorable fortune. If you will watch his going thence—which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one—you may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me; I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high supper time, and the night grows to waste. About it.

Roderigo
199I will hear further reason for this.

Iago
200And you shall be satisfied.

Exeunt.

4.3

Enter Othello,Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia, and attendants.

Lodovico
1
I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.

Othello
2
Oh, pardon me; ’twill do me good to walk.

Lodovico
3
Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.

Desdemona
4
Your honor is most welcome.

Othello
5Will you walk, sir? O Desdemona—

Desdemona
6My lord.

Othello
7Get you to bed on th’instant. I will be returned forthwith. Dismiss your attendant there; look’t be done.

Desdemona
8I will, my lord.

Exeunt [Othello, Lodovico, and attendants.]

Emilia
9
How goes it now? He looks gentler than he did.

Desdemona
10
He says he will return incontinent,
11
And hath commanded me to go to bed,
12
And bid me to dismiss you.

Emilia
Dismiss me?

Desdemona
13
It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia,
14
Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu.
15
We must not now displease him.

Emilia
16
I would you had never seen him.

Desdemona
17
So would not I; my love doth so approve him
18
That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns—
19
Prithee unpin me—have grace and favor in them.

Emilia
20
I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.

Desdemona
21
All’s one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds?
22
If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me
23
In one of these same sheets.

Emilia
Come, come, you talk.

Desdemona
24
My mother had a maid called Barbary;
25
She was in love, and he she loved proved mad
26
And did forsake her. She had a "Song of Willow"—
27
An old thing ’twas, but it expressed her fortune,
28
And she died singing it. That song tonight
29
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do
30
But to go hang my head all at one side
31
And sing it like poor Barbary. Prithee dispatch.

Emilia
32
Shall I go fetch your nightgown?

Desdemona
No, unpin me here.
33
This Lodovico is a proper man.

Emilia
34
A very handsome man.

Desdemona
He speaks well.

Emilia
35
I know a lady in Venice would have walked
36
Barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.

Desdemona
37
[Singing]
The poor soul sat singing by a sycamore tree,
38
Sing all a green willow;
39
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee.
40
Sing willow, willow, willow.
41
The fresh streams ran by her and murmured her moans,
42
Sing willow, willow, willow;
43
Her salt tears fell from her and softened the stones.
44
Sing willow—
45
Lay by these.—
[Singing]
willow, willow.—
46
Prithee, hie thee; he’ll come anon.
47
[Singing]
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
48
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve.
49
Nay, that’s not next. Hark, who is’t that knocks?

Emilia
50
It’s the wind.

Desdemona
51
[Singing]
I called my love false love, but what said he then?
52
Sing willow, willow, willow;
53
If I court more women, you’ll couch with more men.
54
So get thee gone, goodnight. Mine eyes do itch;
55
Doth that bode weeping?

Emilia
’Tis neither here nor there.

Desdemona
56
I have heard it said so. Oh, these men, these men!
57
Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia—
58
That there be women do abuse their husbands
59
In such gross kind?

Emilia
There be some such, no question.

Desdemona
60
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

Emilia
61
Why, would not you?

Desdemona
No, by this heavenly light.

Emilia
62
Nor I neither, by this heavenly light;
63
I might do’t as well i’th’dark.

Desdemona
64
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

Emilia
65
The world’s a huge thing; it is a great price
66
For a small vice.

Desdemona
In troth, I think thou wouldst not.

Emilia
67In 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 exhibition. But for all the whole world—’ud’s pity!—who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for’t.

Desdemona
68
Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong
69
For the whole world.

Emilia
70Why, the wrong is but a wrong i’th’world; and having the world for your labor ’tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

Desdemona
71
I do not think there is any such woman.

