Iago. Well, my good lord, I'll do't. Repair there to me. Oth. This fortification, gentlemen,-shall we see't? Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt. All SCENE III. Before the Castle. Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA. Des. Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do my abilities in thy behalf. Emil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves my husband, As if the case were his. Des. O, that's an honest fellow.-Do not doubt, Cassio, But I will have my lord and you again As friendly as you were. Cas. Bounteous madam, Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, my lord: Des. O, sir, I thank you: You do love You have known him long; and be you well assur'd, He shall in strangeness stand no further off Than in a politick distance. Cas. Ay, but, lady, Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia here, I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it To the last article: my lord shall never rest; I'll watch him tame," and talk him out of patience; With Cassio's suit: Therefore be merry, Cassio; Than give thy cause away. Enter OTHELLO, and IAGO, at a distance. And hear me speak. Why, stay, Cas. Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes. Des. Do your discretion. Iugo. Well, well, [Exit CASSIO. Ha! I like not that. Oth. What dost thou say? Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if I know not what. Oth. Was not that Cassio, parted from my wife? Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, I have been talking with a suitor here, A man that languishes in your displeasure. Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good my lord, If I have any grace, or power to move you, His present reconciliation take; For, if he be not one that truly loves you, Oth. Went he hence now? Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled, That he hath left part of his grief with me; I suffer with him. Good love, call him back. Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time. Des. But shall't be shortly? Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you. Des. Shall't be to-night at supper ? Des. To-morrow dinner then? Oth. No, not to-night. I shall not dine at home; I meet the captains at the citadel. Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn; Or Tuesday noon, or night; or Wednesday morn; I pray thee, name the time; but let it not Exceed three days: in faith, he's penitent; And yet his trespass, in our common reason, (Save that, they say, the wars must make examples Out of their best,8) is not almost a fault To incur a private check: When shall he come? Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul, What you could ask me, that I should deny, Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio, That came a wooing with you; and many a time, When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much,— Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he will; I will deny thee nothing. Des. Why, this is not a boon; To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit, It shall be full of poize' and difficulty, And fearful to be granted. I will deny thee nothing: Oth. To leave me but a little to myself. 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. [Exit, with EMILIA. Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. Iago. My noble lord, Oth. What dost thou say, Iago? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Know of your love? Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask? Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought; No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think, he had been acquainted with her. Oth. O, yes; and went between us very oft. lago. Indeed? Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed:-Discern'st thou aught in that? As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean some thing: I heard thee say but now,-Thou lik'dst not that, When Cassio left my wife; What did'st not like? And, when I told thee-he was of my counsel |