Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Emil. Lady, amen. Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: And seek to effect it to my uttermost. [Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA. Enter BIANCA. Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! What make you from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca ? Bian. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, Take me this work out. Bian. [Giving her DESDEMONA's handkerchief. O, Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend. Is 't come to this? Well, well. Cas. Go to, woman! Bian. Why, whose is it? Cas. I know not, neither: I found it in my chamber. I like the work well: ere it be demanded (As like enough it will), I'd have it copied: Take it, and do 't; and leave me for this time. Bian. Leave you! wherefore? Cas. I do attend here on the general; And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me woman'd. Bian. Cas. Not that I love you not. Why, I pray you? But that you do not love me. I pray you bring me on the way a little ; Cas. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, [Exeunt. Tago. Or to be with her friend an hour or more, Not meaning any harm? Oth. And not mean harm? It is hypocrisy against the devil: They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. Tago. If 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? Iago. 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, As doth the raven o'er the infected house, Oth. That's not so good, now. Tago. What, if I had said I had seen him do you wrong? Oth. Hath he said anything? Tago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd, No more than he'll unswear. Oth. What hath he said? Iago. Why, that he did I know not what he did. Oth. What? what? Iago. Lie Oth. With her? Iago. With her ;-or what you will. Oth. 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.-Is 't possible? -Confess!-handkerchief!—O devil! [Falls in a trance. Iago. Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught; Enter CASSIO. My lord, I say! Othello!-How now, Cassio? Cas. What is the matter? Iago. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy; Iago. [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 fortune 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. And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know; Iago. Stand you awhile apart; |