Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.

Oth. Ha! Iago.

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, 0, what damned minutes tells he o'er, Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. O misery!

Iago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter, To him that ever fears he shall be poor :Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend From jealousy!

Oth.

Why? why is this?
Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon

With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt,
Is-once to be resolv'd: Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. "Tis not to make me jealous,
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear, or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me: No, lago;
I'll see, before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And, on the proof, there is no more but this,-
Away at once with love, or jealousy.

Iago. I am glad of this: for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I hear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me :-I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye-thus, not jealous, nor secure :
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't:
I know our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks [science
They dare not show their husbands; their best con-
Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown.
Oth. Dost thou say so?

Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks, She lov'd them most.

And so she did.

Oth. Iago. Why, go to, then; She that, so young, could give ont such a seeming, To seel her father's eyes up, close as oak,He thought, 'twas witcheraft:-But I am much to I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you. Oth. I am bound to thee for ever. Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.. Iago.

[blame;

Trust me, I fear it has: I hope, you will consider what is spoke

Comes from my love;-But, I do see you are mov'd:

I am to pray you, not to strain my speech.

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

Oth. I will not.

Iago.

Should you do so, my lord,

My speech should fall into such vile success

As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy
My lord, I see you are mov'd.
[friend.-
Oth.
No, not much mov'd:-
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.
[so!
Iago, Long live she so! and long live you to think
Oth. And yet, how nature erring from itself,-
Lago. Ay, there's the point :-As,-to be bold with
Not to affect many proposed matches, [you,-
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree;
Whereto, we see, in all things nature tends:
Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank,
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.-
But pardon me; I do not, in position,
Distinctly speak of her: though I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And (happily) repent.

Oth.

Farewell, farewell:

[Exit.

Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your honour To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: And though it be 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), And hold her free, I do beseech your honour. Oth. Fear not my government. Iago. I once more take my leave. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, Of human dealings: If I do prove her haggard, Though that her jesses were my near heart-strings, I'd whistle ber off, and let her down the wind, To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black; And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have :-Or, for I am declin'd Into the vale of years;-yet that's not much ;She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapour of a dungeon, Than keep a corner in the thing I love, For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; Prerogativ'd are they less than the base: 'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death; Even then this forked plague is fated to us, When we do quicken. 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.
Oth. I am to blame.

Des. Why is yourspeech so faint? are you not well?
Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.
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 Othello and Desdemona.
Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin;
This was her first remembrance from the Moor:

My wayward husband hath a hundred times

Woo'd me to steal it but she so loves the token (For he conjur'd her, she would ever keep it), That she reserves it evermore about her,

To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give it Iago:

I nothing, but to please his fantasy.
What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I;

Enter Iago.

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.

Iago.

A good wench give it me.
Emil. What will you do with it, that you have been
To have me filch it?
[so earnest
Why, what's that to you?
[Snatching it.
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.
Iago. Be not you known of't; I have use for it.
Go, leave me.
[Exit Emilia.

I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it: Trifles, light as air,
Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong

As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison:
Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons,
Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste;
But, with a little act upon the blood,

Bura like the mines of sulphur.-I did say so:-
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?

Lago. Why, how now, general? no more of that. Oth. Avaunt! be gone thou hast set me on the I swear, 'tis better to be much abus'd, [rack: Than but to know a little.

How now, my lord?

Iago. Oth. What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust? I saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me: I slept the next night well, was free and merry; I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips: He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen, Let him not know it, and he's not robb'd at all. Iago. I am sorry to hear this.

Oth. I had been happy, if the general camp,
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,
So I had nothing known: O now, for ever,
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars,
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!
Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill tramp,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner; and all quality,

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!
Iago. Is it possible?-My lord,

Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;
Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;
[Taking him by the Throat.
Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,"
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog,
Than answer my wak'd wrath.
Iago.

Is it come to this?

Oth. Make me to see it; or (at the least) so prove it, That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop, To hang a doubt on: or, woe upon thy life! Iago. My noble lord,

Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, Never pray more: abandon all remorse;

On borror's head, horrors accumulate:

Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'd,
For nothing canst thon to damnation add,
Greater than that.

Iago.
O grace! O heaven defend me!
Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense!---
God be wi' you; take mine office,-O wretched fool,
That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice -
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
To be direct and honest, is not safe.-

I thank you for this profit; and, from hence,
I'll love no friend, since love breeds such offence.
Oth. Nay, stay :-Thou shouldst be honest.
Iago. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for.
Oth.

By the world,
I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not;
I'll have some proof: Her name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black
As mine own face.-If there be cords, or knives,
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
I'll not endure it.-Would, I were satisfied!
Iago, I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:
I do repent me, that I put it to you.

You would be satisfied I

Oth.

Would? nay, I will.

As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say, If imputation, and strong circumstances, Which lead directly to the door of truth,Will give you satisfaction, you may have it.