Emilia
72Yes, a dozen—and as many to th’vantage as would store the world they played for.
73
But I do think it is their husbands’ faults
74
If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties
75
And pour our treasures into foreign laps;
76
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
77
Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us,
78
Or scant our former having in despite.
79
Why, we have galls; and though we have some grace,
80
Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
81
Their wives have sense like them; they see, and smell,
82
And have their palates both for sweet and sour,
83
As husbands have. What is it that they do
84
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
85
I think it is. And doth affection breed it?
86
I think it doth. Is’t frailty that thus errs?
87
It is so too. And have not we affections,
88
Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?
89
Then let them use us well; else let them know,
90
The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

Desdemona
91
Good night, good night. God me such uses send,
92
Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad, mend.

Exeunt.

5.1

Enter Iago and Roderigo.

Iago
1
Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come.
2
Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.
3
Quick, quick, fear nothing; I’ll be at thy elbow.
4
It makes us or it mars us; think on that,
5
And fix most firm thy resolution.

Roderigo
6
Be near at hand; I may miscarry in’t.

Iago
7
Here, at thy hand. Be bold, and take thy stand.

[Iago withdraws.]

Roderigo
8
I have no great devotion to the deed,
9
And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.
10
’Tis but a man gone.
[Drawing his sword]
Forth my sword: he dies!

Iago
11
[Aside]
I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense,
12
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
13
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
14
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
15
He calls me to a restitution large
16
Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him
17
As gifts to Desdemona.
18
It must not be! If Cassio do remain,
19
He hath a daily beauty in his life
20
That makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor
21
May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.
22
No, he must die. But so — I hear him coming.

Enter Cassio.

Roderigo
23
I know his gait, ’tis he. Villain, thou diest!

[Roderigo attacks Cassio.]

Cassio
24
That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,
25
But that my coat is better than thou know’st.
26
[Drawing his sword]
I will make proof of thine.

Cassio wounds Roderigo.

Roderigo
Oh, I am slain!

[Iago wounds Cassio in the leg from behind and exits.]

Cassio
27
I am maimed forever! Help, ho! Murder, murder!

[Enter Othello above.]

Othello
28
[Aside]
The voice of Cassio. Iago keeps his word.

Roderigo
29
Oh, villain that I am!

Othello
[Aside]
It is even so.

Cassio
30
Oh, help ho! Light! A surgeon!

Othello
31
[Aside]
’Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just,
32
That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong,
33
Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead,
34
And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come.
35
Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted.
36
Thy bed, lust-stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.

Exit Othello.
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano.

Cassio
37
What ho! No watch? No passage? Murder, murder!

Gratiano
38
’Tis some mischance; the voice is very direful.

Cassio
39
Oh, help!

Lodovico
40
Hark!

Roderigo
41
O wretched villain!

Lodovico
42
Two or three groan. ’Tis heavy night.
43
These may be counterfeits; let’s think’t unsafe
44
To come into the cry without more help.

Roderigo
45
Nobody come? Then shall I bleed to death.

Enter Iago [with a light and sword.]

Lodovico
46
Hark!

Gratiano
47
Here’s one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.

Iago
48
Who’s there? Whose noise is this that cries on murder?

Lodovico
49
We do not know.

Iago
Do not you hear a cry?

Cassio
50
Here, here! For heaven sake, help me!

Iago
What’s the matter?

Gratiano
51
This is Othello’s ancient, as I take it.

Lodovico
52
The same indeed, a very valiant fellow.

Iago
53
What are you here that cry so grievously?

Cassio
54
Iago? Oh, I am spoiled, undone by villains.
55
Give me some help.

Iago
56
Oh, me, lieutenant! What villains have done this?

Cassio
57
I think that one of them is hereabout
58
And cannot make away.

Iago
O treacherous villains!
59
[To Lodovico and Gratiano]
What are you there? Come in and give some help.

Roderigo
60
Oh, help me there!

Cassio
That’s one of them.

Iago
61
O murd’rous slave! O villain!

[Iago stabs Roderigo.]

Roderigo
62
O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!

Iago
63
Kill men i’th’dark? Where be these bloody thieves?
64
How silent is this town? Ho, murder, murder!
65
What may you be? Are you of good or evil?

Lodovico
66
As you shall prove us, praise us.

Iago
67
Signor Lodovico?

Lodovico
68
He, sir.

Iago
69
I cry you mercy—here’s Cassio hurt by villains.

