2371Iago. Will you thinke so?

2372Oth. Thinke so, Iago?

2373Iago. What, to kisse in priuate?

2374Oth. An vnauthoriz'd kisse?

2375Iago. Or to be naked with her Friend in bed,

2376An houre, or more, not meaning any harme?

2377Oth. Naked in bed (Iago) and not meane harme?

2378It is hypocrisie against the Diuell:

2379They that meane vertuously, and yet do so,

2380The Diuell their vertue tempts, and they tempt Heauen.

2381Iago. If they do nothing, 'tis a Veniall slip:

2382But if I giue my wife a Handkerchiefe.

2383Oth. What then?

2384Iago. Why then 'tis hers (my Lord) and being hers,

2385She may (I thinke) bestow't on any man.

2386Oth. She is Protectresse of her honor too:

2387May she giue that?

the Moore of Venice. 329

2388Iago. Her honor is an Essence that's not seene,

2389They haue it very oft, that haue it not.

2390But for the Handkerchiefe.

2391Othe. By heauen, I would most gladly haue forgot it:

2392Thou saidst (oh, it comes ore my memorie,

2393As doth the Rauen o're the infectious house:

2394Boading to all) he had my Handkerchiefe.

2395Iago. I: what of that?

2396Othe. That's not so good now.

2397Iag. What if I had said, I had seene him do you wrong?

2398Or heard him say (as Knaues be such abroad,

2399Who hauing by their owne importunate suit,

2400Or voluntary dotage of some Mistris,

2401Conuinced or supply'd them, cannot chuse

2402But they must blab.)

2403Oth. Hath he said any thing?

2404Iago. He hath (my Lord) but be you well assur'd,

2405No more then he'le vn-sweare.

2406Oth. What hath he said?

2407Iago. Why, that he did: I know not what he did.

2408Othe. What? What?

2409Iago. Lye.

2410Oth. With her?

2411Iago. With her? On her: what you will.

2412Othe. Lye with her? lye on her? We say lye on her,

2413when they be-lye-her. Lye with her: that's fullsome:

2414Handkerchiefe: Confessions: Handkerchiefe. To con-

2415fesse, and be hang'd for his labour. First, to be hang'd,

2416and then to confesse: I tremble at it. Nature would not

2417inuest her selfe in such shadowing passion, without some

2418Iustruction. It is not words that shakes me thus, (pish)

2419Noses, Eares, and Lippes: is't possible. Confesse? Hand-

2420kerchiefe? O diuell. Falls in a Traunce.

2421Iago. Worke on,

2422My Medicine workes. Thus credulous Fooles are caught,

2423And many worthy, and chast Dames euen thus,

2424(All guiltlesse) meete reproach: what hoa? My Lord?

2425My Lord, I say: Othello.

2427How now Cassio?

2428Cas. What's the matter?

2429Iago. My Lord is falne into an Epilepsie,

2430This is his second Fit: he had one yesterday.

2431Cas. Rub him about the Temples.

2432Iago. The Lethargie must haue his quyet course:

2433If not, he foames at mouth: and by and by

2434Breakes out to sauage madnesse. Looke, he stirres:

2435Do you withdraw your selfe a little while,

2436He will recouer straight: when he is gone,

2437I would on great occasion, speake with you.

2438How is it Generall? Haue you not hurt your head?

2439Othe. Dost thou mocke me?

2440Iago. I mocke you not, by Heauen:

2441Would you would beare your Fortune like a Man.

2442Othe. A Horned man's a Monster, and a Beast.

2443Iago. Ther's many a Beast then in a populous Citty,

2444And many a ciuill Monster.

2445Othe. Did he confesse it?

2446Iago. Good Sir, be a man:

2447Thinke euery bearded fellow that's but yoak'd

2448May draw with you. There's Millions now aliue,

2449That nightly lye in those vnproper beds,

2450Which they dare sweare peculiar. Your case is better.

2451Oh, 'tis the spight of hell, the Fiends Arch-mock,

2452To lip a wanton in a secure Cowch;

2453And to suppose her chast. No, let me know,

2454And knowing what I am, I know what she shallbe.

2455Oth. Oh, thou art wise: 'tis certaine.

2456Iago. Stand you a while apart,

2457Confine your selfe but in a patient List,

2458Whil'st you were heere, o're-whelmed with your griefe

2459(A passion most resulting such a man)

2460Cassio came hither. I shifted him away,

2461And layd good scuses vpon your Extasie,

2462Bad him anon returne: and heere speake with me,

2463The which he promis'd. Do but encaue your selfe,

2464And marke the Fleeres, the Gybes, and notable Scornes

2465That dwell in euery Region of his face.

2466For I will make him tell the Tale anew;

2467Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when

2468He hath, and is againe to cope your wife.

2469I say, but marke his gesture: marry Patience,

2470Or I shall say y'are all in all in Spleene,

2471And nothing of a man.

