IAGO

But you'll not hear me. If ever I did dream Of such a matter, abhor me. 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 Russians, you'll have your Daugh ter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your Ne phewes neigh to you, you'll have Coursers for Cozens: and Gennets for Germans. I am one Sir, that comes to tell you, your Daugh ter and the More, are making the Beast with two backs. Though in the trade of War I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff of the conscience To do no contrived Murder: I lack Iniquity Sometime to do me service. Nine, or ten times I had thought to-have yerk'd him here under the Ribs. I am glad of this: For now I shall have reason To show the Love and Duty that I bear you With franker spirit. Therefore (as I am bound) Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof: Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio, Wear your eyes, thus: not Jealous, nor Secure: I would not have your free, and Noble Nature, Out of self-bounty, be abused: Look too't: I know our Country disposition well: In Venice, they do let Heaven see the pranks They dare not show their Husbands. Their best Conscience, Is not to leaue't undone, but kept unknown. Despise me If I do not. Three Great-ones of the City, (In personal suit to make me his Lieutenant) Off-capt to him: and by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he (as loving his own pride, and purposes) Evades them, with a bombast Circumstance, Horribly stuffed with Epithets of war, Nonsuits my Mediators. For certes, says he, I have already chosen my Officer. And what was he? Forsooth, a great Arithmatician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, (A Fellow almost damned in a fair Wife) That never set a Squadron in the Field, Nor the division of a Battle knows More then a Spinster. Unless the Bookish Theoric: Wherein the Tongued Consuls can propose As Masterly as he. Mere prattle (without practice) Is all his Soldiership. But he (Sir) had the election; And I (of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on others grounds Christened, and Heathen) must be be-leed, and calmed By Debtor, and Creditor. This Counter-caster, He (in good time) must his Lieutenant be, And I (bless the mark) his Mooreships Ancient. Why, there's no remedy. It's the curse of Service; Preferment goes by Letter, and affection, And not by old gradation, where each second Stood Heir to the first. Now Sir, be judge your self, Whither I in any joust term am Affined To love the More ? Oh Sir content you. I follow him, to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be Master's, nor all Master's Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave; That (doting on his own obsequious bondage) Wears out his time, much Like his Master's Ass, For nought but Provender, & when he's old Cashiered. Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are Who trym'd in Forms, and visages of Duty, Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, And throwing but shows of Service on their Lords Do well thrive by them. And when they have lined their Coats Do themselves Homage. These Fellows have some soul, And such a one do I profess my self. For (Sir) It is as sure as you are Rodorigo, Were I the More, I would not be Iago : In following him, I follow but my self. Heaven is my Judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end: For when my outward Actium does demonstrate The native act, and figure of my heart In Compliment extern, it's not long after But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For Daws to peck at; I am not what I am. Call up her Father: Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the Streets. Incense her kinsmen, And though he in a fertile Climate dwell, Plague him with Flies: though that his Joy be Joy, Yet throw such chances of vexation on't, As it may lose some colour. Do, with Like timorous accent, and dire yell, As when (by Night and Negligence) the Fire Is spied in populus Cities. Awake: what hoa, Brabantio : Thieves, Thieves. Look to your house, your daughter, and your Bags, Thieves, Thieves. Are your Doors locked? Sir, you are robbed, for shame put on your Gown, Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul Even now, now, very now, and old black Ram Is tupping your white Ewe. Arise, arise, Awake the snorting Citizens with the Bell, Or else the devil will make a Grandsire of you. Arise I say. You are a Senator. Nay but he prated, And spoke such scurvy, and provoking terms Against your Honour, that with the little godliness I have I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you Sir, Are you fast married? Be assured of this, That the Magnifico is much beloved, And hath in his effect a voice potential As double as the Dukes: He will divorce you. Or put upon you, what restraint or grievance, The Law (with all his might, to enforce it on) Will give him Cable. Those are the raised Father, and his Friends: You were best go in. By Janus, I think no. Faith, he to night hath boarded a Land Carract, If it prove lawful prize, he' made for ever. He's married. Marry to — Come Captain, will you go? It is Brabantio : General be advised, He comes to bade intent. You, Rodorigoc? Cme Sir, I am for you. What sayest thou Noble heart? Why go to bed and