It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.

5.2.23241Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars.

5.2.33242It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood,

5.2.43243Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow

5.2.53244And smooth as monumental alabaster--

5.2.63245Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.

5.2.73246Put out the light, and then put out the light--

5.2.83247If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,

5.2.93248I can again thy former light restore

5.2.103249Should I repent me. But once put out thy light,

5.2.113250Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,

5.2.123251I know not where is that Promethean heat

5.2.133252That can thy light relume. 3253When I have plucked thy rose,

5.2.143254I cannot give it vital growth again;

5.2.153255It needs must wither. I'll smell thee on the tree.

5.2.163256O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

5.2.173257Justice to break her sword--one more, one more.

5.2.183258Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee

5.2.193259And love thee after--one more, and that's the last.

5.2.203260So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,

5.2.213261But they are cruel tears. This sorrow's heavenly;

5.2.223262It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.

Who's there? Othello?

Who's there? Othello? Ay, Desdemona.

Will you come to bed, my lord?

Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon?

Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon? Ay, my lord.

If you bethink yourself of any crime

5.2.273269Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace,

5.2.283270Solicit for it straight.

Alack, my lord, 3272what may you mean by that?

Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by.

5.2.313274I would not kill thy unpreparèd spirit.

5.2.323275No, heavens forfend!--I would not kill thy soul.

Talk you of killing?

Talk you of killing? Ay, I do.

Then heaven have mercy on me.

Then heaven have mercy on me. Amen, with all my heart.

If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.

Humh.

And yet I fear you, for you're fatal then

5.2.383283When your eyes roll so. 3284Why I should fear I know not,

5.2.393285Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.

Think on thy sins.

Think on thy sins. They are loves I bear to you.

Ay, and for that thou diest.

That death's unnatural that kills for loving.

5.2.433290Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?

5.2.443291Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.

5.2.453292These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,

5.2.463293They do not point on me.

They do not point on me. Peace, and be still.

I will so. What's the matter?

That handkerchief 3297which I so loved and gave thee,

5.2.49Thou gav'st to Cassio.

Thou gav'st to Cassio. No, by my life and soul!

5.2.50Send for the man 3299and ask him.

Send for the man and ask him. Sweet soul, take heed;

5.2.51Take heed of perjury; 3301thou art on thy deathbed.

Ay, but not yet to die.

Ay, but not yet to die. Yes, presently.

5.2.533304Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;

5.2.543305For to deny each article with oath

5.2.553306Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception

5.2.563307That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.

O heaven have mercy on me!

O heaven have mercy on me! I say amen.

And have you mercy too. I never did

5.2.593311Offend you in my life, never loved Cassio

5.2.603312But with such general warranty of heaven

5.2.613313As I might love. I never gave him token.

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand.

5.2.633315O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart,

5.2.643316And makes me call what I intend to do

5.2.653317A murder, which I thought a sacrifice.

5.2.663318I saw the handkerchief.

I saw the handkerchief. He found it then.

5.2.673320I never gave it him. Send for him hither.

5.2.683321Let him confess a truth.

Let him confess a truth. He hath confessed.

What, my lord?

What, my lord? That he hath--'ud's death!--used thee.

How? Unlawfully?

How? Unlawfully? Ay.

How? Unlawfully? Ay. He will not say so.

No, his mouth is stopped.

5.2.723329Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't.

Oh, my fear interprets. What, is he dead?

Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge

5.2.753332Had stomach for them all.

Alas, he is betrayed, and I undone.

Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face?

Oh, banish me, my lord, but kill me not.

Down, strumpet.

Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight.

Nay, if you strive.

Nay, if you strive. But half an hour.

Being done, there is no pause.

Being done, there is no pause. But while I say one prayer.

It is too late.

[Within] My lord, my lord? What ho? 3345My lord, my lord!

What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?

5.2.873347I that am cruel am yet merciful;

5.2.883348I would not have thee linger in thy pain--

5.2.893349[Smothering her again] So, so.

(Within) What ho? My lord, my lord?

(Within) What ho? My lord, my lord? Who's there?

O good my lord, I would speak a word 3353with you.

Yes--'Tis Emilia.--By and by!--She's dead.

5.2.933355'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death.

5.2.943356The noise was high. Ha, no more moving?

5.2.953357Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were't good?

5.2.963358I think she stirs again. No. What's best to do?

5.2.973359If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife--

5.2.983360My wife, my wife--what wife? I have no wife.

