What! Michael Cassio, Or stand so mammering on. That came a wooing with you; and many a time, Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, Des. Shall I deny you? no: Farewell, my lord. Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I will come to thee straight. Des. Emilia, come :-Be it as your fancies teach you; Whate'er you be, I am obedient. Iago. My noble lord, Oth. [Exit, with EMILIA. What dost thou say, Iago? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask? No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think, he had been acquainted with her. Iago. Indeed? Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed :-Discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest? Think, my lord! Oth. What dost thou think? Iago. By heaven, he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean something: In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, Indeed? I think thou dost; Iago. My lord, you know I love you. They are close denotements, working from the heart, Iago. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. Oth. I think so too. Iago. Men should be what they seem; Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none ! I think, that Cassio is an honest man. Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this: I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, Why then, As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts Iago. Good my lord, pardon me; Though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and false, As where's that palace, whereunto foul things Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure, Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, I do beseech you,— Iago. To spy into abuses; and, oft my jealousy You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble To let you know my thoughts. Oth. What dost thou mean? Iago. Good name, in man, and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing: "Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought. Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand : Nor shall not, while 'tis in my custody Oth. Ha! Iago O, beware, my lord, of jealousy It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on. Oth. O misery! Iago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enougn: But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter, To him that ever fears he shall be poor : Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend From jealousy! Oth. Why! why is this? Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt, "Tis not to make me jealous, To say-my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company, Iago. I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason Oth. Iago. And so she did.. Why, go to, then; She that so young, could give out such a seeming, To seal her father's eyes up, close as oak, He thought, 'twas witchcraft :-But I am much to blame; I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you. Oth. Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot. Iago. I am bound to thee for ever. Trust me, I fear it has. I hope, you will consider, what is spoke Comes from my love :-But, I do see you are mov'd :— Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall into such vile success As my thoughts aim not at. My lord, I see you are mov'd. Oth. Cassio's my worthy friend : No, not much mov'd: I do not think but Desdemona's honest. Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! Iago. Ay, there's the point :-As,-to be bold with you,— Of her own clime, complexion, and degree; Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank, Oth. Farewell, farewell: Oth. Why did I marry?—This honest creature, doubtless, Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your honor To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: And though it be fit that Cassio have his place, Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, [Going. [Exit. That chamberers have: Or, for I am declin'd Must be to loath her. Desdemona comes. Enter DESDEMONA, and EMILIA. If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!— Des. How now, my dear Othello? Your dinner, and the generous islanders By you invited, do attend your presence. Oth. I am to blame. Des. Why is your speech so faint? are you not well? Des. Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again : It will be well. Oth. Your napkin is too little; [He puts the handkerchief from him, and it drops. Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you. Des. I am very sorry that you are not well. [Exeunt ОTH. and DES. Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin; To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out, What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I; I nothing, but to please his fantasy. Enter IAGO. Iago. How now! what do you here alone? Emil. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you. Iago. A thing for me ?-it is a common thing. Iago. To have a foolish wife. Emil. O, is that all? What will you give me now For that same handkerchief? Iago. Emil. What handkerchief? What handkerchief? Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona; That which so often you did bid me steal. Iago. Hast stolen it from her? Emil. No, faith; she let it drop by negligence; And, to the advantage, I, being here, took 't up. Look, here it is. |