sleep. If thou dost, I shall never love thee after. Why thou silly Gentleman? O villainous: I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a Benefit, and and Injury: I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say, I would drown my self for the love of a Gynney Hen, I would change my Humanity with a Baboon. Virtue? A fig, it's in our selves that we are thus, or thus. Our Bodies are our Gardens, to the which, our Wills are Gardiners. So that if we will plant Net tells, or sow Lettice: Set Hisope, and weed up Time Supply it with one gender of Herbs, or distract it with many: either to have it sterrill with idleness, or manu read with Industry, why the power, and Corrigeable au thoritie of this lies in our Wills. If the brain of our lives had not one Scale of Reason, to poize another of Sensum alitie, the blood, and baseness of our Nature's would conduct us to most preposterous Conclusions. But we have Reason to cool our raging Motions, our carnal Stings, or unbitted Lustest: whereof I take this, that you call Love, to be a Sect, or Seyen. It is merely a Lust of the blood, and a permission of the will. Come, be a man: drown thy self? 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 steed thee then now. Put Money in thy purse: follow thou the Wars, defeat thy favour, with and usurped Beard. I say put Money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemon should continue her love to the More. Put Money in thy purse: nor he his to her. It was a violent Commence meant in her, and thou shalt see and answerable Seque stration, 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 bitter as Coloquintida. She must change for youth: when she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put More ney in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thy self, do it a more delicate way then drowning. Make all the More ney thou canst: If Sanctimony, and a frail vow, be betwixt and erring Barbarian, and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits, and all the Tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her: therefore make Money: a pox of drow ning thy self, it is clean out of the way. Seek thou ra there to be hanged in Compassing thy joy, then to be drowned, and go without her. Thou art sure of me: Go make Money: I have told thee often, and I retell thee again, and again, I hate the More. 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 thy self 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 to mor row. Adieu. At my Lodging. Go too, farewell. Do you hear Rodorigo ? Thus do I ever make my Fool, my purse: For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such Snpe, But for my Sport, and Profit: I hate the More, And it is thought abroad, that betwixt my sheets She ha done my Office. I know not if't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do, as if for Surety. He holds me well, The better shall my purpose work on him: Cassio's a proper man: Let me see now, To get his Place, and to plume up my will In double Knavery. How? How? Let's see. After some time, to abuse Othello is ears, That he is too familiar with his wife: He hath a person, and a smooth dispose To be suspected: framed to make women false. The More is of a free, and open Nature, That thinks men honest, that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by' the Nose As Asses are: I haue't: it is engendered: Hell, and Night, Must bring this monstrous Birth, to the world's light. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips, As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, You would have enough. Infaith too much: I find it still, when I have leave to sleep. Marry before your Ladyship, I grant, She puts het tongue a little in her heart, And chides with thinking. Come on, come on: you are Pictures out of door: Bells' in your Parlours: Wild-cats in your Kit chens: Saints in your Injuries: Devils being offended: Players in your Housewifry, and Huswives in your Beds. Nay, it is true: or else I am a Turk, You rise to play, and go to bed to work. No, let me not. O, gentle Lady, do not put me too't, For I am nothing, if not Critical. I Madam. I am about it, but indeed my invention comes from my pate, as Birdlyme do's from Freeze, it plucks out Brains and all. But my Muse labours, and thus she is delivered. If she be fair, and wise: fairness, and wit, The ones for use, the other uses it. If she be black, and thereto have a wit, She'll find a white, that shall her blackness fit. She never yet was foolish that was fair, For even her folly helped her to and heir. There's none so foul and foolish thereunto, But do's foul pranks, which fair, and wise-ones do. She that was ever fair, and never proud, Had Tongue at will, and yet was never loud: Never lacked Gold, and yet went never gay, Fled from her wish, and yet said now I may. She that being angered, her revenge being nigh, Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly: She that in wisdom never was so frail, To change the Codshead for the Salmons tail: She that could think, and never disclose her mind, See Suitors following, and not look behind: She was a wight, (if ever such wights were) To suckle Fools, and chronicle small Beer. He takes her by the palm: I, well said, whis per. With as little a web as