2472Othe. Do'st thou heare, Iago,

2473I will be found most cunning in my Patience:

2474But (do'st thou heare) most bloody.

2475Iago. That's not amisse,

2476But yet keepe time in all: will you withdraw?

2477Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,

2478A Huswife that by selling her desires

2479Buyes her selfe Bread, and Cloath. It is a Creature

2480That dotes on Cassio, (as 'tis the Strumpets plague

2481To be-guile many, and be be-guil'd by one)

2482He, when he heares of her, cannot restraine

2483From the excesse of Laughter. Heere he comes.

2485As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad:

2486And his vnbookish Ielousie must conserue

2487Poore Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behauiours

2488Quite in the wrong. How do you Lieutenant?

2489Cas. The worser, that you giue me the addition,

2490Whose want euen killes me.

2491Iago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on't:

2492Now, if this Suit lay in Bianca's dowre,

2493How quickely should you speed?

2494Cas. Alas poore Caitiffe.

2495Oth. Looke how he laughes already.

2496Iago. I neuer knew woman loue man so.

2497Cas. Alas poore Rogue, I thinke indeed she loues me.

2498Oth. Now he denies it faintly: and laughes it out.

2499Iago. Do you heare Cassio?

2500Oth. Now he importunes him

2501To tell it o're: go too, well said, well said.

2502Iago. She giues it out, that you shall marry her.

2503Do you intend it?

2504Cas. Ha, ha, ha.

2505Oth. Do ye triumph, Romaine? do you triumph?

2506Cas. I marry. What? A customer; prythee beare

2507Some Charitie to my wit, do not thinke it

2508So vnwholesome. Ha, ha, ha.

2509Oth. So, so, so, so: they laugh, that winnes.

2510Iago. Why the cry goes, that you marry her.

2511Cas. Prythee say true.

2512Iago. I am a very Villaine else.

2513Oth. Haue you scoar'd me? Well.

2514Cas. This is the Monkeys owne giuing out:

2515She is perswaded I will marry her

2516Out of her owne loue & flattery, not out of my promise.

v v Othe.

330 The Tragedie of Othello

2517Oth. Iago becomes me: now he begins the story.

2518Cassio. She was heere euen now: she haunts me in e-

2519uery place. I was the other day talking on the Sea-

2520banke with certaine Venetians, and thither comes the

2521Bauble, and falls me thus about my neck.

2522Oth Crying oh deere Cassio, as it were: his iesture im-

2523ports it.

2524Cassio. So hangs, and lolls, and weepes vpon me:

2525So shakes, and pulls me. Ha, ha, ha.

2526Oth. Now he tells how she pluckt him to my Cham-

2527ber: oh, I see that nose of yours, but not that dogge, I

2528shall throw it to.

2529Cassio. Well, I must leaue her companie.

2530Iago. Before me: looke where she comes.

2532Cas. 'Tis such another Fitchew: marry a perfum'd one?

2533What do you meane by this haunting of me?

2534Bian. Let the diuell, and his dam haunt you: what

2535did you meane by that same Handkerchiefe, you gaue

2536me euen now? I was a fine Foole to take it: I must take

2537out the worke? A likely piece of worke, that you should

2538finde it in your Chamber, and know not who left it there.

2539This is some Minxes token, & I must take out the worke?

2540There, giue it your Hobbey-horse, wheresoeuer you had

2541it, Ile take out no worke on't.

2542Cassio. How now, my sweete Bianca?

2543How now? How now?

2544Othe. By Heauen, that should be my Handkerchiefe.

2545Bian. If you'le come to supper to night you may, if

2546you will not, come when you are next prepar'd for. Exit

2547Iago. After her: after her.

2548Cas. I must, shee'l rayle in the streets else.

2549Iago. Will you sup there?

2550Cassio. Yes, I intend so.

2551Iago. Well, I may chance to see you: for I would ve-

2552ry faine speake with you.

2553Cas. Prythee come: will you?

2554Iago. Go too: say no more.

2555Oth. How shall I murther him, Iago.

2556Iago. Did you perceiue how he laugh'd at his vice?

2557Oth. Oh, Iago.

2558Iago. And did you see the Handkerchiefe?

2559Oth. Was that mine?

2560Iago. Yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes

2561the foolish woman your wife: she gaue it him, and he

2562hath giu'n it his whore.

2563Oth. I would haue him nine yeeres a killing:

2564A fine woman, a faire woman, a sweete woman?

2565Iago. Nay, you must forget that.

2566Othello. I, let her rot and perish, and be damn'd to

2567night, for she shall not liue. No, my heart is turn'd to

2568stone: I strike it, and it hurts my hand. Oh, the world

2569hath not a sweeter Creature: she might lye by an Em-

2570perours side, and command him Taskes.

2571Iago. Nay, that's not your way.

2572Othe. Hang her, I do but say what she is: so delicate

2573with her Needle: an admirable Musitian. Oh she will

2574sing the Sauagenesse out of a Beare: of so high and plen-

2575teous wit, and inuention?

