Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much; mour; The business of the state does him offence, How now, Roderigo? Rod. And that you would have me do? Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to-night with a harlot, and thither will I go to him;-he knows not yet of his honourable fortune if you will watch his going thence (which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one,) you may take him at your pleasure; I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me; I will show you such a necessity in his death, that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high supper-time, and the night grows to waste: about it. Rod. I will hear further reason for this. Rod. I do not find, that thou deal'st justly Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia, with me. Iago. What in the contrary? Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, lago; and rather, (as it seems to me now.) keep'st from me all conveniency, than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. 1 will, indeed, no longer endure it: Nor am I yet persuaded, to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered. Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo? Rod. Faith, I have heard too much; for your words, and performances, are no kin together. lazo. You charge me most unjustly. Rod. With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have) had from me, to deliver to Desdemona, would half have corrupted a votarist: You have told me-she has received them, and returned me] expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquittance; but I find none. Iago. Well; go to; very well. Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis not very well: By this hand, I say, it is very scurvy; and begin to find myself fobbed in it. Iago. Very well. Rod. I tell you, 'tis not very well. I will make myself known to Desdemona: If she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, and repent my unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself, I will seek satisfaction of you. Iago. You have said now. Rod Ay, and I have said nothing, but what 1 protest intendment of doing. Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even, from this instant, do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo; Thou hast taken against me most just exception; but, yet I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair. Rod. It hath not appeared. Iago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared: and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that within thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever,-I mean, purpose, courage, and valour, this night show it: if thou the next night following enjoyest not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines for my life. Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reason, and compass? Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice, to depute Cassio in Othello's place? Rod. Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice. Iago. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate, as the removing of Cassio. Rod. How do you mean-removing of him? Iago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains. and Attendants. [Exeunt Oth. Lod. and Attendants. Emil. How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did. Des. He says he will return incontinent; He hath commanded me to go to bed, And bade me to dismiss you. Emil. Dismiss me! Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia, Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu : We must not now displease him. Emil. I would, you had never seen him! Des. So would not I; my love doth so approve him, That even his stubbornness, his checks, and frowns,- 'Pr'ythee, unpin me,-have grace and favour in them. Emil. I have laid the sheets you bade me on the bed. Des. All's one :-Good father! how foolish are our minds! If I do die before thee, 'pr'ythee, shroud me Des. And he speaks well. Emil. I know a lady in Venice, who would have walked barefooted to Palestine, for a touch of his nether lip. Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home; Sing willow, &c. Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the Lay by these: [stones; Sing willow, willow, willow; "Pr'ythee, hie thee; he'll come non II. Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't. Sing all a green willow must be my Iago. Here, at thy hand; be bold, and take thy Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve. Des. I call'd my love, false love; but what Sing willow, &c. If I court mo woman, you'll couch with mo men. Dost thou in conscience think,-tell me, Emilia,- Emil. The world is a huge thing: "Tis a great For a small vice, [price Des. Good troth, 1 think thon would'st not. Emil. By my troth, I think I should; and undo't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint ring; nor for measures of lawn; nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition: but, for the whole world,-Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for't. Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong for the whole world. Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i' the world, and having the world for your labour, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. Des. do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many To the vantage, as would store the world they play'd for. But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults, grace, Yet we have some revenge. Let husbands know, Their wives have sense like them: they see, and smell, And have their palates both for sweet and sour, Des. Good night, good night; Heaven me such Not to piok bad from bad; but, by bad, mend! ACT V. SCENE I. A Street. Enter Iago and Roderigo. [Exeunt. dies. Iago. I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense, And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill It must not be: if Cassio do remain, No, he must die-But so, I hear him coming. Rod. I know his gait, 'us he:-Villain, thou diest. [Rushes from his post, and makes a pass at Cassio. Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, But that my coat is better than thou think'st; I will make proof of thine. [Draws, and wounds Roderiga. Rod. O, I am slain! [lago rushes from his post, and cuts Cassio behind in the Leg, and erit Cas. I am maim'd for ever:-Help, ho! mar. der! murder! [Falls. Enter Othello, at a distance. Oth. The voice of Cassio:-Iago keeps his word. Rod. O, villain that I am! Oth. Hark! 'tis even so. Cas. O, help! ho! light; a surgeon! Oth. "Tis he;-O brave lago, honest, and just, That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! Thou teachest me,-Minion, your dear lies dead, And your fate hies apace :-Strumpet, I come: Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted. [Ezit Otello. Enter Lodovico and Gratiano, at a distance. Cas. What ho! no watch! no passage der! murder! Gra 'Tis some mischance; the cry is very Rod. Hark! O wretched villain! Lod. Two or three groans :-it is a heavy night: These may be counterfeits; let's think't unsafe Enter lago, with a Light. Iago. Here, stand behind this bulk; straight Lod. The same, indeed; a very valiant fellow. will he come; Iago. What are you here that cry so grievously? Cas. Iago 7 O, I am spoil'd, undone by villains? Give me some help. Iago. O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this? Cas. I think, that one of them is hereabout, And cannot make away. Iago. O treacherous villains!What are you there? come in, and give some help. [To Lodovico and Gratiano. Rod. O, help me here! Cas. That's one of them. lago. O murderous slave! O villain [lago stabs Roderigo. Rod. O damn'd Iago! O'inhuman dog!0! O! O! Jago. Kill men i' the dark I-Where be these bloody thieves? ! How silent is this town!