this, will I ensnare as great a Fly as Cassio. I smile upon her, do: I will give thee in thine own Courtship. You say true, it's so indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your Lieutenan try, it had been better you had not kissed your three fin gers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the Sir, in. Very good: well kissed, and excellent Curt sie: it's so indeed. Yet again, your fingers to your lips? Would they were Cluster-pipes for your sake. The More I know his Trumpet. O you are well tuned now: But I'll set down the pegs that make this Music, as honest as I am. Do thou meet me presently at the Harbour. Come thither, if thou be'st Valiant, (as they say base men being in Love, have then a Nobility in their Nature's, more then is native to them) lift-me; the Lieutenant to night watches on the Court of Guard. First, I must tell thee this: Desdemon, is directly in love with him. Lay thy finger thus: and let thy soul be in structed. Mark me with what violence she first loved the More, 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 inflame it, and to give Satiety a fresh appetite. Loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, Manners, and Beauty's: all which the More is defective in. Now for want of these required Conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find it self abused, begin to heave the, gorge, disrelish and abhor the More, 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 un forced position) who stands so eminent in the degree of this Forune, as Cassio do's: a knave very voluble: no further conscionable, then in putting on the mere form of Civil, and Human seeming, for the better compass of his salt, and most hidden lose Affection? Why none, why none: A slipper, and subtle knave, a finder of occa sion: that he's and eye can stamp, and counterfeit And vantages, though true Advantage never present it self. A devilish knave: beside, 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. Blessed figges-end. The Wine she drinks is made of grapes. If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the More: Blessed pudding. Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that? Lechery by this hand: and Index, and obscure prologue to the History of Lust and foul Thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breathes embraced together. Villainous thoughts Rodorigo, when these mutabilities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the Master, and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion: Pish. But Sir, be you ruled by me. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to night: for the Command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows you not: I'll not be far from you. Do you find some oc casion 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 mi nister. Sir, he's rash, and very sudden in Choler: and happily 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 a gain, but by the displan ng 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. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the Citadel. I must fetch his Necessaries a Shore. Fare well. That Cassio loves her, I do well beleeu't: That she loves him, it's apt, and of great Credit. The More (how beit that I endure him not) Is of a constant, loving Noble Nature, And I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemon A most deer husband. Now I do love her too, Not out of absolute Lust, (though peradventure I stand accomptant for as great a sin) But partly led to diet my Revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty More Hath leaped into my Seat. The thought whereof, Does (Like a poisonous Mineral) gnaw my Inwards: And nothing can, or shall content my Soul Till I am eeuen'd with him, wife, for wift. Or failing so, yet that I put the More, At least into a Jealousy so strong That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do, If this poor Trash of Venice, whom I trace For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, Abuse him to the More, in the right garb (For I fear Cassio with my Night-Cape too) Make the More thank me, love me, and reward me, Foe making him egregiously and Ass, And practising upon his peace, and quiet, Even to madness. It's here: but yet confused, Knaveries plain face, is never seen, till used. Not this hour Lieutenant: it's not yet ten of the clock. Our General cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemon : Who, let us not therefore blame; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her: and she is sport for Jove. And I'll warrant her, full of Game. What and eye she ha? Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation. And when she speaks, Is it not and Alarm to Love? Well: happiness to their Sheets. Come Lieu tenant, I have a stope of Wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus Gallants, that would feign have a meam sure to the health of black Othello. O, they are our Friends: but one Cup, I'll drink for you. What man? It's a night of Revels, the Gall lants desire it. Here, at the door: I pray you call them in. If I can fasten but one Cup upon him With that which he hath drunk to night already, He'l be as full of Quarrel, and offence As my young Mistress dog. Now my sick Fool Rodorigo, Whom Love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desdemon hath to night Carrows'd. Potations, pottle-deepe; and he's to watch. Three else of Cyprus, Noble swelling Spirits, (That hold their Honours in a wary distance, The very Elements of this Warlike Isle) Have I to night flustered with flowing Cups, And they Watch too. Now amongst this Flock of drunkards Am I put to our Cassio in some Actium That may offend the Isle. But here they come. If Consequence do but approve my dream, My Boat sails freely, both with wind and Stream. Some Wine hoa. And let me the Cannakin clink, clink: And let me the Cannakin clink. A Soldiers a man: O, men life's but a span, Why then let a Soldier drink. Some Wine Boys. I learned it in England: where indeed they are most potent in Potting. Your Dane, your Germane, and your swag-belly'd Hollander, (drink hoa) are nothing to your English. Why, he drinks you with facility, your Dane dead drunk. He sweats not to overthrow your All main. He gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next Pottle can be filled. O sweet England. King Stephen was and worthy Peer, His Breeches cost him but a Crown, He held them Six pence all to deer, With that he called the Tailor Lown: He was a wight of high Renown, And thou art but of low degree: It's Pride that pulls the Country down, And take thy awl'd Cloak about thee. Some Wine hoa. Will you heare't again? It's true, good Lieutenant. And so do I too Lieutenant. You see this Fellow, that is gone before, He's a Soldier, fit to stand by Caesar, And give direction. And do but see his vice, It's to his virtue, a joust Equinox, The one as long as the other. It's pity of him: I fear the trust Othello puts him in, On some odd time of his infirmity Will shake this Island. It's evermore his prologue to his sleep, He'll watch the Horologe a double Set, If Drink rock not his Cradle. How now Rodorigo ? I pray you after the Lieutenant, go. Not I, for this fair Island, I do love Cassio well: and would do much To cure him of this evil, But hark, what noise? Away I say: go out and cry a Mutiny. Nay good Lieutenant. Alas Gentlemen: Help hoa. Lieutenant. Sir Montano : Help Master's. Here's a goodly Watch indeed. Who's that which rings the Bell: Diablo, hoa: The Town will rise. Fie, fie Lieutenant, You'll be ashamed for ever. I do not know: Friends all, but now, even now. In Quarter, and in terms Like Bride, and Groom Divesting them for Bed: and then, but now: (As if some Planet had unwitted men) Swords out, and tilting one at others breasts, In opposition bloody. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds. And would, in Actium glorious, I had lost Those legs, that brought me to a partly of it. Touch me not so near, I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth, Then it should do offence to Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade my self, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. This it is General: Montano and my self being in speech, There comes a Fellow crying out for help, And Cassio following him with determined Sword To execute upon him. Sir, this Gentleman, Steps in to Cassio, and intreats his pause: My self, the crying Fellow did pursue, Least by his clamour (as it so fell out) The Town might fallen in fright. He, (swift of foot) Outran my purpose: and I returned then rather For that I herd the clink and fallen of Swords, And Cassio high in oath: Which till to night I never might say before. When I came back (For this was brief) I found them close together At blow, and thrust, even as again they were When you your self did partly them. More of this matter cannot I report. But Men are Men: The best sometime forget, Though Cassio did some little wrong to him, As men in rage strike those that wish them best, Yet surely Cassio. I believe received From him that fled, some strange Indignity, Which patience could not pass. What are you hurt Lieutenant? Marry Heaven forbid. As I am and honest man I had thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense in that then in Reputation. Reputation is and idle, and most false imposition; oft God without merit, and lost without de serving. You have lost no Reputation at all, unless you repute your self such a looser. What man, there are more ways to recover the General again. You are but now cast in his mood, (a punishment more in poli cy, then in malice) even so as one would beat his of fenceless dog, ro affright and Imperious Lion. Sue to him again, and he's yours. What was he that you followed with your Sword? What had he done to you? Is't possible? Why? But you are now well enough: how came you thus recovered? Come, you are too severe a Moraller. As the Time, the Place, & 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. Come, come: good wine, is a good famillar Creature, if it be well used: exclaim no more against it. And good Lieutenant, I think, you think I love you. You, 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 your self freely to her: Impor tune 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 then she is requested. This broken joint between you, and her husband, entreat her to splinter. And my Fortune's against any lay worth naming, this crack of your Love, shall grow stronger, then it was before. I protest in the sincerity of Love, and