Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown? Des. No, unpin me here.This Lodovico is a proper man. Emil. A very handsome man. Des. And he speaks well. Emil. I know a lady in Venice, who would have walked barefoot to Palestine, for a touch of his nether lip. I. Des. The poor soulsat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing all a green willow; [Singing. Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, Sing willow, willow, willow: The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans; Sing willow, &c. Des. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Emil. The world is a huge thing: 'tis a great price For a small vice. Des. Good troth, I think thou wouldst not. Emil. By my troth, I think I should; and undo't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring; nor for measures of lawn; nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any who would not make her husband a cuckold, to petty exhibition: but for the whole world,-Why, make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for't. Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong for the whole world. Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i'the Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones, world: and, having the world for your labor, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you may quickly Lay by these: make it right. Sing willow, willow, willow; Pr'ythee, hie thee; he'll come anon. Des. I do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many Sing all a green willow, must be my garland. To the vantage, as would store the world they II. Let nobody blame him, his scorn 1 approve, Nay, that's not next.-Hark! who is it that knocks? Emil. It is the wind. play'd for. But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults, Des. I call'd my love, false love; but what said Throwing restraint upon us; or, say they strike us, he then? Sing willow, &c. If I court mo women, you'll couch with mo men. So, get thee gone; good-night. Mine eyes do itch; Doth that bode weeping? Emil. Dost thou in conscience think,-tell me, Emilia,- Emil. There be some such, no question. Des. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Emil. Why, would not you? Des. No, by this heavenly light! Emil. Nor I neither by this heavenly light; I might do't as well i'the dark. Or scant our former having' in despite; grace, Yet we have some revenge. Let husbands know Their wives have sense' like them: they see, and smell, And have their palates both for sweet and sour, Des. Good-night, good-night: Heaven me such usage send, Not to pick bad from bad; but, by bad, mend! [Exeunt. Wear thy good rapier bare,' and put it home; Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't. Rod. I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he has given me satisfying reasons:"Tis but a man gone:-forth, my sword; he dies. [Goes to his stand. Iago. I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,' And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, • Mo for more. ↑ Unsheathed. • To the quick. Every way makes my gain: Live Roderigo, Of gold, and jewels, that I bobb'd' from him, It must not be: if Cassio do remain, That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril : No, he must die :-But so, I hear him coming. Rod. O, I am slain! [IAGO rushes from his post, cuts CASSIO behind in the Leg, and Exit. Cas. I am maim'd for ever:-Help, ho! murder! murder! Enter OTHELLO, at a distance. [Falls. lago. Marry, heaven forbid !Light, gentlemen; I'll bind it with my shirt. Enter BIANCA. Bian. What is the matter, ho? who is't that cry'd? lago. Who is't that cry'd? Bian. O my dear Cassio! my sweet Cassio! Oth. The voice of Cassio:-Iago keeps his word. O Cassio! Cassio! Cassio! Oth. Hark! 'tis even so. Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be Gra. 'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful. Lod. Hark! O wretched villain! Lod. Two or three groans;-it is a heavy' night: These may be counterfeits; let's think't unsafe Lod. Hark! Gra. Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons. Iugo. O notable strumpet!-Cassio, may you Who they should be, that have thus mangled you? Gra. I am sorry to find you thus: I have been Iago. Lend me a garter: So.-O, for a chair, Bian. Alas, he faints:-O Cassio! Cassio! Iago. Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash Iago. Even he, sir; did you know him? Iago. Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle par- These bloody accidents must excuse my manners, Gra. Iago. He, he, 'tis he:-O, that's well said;the chair:- [A Chair brought in. Some good man bear him carefully from hence; Iago. Who's there? whose noise is this, that I'll fetch the general's surgeon. For you, mistress, cries on murder? Lod. We do not know. [To BIANCA. Save you your labor. He that lies slain here, Cassio, Was my dear friend: What malice was between you? Cas. None in the world; nor do I know the Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio | These are portents; but yet, I hope, I hope, dress'd: Come, mistress, you must tell us another tale.Emilia, run you to the citadel, And tell my lord and lady what has happ'd.— Will you go on, I pray ?-This is the night, [Aside. That either makes me, or fordoes me quite. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A Bed-chamber: DESDEMONA in Bed asleep. A Light burning. Enter OTHELLO. Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!— It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of her's than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. [Takes off his Sword. Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light:" If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore, Should I repent me :-but once put out thine, Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, I know not where is that Promethean heat, That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd thy rose, I cannot give it vital growth again, O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Ay, Desdemona. Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that? Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by; I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; No,-Heaven forfend!-I would not kill thy soul. Des. Talk you of killing? Oth. Des. Have mercy on me! Oth. Ay, I do. Then, heaven Amen, with all my heart! Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Oth. Humph! Des. And yet I fear you: for you are fatal then, When your eyes roll so: Why I should fear, I know They do not point on me. Peace, and be still! Des. I will so: What's the matter? Oth. That handkerchief which I so lov'd and gave thee, Thou gav'st to Cassio. Des . No, by my life and soul; Send for the man and ask him. Oth. Sweet soul, take heed, Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy death-bed, Des. Ay, but not yet to die. Yes, presently: Oth. I say, amen. Des. And have you mercy too!-I never did Offend you in my life; never lov'd Cassio, But with such general warranty of heaven As I might love: I never gave him token. Oth. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, Des. He found it then; I never gave it him:-Send for him hither, Let him confess a truth. But half an hour. But while I say one prayer. Oth. It is too late. Emil. [Within.] My lord, my lord! what ho! my lord! my lord! Oth. What noise is this?-Not dead! not yet quite dead? I, that am cruel, am yet merciful; I would not have thee linger in thy pain.— my Emil. [Within.] What ho! my lord, lord! Oth. Who's there? Emil. [Within.] O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you. Oth. Yes; 'tis Emilia :-by and by.-She's dead. "Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death: The noise was high.-Ha! no more moving? Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were't good? I think, she stirs again:-No.-What's the best' Des. O, who hath done Nobody; I myself; farewell: Commend me to my kind lord; O, farewell. [Dies. Oth. Why, how should she be murder'd? Emil. Alas, who knows? Oth. You heard her say herself, it was not I. Emil. She said so, I must needs report the truth. Oth. She's like a liar, gone to burning hell; "Twas I that kill'd her. Emil. O, the more angel she, And you the blacker devil! Oth. She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore. Emil. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil! Oth. She was false as water. Emil. Thou art rash as fire, to say That she was false; O, she was heavenly true! Oth. Cassio did tap her; ask thy husband else, O, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell, But that I did proceed upon just grounds To this extremity; Thy husband knew it all. Emil. My husband? If heaven would make me such another world Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, I'd not have sold her for it. Emil. My husband? As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt! Emil. Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man. He says, thou told'st him, that his wife was false: I know, thou did'st not, thou art not such a villain; Speak, for my heart is full. Iago. I told him what I thought; and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true. Emil. But did you ever tell him she was false? Iago. I did. Emil. You told a lie; an odious, damned lie; Upon my soul, a lie: a wicked lie: She false with Cassio!-Did you say with Cassio? Iago. With Cassio, mistress; Go to, charm your tongue. Emil. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak; My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed. Emil. And your reports have set the murder on. Mon. O monstrous act! Villany, villany, villany!I think upon't, I think, I smell't;-O villany! I thought so then;-I'll kill myself for grief.O villany, villany! lago. What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home. Emil. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak: 'Tis proper I obey him, but not now:Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. Oth. O! O! O! [Hanging over his Wife. Emil. Nay, lay thee down, and roar; For thou hast killed the sweetest innocent, That e'er did lift up eye. Oth. O, she was foul! [Rising. I scarce did know you, uncle: There lies your niece, Ay, 'twas he that told me first; Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly An honest man he is, and hates the slime That sticks on filthy deeds. Emil. My husband? Oth. What needs this iterance,' woman? I say, thy husband. stopp'd: I know, this act shows horrible and grim. Gra. Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead; Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief "More can I bear than you dare execute." "Forbid. Behold! I have a weapon; A better never did itself sustain A thousand times committed; Cassio confess'd it: Who can control his fate? 'tis not so now. And she did gratify his amorous works Emil. O heaven! O heavenly powers! No, I will speak as liberal' as the air; Emil. Gra. I will not. Your sword upon a woman! Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd; wench! Pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt O cursed, cursed slave!-Whip me, ye devils, Emil. By heaven, I do not: I do not, gentlemen: If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee. [IAGO stabs EMILIA, then runs out. Mon. "Tis a notorious villain. Take you this Which I have here recover'd from the Moor: [Exeunt MONTANO and GRATIANO. Oth. I am not valiant neither, Emil. What did thy song bode, lady? [Dies. Oth. I have another weapon in this chamber, Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. Re-enter GRATIANO. Gra. What is the matter? 4 Free. Steel is hardened by being put red-hot into very cold water. [OTHELLO wounds IAGO. Lod. O thou Othello, that was once so good, Oth. Why, any thing: An honorable murderer, if you will; Cas. Dear general, I never gave you cause. From this time forth I never will speak word. Torments will ope your lips. Lod. Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n, Which, as I think, you know not: Here is a letter, Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo; Oth. O villain! |