Gratiano
70
Cassio?

Iago
71
How is’t brother?

Cassio
72
My leg is cut in two.

Iago
73
Marry, heaven forbid—Light, gentlemen!
74
I’ll bind it with my shirt.

Enter Bianca.

Bianca
75
What is the matter, ho? Who is’t that cried?

Iago
76
Who is’t that cried?

Bianca
O my dear Cassio,
77
My sweet Cassio—O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

Iago
78
O notable strumpet. Cassio, may you suspect
79
Who they should be that have thus mangled you?

Cassio
80
No.

Gratiano
81
I am sorry to find you thus;
82
I have been to seek you.

Iago
Lend me a garter. So—
[Iago binds Cassio’s leg.]
83
O for a chair to bear him easily hence!

Bianca
84
Alas, he faints. O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!

Iago
85
Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash
86
To be a party in this injury.
87
Patience awhile, good Cassio. Come, come,
88
Lend me a light. Know we this face or no?
89
Alas, my friend and my dear countryman
90
Roderigo? No—Yes, sure! O heaven, Roderigo!

Gratiano
91
What, of Venice?

Iago
92
Even he, sir. Did you know him?

Gratiano
93
Know him? Ay.

Iago
94
Signor Gratiano? I cry your gentle pardon.
95
These bloody accidents must excuse my manners
96
That so neglected you.

Gratiano
I am glad to see you.

Iago
97
How do you, Cassio?—Oh, a chair, a chair!

Gratiano
98
Roderigo?

Iago
99
He, he, ’tis he.
[Enter attendants with a chair.]
Oh, that’s well said, the chair.
100
Some good man bear him carefully from hence;
101
I’ll fetch the general’s surgeon. For you, mistress,
102
Save you your labor. He that lies slain here, Cassio,
103
Was my dear friend. What malice was between you?

Cassio
104
None in the world; nor do I know the man.

Iago
105
[To Bianca]
What? Look you pale?
[To attendants]
Oh, bear him out o’th’air.
[Exeunt attendants carrying off Cassio in the chair, and Roderigo’s body.]
106
[To Lodovico and Gratiano]
Stay you, good gentlemen.
[To Bianca]
Look you pale, mistress?
107
[To Lodovico and Gratiano]
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye?
108
Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon.
109
Behold her well. I pray you, look upon her.
110
Do you see, gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak
111
Though tongues were out of use.

[Enter Emilia.]

Emilia
112
Alas, what is the matter? What is the matter, husband?

Iago
113
Cassio hath here been set on in the dark
114
By Roderigo and fellows that are scaped;
115
He’s almost slain, and Roderigo quite dead.

Emilia
116
Alas, good gentleman! Alas, good Cassio!

Iago
117
This is the fruits of whoring. Prithee, Emilia,
118
Go know of Cassio where he supped tonight.
119
What, do you shake at that?

Bianca
120
He supped at my house, but I therefore shake not.

Iago
121
Oh, did he so? I charge you go with me.

Emilia
122
O fie upon thee, strumpet!

Bianca
123
I am no strumpet, but of life as honest
124
As you that thus abuse me.

Emilia
As I? Fie upon thee!

Iago
125
Kind gentlemen, let’s go see poor Cassio dressed.
126
Come, mistress, you must tell’s another tale.
127
Emilia, run you to the citadel
128
And tell my lord and lady what hath happed.
129
Will you go on afore? —
[Aside]
This is the night
130
That either makes me or fordoes me quite.

Exeunt.

5.2

Enter Othello [with a light], and Desdemona in her bed.

Othello
1
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
2
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars.
3
It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood,
4
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow
5
And smooth as monumental alabaster—
6
Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.
7
Put out the light, and then put out the light—
8
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
9
I can again thy former light restore
10
Should I repent me. But once put out thy light,
11
Thou cunning’st pattern of excelling nature,
12
I know not where is that Promethean heat
13
That can thy light relume. When I have plucked thy rose,
14
I cannot give it vital growth again;
15
It needs must wither. I’ll smell thee on the tree.
[He kisses her.]
16
O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
17
Justice to break her sword—one more, one more.
[He kisses her.]
18
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee
19
And love thee after—one more, and that’s the last.
[He kisses her.]
20
So sweet was ne’er so fatal. I must weep,
21
But they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly;
22
It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.