honest kindness. You are in the right: good night Lieutenant, I must to the Watch. And what's he then, That says I play the Villain? When this advise is free I give, and honest, Proball to thinking, and indeed the course To win the More again. For it's most easy the inclining Desdemon to subdue In any honest Suit. She's framed as fruitful As the free Elements. And then for her To win the More, were to renounce his Baptism, All Seals, and Symbols of redeemed sin: His Soul is so enfettered to her Love, That she may make, unmake, do what she list, Even as her Appetite shall play the God, With his weak Function. How am I then a Villain, To counsel Cassio to this parallel course, Directly to his good? Divinity of hell, When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now. For while this honest Fool Plies Desdemon, to repair his Fortune, And she for him, pleads strongly to the More, I'll pour this pestilence into his ear: That she repeals him, for her bodies Lust. And by how much she strives to do him good, She shall undo her Credit with the More. So will I turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her own goodness make the Net, That shall en-mash them all. How now Rodorigo ? How poor are they that have not Patience? What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Thou knowest we work by Wit, and not by Witchcraft And Wit depends on dilatory time: Dost not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee, And thou by that small hurt hath cashiered Cassio: Though other things grow fair against the Sun, Yet Fruits that blossom first, will first be ripe: Content thy self, awhile. In it's Morning; Pleasure, and Actium, make the hours seem short. Retire thee, go where thou art Billeted: A way, I say, thou shalt know more hereafter: Nay get thee gone. Two things are to be done: My Wife must move for Cassio to her Mistress: I'll set her on my self, a while, to draw the Moor apart, And bring him jump, when he may Cassio find Soliciting his wife: I, that's the way: Dull not Device, by coldness, and delay. You have not been abed then? I'll send her to you presently: And I'll devise a mean to draw the More Out of the way, that your converse and business May be more free. Well, my good Lord, I'll doo't. Hah? I Like not that, Nothing my Lord; or if—I know not what. Cassio my Lord? No sure, I cannot think it That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing your coming. My Noble Lord. Did Michael Cassio When he wooed my Lady, know of your love? But for a satisfaction of my Thought, No further harm. I did not think he had been acquainted with his. Indeed? Honest, my Lord? My Lord, for ought I know. Think, my Lord? My Lord, you know I love you. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. Men should be what they seem, Or those that be not, would they might seem none. Why then I think Cassio's and honest man. Good my Lord pardon me, Though I am bound to every Act of duty, I am not bound to that: All Slaves are free: Utter my Thoughts? Why say, they are vild, and falce? As where's that Palace, whereinto foul things Sometime intrude not? Who ha that breast so pure, Wherein uncleanly Apprehensions Keep Leetes, and Law-dayes, and in Sessions fit With meditations lawful? I do beseech you, Though I perchance am vicious in my guess (As I confess it is my Nature's plague To spy into Abuses, and of my jealousy Shapes faults that are not) that your wisdom From one, that so imperfectly conceits, Would take no notice, nor built your self a trouble Out of his scattering, and unsure observance: It were not for your quiet, nor your good, Nor for my Manhood, Honesty, and Wisdom, To let you know my thoughts. Good name in Man, & woman (deer my Lord) Is the immediate Jewel of their Souls; Who steals my purse, steals trash: It's something, nothing; 'Twas mine, it's his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good Name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand, Nor shall not, whilst it's in my custody. O, beware my Lord, of jealousy, It is the greene-ey'd Monster, which does mock The meat it feeds on. That Cuckold lives in bliss, Who certain of his Fate, loves not his wronger: But o, what damned minutes else he over, Who dotes, yet doubts: Suspects, yet soundly loves? Poor, and Content, is rich, and rich enough, But Riches finelesse, is as poor as Winter, To him that ever fears he shall be poor: Good Heaven, the Souls of all my Tribe defend From Jealousy. She did deceive her Father, marrying you, And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, She loved them most. Why go too then: She that so young could give out such a Seeming To seel her Father's eyes up, close as Oak, He thought 'twas Witchcraft. But I am much too blame: I humbly do beseech you of your pardon For too much loving you. I see this hath a little dashed your Spirits: Trust me, I fear it has: I hope you will consider what is spoke Comes from your Love. But I do see you're moved: I am to pray you, not to strain my speech To grosser issues, nor to larger reach, Then to Suspicion. Should you do so (my Lord) My speech should fallen into such vild success, Which my Thoughts aimed not. Cassio is my worthy Friend: My Lord, I see you're moved. Long live she so; And long live you to think so. I, there's