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ACT III.
Scene I. Before the castle.
Enter Cassio and some Musicians.[5749]
Cas. Masters, play here; I will content your pains;[5750]
Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' [Music.
Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' [Music.
Enter Clown.[5751]
Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been in[5752]
Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus?[5753]
Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus?[5753]
First Mus. How, sir, how![5754] 5
Clo. Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?[5755]
First Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir.[5754]
Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail.[5756]
First Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir?[5757]
Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know. 10
But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so[5758]
likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to[5759]
make no more noise with it.[5760]
But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so[5758]
likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to[5759]
make no more noise with it.[5760]
First Mus. Well, sir, we will not.
Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard, 15
to 't again: but, as they say, to hear music the general
does not greatly care.
to 't again: but, as they say, to hear music the general
does not greatly care.
First Mus. We have none such, sir.[5761]
Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away:[5762]
go; vanish into air; away! [Exeunt Musicians.[5763] 20
go; vanish into air; away! [Exeunt Musicians.[5763] 20
Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?[5764]
Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.[5765]
Cas. Prithee, 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[5766] 25
her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?[5767]
piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that attends the
general's wife be stirring, tell her there's one Cassio entreats[5766] 25
her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?[5767]
Clo. She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall
seem to notify unto her.[5768]
seem to notify unto her.[5768]
Cas. Do, good my friend. [Exit Clown.[5769]
Enter Iago.[5770]
In happy time, Iago.
Cas. Why, no; the day had broke[5773]
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,[5772][5773][5774]
To send in to your wife: my suit to her[5773][5775]
Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona[5773][5776]
Procure me some access.
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,[5772][5773][5774]
To send in to your wife: my suit to her[5773][5775]
Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona[5773][5776]
Procure me some access.
Iago. I'll send her to you presently;[5777] 35
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.
Enter Emilia.
Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry
For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.[5781]
The general and his wife are talking of it,
And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus 45
And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom[5782]
He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you,[5783]
And needs no other suitor but his likings[5784]
To take the safest occasion by the front[5785]
To bring you in again.
For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.[5781]
The general and his wife are talking of it,
And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus 45
And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom[5782]
He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you,[5783]
And needs no other suitor but his likings[5784]
To take the safest occasion by the front[5785]
To bring you in again.
Cas. Yet, I beseech you, 50
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.
Emil. Pray you, come in:[5786]
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.
Cas. I am much bound to you. [Exeunt.[5787]55
Scene II. A room in the castle.[5788]
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.
Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;
And by him do my duties to the senate:[5789]
That done, I will be walking on the works;[5790]
Repair there to me.
And by him do my duties to the senate:[5789]
That done, I will be walking on the works;[5790]
Repair there to me.
Iago. Well, my good lord, I'll do't.[5791]
Oth. This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't? 5
Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.[5792]
Scene III. The garden of the castle.[5793]
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.
Des. Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.
All my abilities in thy behalf.
Des. O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,[5796] 5
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.
Cas. Bounteous madam,[5797]
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.
Des. I know't: I thank you. You do love my lord:[5798] 10
You have known him long; and be you well assured[5799]
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off[5800]
Than in a politic distance.
You have known him long; and be you well assured[5799]
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off[5800]
Than in a politic distance.
Cas. Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,[5801]
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, 15
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,[5802]
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.[5803]
That policy may either last so long,[5801]
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, 15
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,[5802]
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.[5803]
Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia here
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,[5804] 20
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;[5805]
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does 25
With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.[5806]
I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,[5804] 20
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: my lord shall never rest;[5805]
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does 25
With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.[5806]
Enter Othello and Iago, at a distance.[5807]
Emil. Madam, here comes my lord.
Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave. 30
Des. Nay, stay and hear me speak.[5808]
Des. Well, do your discretion. [Exit Cassio.[5811]
Iago. Ha! I like not that. 35
Oth. What dost thou say?
Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if—I know not what.[5812]
Oth. Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
Iago. Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,[5813]
That he would steal away so guilty-like,[5814] 40
Seeing you coming.
That he would steal away so guilty-like,[5814] 40
Seeing you coming.
Des. How now, my lord![5816][5817]
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Des. Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,[5818]
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;[5819]
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning, 50
I have no judgement in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;[5819]
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning, 50
I have no judgement in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.
Oth. Went he hence now?[5820]
Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,[5820][5821]
That he hath left part of his grief with me,[5822]
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.[5823] 55
That he hath left part of his grief with me,[5822]
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.[5823] 55
Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.[5824]
Des. But shall't be shortly?
Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you.[5825]
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth. No, not to-night.[5826]
Des. To-morrow dinner then?
