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  • Title: Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)
  • 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 (Quarto 1, 1622)

    28
    The Tragedy of Othello

    1040story of lust and foule thoughts: they met so neere with their lips,
    that their breathes embrac'd together. When these mutualities
    so marshall the way, hand at hand, comes the maine exercise, the in-
    corporate conclusion. But sir, be you rul'd by mee, I haue brought
    you from Venice: watch you to night, for your command I'le lay't
    vpon you, Cassio knowes you not, I'le not be farre from you, do you
    finde some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or
    1050tainting his discipline, or from what other cause you please; which
    the time shall more fauourably minister.
    Rod. Well.
    Iag. Sir he is rash, and very suddain in choler, and haply with his
    1055Trunchen may strike at you; prouoke him that he may, for euen out
    of that, will I cause these of Cypres to mutiny, whose quallification
    shall come into no true trust again't, but by the displanting of Cassio:
    So shall you haue a shorter iourney to your desires by the meanes I
    1060shal then haue to prefer them, & the impediment, most profitably re-
    mou'd, without which there were no expectation of our prosperity.
    Rod. I will doe this, if I can bring it to any opportunity.
    1065Iag. I warrant thee, meete me by and by at the Cittadell; I must
    fetch his necessaries ashore. --- Farewell.
    Rod. Adue. Exit.
    Iag. That Cassio loues her, I doe well beleeue it;
    1070That she loues him, tis apt and of great credit;
    The Moore howbe't, that I indure him not,
    Is of a constant, noble, louing nature;
    And I dare thinke, hee'le proue to Desdemona,
    A most deere husband: now I doe loue her too,
    1075Not out of absolute lust, tho peraduenture.
    I stand accountant for as great a sin,
    But partly lead to diet my reuenge,
    For that I doe suspect the lustfull Moore,
    Hath leap'd into my seate, the thought whereof
    1080Doth like a poisonous minerall gnaw my inwards,
    And nothing can, nor shall content my soule,
    Till I am euen with him, wife, for wife:
    Or failing so, yet that I put the Moore,
    At least, into a Iealousie so strong,
    That