the point: As (to be bold with you) Not to affect many proposed Matches Of her own Climb, Complexion, and Degree, Whereto we see in all things, Nature tends: Foh, one may smel in such, a will most rank, Foul disproportions, Thoughts unnatural. But (pardon me) I do not in position Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, May fall to match you with her Country forms, And happily repent. My Lord, I take my leave. My Lord, I would I might entreat your Honour To scan this thing no farther: Leave it to time, Although it's fit that Cassio have his Place; For sure he fills it up with great Ability; Yet if you please, to him off awhile: You shall by that perceive him, and his means: Note if your Lady strain his Entertainment With any strong, or vehement importunity, 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. I once more take my leave. How now? What do you here alone? You have a thing for me? It is a common thing — To have a foolish wife. What Handkerchief? Hast stolen it from her? A good wench, give it me. Why, what is that to you? Be not acknown on't: I have use for it. Go, leave me. I will in Cassio is Lodging lose this Napkin, And let him find it. Trifles light as air, Are to the jealous, confirmations strong, As proofs of holy Writ. This may do something. The More already changes with my poison: Dangerous conceits, are in their Nature's poisons, Which at the first are scarce found to distaste: But with a little act upon the blood, Burn Like the Mines of Sulphur. I did say so. Look where he comes: Not Poppy, nor Mandragora, Nor all the drowsy Syrups of the world Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owd'st yesterday. Why how now General? No more of that. How now, my Lord? I am sorry to hear this? Is't possible my Lord? Is't come to this? My Noble Lord. Oh Grace! Oh Heaven forgive me! Are you a Man? Have you a Soul? or Sense? God buy you: take mine Office. O wretched Fool, That lovest to make thine Honesty, a Vice! O monstrous world! Take note, take note (Oh World) To be direct and honest, is not safe. I thank you for this profit, and from hence I'll love no Friend, sith Love breeds such offence. I should be wise; for Honesty's a Fool, And looses that it works for. I see you are eaten up with Passion: I do repent me, that I put it to you. You would be satisfied? And may: but how? How satisfied, my Lord? Would you the super-vision grossly gape on? Behold her toped? It were a tedious difficulty, I think, To bring them to that Prospect: Damn them then, If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster More then their own. What then? How then? What shall I say? Where's Satisfaction? It is impossible you should see this, Were they as prime as Goats, as hight as Monkeys, As salt as Wolves in pride, and Fools as gross As Ignorance, made drunk. But yet, I say, If imputation, and strong circumstances, Which lead directly to the door of Truth, Will give you satisfaction, you might haue't. I do not Like the Office. But sith I am entered in this cause so far (Pricked too't by foolish Honesty, and Love) I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately, And being troubled with a raging tooth, I could not sleep. There are a kind of men, So lose of Soul, that in their sleeps will mutter Their Affairs: one of this kind is Cassio: In sleep I herd him say, sweet Desdemon, Let us be wary, let us hide our Loves, And then (Sir) would he gripe, and wring my hand: Cry, o sweet Creature: then kiss me hard, As if he plucked up kisses by the roots, That grew upon my lips, laid his Leg over my Thigh, And sighs, and kiss, and then cry cursed Fate, That gave thee to the More. Nay, this was but his Dream. And this may help to thicken other proofs, That do demonstrate thinly. Nay yet be wise; yet we see nothing done, She may be honest yet: Tell me but this, Have you not sometime seen a Handkerchief Spotted with Strawberries, in your wives hand? I know not that: but such a Handkerchief (I am sure it was your wives) did I to day See Cassio wipe his Beard with. If it be that, or any, it was hers. It speaks against her with the other proofs. Yet be content. Patience I say: your mind may change. Do not rise yet: Witness you ever-burning Lights above, You Elements, that clip us round about, Witness that here Iago does give up The execution of his wit, hands, heart, To wronged Othello is Service. Let him command, And to obey shall be in me remorse, What bloody business ever. My Friend is dead: It's done at your Request. But let her live. I am your own for ever. There is no other way: it's she must doo't: And lo the happiness: go, and importune her. Is my Lord angry? Can he be angry? I have seen the Cannon When it hath blown his Ranks into the Air, And Like the Devil from his very Arm Puffed his own Brother: And is he angry? Something of moment then: I will go meet him, There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry. Will you think so? What, to kiss in private? Or to be naked with her Friend in bed, And hour, or more, not meaning any harm? If they do nothing, it's a Venial slip: But if I give my wife a Handkerchief. Why then it's hers (my Lord) and being hers, She may (I think) bestow't on any man. Her honour is and Essence that's not seen, They have it very oft, that have it