Desdemona
23
Who’s there? Othello?

Othello
Ay, Desdemona.

Desdemona
24
Will you come to bed, my lord?

Othello
25
Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon?

Desdemona
Ay, my lord.

Othello
26
If you bethink yourself of any crime
27
Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,
28
Solicit for it straight.

Desdemona
29
Alack, my lord, what may you mean by that?

Othello
30
Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by.
31
I would not kill thy unpreparèd spirit.
32
No, heavens forfend!—I would not kill thy soul.

Desdemona
33
Talk you of killing?

Othello
Ay, I do.

Desdemona
34
Then heaven have mercy on me.

Othello
Amen, with all my heart.

Desdemona
35
If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.

Othello
36
Humh.

Desdemona
37
And yet I fear you, for you’re fatal then
38
When your eyes roll so. Why I should fear I know not,
39
Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.

Othello
40
Think on thy sins.

Desdemona
They are loves I bear to you.

Othello
41
Ay, and for that thou diest.

Desdemona
42
That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.
43
Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?
44
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.
45
These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,
46
They do not point on me.

Othello
Peace, and be still.

Desdemona
47
I will so. What’s the matter?

Othello
48
That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee,
49
Thou gav’st to Cassio.

Desdemona
No, by my life and soul!
50
Send for the man and ask him.

Othello
Sweet soul, take heed;
51
Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed.

Desdemona
52
Ay, but not yet to die.

Othello
Yes, presently.
53
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
54
For to deny each article with oath
55
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
56
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.

Desdemona
57
O heaven have mercy on me!

Othello
I say amen.

Desdemona
58
And have you mercy too. I never did
59
Offend you in my life, never loved Cassio
60
But with such general warranty of heaven
61
As I might love. I never gave him token.

Othello
62
By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in’s hand.
63
O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart,
64
And makes me call what I intend to do
65
A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.
66
I saw the handkerchief.

Desdemona
He found it then.
67
I never gave it him. Send for him hither.
68
Let him confess a truth.

Othello
He hath confessed.

Desdemona
69
What, my lord?

Othello
That he hath—’ud’s death!—used thee.

Desdemona
70
How? Unlawfully?

Othello
Ay.

Desdemona
He will not say so.

Othello
71
No, his mouth is stopped.
72
Honest Iago hath ta’en order for’t.

Desdemona
73
Oh, my fear interprets. What, is he dead?

Othello
74
Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge
75
Had stomach for them all.

Desdemona
76
Alas, he is betrayed, and I undone.

Othello
77
Out, strumpet! Weep’st thou for him to my face?

Desdemona
78
Oh, banish me, my lord, but kill me not.

Othello
79
Down, strumpet.

Desdemona
80
Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight.

Othello
81
Nay, if you strive.

Desdemona
But half an hour.

Othello
82
Being done, there is no pause.

Desdemona
But while I say one prayer.

Othello
83
It is too late.

[Othello] smothers her.
Emilia [is heard] at the door.

Emilia
84
[Within]
My lord, my lord? What ho? My lord, my lord!

Othello
85
What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?
86
I that am cruel am yet merciful;
87
I would not have thee linger in thy pain—
88
[Smothering her again]
So, so.

Emilia
89
(Within)
What ho? My lord, my lord?

Othello
Who’s there?

Emilia
90
O good my lord, I would speak a word with you.

Othello
91
Yes—’Tis Emilia.—By and by!—She’s dead.
92
’Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death.
93
The noise was high. Ha, no more moving?
94
Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were’t good?
95
I think she stirs again. No. What’s best to do?
96
If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife—
97
My wife, my wife—what wife? I have no wife.
98
Oh, insupportable! Oh, heavy hour!
99
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
100
Of sun and moon, and that th’affrighted globe
101
Did yawn at alteration.

Emilia
[Within]
I do beseech you
102
That I may speak with you. O good my lord.

