Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald Bailey
Peer Reviewed

Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)

77
The Moore of Venice.

Rod. Well, is it within reason and compasse?
Iag. Sir, there is especiall command come from Venice,
To depute Cassio in Othello's place.
2940Rod. Is that true? why then Othello and Desdemona
Returne againe to Venice.
Iag. O no, he goes into Mauritania, and takes away with him
The faire Desdemona, vnlesse his abode be linger'd
Here by some accident, wherein none can be so
2945determinate, as the remouing of Cassio.
Rod. How doe you meane remouing of him?
Iag. Why, by making him vncapable of Othello's place,
Knocking out his braines.
2950Rod. And that you would haue me to doe.
Iag. I, and if you dare doe your selfe a profit, and right, hee sups
to night with a harlot, and thither will I goe to him; --- he knowes
not yet of his honourable fortune: if you will watch his going
thence, which I will fashion to fall out betweene twelue and one,
you may take him at your pleasure: I will be neere to second your
attempt, and hee shall fall betweene vs: come, stand not amaz'd
at it, but goe along with mee, I will shew you such a necessity in his
death, that you shall thinke your selfe bound to put it on him. It is
now high supper time, and the night growes to wast: about it.
Enter Othello, Desdemona, Lodouico, Emillia,
and Attendants.
Rod. I will heare further reason for this.
Iag. And you shall be satisfied. Ex. Iag. and Rod.
Lod. I do beseech you sir, trouble your selfe no further.
Oth. O pardon me, it shall doe me good to walke.
2970Lod. Madame, good night, I humbly thanke your Ladiship.
Des. Your honour is most welcome.
Oth. Will you walke sir: ---O Desdemona.
Des. My Lord.
2975Oth. Get you to bed, o'the instant I will be return'd, forthwith,
dispatch your Attendant there, ---looke it be done. Exeunt.
Des. I will my Lord.
Em. How goes it now? he lookes gentler then he did.
Des.
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