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  • Title: Othello (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Donald Bailey

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-466-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Donald Bailey
    Peer Reviewed

    Othello (Folio 1, 1623)

    330 The Tragedie of Othello
    Oth. Iago becomes me: now he begins the story.
    Cassio. She was heere euen now: she haunts me in e-
    uery place. I was the other day talking on the Sea-
    2520banke with certaine Venetians, and thither comes the
    Bauble, and falls me thus about my neck.
    Oth Crying oh deere Cassio, as it were: his iesture im-
    ports it.
    Cassio. So hangs, and lolls, and weepes vpon me:
    2525So shakes, and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha.
    Oth. Now he tells how she pluckt him to my Cham-
    ber: oh, I see that nose of yours, but not that dogge, I
    shall throw it to.
    Cassio. Well, I must leaue her companie.
    2530Iago. Before me: looke where she comes.

    Enter Bianca.
    Cas. 'Tis such another Fitchew: marry a perfum'd one?
    What do you meane by this haunting of me?
    Bian. Let the diuell, and his dam haunt you: what
    2535did you meane by that same Handkerchiefe, you gaue
    me euen now? I was a fine Foole to take it: I must take
    out the worke? A likely piece of worke, that you should
    finde it in your Chamber, and know not who left it there.
    This is some Minxes token, & I must take out the worke?
    2540There, giue it your Hobbey-horse, wheresoeuer you had
    it, Ile take out no worke on't.
    Cassio. How now, my sweete Bianca?
    How now? How now?
    Othe. By Heauen, that should be my Handkerchiefe.
    2545Bian. If you'le come to supper to night you may, if
    you will not, come when you are next prepar'd for. Exit
    Iago. After her: after her.
    Cas. I must, shee'l rayle in the streets else.
    Iago. Will you sup there?
    2550Cassio. Yes, I intend so.
    Iago. Well, I may chance to see you: for I would ve-
    ry faine speake with you.
    Cas. Prythee come: will you?
    Iago. Go too: say no more.
    2555Oth. How shall I murther him, Iago.
    Iago. Did you perceiue how he laugh'd at his vice?
    Oth. Oh, Iago.
    Iago. And did you see the Handkerchiefe?
    Oth. Was that mine?
    2560Iago. Yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes
    the foolish woman your wife: she gaue it him, and he
    hath giu'n it his whore.
    Oth. I would haue him nine yeeres a killing:
    A fine woman, a faire woman, a sweete woman?
    2565Iago. Nay, you must forget that.
    Othello. I, let her rot and perish, and be damn'd to
    night, for she shall not liue. No, my heart is turn'd to
    stone: I strike it, and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world
    hath not a sweeter Creature: she might lye by an Em-
    2570perours side, and command him Taskes.
    Iago. Nay, that's not your way.
    Othe. Hang her, I do but say what she is: so delicate
    with her Needle: an admirable Musitian. Oh she will
    sing the Sauagenesse out of a Beare: of so high and plen-
    2575teous wit, and inuention?
    Iago. She's the worse for all this.
    Othe. Oh, a thousand, a thousand times:
    And then of so gentle a condition?
    Iago. I too gentle.
    2580Othe. Nay that's certaine:
    But yet the pitty of it, Iago: oh Iago, the pitty of it

    Iago.
    Iago. If you are so fond ouer her iniquitie: giue her
    pattent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes neere
    2585no body.
    Oth. I will chop her into Messes: Cuckold me?
    Iago. Oh, 'tis foule in her.
    Oth. With mine Officer?
    Iago. That's fouler.
    2590Othe. Get me some poyson, Iago, this night. Ile not
    expostulate with her: least her body and beautie vnpro-
    uide my mind againe: this night Iago.
    Iago. Do it not with poyson, strangle her in her bed,
    Euen the bed she hath contaminated.
    2595Oth. Good, good:
    The Iustice of it pleases: very good.
    Iago. And for Cassio, let me be his vndertaker:
    You shall heare more by midnight.

    Enter Lodouico, Desdemona, and Attendants.

    2600Othe. Excellent good: What Trumpet is that same?
    Iago. I warrant something from Venice,
    'Tis Lodouico, this, comes from the Duke.
    See, your wife's with him.
    Lodo. Saue you worthy Generall.
    2605Othe. With all my heart Sir.
    Lod. The Duke, and the Senators of Venice greet you.
    Othe. I kisse the Instrument of their pleasures.
    Des. And what's the newes, good cozen Lodouico?
    Iago. I am very glad to see you Signior:
    2610Welcome to Cyprus.
    Lod. I thanke you: how do's Lieutenant Cassio?
    Iago. Liues Sir,
    Des. Cozen, there's falne betweene him, & my Lord,
    An vnkind breach: but you shall make all well.
    2615Othe. Are you sure of that?
    Des. My Lord?
    Othe. This faile you not to do, as you will---
    Lod. He did not call: he's busie in the paper,
    Is there deuision 'twixt my Lord, and Cassio?
    2620Des. A most vnhappy one: I would do much
    T'attone them, for the loue I beare to Cassio.
    Oth. Fire, and brimestone.
    Des. My Lord.
    Oth. Are you wise?
    2625Des. What is he angrie?
    Lod. May be th Letter mou'd him.
    For as I thinke, they do command him home,
    Deputing Cassio in his Gouernment.
    Des. Trust me, I am glad on't.
    2630Othe. Indeed?
    Des. My Lord?
    Othe. I am glad to see you mad.
    Des. Why, sweete Othello?
    Othe. Diuell.
    2635Des. I haue not deseru'd this.
    Lod. My Lord, this would not be beleeu'd in Venice,
    Though I should sweare I saw't. 'Tis very much,
    Make her amends: she weepes.
    Othe. Oh diuell, diuell:
    2640If that the Earth could teeme with womans teares,
    Each drop she falls, would proue a Crocodile:
    Out of my sight.
    Des. I will not stay to offend you.
    Lod. Truely obedient Lady:
    2645I do beseech your Lordship call her backe.
    Oth.
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