Oth. Give me a living reason she's disloyal.
Iago. I do not like the office :

But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,-
Prick'd to it by foolish honesty and love,-
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep.

There are a kind of men so loose of soul,
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs;
One of this kind is Cassio :

In sleep I heard him say,-Sweet Desdemona, Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!

And then, sir, would he gripe, and wring my hand,
Cry,-O, sweet creature! and then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,

That grew upon my lips: and then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then
Cry'd,-Cursed fate! that gave thee to the Moor!
Oth. O monstrous! monstrous !
Iago.

Nay, this was but his dream.
Oth. But this denoted a foregone conclusion:
"Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
Iage. And this may help to thicken other proofs,
That do demonstrate thinly.
I'll tear her all to pieces.
Iago. Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done;
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief,
Spotted with strawberries, in your wife's hand?

Oth.

Oth. I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift. Iago. I know not that: but such a handkerchief, (I am sure, it was your wife's), did I to-day See Cassio wipe his beard with.

Oth.
If it be that,-
Lago. If it be that, or any that was her's,
It speaks against her, with the other proofs.
Oth. O, that the slave had forty thousand lives;
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge!
Now do I see 'tis true.-Look here, lago;
All my fond love thus I do blow to heaven:
'Tis gone.

Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!
Yield up, O love, thy crown, and hearted throne,
To tyrannous hate! swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

Iago. Pray, be content.

Oth.

O, blood, Iago, blood! Iago. Patience, I say; your mind, perhaps, may

change.

Oth. Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea, Whose icy current and compulsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on To the Propontic, and the Hellespont; Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love, Till that a capable and wide revenge Swallow them up.-Now, by yond marble heaven, In the due reverence of a sacred vow [ Kneels. I here engage my words. Iago. Do not rise yet. Witness, you ever-burning lights above! You elements that clip us round about! Witness, that here Iago doth give up The execution of his wit, hands, heart, To wrong'd Othello's service! let him command, And to obey shall be in me remorse, What bloody work soever.

Oth.

I greet thy love,

Kneels.

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. Oth.

Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!

Behold her tupp'd? Oth.

To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant. Iago. I am your own for ever.

Death and damnation! O! Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think, To bring them to that prospect: Damn them then, If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster, More than their own! What then? how then? What shall I say? Where's satisfaction! It is impossible, you should see this,

lies ?

Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,

SCENE IV. The same.

[Exeunt.

Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.

Des. Do you know, sirrah, where lieutenant Cassio

Clo. I dare not say, he lies any where.
Des. Why, man?

Clo. He is a soldier; and for me to say a soldier lies, is stabbing.

Des. Go to Where lodges he?

Clo. To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where I lie.

Des. Can any thing be made of this?

Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise a lodging, and say-be lies here, or he lies there, were to lie in my own throat.

Des. Can you inquire him out, and be edified by report?

Clo. I will catechise the world for him; that is, make questions, and by them answer.

Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him, I have moved my lord in his behalf, and hope all will be well.

Clo. To do this, is within the compass of man's wit; and therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit. Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?

Emil. I know not, madam.

Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full of crusadoes. And, but my noble Moor Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are, it were enough To put him to ill-thinking.

Is he not jealous?

Emil. Des. Who, he! I think, the sun, where he was born, Drew all such humours from him.

Emil. Look, where he comes. Des. I will not leave him now, till Cassio Be call'd to him.-How is't with you, my lord?

Eit,

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
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 bis 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 of't,
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose 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: 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;
And it was dyed in mummy, which the skilful
Conserv'd of maidens' hearts.

Des.
Indeed! is't true?
Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well.
Des. Then 'would to heaven, that I had never seen
Oth. Ha! wherefore?

Cit.

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,
Whom I, with all the daty of my heart,
Entirely honour; I would not be delay'd:
If my offence be of such mortal kind,
That neither service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purpos'd merit in futurity,

Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit;
So shall I clothe me in a fore'd content,
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune's arms.

Des.

Alas thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune: My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, Were he in favour, as in humour, alter'd. 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 awhile be patient: What I can do, I will; and more I will, Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you. Iago. Is my lord angry? Emil. He went bence but now, And, certainly, in strange unquietness.

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; There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry.

Des. I pr'ythee, do so. -Something, sure, of state,-
(Exit Iago
Either from Venice; or some unhatch'd practice,
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,-
Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases,
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;
For let our finger ache, and it endues

Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense
Of pain: Nay, we must think, men are not gods`;
Nor of them look for such observances
As fit the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia,

I was (unhandsome warrior as I am),
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indited falsely.

Emil. Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think;
And no conception, nor no jealous toy,
Concerning you.

Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Oth. Hath he said any thing? Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd, No more than he'll unswear. Oth. What hath he said?

Iago. 'Faith, that he did,-I know not what he did. Oth. What? what?

Iago. Lie
Oth.
Iago.

With her?

