The Plays of William Shakspeare

Iago. 'Faith, that was not so well; Yet 'would I Should fear to seize thee: therefore be doubleknew,

Bid her come hither: —go. -
[Exit EMILIA.

She says enough;—yet she's a simple bawd,
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,
A closet-lock-and-key of villainous secrets:
And yet she'll kneel, and pray; I have seen her do't.

Re-enter EMILIA, with DESDEMona.
Des. My lord, what is your will?
Oth.

Pray, chuck, come hither.
Des. What is your pleasure?
Oth.

damn'd,

thou art honest.

Heaven doth truly know it. Oth. Heaven truly knows, that thou art false as

hell.

Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? How am
I false?

Och. O Desdemona!-away! away! away!
Des. Alas, the heavy day! Why do you weep?
Am I the occasion of these tears, my lord?
If, haply, you my father do suspect,

An instrument of this your calling back,
Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him,
Why, I have lost him too.

Oth.

Had it pleas'd heaven
To try me with affliction; had he rain'd
All kinds of sores, and shames, on my bare head;
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips;

Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes;
I should have found in some part of my soul
A drop of patience: but (alas!) to make me
A fixed figure, for the time of scorn
To point his slow unmoving finger at,
O! O!

Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner'd up my heart;
Where either I must live, or bear no life;
The fountain from the which my current runs,
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern, for foul toads

To knot and gender in! - turn thy complexion
there!

Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin;
Ay, there, look grim as bell!

Des. I hope, my noble lord esteems me honest.
Oth. O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles,
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed.
Who art so lovely fair, and smell'st so sweet,
That the sense aches at thee.-'Would, thou had'st
ne'er been born!

Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write whore upon? What committed!
Committed!-0 thou public commoner !

I should make very forges of my cheeks, That would to cinders burn up modesty, Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed! Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets, Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth, And will not hear it: What committed! Let me see your eyes; Impudent strumpet! Des. What horrible fancy's this? Oth. Some of your function, mistress; [TO EMILIA. Leave procreants alone, and shut the door; Cough, or cry - hem, if any body come : Your mystery, your mystery ;- nay, despatch. [Exu EMILIA,

Look in my face.

Des.

Des. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import ?

I understand a fury in your words,

But not the words.

Oth. Why, what art thou?
Des.

And loya. wife.

Oth.

Your wife, my lord; your true

Come, swear it, damn thyself;

Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves

By heaven, you do me wrong.
Oth. Are not you a strumpet?
Des.

No, as I am a christian :
If to preserve this vessel for my lord,
From any other foul unlawful touch,
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Oth. What, not a whore?
Des.

Oth. Is it possible?

No, as I shall be saved.

He that is yours, sweet lady.
Des. I have none: Do not talk to me, Emilia ;
I cannot weep; nor answer I have none,
But what should go by water. Pr'ythee, to-night
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets,-remember ;-
And call thy husband hither.

To lash the rascal naked through the world,
Even from the east to the west!
Iago.
Speak within door.
Emil. O, fye upon him! some such squire he was,
That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,
And made you to suspect me with the Moor.
Iago. You are a fool; go to.
Des.
O good Iago,
What shall I do to win my lord again?
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,
Either in discourse of thought, or actual deed;
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,
Delighted them in any other form;

Or that I do not yet, and ever did,

And ever will, though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement, - love him dearly,
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much ;
And his unkindness may defeat my life,

Emil.

Here is a change, indeed!
[Exit.
Des. 'Tis meet I should be us'd so, very meet.
How have I been behav'd, that he might stick
The small'st opinion on my great'st abuse?

Re-enter EMILIA, with IAGO.

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is
it with you?

But never taint my love. I cannot say, whore;
It does abhor me, now I speak the word;
To do the act that might the addition earn,
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.
Iago. I pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour;
The business of the state does him offence,

Des. I cannot tell. Those, that do teach young And he does chide with you.
babes,

Do it with gentle means, and easy tasks:

He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,
I am a child to chiding.

Iago.

What's the matter, lady?
Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her,
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.

Des. Am I that name, Iago?
Iago.
What name, fair lady?
Des. Such as, she says, my lord did say I was.
Emil. He call'd her, whore; a beggar, in his
drink,

Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.
Iago. Why did he so?

Des. I do not know; I am sure, I am none
such.

Iago. Do not weep, do not weep; Alas the day! Emil. Has she forsook so many noble matches, Her father, and her country, and her friends,

To be called- -whore? would it not make one
weep?

Des. It is my wretched fortune.
Iago.

Beshrew him for it!

How comes this trick upon him?
Des.
Nay, heaven doth know.
Emil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devis'd this slander; I'll be hang'd, else.
Iago. Fye, there is no such man; it is im-

possible.

Des. If any such there be, heaven pardon him! Emil. A halter pardon him! and hell gnaw his bones!

Why should he call her, whore? who keeps her company?

What place? what time? what form? what like-
lihood?

The Moor's abus'd by some most villainous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow :
O, heaven, that such companions thou'dst unfold;
and put in every honest hand a whip,

Des.