Othello
103
I had forgot thee. O come in, Emilia.
104
Soft,—By and by!—let me the curtains draw.
[He closes the bed curtains.]
105
Where art thou? What’s the matter with thee now?

[He unlocks the door.]
Enter Emilia.

Emilia
106
O my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done.

Othello
107
What? Now?

Emilia
But now, my lord.

Othello
108
It is the very error of the moon;
109
She comes more nearer Earth than she was wont,
110
And makes men mad.

Emilia
Cassio, my lord, hath killed
111
A young Venetian called Roderigo.

Othello
112
Roderigo killed? And Cassio killed?

Emilia
113
No, Cassio is not killed.

Othello
114
Not Cassio killed? Then murder’s out of tune,
115
And sweet revenge grows harsh.

Desdemona
116
Oh, falsely, falsely murdered.

Emilia
117
O Lord! What cry is that?

Othello
That? What?

Emilia
118
Out and alas, that was my lady’s voice!
[She opens the bed curtains.]
119
Help, help, ho, help! O lady, speak again.
120
Sweet Desdemona, O sweet mistress, speak.

Desdemona
121
A guiltless death I die.

Emilia
122
Oh, who hath done this deed?

Desdemona
123
Nobody—I myself. Farewell—
124
Commend me to my kind lord—Oh, farewell.

[Desdemona dies.]

Othello
125
Why, how should she be murdered?

Emilia
Alas, who knows?

Othello
126
You heard her say herself, it was not I.

Emilia
127
She said so; I must needs report the truth.

Othello
128
She’s like a liar gone to burning hell;
129
’Twas I that killed her.

Emilia
130
Oh, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil.

Othello
131
She turned to folly, and she was a whore.

Emilia
132
Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.

Othello
133
She was false as water.

Emilia
Thou art rash as fire
134
To say that she was false. Oh, she was heavenly true.

Othello
135
Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.
136
Oh, I were damned beneath all depth in hell,
137
But that I did proceed upon just grounds
138
To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

Emilia
139
My husband?

Othello
Thy husband.

Emilia
That she was false to wedlock?

Othello
140
Ay, with Cassio. Had she been true,
141
If heaven would make me such another world
142
Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,
143
I’d not have sold her for it.

Emilia
My husband?

Othello
144
Ay, ’twas he that told me on her first.
145
An honest man he is, and hates the slime
146
That sticks on filthy deeds.

Emilia
My husband?

Othello
147
What needs this iterance, woman? I say, thy husband.

Emilia
148
O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love—
149
My husband say she was false?

Othello
He, woman;
150
I say thy husband—dost understand the word?—
151
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.

Emilia
152
If he say so, may his pernicious soul
153
Rot half a grain a day; he lies to th’heart.
154
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

Othello
155
Ha?

Emilia
156
Do thy worst.
157
This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven,
158
Than thou wast worthy her.

Othello
Peace, you were best.

Emilia
159
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm
160
As I have to be hurt. O gull, O dolt,
161
As ignorant as dirt, thou hast done a deed—
[Othello threatens Emilia with his sword.]
162
I care not for thy sword; I’ll make thee known
163
Though I lost twenty lives. Help, help, ho, help!
164
The Moor hath killed my mistress. Murder, murder!

Enter Montano, Gratiano, and Iago.

Montano
165
What is the matter? How now, general?

Emilia
166
Oh, are you come, Iago? You have done well,
167
That men must lay their murders on your neck.

Gratiano
168
What is the matter?

Emilia
169
[To Iago]
Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man.
170
He says thou told’st him that his wife was false.
171
I know thou didst not; thou’rt not such a villain.
172
Speak, for my heart is full.

Iago
173
I told him what I thought, and told no more
174
Than what he found himself was apt and true.

Emilia
175
But did you ever tell him she was false?

Iago
176
I did.

Emilia
177
You told a lie, an odious damnèd lie,
178
Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.
179
She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

Iago
180
With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.

Emilia
181
I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak.
182
My mistress here lies murdered in her bed.

All
183
O heavens forfend!

Emilia
184
And your reports have set the murder on.