Oth. I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel. 60
I meet the captains at the citadel. 60
Des. Why then to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;[5827]
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:[5828]
I prithee, name the time; but let it not[5829]
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;[5830]
And yet his trespass, in our common reason— 65
Save that, they say, the wars must make examples[5831]
Out of their best—is not almost a fault[5832]
To incur a private check. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,[5833] 70
Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,[5834]
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time[5835]
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much—[5836] 75
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:[5828]
I prithee, name the time; but let it not[5829]
Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent;[5830]
And yet his trespass, in our common reason— 65
Save that, they say, the wars must make examples[5831]
Out of their best—is not almost a fault[5832]
To incur a private check. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,[5833] 70
Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,[5834]
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time[5835]
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much—[5836] 75
Oth. Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.
I will deny thee nothing.
Des. Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,[5837]
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,[5838]
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit[5839] 80
To your own person: nay, when I have a suit[5840]
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,[5841]
And fearful to be granted.
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,[5837]
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,[5838]
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit[5839] 80
To your own person: nay, when I have a suit[5840]
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,[5841]
And fearful to be granted.
Oth. I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, 85
To leave me but a little to myself.
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, 85
To leave me but a little to myself.
Des. Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.
Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.[5842]
Des. Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;[5843]
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. 90
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. 90
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.[5844]
Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,[5845]
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
Iago. My noble lord,—[5846]
Oth. What dost thou say, Iago?
Oth. He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask?[5849]
Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought;[5850]
No further harm.
No further harm.
Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with her.[5851] 100
Oth. O, yes, and went between us very oft.[5852]
Iago. Indeed!
Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that?[5853]
Is he not honest?
Is he not honest?
Iago. Honest, my lord! 105
Oth. Honest! ay, honest.[5854]
Iago. My lord, for aught I know.
Oth. What dost thou think?
Iago. Think, my lord!
Oth. Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes me,[5855] 110
As if there were some monster in his thought[5856]
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:[5857]
I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,[5858]
When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel 115
In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'[5859]
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,[5860]
Show me thy thought. 120
As if there were some monster in his thought[5856]
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:[5857]
I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,[5858]
When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel 115
In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst 'Indeed!'[5859]
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me,[5860]
Show me thy thought. 120
Iago. My lord, you know I love you.
Oth. I think thou dost;
And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty[5861]
And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,[5862]
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:[5863]
For such things in a false disloyal knave 125
Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just
They're close delations, working from the heart,[5864]
That passion cannot rule.
And for I know thou'rt full of love and honesty[5861]
And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath,[5862]
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:[5863]
For such things in a false disloyal knave 125
Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just
They're close delations, working from the heart,[5864]
That passion cannot rule.
Iago. For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.[5865]
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.[5865]
Oth. I think so too.
Iago. Men should be what they seem;[5866] 130
Or those that be not, would they might seem none![5867]
Or those that be not, would they might seem none![5867]
Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem.[5868]
Iago. Why then I think Cassio's an honest man.[5869]
Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this:
I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,[5870] 135
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts[5871]
The worst of words.[5872]
I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,[5870] 135
As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts[5871]
The worst of words.[5872]
Iago. Good my lord, pardon me:
Though I am bound to every act of duty,[5873]
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.[5874]
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;[5875] 140
As where's that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,[5876]
But some uncleanly apprehensions[5877]
Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit[5878]
With meditations lawful? 145
Though I am bound to every act of duty,[5873]
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.[5874]
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false;[5875] 140
As where's that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,[5876]
But some uncleanly apprehensions[5877]
Keep leets and law-days, and in session sit[5878]
With meditations lawful? 145
Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear[5879]
A stranger to thy thoughts.
If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear[5879]
A stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago. I do beseech you—[5880]
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,[5880][5881]
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague 150
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy[5882][5883]
Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom yet,[5883][5884]
From one that so imperfectly conceits,[5885]
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble[5886]
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.[5887] 155
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,[5888]
To let you know my thoughts.
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,[5880][5881]
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague 150
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy[5882][5883]
Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom yet,[5883][5884]
From one that so imperfectly conceits,[5885]
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble[5886]
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.[5887] 155
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,[5888]
To let you know my thoughts.
Oth. What dost thou mean?[5889]
Iago. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,[5890]
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:[5891] 160
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;[5892]
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him[5893]
And makes me poor indeed. 165
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:[5891] 160
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;[5892]
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him[5893]
And makes me poor indeed. 165
Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.[5894]
Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. Ha!
Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;[5895]
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock[5896][5897] 170
The meat it feeds on: that cuckold lives in bliss[5897][5898]
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;[5899]
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves![5900]
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock[5896][5897] 170
The meat it feeds on: that cuckold lives in bliss[5897][5898]
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;[5899]
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves![5900]
Oth. O misery! 175
Iago. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
But riches fineless is as poor as winter[5901]
To him that ever fears he shall be poor:
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend[5902]
From jealousy!
But riches fineless is as poor as winter[5901]
To him that ever fears he shall be poor:
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend[5902]
From jealousy!
Oth. Why, why is this?[5903] 180
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,[5904]
When I shall turn the business of my soul 185
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,[5905]
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous[5906]
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;[5907]
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:[5908] 190
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;[5909]
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this, 195
Away at once with love or jealousy![5910]
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,[5904]
When I shall turn the business of my soul 185
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,[5905]
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous[5906]
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;[5907]
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous:[5908] 190
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;[5909]
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this, 195
Away at once with love or jealousy![5910]
Iago. I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason[5911][5912]
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,[5911]
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.[5913] 200
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:[5914]
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of self-bounty be abused; look to't:
I know our country disposition well; 205
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks[5915]
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience[5916]
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.[5917]
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,[5911]
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.[5913] 200
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:[5914]
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of self-bounty be abused; look to't:
I know our country disposition well; 205
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks[5915]
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience[5916]
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.[5917]
Oth. Dost thou say so?[5918]
Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; 210
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most.
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most.
Oth. And so she did.
Iago. Why, go to then;[5919]
She that so young could give out such a seeming,
To seel her father's eyes up close as oak—[5920]
He thought 'twas witchcraft—but I am much to blame;[5911][5921] 215
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.
She that so young could give out such a seeming,
To seel her father's eyes up close as oak—[5920]
He thought 'twas witchcraft—but I am much to blame;[5911][5921] 215
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.
Iago. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago. I'faith, I fear it has.[5923]
I hope you will consider what is spoke 220
Comes from my love; but I do see you're moved:[5924]
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion.
I hope you will consider what is spoke 220
Comes from my love; but I do see you're moved:[5924]
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion.
Oth. I will not.
Iago. Should you do so, my lord, 225
My speech should fall into such vile success[5925]
As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend—[5926]
My lord, I see you're moved.[5927]
My speech should fall into such vile success[5925]
As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend—[5926]
My lord, I see you're moved.[5927]
Oth. No, not much moved:
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.[5928]
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.[5928]
Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so![5929] 230
Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself—[5930]
Iago. Ay, there's the point: as—to be bold with you—[5931]
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—[5932] 235
Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,[5933]
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.[5934]
But pardon me: I do not in position[5935]
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear[5936]
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, 240
May fall to match you with her country forms,[5937]
And happily repent.
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—[5932] 235
Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,[5933]
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.[5934]
But pardon me: I do not in position[5935]
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear[5936]
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, 240
May fall to match you with her country forms,[5937]
And happily repent.
Oth. Farewell, farewell:[5938]
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago.[5939]
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: leave me, Iago.[5939]
Iago. [Going] My lord, I take my leave.[5940] 245
Oth. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless[5941]
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Iago. [Returning] My lord, I would I might entreat your honour[5942][5943]
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:[5943][5944]
Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,[5945] 250
For sure he fills it up with great ability,
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,[5946]
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note if your lady strain his entertainment[5947]
With any strong or vehement importunity; 255
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
As worthy cause I have to fear I am—
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:[5943][5944]
Though it be fit that Cassio have his place,[5945] 250
For sure he fills it up with great ability,
Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,[5946]
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note if your lady strain his entertainment[5947]
With any strong or vehement importunity; 255
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
As worthy cause I have to fear I am—
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Oth. Fear not my government. 260
Iago. I once more take my leave. [Exit.[5948]
Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,[5949]
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,[5950][5951]
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,[5951][5952]
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings, 265
I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind[5953]
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black[5911][5954]
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years,—yet that's not much—[5955] 270
She's gone; I am abused, and my relief[5956]
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,[5957]
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,[5958] 275
Than keep a corner in the thing I love[5959]
For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;[5960]
Prerogatived are they less than the base;[5961]
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:[5962]
Even then this forked plague is fated to us 280
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,[5950][5951]
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,[5951][5952]
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings, 265
I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind[5953]
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black[5911][5954]
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years,—yet that's not much—[5955] 270
She's gone; I am abused, and my relief[5956]
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,[5957]
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,[5958] 275
Than keep a corner in the thing I love[5959]
For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;[5960]
Prerogatived are they less than the base;[5961]
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:[5962]
Even then this forked plague is fated to us 280
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:
Re-enter Desdemona and Emilia.[5963]