![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9] cover](/books/content/49008/OEBPS/7560685146174767776_cover.jpg)
ACT IV.
Scene I. Cyprus. Before the castle.
Enter Othello and Iago.[6212]
Iago. Will you think so?
Oth. Think so, Iago![6213]
Oth. An unauthorized kiss.[6215]
Oth. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm![6217] 5
It is hypocrisy against the devil:
They that mean virtuously and yet do so,
The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven.[6218]
It is hypocrisy against the devil:
They that mean virtuously and yet do so,
The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven.[6218]
Iago. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip:[6219]
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—[6220][6221] 10
But if I give my wife a handkerchief—[6220][6221] 10
Oth. What then?
Iago. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and being hers,[6222]
She may, I think, bestow 't on any man.
She may, I think, bestow 't on any man.
Oth. She is protectress of her honour too:[6223]
May she give that? 15
May she give that? 15
Iago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen;
They have it very oft that have it not:
But for the handkerchief—[6221]
They have it very oft that have it not:
But for the handkerchief—[6221]
Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it:
Thou said'st—O, it comes o'er my memory, 20
As doth the raven o'er the infected house,[6224]
Boding to all—he had my handkerchief.[6225]
Thou said'st—O, it comes o'er my memory, 20
As doth the raven o'er the infected house,[6224]
Boding to all—he had my handkerchief.[6225]
Iago. Ay, what of that?
Oth. That's not so good now.
Iago. What,[6226]
If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?[6226][6227]
Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad,[6228] 25
Who having, by their own importunate suit,
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,[6229]
Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose[6230]
But they must blab—[6231]
If I had said I had seen him do you wrong?[6226][6227]
Or heard him say—as knaves be such abroad,[6228] 25
Who having, by their own importunate suit,
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,[6229]
Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose[6230]
But they must blab—[6231]
Oth. Hath he said any thing?
Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assured, 30
No more than he'll unswear.
No more than he'll unswear.
Oth. What hath he said?
Iago. Faith, that he did—I know not what he did.[6232]
Oth. What? what?[6233]
Iago. Lie—
Oth. With her?
Iago. With her, on her; what you will.[6234]
Oth. Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her, when[6235] 35
they belie her.—Lie with her! 'Zounds, that's fulsome![6235][6236]
Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief!—To confess, and[6237][6238][6239]
be hanged for his labour; first, to be hanged, and then to[6238][6239]
confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in[6238][6239]
such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not[6239][6240] 40
words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears and lips.[6239][6241]
Is't possible?—Confess?—Handkerchief?—O devil!
they belie her.—Lie with her! 'Zounds, that's fulsome![6235][6236]
Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief!—To confess, and[6237][6238][6239]
be hanged for his labour; first, to be hanged, and then to[6238][6239]
confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in[6238][6239]
such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not[6239][6240] 40
words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears and lips.[6239][6241]
Is't possible?—Confess?—Handkerchief?—O devil!
[Falls in a trance.[6239][6242]
Enter Cassio.
How now, Cassio!
Cas. What's the matter?
Iago. My lord is fall'n into an epilepsy:[6246]
This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.[6247] 50
This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.[6247] 50
Cas. Rub him about the temples.
Iago. No, forbear;[6248]
The lethargy must have his quiet course:[6249]
If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs:[6250]
Do you withdraw yourself a little while, 55
He will recover straight: when he is gone,
I would on great occasion speak with you. [Exit Cassio.[6251]
How is it, general? have you not hurt your head?[6252]
The lethargy must have his quiet course:[6249]
If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs:[6250]
Do you withdraw yourself a little while, 55
He will recover straight: when he is gone,
I would on great occasion speak with you. [Exit Cassio.[6251]
How is it, general? have you not hurt your head?[6252]
Oth. Dost thou mock me?
Oth. A horned man's a monster and a beast.
Iago. There's many a beast then in a populous city,
And many a civil monster.
And many a civil monster.
Oth. Did he confess it?
Iago. Good sir, be a man;[6255]
Think every bearded fellow that's but yoked[6256] 65
May draw with you: there's millions now alive[6257]
That nightly lie in those unproper beds[6258]
Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is better.[6259]
O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,[6260]
To lip a wanton in a secure couch, 70
And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;[6261][6262]
And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.[6261][6263]
Think every bearded fellow that's but yoked[6256] 65
May draw with you: there's millions now alive[6257]
That nightly lie in those unproper beds[6258]
Which they dare swear peculiar: your case is better.[6259]
O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,[6260]
To lip a wanton in a secure couch, 70
And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;[6261][6262]
And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.[6261][6263]
Oth. O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.[6261]
Iago. Stand you awhile apart;[6261][6264]
Confine yourself but in a patient list.
Whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief—[6265] 75
A passion most unsuiting such a man—[6266]
Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,
And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy;[6267]
Bade him anon return and here speak with me;[6268]
The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,[6269] 80
And mark the fleers, the gibes and notable scorns,[6270]
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,
Where, how, how oft, how long ago and when
He hath and is again to cope your wife:[6271] 85
I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience;
Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,[6272]
And nothing of a man.
Confine yourself but in a patient list.
Whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief—[6265] 75
A passion most unsuiting such a man—[6266]
Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,
And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy;[6267]
Bade him anon return and here speak with me;[6268]
The which he promised. Do but encave yourself,[6269] 80
And mark the fleers, the gibes and notable scorns,[6270]
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,
Where, how, how oft, how long ago and when
He hath and is again to cope your wife:[6271] 85
I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience;
Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen,[6272]
And nothing of a man.
