CHAP. XXVII. OTHELLO AND IAGO. JAGO. MY noble Lord, отн. What dost thou say, lago? IAGO. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my Lady, Know of your love? отн. He did, from first to last; why dost thou ask? IAGO. But for a satisfaction of my thoughtt No farther harm. отн. Why of thy thought, Iago ? IAGO. I did not think he'd been acquainted with it. отн. Oh, yes, and went between us very oft. IAGO. Indeed! OTH. Indeed! ay, indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest ? IAGO. Honest, my Lord? оти. Honest! aye, honest. IAGO. My Lord, for aught I know. отн. What dost thou think? IAGO. Think, my Lord! OTH. Think, my Lord! Why by Heav'n, thou echo'st me, As if there were some monster in thy thought, Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something; In my whole oourse of wooing; thou cry'd'st, "Indeed?" IAGO. My Lord, you know I love you. And, for I know, thou art full of love and honesty, IAGO. For Michael Cassio, 1 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 knaves. I pray the spaak to me as to thy thinkings, 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're vile and false, Keep leets and law-days, and in sessions sit OTH. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, lago, IAGO. I do beseech you, Think I, perchance, am vicious in my guess, Out of my scatter'd and, unsure observance : отн. What dost thou mean? JAGO. Good name in man or woman, my dear 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. I'll know thy thoughts IAGO. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. IAGO. Oh, beware my Lord, of jealousy : Who doats, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! отн. O misery! IAGO. Poor and content, is rich, and rich enough But riches endless, is as poor as winter, отн. Why, why is this? For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago, IAGO. I'm glad of this; for now I shall have reason IAGO. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And when she seem'd to share, and fear your looks, She lov'd them most. OTH. And so she did. IAGO. Go too 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'm much to blame; I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you. OTH. I am bound to you for ever. IAGO. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits. OTH. Not a jot, not a jot. IAGO. Trust me, I fear it has : I hope you will consider what is spoke Comes from my love. But I do see you're mov'd I am to pray you, not to strain my speech To grosser issues, not to larger reach, Than to suspicion. отң: I will not. IAGO. Should you do so, my Lord, My speech would fall into such vile success, Which my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend, My Lord, I see you're mov'd OTH. No, not much mov'd I do not think but Desdamona's honest. IAGO. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! OTH. And yet how nature's erring from itself JAGO. Ay there's the point!-as (to be bold with you) Not to affect many proposed matches OTH. Farewel, farewel; If more thou dost perceive, let me know more: This honest creature, doubtless, Sees, and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. IAGO. My Lord, I would I might intreat your Honour To scan this thing no further: leave it to time : Altho' 'tis fit that Cassio have his place, For, sure, he fills it up with great ability; Yet if you please to hold him off awhile, You shall by that perceive him and his means; Note, if your lady strain his entertainment With any strong or vehement opportunity; Much will be seen in that. In the mean time, Let me be thought too busy in my fears, (As worthy cause I have to fear I am) |