Iago. That's fouler. Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night:I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again:-this night, Iago. Iago. Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases; very good. Iago. And, for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: You shall hear more by midnight. [A trumpet within. Oth. Excellent good.-What trumpet is that same? Iago. Something from Venice, sure. "Tis Lo dovico, Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him. Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants. Lod. 'Save you, worthy general! Oth. With all my heart, sir. Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you. [Gives him a packet. Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. [Opens the packet, and reads. Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodo vico? Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior; Welcome to Cyprus. Lod. I thank you: How does lieutenant Cassio? Iago. Lives, sir. Des. Cousin, there's fallen between him and my lord An unkind breach: but you shall make all well. Des. My lord? Oth. This fail you not to do, as you will— [Reads. Lod. He did not call; he's busy in the paper. Is there division 'twixt thy lord and Cassio? Des. A most unhappy one; I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio? Oth. Fire and brimstone! Des. Oth. My lord? Are you wise? Des. What, is he angry? Lod. 1 'May be, the letter mov'd him; For, as I think, they do command him home, Deputing Cassio in his government. Des. By my troth, I'm glad on't. Des. I have not deserv'd this. Lod. My lord, this would not be believ'd in Venice, Though I should swear I saw it: 'Tis very much; Make her amends, she weeps. Oth. O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile :- Des. I will not stay to offend you. [Going. I do beseech your lordship, call her back. Oth. Mistress, Oth. Ay; you did wish, that I would make her turn: Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on, kies! Lod. Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate Call-all-in-all sufficient? This the noble nature Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue The shot of accident, nor dart of chance, Could neither graze, nor pierce? Iago. He is much chang'd. Lod. Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain? H Iago. He is that he is; I may not breathe my censure. What he might be, if, what he might, he is not,— I would to heaven, he were. Lod. What, strike his wife! Iago. 'Faith, that was not so well; Yet 'would I knew, That stroke would prove the worst. Lod. Is it his use? Or did the letters work upon his blood, Iago. Alas, alas! It is not honesty in me, to speak What I have seen and known. You shall observe him; And his own courses will denote him so, That I may save my speech: Do but go after, And mark how he continues. Lod. I am sorry, that I am deceiv'd in him. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A ROOM IN THE CASTLE. Enter Othello and Emilia. Oth. You have seen nothing then? Emil. Nor ever heard; nor ever did suspect. Oth. Yes, you have seen Cassio and she toge ther. Emil. But then I saw no harm; and then I heard Each syllable, that breath made up between them. Never, my lord. Never. Oth. Nor send you out o'the way? Emil. Oth. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? Emil. Never, my lord. Oth. That's strange. Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other, Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. If any wretch hath put this in your head, Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true, There's no man happy; the purest of their wives Is foul as slander. Oth. Bid her come hither;-go. [Exit Emilia. She says enough;-yet she's a simple bawd, And yet she'll kneel, and pray; I have seen her do't. Re-enter Emilia, with Desdemona. Des. My lord, what is Oth. Des. What is your pleasure? Oth. Look in my face. Des. your will? Pray, chuck, come hither. Let me see your eyes; What horrible fancy's this? |