Othello
185
Nay, stare not, masters; it is true indeed.

Gratiano
186
’Tis a strange truth.

Montano
O monstrous act!

Emilia
187
Villainy, villainy, villainy!
188
I think upon’t, I think I smell’t. O villainy—
189
I thought so then—I’ll kill myself for grief!
190
O villainy! Villainy!

Iago
191
What, are you mad? I charge you get you home.

Emilia
192
Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.
193
’Tis proper I obey him, but not now.
194
Perchance, Iago, I will ne’er go home.

Othello
195
Oh, Oh, Oh!

[Othello falls on the bed.]

Emilia
Nay, lay thee down and roar,
196
For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent
197
That ere did lift up eye.

Othello
Oh, she was foul!
198
I scarce did know you, uncle. There lies your niece,
199
Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopped.
200
I know this act shows horrible and grim.

Gratiano
201
Poor Desdemon, I am glad thy father’s dead;
202
Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief
203
Shore his old thread in twain. Did he live now,
204
This sight would make him do a desperate turn;
205
Yea, curse his better angel from his side
206
And fall to reprobance.

Othello
207
’Tis pitiful, but yet Iago knows
208
That she with Cassio hath the act of shame
209
A thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it,
210
And she did gratify his amorous works
211
With that recognizance and pledge of love
212
Which I first gave her;—I saw it in his hand—
213
It was a handkerchief, an antique token
214
My father gave my mother.

Emilia
215
O God, O heavenly God!

Iago
Zounds, hold your peace.

Emilia
216
’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace?
217
No, I will speak as liberal as the north;
218
Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,
219
All, all cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.

Iago
220
Be wise, and get you home.

Emilia
I will not.

[Iago threatens Emilia with his sword.]

Gratiano
221
Fie, your sword upon a woman?

Emilia
222
O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of
223
I found by fortune, and did give my husband;
224
For often, with a solemn earnestness—
225
More than indeed belonged to such a trifle—
226
He begged of me to steal’t.

Iago
Villainous whore!

Emilia
227
She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it,
228
And I did give’t my husband.

Iago
Filth, thou liest.

Emilia
229
By heaven, I do not. I do not, gentlemen.—
230
O murderous coxcomb, what should such a fool
231
Do with so good a wife?

[Othello runs at Iago and is disarmed by Montano. Iago stabs Emilia.]

Othello
Are there no stones in heaven
232
But what serves for the thunder? Precious villain!

Gratiano
233
The woman falls; sure he hath killed his wife.

Emilia
234
Ay, ay. Oh, lay me by my mistress’s side.

[Exit Iago.]

Gratiano
235
He’s gone, but his wife’s killed.

Montano
236
’Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon
237
Which I have here recovered from the Moor.
238
Come guard the door without; let him not pass,
239
But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain,
240
For ’tis a damnèd slave.

Exeunt [Montano and Gratiano].

Othello
I am not valiant neither,
241
But every puny whipster gets my sword.
242
But why should honor outlive honesty?
243
Let it go all.

Emilia
What did thy song bode, lady?
244
Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,
245
And die in music:
[Singing]
Willow, willow, willow.
246
Moor, she was chaste. She loved thee, cruel Moor.
247
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;
248
So speaking as I think, alas, I die.

[Emilia dies.]

Othello
249
I have another weapon in this chamber;
250
It was a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper—
251
Oh, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

Gratiano
252
[Within]
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;
253
Thou hast no weapon and perforce must suffer.

Othello
254
Look in upon me then, and speak with me,
255
Or naked as I am I will assault thee.

[Enter Gratiano.]

Gratiano
256
What is the matter?