5.2.993361Oh, insupportable! Oh, heavy hour!

5.2.1003362Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse

5.2.1013363Of sun and moon, and that th'affrighted globe

5.2.1023364Did yawn at alteration.

Did yawn at alteration. [Within] I do beseech you

5.2.1033366That I may speak with you. O good my lord.

I had forgot thee. O come in, Emilia.

5.2.1053368Soft,--By and by!--let me the curtains draw.

5.2.1063369Where art thou? What's the matter with thee now?

O my good lord, yonder's foul murders 3372done.

What? Now?

What? Now? But now, my lord.

It is the very error of the moon;

5.2.1113376She comes more nearer Earth than she was wont,

5.2.1123377And makes men mad.

And makes men mad. Cassio, my lord, hath killed

5.2.1133379A young Venetian called Roderigo.

Roderigo killed? And Cassio killed?

No, Cassio is not killed.

Not Cassio killed? Then murder's out of tune,

5.2.1173383And sweet revenge grows harsh.

Oh, falsely, falsely murdered.

O Lord! What cry is that?

O Lord! What cry is that? That? What?

Out and alas, that was my lady's voice!

5.2.1213388Help, help, ho, help! O lady, speak again.

5.2.1223389Sweet Desdemona, O sweet mistress, speak.

A guiltless death I die.

Oh, who hath done this deed?

Nobody--I myself. Farewell--

5.2.1263393Commend me to my kind lord--Oh, farewell.

Why, how should she be murdered?

Why, how should she be murdered? Alas, who knows?

You heard her say herself, it was not I.

She said so; I must needs report the truth.

She's like a liar gone to burning hell;

5.2.1313399'Twas I that killed her.

Oh, the more angel she, and you the blacker3401 devil.

She turned to folly, and she was a whore.

Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.

She was false as water.

She was false as water. Thou art rash as fire

5.2.136To say3406 that she was false. Oh, she was heavenly true.

Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.

5.2.1383408Oh, I were damned beneath all depth in hell,

5.2.1393409But that I did proceed upon just grounds

5.2.1403410To this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

My husband?

My husband? Thy husband.

My husband? Thy husband. That she was false to wedlock?

Ay, with Cassio. Had she been true,

5.2.1433415If heaven would make me such another world

5.2.1443416Of one entire and perfect chrysolite,

5.2.1453417I'd not have sold her for it.

I'd not have sold her for it. My husband?

Ay, 'twas he that told me on her first.

5.2.1473420An honest man he is, and hates the slime

5.2.1483421That sticks on filthy deeds.

That sticks on filthy deeds. My husband?

What needs this iterance, woman? 3424I say, thy husband.

O mistress, 3426villainy hath made mocks with love--

5.2.1513427My husband say she was false?

My husband say she was false? He, woman;

5.2.1523429I say thy husband--dost understand the word?--

5.2.1533430My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.

If he say so, may his pernicious soul

5.2.1553432Rot half a grain a day; he lies to th'heart.

5.2.1563433She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

Ha?

Do thy worst.

5.2.1593436This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven,

5.2.1603437Than thou wast worthy her.

Than thou wast worthy her. Peace, you were best.

Thou hast not half that power to do me harm

5.2.1623440As I have to be hurt. O gull, O dolt,

5.2.1633441As ignorant as dirt, thou hast done a deed--

5.2.1643442I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known

5.2.1653443Though I lost twenty lives. Help, help, ho, help!

5.2.1663444The Moor hath killed my mistress. Murder, murder!

What is the matter? How now, general?

Oh, are you come, Iago? You have done well,

5.2.1703448That men must lay their murders on your neck.

What is the matter?

[To Iago] Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man.

5.2.1733451He says thou told'st him that his wife was false.

5.2.1743452I know thou didst not; thou'rt not such a villain.

5.2.1753453Speak, for my heart is full.

I told him what I thought, 3455and told no more

5.2.1773456Than what he found himself was apt and true.

But did you ever tell him 3458she was false?

I did.

You told a lie, an odious damnèd lie,

5.2.1813461Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.

5.2.1823462She false with Cassio? 3463Did you say with Cassio?

With Cassio, mistress. 3465Go to, charm your tongue.

I will not charm my tongue; 3467I am bound to speak.

5.2.1853468My mistress here lies murdered in her bed.

O heavens forfend!

And your reports have set the murder on.

Nay, stare not, masters; 3472it is true indeed.

'Tis a strange truth.

'Tis a strange truth. O monstrous act!

