Plays and Poems

Iago. Did you perceive how he laughed at his | An unkind breach; but you shall make all vice?

lago. Yours, 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.

Oth. I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman! fair woman! a sweet woman! lago. Nay, you must forget that.

Oth. Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O the world hath not a sweeter creature; she might lie by an emperor's side and command him tasks.

193

Iago. Nay, that's not your way. Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle! An admirable musician! O! she will sing the savageness out of a bear. Of so high and plenteous wit and invention !

Iago. She's the worse for all this.

200

Oth. O a thousand, a thousand times. And then, of so gentle a condition!

Iago. Ay, too gentle.

Oth. Nay, that's certain; but yet the pity of it, Iago! O! Iago, the pity of it, Iago.

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

210

Oth. I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
Iago. O! 'tis foul in her.
Oth. With mine officer!
Iago. That's fouler.

Oth. Get 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. Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. Oth. Good, good; the justice of it pleases; very good. 220 lago. And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker; you shall hear more by midnight.

well.

Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep; And she's obedient, as you say, obedient, Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears. Concerning this, sir,-O well-painted passion !—— I am commanded home. Get you away; I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate, Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis And will return to Venice. Hence! avaunt! Lodovico,

A trumpet within. Oth. Excellent good. What trumpet is that same?

Come from the duke; and, see, your wife is Cassio shall have my place. with him.

Enter LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants.

Lod. God save the worthy general!
Oth.
With all my heart, sir.
Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet
you.
Gives him a packet.
Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
Opens the packet, and reads.
Des. And what's the news, good cousin
Lodovico?

Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you.

Cassio?

Iago. Lives, sir.

230

Exit DESDEMONA. And, sir, to-night, I do entreat that we may sup together; 271 You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and

monkeys!

Exit.

Lod. Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate

Call all-in-all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake? whose solid
virtue

The shot of accident nor dart of chance
Could neither graze nor pierce ?
Iago.
He is much chang'd.
Lod. Are his wits safe? is he not light of
brain?

How does Lieutenant

Iago. He's that he is; I may not breathe my

censure.

What he might be, if what he might he is not,

Des. Cousin, there's fall'n between him and I would to heaven he were!
my lord
Lod.

What! strike his wife! 281

Enter OTHELLO and EMILIA.

Oth. You have seen nothing then?
Emil. Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.
Oth. Yes, you have seen Cassio and she to-
gether.

Emil. But then I saw no harm, and then I
heard

Each syllable that breath made up between
them.

Oth. What did they never whisper?
Emil.

selves

Should fear to seize thee; therefore be double

damn'd;

Swear thou art honest.

Des.
Heaven doth truly know it.
Oth. Heaven truly knows that thou art false
as hell.

Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? how
am I false?

Oth. Ah! Desdemona; away, away, away!
Des. Alas! the heavy day. Why do you weep!
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?
If haply you my father do suspect

An instrument of this your calling back,
Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him,
Why, I have lost him too.

Oth.

Had it pleas'd heaven
To try me with affliction, had they rain'd
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head,
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips,
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,
I should have found in some place of my soul
A drop of patience; but, alas! to make me
The fixed figure for the time of scorn

Never, my lord. To point his slow and moving finger at:
Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner'd up my heart,

Oth. Nor send you out o' the way?
Emil. Never.

Oth. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, Where either I must live or bear no life, nor nothing?

Emil. Never, my lord.
Oth. That's strange.

The fountain from the which my current runs 10 Or else dries up; to be discarded thence! Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,

Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your
bosom.

If any wretch hath put this in your head,
Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse!
For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true,
There's no man happy; the purest of their wives
Is foul as slander.
Oth.

Bid her come hither; go.
Exit EMILIA.

She says enough; yet she's a simple bawd
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,
A closet lock and key of villanous secrets;
And yet she 'll kneel and pray; I have seen her
do't.

Re-enter EMILIA, with DESDEMONA.
Des. My lord, what is your will?
Oth.
Pray, chuck, come hither.
Des. What is your pleasure?
Oth.
Let me see your eyes;
Look in my face.
Des.
What horrible fancy 's this?
Oth. To EMILIA. Some of your function,
mistress;

Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubim ;
Ay, there, look grim as hell!

Des. I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.
Oth. O ay; as summer flies are in the

shambles,

That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed!
Who art so lovely fair, and smell'st so sweet
That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst
ne'er been born.

Des. Alas! what ignorant sin have I com.
mitted?

Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly
book,

Made to write 'whore' upon? What committed!
Committed! O thou public commoner!
I should make very forges of my cheeks,
That would to cinders burn up modesty,
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed!
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks.
The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth,
And will not hear it. What committed!
Impudent strumpet!

Des.
By heaven, you do me wrong.
Oth. Are not you a strumpet ?
Des.

No, as I am a Christian.
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
From any other foul unlawful touch
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Oth. What! not a whore ?
Des.

Oth. Is't possible?