Othello
Behold, I have a weapon;
257
A better never did itself sustain
258
Upon a soldier’s thigh. I have seen the day
259
That with this little arm and this good sword
260
I have made my way through more impediments
261
Than twenty times your stop. But—O vain boast!—
262
Who can control his fate? ’Tis not so now.
263
Be not afraid, though you do see me weaponed.
264
Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt
265
And very seamark of my utmost sail.
266
Do you go back dismayed? ’Tis a lost fear.
267
Man but a rush against Othello’s breast
268
And he retires. Where should Othello go?
269
Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred wench,
270
Pale as thy smock; when we shall meet at compt,
271
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven
272
And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl?
273
Even like thy chastity. O cursèd, cursèd slave!
274
Whip me, ye devils, from the possession of this heavenly sight,
275
Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulfur,
276
Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire—
277
O Desdemon! Dead Desdemon! Dead—Oh, Oh!

Enter Lodovico, Cassio [in a chair], Montano, and Iago with officers.

Lodovico
278
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

Othello
279
That’s he that was Othello; here I am.

Lodovico
280
Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.

Othello
281
I look down toward his feet, but that’s a fable;
282
If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee.

[Othello wounds Iago.]

Lodovico
283
Wrench his sword from him.

Iago
I bleed, sir, but not killed.

Othello
284
I am not sorry neither; I’d have thee live,
285
For in my sense ’tis happiness to die.

Lodovico
286
O thou Othello, that was once so good,
287
Fallen in the practice of a damnèd slave,
288
What shall be said to thee?

Othello
Why, anything—
289
An honorable murderer, if you will,
290
For naught I did in hate, but all in honor.

Lodovico
291
This wretch hath part confessed his villainy.
292
Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?

Othello
293
Ay.

Cassio
294
Dear general, I never gave you cause.

Othello
295
I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.
296
Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil
297
Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?

Iago
298
Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.
299
From this time forth, I never will speak word.

Lodovico
300
What, not to pray?

Gratiano
Torments will ope your lips.

Othello
301
Well, thou dost best.

Lodovico
302
Sir, you shall understand what hath befallen,
303
Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter
304
Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo,
305
And here another. The one of them imports
306
The death of Cassio, to be undertook
307
By Roderigo.

Othello
308
O villain!

Cassio
Most heathenish and most gross!

Lodovico
309
Now here’s another discontented paper
310
Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,
311
Roderigo meant t’have sent this damnèd villain,
312
But that, belike, Iago in the interim
313
Came in and satisfied him.

Othello
314
O thou pernicious caitiff!
315
How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief
316
That was my wife’s?

Cassio
I found it in my chamber,
317
And he himself confessed it but even now
318
That there he dropped it for a special purpose
319
Which wrought to his desire.

Othello
O fool, fool, fool!

Cassio
320
There is besides in Roderigo’s letter
321
How he upbraids Iago that he made him
322
Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came
323
That I was cast; and even but now he spake,
324
After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,
325
Iago set him on.

Lodovico
326
[To Othello]
You must forsake this room and go with us.
327
Your power and your command is taken off,
328
And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,
329
If there be any cunning cruelty
330
That can torment him much and hold him long,
331
It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,
332
Till that the nature of your fault be known
333
To the Venetian state. Come, bring away.

Othello
334
Soft you, a word or two before you go.
335
I have done the state some service, and they know’t;
336
No more of that. I pray you in your letters,
337
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
338
Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,
339
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
340
Of one that loved not wisely, but too well;
341
Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought,
342
Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand,
343
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
344
Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,
345
Albeit unused to the melting mood,
346
Drops tears as fast as the Arabian trees
347
Their medicinable gum. Set you down this,
348
And say besides that in Aleppo once,
349
Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk
350
Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,
351
I took by th’throat the circumcisèd dog
352
And smote him—thus.

[Othello stabs himself.]

Lodovico
353
O bloody period.

Gratiano
All that is spoke is marred.

Othello
354
I kissed thee ere I killed thee—no way but this,
355
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

[Othello kisses Desdemona and] dies.

Cassio
356
This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,
357
For he was great of heart.

Lodovico
O Spartan dog,
358
More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea,
359
Look on the tragic loading of this bed.
360
This is thy work. The object poisons sight;
361
Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house
362
And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,
363
For they succeed on you.
[To Cassio]
To you, lord governor,
364
Remains the censure of this hellish villain;
365
The time, the place, the torture, oh, enforce it.
366
Myself will straight aboard, and to the state
367
This heavy act with heavy heart relate.

Exeunt.