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Othello (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald L. Bailey
Not Peer Reviewed
the Moore of Venice.
333
Rodori. I haue heard too much: and your words and
2900Performances are no kin together.
Iago. You charge me most vniustly.
Rodo. With naught but truth: I haue wasted my
selfe out of my meanes. The Iewels you haue had from
me to deliuer Desdemona, would halfe haue corrupted a
2905Votarist. You haue told me she hath receiu'd them,
and return'd me expectations and comforts of sodaine
respect, and acquaintance, but I finde none.
Iago. Well, go too: very well.
Rod. Very well, go too: I cannot go too, (man) nor
2910tis not very well. Nay I think it is scuruy: and begin to
finde my selfe fopt in it.
Iago. Very well.
Rodor. I tell you, 'tis not very well: I will make my
selfe knowne to Desdemona. If she will returne me my
2915Iewels, I will giue ouer my Suit, and repent my vnlaw-
full solicitation. If not, assure your selfe, I will seeke
satisfaction of you.
Iago. You haue said now.
Rodo. I: and said nothing but what I protest intend-
2920ment of doing.
Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee: and
euen from this instant do build on thee a better o-
pinion then euer before: giue me thy hand Rodorigo.
Thou hast taken against me a most iust excepti-
2925on: but yet I protest I haue dealt most directly in thy
Affaire.
Rod. It hath not appeer'd.
Iago. I grant indeed it hath not appeer'd: and
your suspition is not without wit and iudgement.
2930But Rodorigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which
I haue greater reason to beleeue now then euer (I
meane purpose, Courage, and Valour) this night
shew it. If thou the next night following enioy not
Desdemona, take me from this world with Treache-
2935rie, and deuise Engines for my life.
Rod. Well: what is it? Is it within, reason and com-
passe?
Iago. Sir, there is especiall Commission come from
Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place.
2940Rod. Is that true? Why then Othello and Desdemona
returne againe to Venice.
Iago. Oh no: he goes into Mauritania and taketh
away with him the faire Desdemona, vnlesse his a-
bode be lingred heere by some accident. Where-
2945in none can be so determinate, as the remouing of
Cassio.
Rod. How do you meane remouing him?
Iago. Why, by making him vncapable of Othello's
place: knocking out his braines.
2950Rod. And that you would haue me to do.
Iago. I: if you dare do your selfe a profit, and a
right. He sups to night with a Harlotry: and thither
will I go to him. He knowes not yet of his Honourable
Fortune, if you will watch his going thence (which
2955I will fashion to fall out betweene twelue and one)
you may take him at your pleasure. I will be neere
to second your Attempt, and he shall fall betweene
vs. Come, stand not amaz'd at it, but go along with
me: I will shew you such a necessitie in his death, that
2960you shall thinke your selfe bound to put it on him. It
is now high supper time: and the night growes to wast.
About it.
Rod. I will heare further reason for this.
Iago. And you shalbe satisfi'd.
Exeunt.


2965
Scena Tertia.


Enter Othello, Lodouico, Desdemona, Æmilia,
and Atendants.
Lod. I do beseech you Sir, trouble your selfe no further.
Oth. Oh pardon me: 'twill do me good to walke.
2970Lodoui. Madam, good night: I humbly thanke your
Ladyship.
Des. Your Honour is most welcome.
Oth. Will you walke Sir? Oh Desdemona.
Des. My Lord.
2975Othello Get you to bed on th'instant, I will be re-
turn'd forthwith: dismisse your Attendant there: look't
be done.
Exit.
Des. I will my Lord.
Æm. How goes it now? He lookes gentler then he did.
2980Des. He saies he will returne incontinent,
And hath commanded me to go to bed,
And bid me to dismisse you.
Æmi. Dismisse me?
Des. It was his bidding: therefore good Æmilia,
2985Giue me my nightly wearing, and adieu.
We must not now displease him.
Æmil. I, would you had neuer seene him.
Des. So would not I: my loue doth so approue him,
That euen his stubbornesse, his checks, his frownes,
2990(Prythee vn-pin me) haue grace and fauour.
Æmi. I haue laid those Sheetes you bad me on the bed.
Des. All's one: good Father, how foolish are our minds?
If I do die before, prythee shrow'd me
In one of these same Sheetes.
2995Æmil. Come, come: you talke.
Des. My Mother had a Maid call'd Barbarie,
She was in loue: and he she lou'd prou'd mad,
And did forsake her. She had a Song of Willough,
An old thing 'twas: but it express'd her Fortune,
3000And she dy'd singing it. That Song to night,
Will not go from my mind: I haue much to do,
But to go hang my head all at one side
And sing it like poore Brabarie: prythee dispatch.
Æmi. Shall I go fetch your Night-gowne?
3005Des. No, vn-pin me here,
This Lodouico is a proper man.
Æmil. A very handsome man.
Des. He speakes well.
Æmil. I know a Lady in Venice would haue walk'd
3010barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.
Des. The poore Soule sat singing, by a Sicamour tree.
Sing all a greene Willough:
Her hand on her bosome her head on her knee,
Sing Willough, Willough, Wtllough.
3015The fresh Streames ran by her, and murmur'd her moanes
Sing Willough, &c.
Her salt teares fell from her, and softned the stones,
Sing Willough, &c.
(Lay by these)
Willough, Willough. (Prythee high thee: he'le come anon)
3020Sing all a greene Willough must be my Garland.
Let no body blame him, his scorne I approue.
(Nay that's not next. Harke, who is't that knocks?
Æmil. It's the wind.
Des. I call'd my Loue false Loue: but what said he then?
3025Sing Willough, &c.
If I court mo women, you'le couch with mo men.
v v 3
So