-Ho! murder! murder ! What may you be? are you of good, or evil? Lod. As you shall prove us, praise us, Iago. Lod. He sir. Signior Lodovico ? Iago. I cry you mercy; Here's Cassio hurt By villains. Gra. Cassio 7 Iago. How is it, brother? Cas. My leg is cut in two. Iago. Marry, heaven forbid !Light, gentlemen; I'll bind it with my shirt. Enter Bianca. Do you perceive the ghastness of her eye 7- Emil. 'Las, what's the matter; what's the matter, husband? Iago. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark, Emil. Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio! Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night :What, do you shake at that? Bian. He supp'd at my house; but I therefore shake not. Iago. O, did he so 7 I charge you, go with me. As I ? foh! fie upon thee? Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio dress'd: Come, mistress, you must tell us another tale.- And tell my lord and lady what has happ d.- Bian. What is the matter, ho? who is it that That either makes me or fordoes me quite. Iago. Who is't that cry'd? Bian. O my dear Cassio! my sweet Cassio! O Cassio! Cassio! Cassio! Iago. O notable strumpet!-Cassio, may you Gra. I am sorry, to find you thus: I have been to seek you. Iago. Lend me a garter: So.-O, for a chair, To bear him easily hence! Bian. Alas, he faints;-O Cassio! Cassio! Cassio! Iago. Gentleman all, I do suspect this trash To be a party in this injury. Patience awhile, good Cassio.-Come, come; Iago. Even he, sir; did you know him? Know him, ay. Iago. Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle par [Aside. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Bedchamber: Desdemona in Bed asleep. A Light burning. Enter Othello. Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!It is the cause.-Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of her's than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. Takes off his sword. Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, and then-Put out the light! If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore, Should I repent me :--but once put out thine, Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, I know not where is that Promethean heat, That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd thy rose, 1 cannot give it vital growth again, It needs must wither:-I'll smell it on the tree.[Kissing her. O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Justice to break her sword!-One more, one more. Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, And love thee after:-One more, and this the last: So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, Oth. Des. Ay, Desdemona. Des. Will you come to bed, my lord? Oth. Have you pray'd to-night, Desdemona? Ay, my lord. Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime, Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace, Solicit for it straight. Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that ? Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by: I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; No,-Heaven forefend !-I would not kill thy Des. Talk you of killing? Have mercy on me! Amen, with all my heart! Des. And yet I fear you: for you are fatal then, When your eyes roll so: Why I should fear, I know not, Since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel, I fear. They are loves I bear to you. Emil. [Within.] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you. Oth. Yestis Emilia-by and by.-She's Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death: I think she stirs again :-No.-What's the best 7 Des. That death's unnatural, that kills for lov-O insupportable! O heavy hour! ing. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip ? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame: Peace, and be still! Des. No, by my life and soul; Sweet soul, take heed, Yes, presently: That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. I say, amen. Des. And have you mercy too! I never did Offend you in my life; never lov'd Cassio, But with such general warranty of heaven As I might love; I never gave him token. Oth. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, He found it then; Oth. That be hath-us'd thee. Oth. Ay. Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse Of sun and moon; and that the affrighted globa Emil. [Within.] I do beseech you I may speak O, good my lord! Help! help! ho! help!-O lady, speak again! O, who hath done Nobody; I myself; farewell: How ? unlawfully? Commend me to my kind lord; O, farewell. Des. He'll not say so. Des. My fear interprets then,-What, is he Oth. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge Had stomach for them all. Des. Alas! he is betray'd, and I undone. Des. O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not. Des. Kill me to-morrow, let me live to-night. Des. Being done, Oth. It is too late. Oth. What noise is this? Not dead! not yet I, that am cruel, am yet merciful; I would not have thee linger in thy pain.- Emil. Within.] What ho! my lord, my lord! Who's there? And you the blacker devil! Emil. Emil. My husband? And fall to reprobation. Oth. What needs this iterance, woman? I say, thy husband. Emil. O mistress, villany hath made mocks My husband say, that she was false? He, woman, Emil. As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! The Moor has kill'd my mistress: Murder! Enter Montano, Gratiano, and Iago. That men must lay their murders on your neck. Emil. Disprove this villain, if thou beest a man: Iago. I told him what I thought; and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true. Emil. You told a lie; an odious damned lie; She false with Cassio!-Did you say with Cassio? Iago. With Cassio, mistress; Go to, charm your tongue. Emil. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed. Emil. And your reports have set the murder on. Villany, villany, villany!- Iago. What, are you mad? I charge you, get Emil. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to "Tis proper I obey him, but not now :-- Emil. O, she was foul !-[Rising.I scarce did know you, uncle: There lies your niece, Whose breath indeed, these hands have newly I know, this act shows horrible and grim. Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief Oth. 'Tis pitiful: but yet Iago knows, Emil. O heaven! O heavenly powers! No, I will speak as liberal as the air; Let heaven, and men, and devils, let them all, I Emil. Gra. I will not. found by fortune, and did give my husband; men: O murd'rous coxcomb! what should such a fool Oth [lago stabs Emilia, then runs out. Are there no stones in heaven, But what serve for the thunder ?-Precious vil lain? Gra. The woman falls; sure, he has kill'd his Emil. Ay, ay; 0, lay me by my mistress' side! weapon, Which I have here recover'd from the Moor: Oth. [Exeunt Montano and Gratiano. What did thy song bode, lady? [Dies. So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true; Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. Behold! I have a weapon, boast! Who can control his fate? 'tis not so now.- |