not. But for the Handkerchief. I: what of that? He hath (my Lord) but be you well assured, No more then he'll unswear. Why, that he did: I know not what he did. Lie. With her? On her: what you will. Work on, My Medicine works. Thus credulous Fools are caught, And many worthy, and chased Dams even thus, (All guiltless) meet reproach: what hoa? My Lord? My Lord, I say: Othello. How now Cassio? My Lord is fallen into and Epilepsy, This is his second Fit: he had one yesterday. The Lethargy must have his Quiet course: If not, he foams at mouth: and by and by Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs: Do you withdraw your self a little while, He will recover straight: when he is gone, I would on great occasion, speak with you. How is it General? Have you not hurt your head? I mock you not, by Heaven: Would you would bear your Fortune Like a Man. Ther's many a Beast then in a populous City, And many a civil Monster. Good Sir, be a man: Think every bearded fellow that's but yoked May draw with you. There's Millions now alive, That nightly lie in those unproper beds, Which they dare swear peculiar. Your case is better. O, it's the spite of hell, the Fiends Arch-mock, To lip a wanton in a secure Couch; And to suppose her chased. No, let me know, And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be. Stand you a while apart, Confine your self but in a patient Lis , Whilst you were here, overwhelmed with your grief (A passion most resulting such a man) Cassio came hither. I shifted him away, And laid good scuses upon your Ecstasy, Bade him anon return: and here speak with me, The which he promised. Do but encave your self, And mark the Fleers, the Gybes, and notable Scorns 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. I say, but mark his gesture: marry Patience, Or I shall say you are all in all in Spleen, And nothing of a man. That's not amiss, But yet keep time in all: will you withdraw? Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A Huswife, that by selling her desires Buys her self Bred, and Cloth. It is a Creature That dotes on Cassio, (as it's the Strumpets plague To beguile many, and be be-guil'd by one) He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain From the excess of Laughter. Here he comes. As he shall smile, Othells shall go mad: And his unbookish Jealousy must conserve Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behaviours Quite in the wrong. How do you Lieutenant? Ply Desdemon well, and you are sure on't: Now, if this Suit lay in Bianca's dowry, How quickly should you speed? I never knew woman love man so. Do you hear Cassio ? She gives it out, that you shall marry her. Do you intend it? Why the cry goes, that you marry her. I am a very Villain else. Before me: look where she comes. After her: after her. Will you sup there? Well, I may chance to see you: for I would we ry fame speak with you. Go too: say no more. Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice? And did you see the Handkerchief? 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. Nay, you must forget that. Nay, that's not your way. She's the worse for all this. I too gentle. If you are so found over her iniquity: give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near no body. O, it's foul in her. That's fouler. Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, Even the bed she hath contaminated. And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: You shall hear more by midnight. I warrant something from Venice, It's Lodovico, this, comes from the Duke. See, your wife's with him. I am very glad to see you Signior: Welcome to Cyprus. Lives Sir, He is much changed. He's that he is: I may not breath my censure. What he might be: if what he might, he is not, I would to heaven he were. In-faith that was not so well: yet would I knew That stroke would prove the worst. Alas, alas: It is not honesty in me to speak What I have seen, and known. You shall observe him, And his own courses will deonte him so, That I may save my speech: do but go after And mark how he continues. What is your pleasure Madam? How is't with you? What is the matter Lady? What name (fair Lady?) Why did he so? Do not weep, do not weep: alas the day. Beshrew him for't: How comes this Trick upon him? Fie, there is no such man: it is impossible. Speak within door. You are a Fool: go too. I pray you be content: it's but his humour: The business of the State do's him offence. It is but so, I warrant, Hark how these Instruments summon to supper: The Messengers of Venice stays the meat, Go in, and weep not: all things shall be well. How now Rodorigo ? What in the contrary? Will you hear me Rodorigo ? You charge me most unjustly. Well, go too: very well. Very well. You have said now. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee: and even from this instant do built on thee a better oh pinion then ever before: give me thy and Rodorigo. Thou hast taken against me a most joust excepti on: but yet I protest I have dealt most directly in thy Affair. I grant indeed it hath not appeared: and your suspicion is not without wit and judgement. But Rodorigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now then ever (I mean purpose, Courage, and Valour) this night show it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemon, take me from this world with Treache rye, and devise Engines for my life. Sir, there is especial Commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place. O no: he goes into Mauritania and takes away with him the fair Desdemon, unless his a bode be lingered here by some accident. Where in none can be so determinate, as the removing of Cassio. