-But I shall, in a more continuate time*, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, [Giving her Desdemona's handkerchief. Take me this work out+. Bian. O, Cassio, whence came this? Cas. Woman, go to ! Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now, That this is from some mistress, some remem brance: No, in good troth, Bianca. Bian. Why, whose is it? Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my cham ber. I like the work well; ere it be demanded, Cas. I do attend here on the general; Bian. Cas. Not that I love you not. Why, I pray you? But that you do not love me. 1 pray you, bring me on the way a little; And say, if I shall see you soon at night. Cas. "Tis but a little way, that I can bring you, For I attend here: but I'll see you soon. Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanc'd. * Time less interrupted. †The meaning is not pick out the work, but copy this work in another handkerchief. Iago. Or to be naked with her friend abed, They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. Iago. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip: But if I give my wife a handkerchief,- Oth. What then? Iago. Why then 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. Oth. She is protectress of her honour too; May she give that? lago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen ; They have it very oft, that have it not : But, for the handkerchief, Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it: Thou said'st,-O, it comes o'er my memory, Oth. That's not so good, now. The raven was thought to be a constant attendant on a house infected with the plague. Iago. What, if I had said, I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say,-As knaves be such abroad, Convinced or supplied* them, cannot choose Oth. Hath he said any thing? Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd, No more than he'll unswear. Oth. What hath he said? Iago. 'Faith that he did,-I know not what he Iago. With her, on her; what you will. Oth. Lie with her! lie on her!-We say, lie on her, when they belie her: Lie with her! that's fulsome.-Handkerchief,-confessions,-handkerchief. To confess, and be hanged for his labour↑. -First to be hanged, and then to confess :-I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion, without some instruction. It is not words, that shake me thus :-Pish!-Noses, ears, and lips-Is it possible?-Confess !-Handkerchief!-O devil![Falls in a trance. Iago. Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools àre caught; And many worthy and chaste dames, even thus, Enter Cassio. My lord, I say! Othello!-How now, Cassio? Iago. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy; * Old spelling of suppled, i. e. softened. A proverbial saying. Cas. Rub him about the temples. Iago. No, forbear: The lethargy must have his quiet course: If not, he foams at mouth; and, by and by, Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs : Do you withdraw yourself a little while, He will recover straight; when he is gone, I would on great occasion speak with you. [Exit Cassio. How is it, general? have you not hurt your head? Oth. Dost thou mock me? Iago. I mock you! no, by heaven: 'Would you would bear your fortunes like a man. Oth. A horned man's a monster, and a beast. Iago. There's many a beast then in a populous city, And many a civil monster. Oth. Did he confess it? Iago. Good sir, be a man; Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd, Which they dare swear peculiar; your case is better. O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock, And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know; And, knowing what I am, I know what she shall be. Oth. O, thou art wise; 'tis certain. Iago. Stand you a while apart; Confine yourself but in a patient listt. Whilst you were here, ere while mad with your grief (A passion most unsuiting such a man), Cassio came hither: I shifted him away, And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy; Bade him anon return, and here speak with me; The which he promis'd. Do but encave‡ yourself, * Common. + Within the bounds of patience. Hide. And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns, Oth. Dost thou hear, Iago? I will be found most cunning in my patience; But (dost thou hear?) most bloody. Iago. That's not amiss; But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw? [Othello withdraws. Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, A housewife, that, by selling her desires, Buys herself bread and clothes: it is a creature, He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain Re-enter Cassio. As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad; Iago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure of't. Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power, [Speaking lower. Alas, poor caitiff! Oth. Look, how he laughs already! [Aside. * Ignorant. + Title of lieutenant. [Aside. |