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! I'll not believe it. Des. How now, my dear Othello? Your dinner, and the generous islanders By you invited, do attend your presence. Des. Why is your speech so faint? are you not well? Des. Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again : Let me but bind it hard, within this hour 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 LAGO. 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. Iago. Give it me. Emil. What will you do with it, that you have been so earnest To have me filch it? Iago. Why, what's that to you? Emil. If it be not for some purpose of import, Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run mad, When she shall lack it. Iugo. Be not you known of't; I have use for it. I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, Enter OTHELLO. Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou ow'dst yesterday. Oth. To me? Ha ha! false to me? [Snatching it. [Exit EMILIA. Iago. Why, how now, general? no more of that? Oth. O now, for ever, Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars, Pride, pomp, and circumstance, of glorious war! lago. Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief, Oth. If it be that, Iago. If it be that, or any that was hers, Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Iago. Pray, be content. Oth. O, blood, Iago, blood! Oth. Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea, Swallow them up.-Now, by yond' marble heaven, [Kneels. [Kneels. I here engage my words. Iago. To wrong'd Othello's service! let him command, What bloody work soever. Oth. I greet thy love, Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous, And will upon the instant put thee to't: Within these three days let me hear thee say, That Cassio's not alive. Iago. My friend is dead; 'tis done, at your request: But let her live. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The same. Enter DESDEMONA, and EMILIA. Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia ? Des. Believe me :-And, but my noble Moor To put him to ill thinking. Emil. Is he not jealous? Des. Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was born, Drew all such humors from him. Emil. Look, where he comes. Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio Enter OTHELLO. Oth. Well, my good lady;-[Aside.]-O, hardness to dissemble!How do you, Desdemona ? Des. Well, my good lord. Oth. Give me your hand: 'Tis a good hand, A frank one. Des. You may, indeed, say so; For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. Oth. A liberal hand: The hearts, of old, gave hands: But our new heraldry is-hands, not hearts. Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now your promise. Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. Lend me thy handkerchief. Des. Here, my lord. I have it not about me Did an Egyptian to my mother give; She was a charmer, and could almost read The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it, 'Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father Entirely to her love; but if she lost it, Or made a gift of it, my father's eye Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt Des. Is it possible? Oth. "Tis true; There's magic in the web of it. A sibyl, that had number'd in the world The sun to make two hundred compasses, In her prophetic fury sew'd the work: The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk; Des. Indeed! is't true? Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well. Oth. Ha! wherefore? Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash? Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out of the way? Say you? Oth. Des. It is not lost; But what and if it were? Oth. Fetch't, let me see it. Des. Why, so I car, sir, but I will not now; This is a trick, to put me from my suit; I pray, let Cassio be receiv'd again. Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgives. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. Hath founded his good fortune on your love, Shar'd dangers with you ; Oth. Des. In sooth, You are to blame. I pray, talk me of Cassio. A man that, all his time, The handkerchief, Oth. Away! [Exit OTHELLO Emil. Is not this man jealous? Des. I ne'er saw this before. Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: I am most unhappy in the loss of it. Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: Look you! Cassio and my husband. Enter IAGO, and CASSIO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and importune her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, That, by your virtuous means, I may again Exist, and be a member of his love. Des. My advocation is not now in tune; Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio, My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, So help me, every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best, And stood within the blank of his displeasure, For my free speech! You must a while be patient: What I can do, I will; and more I will, Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you. |