No, as I shall be sav'd.

Des. O heaven forgive us.

Emil. Why, with my lord, madam.

Des. Who is thy lord?
Emil.

100

He that is yours, sweet lady. Des. I have none; do not talk to me, Emilia; I cannot weep, nor answer have I none But what should go by water. Prithee, to-night Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember: And call thy husband hither. Emil.

Here's a change indeed! Exit. Des. 'Tis meet I should be us'd so, very meet. How have I been behav'd, that he might stick The small'st opinion on my least misuse?

Re-enter EMILIA with IAGO.

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is 't with you?

110

Des. I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes

Do it with gentle means and easy tasks;
He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,
I am a child to chiding.
Iago.
What's the matter, lady?
Emil. Alas! Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her,
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.

Des. Am I that name, Iago?
Iago.

What name, fair lady? Des. Such as she says my lord did say I was. Emil. He call'd her whore; a beggar in his drink

120

And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love. I cannot say whore':
It does abhor me now I speak the word;
To do the act that might the addition earn
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.
Iago. I pray you, be content,'tis but his humour;
The business of the state does him offence,
And he does chide with you.

Des. If 'twere no other, -
Iago.

170

'Tis but so, I warrant. Trumpets. Hark! how these instruments summon to supper; The messengers of Venice stay the meat : Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well. Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA. Enter RODERIGO.

How now, Roderigo !

Rod. I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.

Iago. What in the contrary?

Rod. Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me all conveniency than 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.

182

Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo ? Rod. Faith, I have heard too much, for your words and performances are no kin together. Iago. You charge me most unjustly.

Rod. With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to deliver to 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.

193

Iago. Well; go to; very well.

Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man ; nor 'tis not very well by this hand, I say it is very scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it.

Iago. Very well.

199

Rod. I 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.

Jago. You have said now.

Rod. Ay, and I have said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.

Iago. Why, 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.

Rod. It hath not appeared.

213

Iago. I 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 valour, 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.

9093

Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reason and compass?

Jago. Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place. Rod. Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

Iago. O no, he goes into Mauritania, and takes 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.

234

Rod. How do you mean, removing of him? Iago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains.

Rod. And that you would have me do? Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him; he knows not yet of his honourable 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.

Rod. I will hear further reason for this.
Jago. And you shall be satisfied.

251

Exeunt.

SCENE III. Another Room in the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA,
EMILIA, and Attendants.

Lod. I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.

Oth. O pardon me; 'twill do me good to walk.

Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu :
We must not now displease him.

Emil. I would you had never seen him.
Des. So would not I; my love doth so approve
him,

That even his stubbornness, his checks and frowns,

Prithee, unpin me,-have grace and favour in them.

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

Des. All's one. Good faith! how foolish are our minds:

If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets.
Emil.
Come, come, you talk.
Des. My mother had a maid call'd Barbara ;
She was in love, and he she lov'd prov'd mad
And did forsake her; she had a song of
'willow';

An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune.
And she died singing it; that song to-night
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do
But to go hang my head all at one side,
And sing it like poor Barbara. Prithee, dis-
patch.

Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?
Des.
No, unpin me here.
This Lodovico is a proper man.
Emil. A very handsome man.
Des. He speaks well.

Emil. I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.

Des. The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,

Sing all a green willow;

Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, Sing willow, willow, willow:

The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd

her moans;

Sing willow, willow, willow;

Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;

Lay by these.

Sing willow, willow, willow.

Prithee, hie thee; he'll come anon.

Des.

In troth, I think thou would'st not. Emil. In 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 the whole world; why, who would not make her husband a

cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for 't.

Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong For the whole world.

Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i' the world; and having the world for your labour, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

Des. I do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would store the world they played for. But I do think it is their husbands' faults If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties,

Then let them use us well; else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

Des. Good night, good night; heaven me such uses send,

Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend! Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I-Cyprus. A Street.

Enter IAGO and RODERIGO.

Iago. Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come :

Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home. Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy

elbow.

It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,
And fix most firm thy resolution.

Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in 't.
Iago. Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take
thy stand.
Retires.

Rod. I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he has given me satisfying reasons: 'Tis but a man gone: forth, my sword; he dies. Iago. I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Cassio,

Now, whether he kill

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain: live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobb'd from him,
As gifts to Desdemona;
It must not be: if Cassio do remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him; there stand I in much
peril.

No, he must die. But so: I hear him coming.
Enter CASSIO.

Cas. I am maim'd for ever. der! murder!

And pour our treasures into foreign laps,
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike

Enter OTHELLO, at a distance.

Oth. The voice of Cassio: Iago keeps his word. Rod. O! villain that I am. It is even so. Cas. O, help! ho! light! a surgeon! Oth. 'Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just ! That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong;

Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead, And your unblest fate hies; strumpet, I come! Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are

blotted;

Thy bed lust-stain'd shall with lust's blood be spotted. Exit.

« Previous Continue »

Books