Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald Bailey
Peer Reviewed

Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)

64
The Tragedy of Othello

Now will I question Cassio of Bianca;
A huswife that by selling her desires,
Buys her selfe bread and cloathes: it is a Creature,
2480That dotes on Cassio: as tis the strumpets plague
To beguile many, and be beguild by one, Ent. Cassio:
He, when he heares of her, cannot refraine
From the excesse of laughter: here he comes:
2485As he shall smile, Othello shall goe mad,
And his vnbookish iealousie must conster
Poore Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behauiour,
Quite in the wrong: How doe you now Leiutenant?
Cas. The worser, that you giue me the addition,
2490Whose want euen kills me.
Iag. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure on't.
Now if this suite lay in Bianca's power,
How quickly should you speed.
Cas. Alas poore Catiue.
2495Oth. Looke how he laughes already.
Iag. I neuer knew a woman loue man so.
Cas. Alas poore rogue, I thinke ifaith she loues me.
Oth. Now he denyes it faintly, and laughes it out.
Iag. Doe you heare Cassio?
2500Oth. Now he importunes him to tell it on,
Goe to, well said.
Iag. She giues it out that you shall marry her,
Doe you intend it?
Cas. Ha, ha, ha.
2505Oth. Doe you triumph Roman, doe you triumph?
Cas. I marry her? I prethee beare some charity to my wit,
Doe not thinke it so vnwholesome: ha, ha, ha.
Oth. So, so, so, so, laugh that wins.
2510Iag. Faith the cry goes, you shall marry her.
Cas. Preethee say true.
Iag. I am a very villaine else,
Oth. Ha you stor'd me well.
Cas. This is the monkies own giuing out; she is perswuaded I wil
2515marry her, out of her owne loue and flattery, not out of my promise.
Oth.