Oth. Dost thou hear, Iago?[6273]
I will be found most cunning in my patience;[6274]
But—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
I will be found most cunning in my patience;[6274]
But—dost thou hear?—most bloody.
Iago. That's not amiss;[6275] 90
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
[Othello retires.[6276]
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
A housewife that by selling her desires
Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature[6277]
That dotes on Cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague 95
To beguile many and be beguiled by one.
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain[6278]
From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
A housewife that by selling her desires
Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature[6277]
That dotes on Cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague 95
To beguile many and be beguiled by one.
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain[6278]
From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.
Re-enter Cassio.[6279]
As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;[6280]
And his unbookish jealousy must construe[6281] 100
Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behaviour,[6282]
Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?[6283]
And his unbookish jealousy must construe[6281] 100
Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behaviour,[6282]
Quite in the wrong. How do you now, lieutenant?[6283]
Cas. The worser that you give me the addition[6284]
Whose want even kills me.
Whose want even kills me.
Iago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on 't. 105
Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power,[6285]
How quickly should you speed!
Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power,[6285]
How quickly should you speed!
Cas. Alas, poor caitiff![6286]
Oth. Look, how he laughs already![6287]
Iago. I never knew a woman love man so.[6288]
Cas. Alas, poor rogue! I think, i' faith, she loves me.[6289] 110
Iago. Do you hear, Cassio?
Iago. She gives it out that you shall marry her:
Do you intend it? 115
Do you intend it? 115
Cas. Ha, ha, ha!
Cas. I marry her! what, a customer! I prithee, bear[6294][6295]
some charity to my wit; do not think it so unwholesome.[6294]
Ha, ha, ha![6294] 120
some charity to my wit; do not think it so unwholesome.[6294]
Ha, ha, ha![6294] 120
Iago. Faith, the cry goes that you shall marry her.[6297]
Cas. Prithee, say true.
Iago. I am a very villain else.[6298]
Cas. This is the monkey's own giving out: she is persuaded[6300]
I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery,[6300]
not out of my promise.[6300]
I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery,[6300]
not out of my promise.[6300]
Cas. She was here even now; she haunts me in every 130
place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with[6302]
certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble, and, by[6303][6304]
this hand, she falls me thus about my neck—[6304][6305]
place. I was the other day talking on the sea-bank with[6302]
certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble, and, by[6303][6304]
this hand, she falls me thus about my neck—[6304][6305]
Oth. Now he tells how she plucked him to my[6287][6309]
chamber. O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I[6309][6310]
shall throw it to.[6309][6311] 140
chamber. O, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I[6309][6310]
shall throw it to.[6309][6311] 140
Cas. Well, I must leave her company.
Iago. Before me! look, where she comes.[6312]
Cas. Tis such another fitchew! marry, a perfumed one.
Enter Bianca.[6313]
What do you mean by this haunting of me?
Bian. Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did 145
you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even[6314]
now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work?[6315]
A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your
chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some[6316]
minx's token, and I must take out the work? There; give 150
it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out[6317]
no work on't.[6318]
you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even[6314]
now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work?[6315]
A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your
chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some[6316]
minx's token, and I must take out the work? There; give 150
it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out[6317]
no work on't.[6318]
Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca! how now! how now![6319]
Bian. An you'll come to supper to-night, you may; an[6320] 155
you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [Exit.
you will not, come when you are next prepared for. [Exit.
Iago. After her, after her.
Cas. Faith, I must; she'll rail i' the street else.[6321]
Iago. Will you sup there?[6322]
Cas. Faith, I intend so.[6323] 160
Iago. Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very
fain speak with you.
fain speak with you.
Cas. Prithee, come; will you?
Iago. Go to; say no more. [Exit Cassio.[6324]
Oth. [Advancing] How shall I murder him, Iago?[6325] 165
Iago. Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice?
Oth. O Iago![6326]
Iago. And did you see the handkerchief?[6314]
Oth. Was that mine?
Iago. Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the[6327] 170
foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given[6327]
it his whore.[6327]
foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given[6327]
it his whore.[6327]
Oth. I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine[6327][6328]
woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman![6328]
woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman![6328]
Iago. Nay, you must forget that.[6329] 175
Oth. Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night;[6330]
for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; I[6331]
strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a[6332]
sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and
command him tasks. 180
for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; I[6331]
strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a[6332]
sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and
command him tasks. 180
Iago. Nay, that's not your way.
Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is: so delicate[6333]
with her needle: an admirable musician: O, she will sing
the savageness out of a bear: of so high and plenteous wit[6334]
and invention:—[6335] 185
with her needle: an admirable musician: O, she will sing
the savageness out of a bear: of so high and plenteous wit[6334]
and invention:—[6335] 185
Iago. She's the worse for all this.
Oth. O, a thousand thousand times: and then, of so[6336][6337][6338]
gentle a condition![6337][6339]
gentle a condition![6337][6339]
Iago. Ay, too gentle.
Oth. Nay, that's certain: but yet the pity of it, Iago![6340] 190
O Iago, the pity of it, Iago![6341]
O Iago, the pity of it, Iago![6341]
Iago. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent[6342]
to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.[6343]
to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.[6343]
Oth. I will chop her into messes: cuckold me!
Iago. O, 'tis foul in her. 195
Oth. With mine officer!
Iago. That's fouler.
Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night. I'll not[6344]
expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide[6345]
my mind again: this night, Iago. 200
expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide[6345]
my mind again: this night, Iago. 200
Iago. Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed,[6346]
even the bed she hath contaminated.[6347]
even the bed she hath contaminated.[6347]
Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases: very good.[6348]
Oth. Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is that same?[6350]
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.[6353]