Did an Ægyptian to my mother give:
She was a charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people; she told her, while she
kept it,

Emil. Is not this man jealous?

Des. I ne'er saw this before.

Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief: 40I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shews us a man: They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; They eat us hungerly, and, when they are full, They belch us. Look you! Cassio, and my husband. 45

"Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father 50
Intirely 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
After new fancies: She, dying, gave it me;
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,
To give it her. I did so: and take heed on 't,
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose 't, or give 't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.

Des. Is it possible?

Oth. 'Tis true; there's magic in the web of it:

55

Enter Iago, and Cassio.

Can ransom me into his love again,

60 But to know so must be by benefit;
So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content,

1 A Portugueze coin (so called from the cross stamped upon it), in value three shillings sterling.

2 i. e. a rheum obstinately troublesome. i. e. number'd the sun's courses, * i. e. vehement, violent.

.

And

Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon
When it hath blown his ranks into the air;
And, like the devil, from his very arm
Puff'd his own brother;-And can he be angry?
Something of moment, then: I will go meet him; 20
There's matter in 't indeed, if he be angry. [Exit.
Des. I pr'ythee, do so. Something, sure, of

The meaning, according to Mr. Steevens, is, "I will put on a constrained appearance of being contented, and shut myself up in a different course of life, no longer to depend on my own efforts, but to wait for relief from the accidental hand of charity."-We think, however, it means no more than that he would try what Fortune would do for him in some other course of life. ' In look, in countenance. 3 i. e. within the shot of his anger. * Some treason that has not taken effect. › Unhandsome warrior, is unfair assailant. i. e. a time less interrupted, time which I can call more i. e. Your civility is now grown

i. e. "Copy this work in another handkerchief,"

SCENE I,

An Apartment in the Castle,

Enter Othello, and lago, Jugo. WILL you think so?

Iago. What,

Oth. Think so, Iago?

To kiss in private?

Oth. An unauthoriz'd kiss,

АСТ IV.

Iago. Or to be naked with her friend abed, An hour, or more, not meaning any harın?

Oth. Naked abed, Iago, and not mean harm'?

It is hypocrisy against the devil:

They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,

lago. With her, on her; what you will.

Oth. Lie with her! lie on her!-We say, lie on her, when they belie her: Lie with her! that's 10fulsome. Handkerchief, confessions,-handkerchief. To confess, and be hang'd for his labour. --First, to be hang'd, and then-to confess :-I tremble at it.-Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion, without some instruction.

The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt 15 It is not words, that shake me thus 3:-Pish!

heaven.

Iago. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip: But if I give my wife a handkerchief,

Oth. What then?

[hers, Iago. Why, then 'tis hers, my lord; and, being She may, I think, bestow 't on any man.

Oth. She is protectress of her honour too;
May she give that?

Iago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen ;]
They have it very oft, that have it not:
But, for the handkerchief,-

Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have for-
got it:

Thou saidst,-O, it comes o'er my memory,
As doth the raven o'er the infected house,
Boding to all, he had my handkerchief.
Iago. Ay, what of that?

Oth. That's not so good now.

Iago. What if I had said, I had seen him do

Noses, ears, and lips +:-Is it possible?-Confess!
-Handkerchief!-O devil!-

125

And many worthy and chaste dames, even thus,
All guiltless meet reproach. What, ho! my lord!
My lord, I say!-Othello!- How now, Cassio?

Enter Cassio.
Cas. What's the matter?

Iago. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy;
This is his second fit; he had one yesterday.
Cas. Rub him about the temples.

30 Iago. No, forbear:

The lethargy must have his quiet course:
If not, he foams at mouth; and, by-and-by,
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs
Do you withdraw yourself a little while,
35 He will recover straight; when he is gone,
I would on great occasion speak with you.-

40

[sur'd,

well as

[Exit Cassio. How is it, general? have you not hurt your head? Oth. Dost thou mock me?

Iugo. I mock you! no, by heaven: 'Would, you would bear your fortunes like a man. Oth. A horned man's a monster, and a beast.

This observation, Dr. Warburton says, seems strangely abrupt and unoccasioned. We must suppose that Iago had, before they appear in this scene, been applying cases of false comfort to Othello; as that though the parties had been even found in bed together, there might be no harm done; it might be only for the trial of their virtue; as was reported of the Romish saint, Robert D'Arbrissel and his nuns. To this we must suppose Othello here replies; and like a good protestant. For, so the sentiment does but suit the character of the speaker, Shakspeare little heeds how these sentiments are circumstanced. 2 Convinc'd, for conquer'd, subdued. 3 Dr. Johnson's comment on this passage is as follows: "There has always prevailed in the world an opinion, that when any great calamity happens at a distance, notice is given of it to the sufferer by some dejection or perturbation of mind, of which he discovers no external cause. This is ascribed to that general communication of one part of the universe with another, which is called sympathy and antipathy; or to the secret monition, instruction, and influence of a superior Being, which superintends the order of nature and of life. Othello says, Nature could not invest herself in such shadowing passion without instruction: It is not words that shake me thus. This passion, which spreads its clouds over me, is the effect of some agency more than the operation of words; it is one of those notices which men have of unseen calamities." ♦ Othello is imagining to himself the familiarities which he supposes to have passed between Cassio and his wife.