Villainy, villainy, villainy!

5.2.1913476I think upon't, I think I smell't. O villainy--

5.2.1923477I thought so then--I'll kill myself for grief!

5.2.1933478O villainy! Villainy!

What, are you mad? 3480I charge you get you home.

Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.

5.2.1963482'Tis proper I obey him, but not now.

5.2.1973483Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home.

Oh, Oh, Oh!

Oh, Oh, Oh! Nay, lay thee down and roar,

5.2.1993486For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent

5.2.2003487That ere did lift up eye.

That ere did lift up eye. Oh, she was foul!

5.2.2013489I scarce did know you, uncle. There lies your niece,

5.2.2023490Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopped.

5.2.2033491I know this act shows horrible and grim.

Poor Desdemon,3493 I am glad thy father's dead;

5.2.2053494Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief

5.2.2063495Shore his old thread in twain. Did he live now,

5.2.2073496This sight would make him do a desperate turn;

5.2.2083497Yea, curse his better angel from his side

5.2.2093498And fall to reprobance.

'Tis pitiful, but yet Iago knows

5.2.2113500That she with Cassio hath the act of shame

5.2.2123501A thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it,

5.2.2133502And she did gratify his amorous works

5.2.2143503With that recognizance and pledge of love

5.2.2153504Which I first gave her;--I saw it in his hand--

5.2.2163505It was a handkerchief, an antique token

5.2.2173506My father gave my mother.

O God, O heavenly God!

O God, O heavenly God! Zounds, hold your peace.

'Twill out, 'twill out. I peace?

5.2.2203510No, I will speak as liberal as the north;

5.2.2213511Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,

5.2.2223512All, all cry shame against me, yet I'll speak.

Be wise, and get you home.

Be wise, and get you home. I will not.

Fie, your sword upon a woman?

O thou dull Moor, 3517that handkerchief thou speak'st of

5.2.2263518I found by fortune, and did give my husband;

5.2.2273519For often, with a solemn earnestness--

5.2.2283520More than indeed belonged to such a trifle--

5.2.2293521He begged of me to steal't.

He begged of me to steal't. Villainous whore!

She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it,

5.2.2313524And I did give't my husband.

And I did give't my husband. Filth, thou liest.

By heaven, I do not. I do not, gentlemen.--

5.2.2333527O murderous coxcomb, what should such a fool

5.2.2343528Do with so good a wife?

Do with so good a wife? Are there no stones in heaven

5.2.2353530But what serves for the thunder? 3531Precious villain!

The woman falls; 3533sure he hath killed his wife.

Ay, ay. Oh, lay me by my mistress's side.

He's gone, but his wife's killed.

'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon

5.2.2403537Which I have here recovered from the Moor.

5.2.2413538Come guard the door without; let him not pass,

5.2.2423539But kill him rather. I'll after that same villain,

5.2.2433540For 'tis a damnèd slave.

For 'tis a damnèd slave. I am not valiant neither,

5.2.2443542But every puny whipster gets my sword.

5.2.2453543But why should honor outlive honesty?

5.2.2463544Let it go all.

Let it go all. What did thy song bode, lady?

5.2.2473546Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,

5.2.2483547And die in music:

5.2.2493548Moor, she was chaste. She loved thee, cruel Moor.

5.2.2503549So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;

5.2.2513550So speaking as I think, alas, I die.

I have another weapon in this chamber;

5.2.2533552It was a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper--

5.2.2543553Oh, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

[Within] If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;

5.2.2563555Thou hast no weapon and perforce must suffer.

Look in upon me then, and speak with me,

5.2.2583557Or naked as I am I will assault thee.

What is the matter?

What is the matter? Behold, I have a weapon;

5.2.2603560A better never did itself sustain

5.2.2613561Upon a soldier's thigh. I have seen the day

5.2.2623562That with this little arm and this good sword

5.2.2633563I have made my way through more impediments

5.2.2643564Than twenty times your stop. But--O vain boast!--

5.2.2653565Who can control his fate? 'Tis not so now.

5.2.2663566Be not afraid, though you do see me weaponed.

5.2.2673567Here is my journey's end, here is my butt

5.2.2683568And very seamark of my utmost sail.

5.2.2693569Do you go back dismayed? 'Tis a lost fear.

5.2.2703570Man but a rush against Othello's breast

5.2.2713571And he retires. Where should Othello go?

5.2.2723572Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred wench,

5.2.2733573Pale as thy smock; when we shall meet at compt,

5.2.2743574This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven

5.2.2753575And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl?