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 fulsome. Handkerchief,-confessions,-handkerchief. -To confess, and be hanged for his labour.-First to be hanged, and then to confess!-I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion, without some instruction. It is not words, that shale me thus:-Pish!-Noses, ears, and lips: Is it possible ?-Confess!-Handkerchief!-O devil![Falls in a Trance.

Iago. Work on,

My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught;
And many worthy and chaste dames, even thus,
All guiltless meet reproach.-What, ho! my lord!
Enter Cassio.

My lord, I say! Othello !-How now, Cassio?
Cas. What is 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.
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,
He will recover straight; when he is gone,
I would on great occasion speak with you.-

[Exit Cassio.
How is it, general? have you not hurt your head?
Oth. Dost thou mock me?
Iago.
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.
Iago. There's many a beast then in a populous city,
And many a civil monster.
Oth. Did he confess it?
Iago.
Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd,
May draw with you: there's millions now alive,
That nightly lie in those unproper beds,
Which they dare swear peculiar; your case is better.
O, 'tis the spite of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,
To lip a wanton in a secure couch,

Good sir, be a man ;

And to suppose her chaste! No, let me know;
And, knowing what I am, I know what she shall be.
Oth. O, thou art wise; 'tis certain.
Iago.
Stand you awhile apart;
Confine yourself but in a patient list.
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,
Oth.
Dost thou hear, Jago?
I will be found most cunning in my patience;
But (dost thou hear ?) most bloody.

May she give that?

Lago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen; They have it very oft, that have it not: Bat, for the handkerchief,

rit:

Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot Thou said'st,-0, 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 you wrong?

Or heard him say,-As knaves be such abroad,
Who having, by their own importunate suit,
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress,
Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose
But they must blab→→→→

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 on Cassio, 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:-
Re-enter Cassio.

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, Whose want even kills me.

Iago. Ply Desdemona well, and you are sure of't. Now, if this suit lay in Bianca's power,

How quickly should you speed!

Cas.

[Speaking,lower. Alas, poor caitiff! Oth. Look, how he laughs already! [Aside. Iago. I never knew a woman love man so. [me. Cas. Alas, poor rogue! I think, i'faith, she loves Oth. Now he denies it faintly, and laughs it out. [Aside. Oth. Now he importunes him To tell it o'er: Go to; well said, well said. [Aside. Iago. She gives it out, that you shall marry her: Do you intend it? Cas. Oth. Do you triumph, Roman ? do you triumph! [Aside. Cas. I marry her!-what? a customer! I pr'ythee, bear some charity to my wit; do not think it so unwholesome. Ha, ha, ha!

Iago. Do you hear, Cassio?

Ha, ha, ha!

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. lago beckons me; now he begins the story. [Aside. Cas. She was here even now; she haunts me in every place. I was, the other day, talking on the sea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes this bauble; by this hand, she falls thus about my neck;

Oth. Crying, O dear Cassio! as it were: his gesture imports it. [Aside.

Cas. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; so bales, and pulls me ha, ha, ha!

Oth. Now he tells, how she pluck'd him to my chamber: 0, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to.

Cas. Well, I must leave her company.
Iago. Before me! look, where she comes.

Enter Bianca.

[Aside.

Cas. 'Tis such another fitchew! marry, a perfumed one. What do you mean by this haunting of me?

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.

Cas. How now, my sweet Bianca? how now? how now?

Oth. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief! [Aside.

Bian. An you'll come to supper to-night, you may : an you will not, come when you are next prepared for.

Iago. After her, after her.

[Exit.

Cas. 'Faith I must, she'll rail in the street else. Iago. Will you sup there?

Cas. 'Faith, I intend so.

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

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 he damned tonight; for she shall not live: No, my heart is turned 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.

Oth. With mine officer! Iago. That's fouler.

Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night-I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again :-this night, lago.

Iago. Do it not with poison; strangle hier in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases; very good. Iago. And, for Cassio,-let me be his undertaker: You shall hear more by midnight.

[A Trumpet within. Oth. Excellent good.-What trumpet is that same? Iago. Something from Venice, sure. Tis Lodovico, Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him. Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants. Lod. 'Save you, worthy general! Oth. With all my heart, sir. Lod. The duke and senators of Venice greet you. [Gives him a Packet.

Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

[Opens the Packet, and reads. Des. And what's the news, good consin Lodovico ? Iago. I am very glad to see you, signior; Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you: How does lieutenant Cassio! Lago. 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 oue; I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Oth. Fire and brimstone !

Des.

Oth.

My lord?

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.

Des.

Oth. I am glad to see you mad.

Indeed. My lord? How, sweet Othello! [Striking her.

Des. Oth. Devil! Des. I have not deserv'd this. Lod. My lord, this would not be believ'd in Venice, 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.
[Going.

Lod. Truly, an obedient lady:

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

Des.

Oth.

My lord!

What would you with her, sir? Lod. Who, I, my lord? Oth. Ay; you did wish, that I would make her turn: 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,