2576Iago. She's the worse for all this.

2577Othe. Oh, a thousand, a thousand times:

2578And then of so gentle a condition?

2579Iago. I too gentle.

2580Othe. Nay that's certaine:

2581But yet the pitty of it, Iago: oh Iago, the pitty of it

2582Iago.

2583Iago. If you are so fond ouer her iniquitie: giue her

2584pattent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes neere

2585no body.

2586Oth. I will chop her into Messes: Cuckold me?

2587Iago. Oh, 'tis foule in her.

2588Oth. With mine Officer?

2589Iago. That's fouler.

2590Othe. Get me some poyson, Iago, this night. Ile not

2591expostulate with her: least her body and beautie vnpro-

2592uide my mind againe: this night Iago.

2593Iago. Do it not with poyson, strangle her in her bed,

2594Euen the bed she hath contaminated.

2595Oth. Good, good:

2596The Iustice of it pleases: very good.

2597Iago. And for Cassio, let me be his vndertaker:

2598You shall heare more by midnight.

2600Othe. Excellent good: What Trumpet is that same?

2601Iago. I warrant something from Venice,

2602'Tis Lodouico, this, comes from the Duke.

2603See, your wife's with him.

2604Lodo. Saue you worthy Generall.

2605Othe. With all my heart Sir.

2606Lod. The Duke, and the Senators of Venice greet you.

2607Othe. I kisse the Instrument of their pleasures.

2608Des. And what's the newes, good cozen Lodouico?

2609Iago. I am very glad to see you Signior:

2610Welcome to Cyprus.

2611Lod. I thanke you: how do's Lieutenant Cassio?

2612Iago. Liues Sir,

2613Des. Cozen, there's falne betweene him, & my Lord,

2614An vnkind breach: but you shall make all well.

2615Othe. Are you sure of that?

2616Des. My Lord?

2617Othe. This faile you not to do, as you will---

2618Lod. He did not call: he's busie in the paper,

2619Is there deuision 'twixt my Lord, and Cassio?

2620Des. A most vnhappy one: I would do much

2621T'attone them, for the loue I beare to Cassio.

2622Oth. Fire, and brimestone.

2623Des. My Lord.

2624Oth. Are you wise?

2625Des. What is he angrie?

2626Lod. May be th Letter mou'd him.

2627For as I thinke, they do command him home,

2628Deputing Cassio in his Gouernment.

2629Des. Trust me, I am glad on't.

2630Othe. Indeed?

2631Des. My Lord?

2632Othe. I am glad to see you mad.

2633Des. Why, sweete Othello?

2634Othe. Diuell.

2635Des. I haue not deseru'd this.

2636Lod. My Lord, this would not be beleeu'd in Venice,

2637Though I should sweare I saw't. 'Tis very much,

2638Make her amends: she weepes.

2639Othe. Oh diuell, diuell:

2640If that the Earth could teeme with womans teares,

2641Each drop she falls, would proue a Crocodile:

2642Out of my sight.

2643Des. I will not stay to offend you.

2644Lod. Truely obedient Lady:

2645I do beseech your Lordship call her backe.

the Moore of Venice. 331

2646Othe. Mistris.

2647Des. My Lord.

2648Othe. What would you with her, Sir?

2649Lod. Who I, my Lord?

2650Othe. I, you did wish, that I would make her turne:

2651Sir, she can turne, and turne: and yet go on

2652And turne againe. And she can weepe, Sir, weepe.

2653And she's obedient: as you say obedient.

2654Very obedient: proceed you in your teares.

2655Concerning this Sir, (oh well-painted passion)

2656I am commanded home: get you away:

2657Ile send for you anon. Sir I obey the Mandate,

2658And will returne to Venice. Hence, auaunt:

2659Cassio shall haue my Place. And Sir, to night

2660I do entreat, that we may sup together.

2661You are welcome Sir to Cyprus.

2662Goates, and Monkeys. Exit.

2663Lod. Is this the Noble Moore, whom our full Senate

2664Call all in all sufficient? Is this the Nature

2665Whom Passion could not shake? Whose solid vertue

2666The shot of Accident, nor dart of Chance

2667Could neither graze, nor pierce?

2668Iago. He is much chang'd.

2669Lod. Are his wits safe? Is he not light of Braine?

2670Iago. He's that he is: I may not breath my censure.

2671What he might be: if what he might, he is not,

2672I would to heauen he were.

2673Lod. What? Strike his wife?

2674Iago. 'Faith that was not so well: yet would I knew

2675That stroke would proue the worst.

2676Lod. Is it his vse?

2677Or did the Letters, worke vpon his blood,

2678And new create his fault?

2679Iago. Alas, alas:

2680It is not honestie in me to speake

2681What I haue seene, and knowne. You shall obserue him,

2682And his owne courses will deonte him so,

2683That I may saue my speech: do but go after

2684And marke how he continues.

2685Lod. I am sorry that I am deceiu'd in him. Exeunt.