5.2.2763576Even like thy chastity. O cursèd, cursèd slave!

5.2.2773577Whip me, ye devils, 3578from the possession of this heavenly sight,

5.2.2783579Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulfur,

5.2.2793580Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire--

5.2.2803581O Desdemon! Dead Desdemon! Dead--Oh, Oh!

Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

That's he that was Othello; here I am.

Where is that viper? 3587Bring the villain forth.

I look down toward his feet, but that's a fable;

5.2.2863589If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee.

Wrench his sword from him.

Wrench his sword from him. I bleed, sir, but not killed.

I am not sorry neither; I'd have thee live,

5.2.2893593For in my sense 'tis happiness to die.

O thou Othello, that was once so good,

5.2.2913595Fallen in the practice of a damnèd slave,

5.2.2923596What shall be said to thee?

What shall be said to thee? Why, anything--

5.2.2933598An honorable murderer, if you will,

5.2.2943599For naught I did in hate, but all in honor.

This wretch hath part confessed his villainy.

5.2.2963601Did you and he consent in Cassio's death?

Ay.

Dear general, I never gave you cause.

I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.

5.2.3003605Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil

5.2.3013606Why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body?

Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.

5.2.3033608From this time forth, I never will speak word.

What, not to pray?

What, not to pray? Torments will ope your lips.

Well, thou dost best.

Sir, 3613you shall understand what hath befallen,

5.2.3073614Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letter

5.2.3083615Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo,

5.2.3093616And here another. The one of them imports

5.2.3103617The death of Cassio, to be undertook

5.2.3113618By Roderigo.

O villain!

O villain! Most heathenish and most gross!

Now here's another discontented paper

5.2.3143622Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,

5.2.3153623Roderigo meant t'have sent this damnèd villain,

5.2.3163624But that, belike, Iago in the interim

5.2.3173625Came in and satisfied him.

O thou pernicious caitiff!

5.2.3193627How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief

5.2.3203628That was my wife's?

That was my wife's? I found it in my chamber,

5.2.3213630And he himself confessed it but even now

5.2.3223631That there he dropped it for a special purpose

5.2.3233632Which wrought to his desire.

Which wrought to his desire. O fool, fool, fool!

There is besides in Roderigo's letter

5.2.3253635How he upbraids Iago that he made him

5.2.3263636Brave me upon the watch, whereon it came

5.2.3273637That I was cast; and even but now he spake,

5.2.3283638After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,

5.2.3293639Iago set him on.

[To Othello] You must forsake this room and go with us.

5.2.3313641Your power and your command is taken off,

5.2.3323642And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,

5.2.3333643If there be any cunning cruelty

5.2.3343644That can torment him much and hold him long,

5.2.3353645It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,

5.2.3363646Till that the nature of your fault be known

5.2.3373647To the Venetian state. Come, bring away.

Soft you, a word or two before you go.

5.2.3393649I have done the state some service, and they know't;

5.2.3403650No more of that. I pray you in your letters,

5.2.3413651When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,

5.2.3423652Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,

5.2.3433653Nor set down aught in malice. 3654Then must you speak

5.2.3443655Of one that loved not wisely, but too well;

5.2.3453656Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought,

5.2.3463657Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand,

5.2.3473658Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away

5.2.3483659Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,

5.2.3493660Albeit unused to the melting mood,

5.2.3503661Drops tears as fast as the Arabian trees

5.2.3513662Their medicinable gum. Set you down this,

5.2.3523663And say besides that in Aleppo once,

5.2.3533664Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk

5.2.3543665Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,

5.2.3553666I took by th'throat the circumcisèd dog

5.2.3563667And smote him--thus.

O bloody period.

O bloody period. All that is spoke is marred.

I kissed thee ere I killed thee--no way but this,

5.2.3593671Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon, 5.2.3613673For he was great of heart.

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon, For he was great of heart. O Spartan dog,

5.2.3623675More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea,

5.2.3633676Look on the tragic loading of this bed.

5.2.3643677This is thy work. 3678The object poisons sight;

5.2.3653679Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house

5.2.3663680And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,

5.2.3673681For they succeed on you. [To Cassio] To you, lord governor,

5.2.3683682Remains the censure of this hellish villain;

5.2.3693683The time, the place, the torture, oh, enforce it.

5.2.3703684Myself will straight aboard, and to the state

5.2.3713685This heavy act with heavy heart relate.