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place: knocking out his brains. I: if you dare do your self 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 fallen out between twelve and one) you may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second your Attempt, and he shall fallen 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 your self bound to put it on him. It is now high supper time: and the night grows to wast. About it. And you shall be satisfied. Here, stand behind this Bark, Straight will he come: Wear thy good Rapier bore, 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. Here, at thy hand: Be bold, & take thy stand. I have rubbed this young Q at almost to the sense, And he grows angry. Now, whither he kill Cassio, Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain. Live Rodorigo, He calls me to a restitution large Of Gold, and Jewels, that I bobbed from him, As Gifts to Desdemon. It must not be: If Cassio do remain, He hath a daily beauty in his life, That makes me ugly: and beside, the More May unfold me to him: there stand I in much peril: No, he must die. But so, I herd him coming. Who's there? Who's noise is this that cries on murder? What's the matter? What are you here, that cry so grievously? Oh me, Lieutenant! What Villains have done this? O treacherous Villains: What are you there? Come in, and give some help. O murderous Slave! Oh Villain! Kill men in the dark? Where be these bloody Thieves? How silent is this Town? Hoa, murder, murder. What may you be? Are you of good, or evil? Signior Lodovico ? I cry you mercy: here's Cassio hurt by Villains. How is't Brother? Marry heaven forbid: Light Gentlemen, I'll bind it with my shirt. Who is't that cried? Oh notable Strumpet. Cassio, may you suspect Who they should be, that have thus mangled you? Lend me a Garter. So:—O for a Chair To bear him easily hence. Gentlemen all, I do suspect this Trash To be a party in this Injury. Patience a while, good Cassio. Come, come; Lend me a Light: know we this face, or no? Alas my Friend, and my deer Countryman Rodorigo ? No: Yes sure: Yes, it's Rodorigo. Even he Sir: Did you know him? Signior Gratiano ? I cry your gentle pardon: These bloody accidents must excuse my Manners, That so neglected you. How do you Cassio ? O a Chair, a Chair. He, he, it's he: O that's well said, the Chair. Some good man bear him carefully from hence, I'll fetch the General's Surgeon. For you Mistress, Save you your labour. He that lies slain here (Cassio) Was my deer friend. What malice was between you? What? look you pale? O bear him of the Air. Stay you good Gentlemen. Look you pale, Mistress? Do you perceive the gastnesse of her eye? Nay, if you stare, we shall hear more anon. Behold her well: I pray you look upon her: Do you see Gentlemen? Nay, guiltiness will speak Though tongues were out of use. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark By Rodorigo, and Fellows that are scaped: He's almost slain, and Rodorigo quite dead. This is the fruits of whoring. Prythe Aemilia, Go know of Cassio where he supped to night. What, do you shake at that? Oh did he so? I charge you go with me. Kind Gentlemen: Let's go see poor Cassio dressed. Come Mistress, you must tell's another Tale. Aemilia, run you to the Citadel, And tell my Lord and Lady, what hath happed: Will you go on afore? This is the night That either makes me, or foredoes me quite. I told him what I thought, And told no more Then what he found himself was apt, and true. I did. With Cassio, Mistress? Go too, charm your tongue. What, are you mad? I charge you get you home. Come, hold your peace. Be wise, and get you home. Villainous Whore. Filth, thou liest. I bleed Sir, but not killed. Farewell: for I must leave you. It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place To be producted, (as if I stay, I shall,) Against the More. For I do know the State, (How ever this may gall him with some check) Cannot with safety cast-him. For he's embarked With such loud reason to the Cyprus Wars, (Which even now stands in Act) that for their souls Another of his Fathom, they have none, To led their Business. In which regard, Though I do hate him as I do hell apines, Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a Flag, and sign of Love, (Which is indeed but sign) that you shall surely find him Led to the Sagitary the raised Search: And there will I be with him. So farewell. Hold hoa: Lieutenant, Sir Montano, Gentlemen: Have you forgotten all place of sense and duty? Hold. The General speaks to you: hold for shame. What if I had said, I had seen him do you wrong? Or herd him say (as Knaves be such abroad, Who having by their own importunate suit, Or voluntary dotage of some Mistress, Convinced or supplied them cannot choose But they must blab.) Demand me nothing: what you know, you know: From this time forth, I never will speak word. Do not you hear a cry?