And many a civil monster.
Oth. Did he confess it?

Iago. Good sir, be a man;

1

5

Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd,
May draw with you: there's millions now alive,
That nightly lie in those unproper 1 beds, [ter.
Which they dare swear peculiar; your case is bet-
O, 'tis the spight of hell, the fiend's arch-mock, 10
To lip a wanton in a secure couch,

And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;
And, knowing what I am, I know what she shall
Oth. O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.
lago. Stand you a while apart:
Confine yourself but in a patient list3.

[be.

Whilst you were here, ere while, mad with your
grief,

(A passion most unsuiting such a man)
Cassio came hither: I shifted him away,
And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy;
Bade him anon return, and here speak with me;
The which he promis'd. Do but encave yourself,
And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns,
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,-
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
He hath, and is again to cope your wife;
I say, but mark his gesture. Marry, patience;
Or I shall say, you are all in all in spleen,
And nothing of a man.

Oth. Dost thou hear, Iago?

I will be found most cunning in my patience;
But (dost thou hear?) most bloody."

Iago. That's not amiss;

But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?
[Othello withdraws.

Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,
A housewife, that, by selling her desires,
Buys herself bread and clothes; it is a creature,
That dotes onCassio,--as 'tis the strumpet's plague,
To beguile many, and be beguil'd by one;
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain
From the excess of laughter:-Here he comes:-
Enter Cassio.

15

20

Iago. I am a very villain else.

Oth. Have you scor'd me? Well.

25

[her.

[Aside.

Cas. This is the monkey's own giving out: she

is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.

Oth. Iago beckons me; now he begins the story.

[Aside.

As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;
And his unbookish' jealousy must construe
Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behaviour,
Quite in the wrong.-How do you now, lieutenant?
Cas. The worser, that you give me the addition, 50
Whose want even kills me.
[on't.

lago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure
Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power,
[Speaking lower.

How quickly should you speed?
Cas. Alas, poor caitiff!

Bian. Let the devil and his dam haunt you! What did you mean by that same handkerchief, you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the whole work.-A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is some minx's token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it, I'll take out no work on 't. 55 Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca? how now? how now?

Unproper, for common. 2 List, or lists, is barriers, bounds.-Keep your temper, says lago, within the bounds of patience. 3 i, e. trance. i. e. hide yourself in a private place. ↑ Unbookish, for ignorant. Othello calls him Reman ironically.-Triumph, which was a Roman ceremony, brought Roman into his thoughts. 'A common woman, one that invites custom. To score, says Mr. Steevens, originally meant no more than to cut a notch upon a tally, or to mark out a form by indenting it on any substance; but it was soon figuratively used for setting a brand or mark of disgrace on any one.? A polecat.—A pole-cat was anciently one of the cant terms for a strumpet.

Oth

Jago. Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she him, and he hath given it his whore.

gave

Oth. I would have him nine years a killing:A fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! Iago. Nay, you must forget that.

Oth. Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damn'd 25 to-night; for she shall not live: No, my heart is turn'd to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and command him tasks.

Iago. Nay, that's not your way.

30

Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lo-
dovico,

[him.
Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.
Lod. Save you, worthy general!
Oth. With all my heart, sir.

Oth. Hang her! I do but say what she is:-So delicate with her needle!-An admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!-Of so high and plenteous wit and inven- 35|

Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
[Gives him a letter.
Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
Des. And what's the news,good cousin Lodovico?
Jago. I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you: How does lieutenant Cassio?
Iago. Lives, sir.

Des. Cousin, there's fallen between him and
my lord

An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
Oth. Are you sure of that?
Des. My lord?

Oth. This fail you not to do, as you will—'

[Reads. Lod. He did not call; he's busy in the paper. Is there division 'twixt thy lord and Cassio?

Des. A most unhappy one; I would do much To atone them', for the love I bear to Cassio. Oth. Fire and brimstone!

Des. My lord?

Qth. Are you wise?

Des. What, is he angry?

Lod. 'May be, the letter mov'd him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.
Des. By my troth, I am glad on't.
Oth. Indeed?
Des. My lord?

Oth. I am glad to see you mad.
Des Why, sweet Othello?

Oth. Devil:

Des. I have not deserv'd this.

[Striking her. [nice.

Lod. My lord, this would not be believ'd in Ve Though I should swear I saw it: 'Tis very much; Make her amends, she weeps.

Oth. O devil, devil!

If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile :-
Out of my sight!

Des. I will not stay to offend you.
Lod. Truly, an obedient lady:

I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
Oth. Mistress,-

Des. My lord?

Oth. What would you with her, sir?
Lod. Who, I, my lord?

[Going.

Eturn?

Oth. Ay; you did wish, that I would make her
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
And she's obedient, as you say,-obedient,→
Very obedient;-Proceed you in your tears.-
Concerning this, sir,-O well-painted passion!--
I am commanded home:-Get you away;
I'll send for you anon.-Sir, I obey the mandate,

i.e. to reconcile them.

And