If 'twere no other,
Iago. It is but so, I warrant you. [Trumpets.
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!
And the great messengers of Venice stay:
Go in, and weep not: all things shall be well.
[Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA.
Enter RODERIGO.

How now, Roderigo ?

me.

Rod. I do not find, that thou deal'st justly with

Iago. What in the contrary?

Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, Iago; and rather (as it seems to me now,) keep'st from me all conveniency, than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. I will, indeed, no longer endure it: Nor am I yet persuaded, to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.

Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Rod. 'Faith, I have heard too much; for your
words, and performances, are no kin together.
Iago. You charge me most unjustly.

Rod. With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have had from me, to deliver to Desdemona, would half have corrupted a votarist: You have told me - she has received them, and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquittance; but I find none.

Iago. Well; go to; very well.

Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis not very well: By this hand, I say, it is very scurvy; and begin to find myself fobbed in it. Iago. Very well.

Rod. I tell you, 'tis not very well. I will make myself known to Desdemona: If she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, and repent my unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself, I will seek satisfaction of you.

Iago. You have said now.

Rod. Ay, and I have said nothing, but what 1 protest intendment of doing.

Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even, from this instant, do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderige Thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.

Rod. It hath not appeared.

Iago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that within thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean, purpose, courage, and valour, this night show it: if thou the next night following enjoyest not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines for my life.

Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reason, and compass?

Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice, to depute Cassio in Othello's place. Rod. Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

Iago. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate, as the removing of Cassio.

Rod. How do you mean — removing of him? Iago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains.

Rod. And that you would have me do? Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit, and a right. He sups to-night with a harlot, and thither will I go to him;-he knows not yet of his honourable fortune: if you will watch his going thence, (which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one,) you may take him at your pleasure; I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me; I will show you such a necessity in his death, that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high suppertime, and the night grows to waste: about it. Rod. I will hear further reason for this. Iago. And you shall be satisfied.

[Exeunt.

If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets.
Emil.
Come, come, you talk.
Des. My mother had a maid call'd — Barbara;
She was in love; and he, she lov'd, prov'd mad,
And did forsake her: she had a song of — willow,
An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,
And she died singing it: That song, to-night,
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,
But to go hang my head all at one side,
And sing it, like poor Barbara. Pr'ythee, despatch.
Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?
No, unpin me here. —

Des.

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.

Des. The poor soul sat 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.

Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones Lay by these:

Sing willow, willow, willow;
Pr'ythee, hie thee; he'll come anon. —

Sing all a green willow must be my garlánd.
II.

Will you walk, sir?— My lord?

If I court mo women, you'll couch with mo men.

Des.

Oth. Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned forthwith: dismiss your attendant there; look, it be done.

Des. I will, my lord.

[Exeunt OTHELLO, LODOVICO, and Attendants.

Emil. How goes it now? he looks gentler than

he did.

Des. He says, he will return incontinent;

He hath commanded me to go to bed,

And bade me to dismiss you.

Emil.

Dismiss me!

Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia,

Emil. Nor I neither by this heavenly light; I might do't as well i'the dark.

Des. Would'st 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 would'st 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 petty exhibition: but, for the whole world, - Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold, to 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 world; and, having the world for your labour, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

Des. I do not think there is any such woman.
Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many

To the vantage, as would store the world they play'd for.

But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults,
If wives do fall: Say, that they slack their duties,
And pour out treasures into foreign laps;
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
Throwing restraint upon us; or, say, they strike us,
Or scant our former having in despite ;
Why, we have galls; and, though we have some
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,
As husbands have. What is it that they do,
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
I think, it is; And doth affection breed it?
I think, it doth; Is't frailty, that thus errs?
It is so too: And have not we affections?
Desires for sport? and frailty, as men have?
Then, let them use us well: else, let them know,
The ills we do, their ills instruct us to.

Des. Good night, good night: Heaven me such usage send,

Not to pick bad from bad; but, by bad, mend!

[Exeunt.

Enter IAGO and RODERIGO.

Tago. Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come :

Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home;
Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow:
It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,
And fix most firm thy resolution.

Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.
Iago. Here, at thy hand; be bold, and take thy
sword.
[Retires to a little distance.

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. Cassio,

O, I am slain !

Cas. O, help! ho! light! a surgeon!
Oth. 'Tis he;- O brave Iago, honest, and just,
That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong!
Thou teachest me, - Minion, your dear lies dead,
And your fate hies apace: - Strumpet, I come:
Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are
blotted;

Now whether he kill Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be [Exit OTHELLO.

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain: Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold, and jewels, that I bobb'd from him,

As gifts to Desdemona ;

I must not be: if Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life,

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. Enter CASSIO.

Rod. I know his gait, 'tis he;-Villain, thou diest. [Rushes from his post, and makes a pass at CASSIO.

Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed, But that my coat is better than thou think'st; I will make proof of thine.

[Draws, and wounds RODERIGO.

word.

Rod. O, villain that I am!

Oth.

Hark! 'tis even so.

spotted.

Enter LODOVICO and GRATIANO, at a distance.

Cas. What, ho! no watch? no passage? murder' murder !

Gra. 'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful. Cas. O, help!

Lod.

Rod.

Hark!

O wretched villain! Lod. Two or three groans; - it is a heavy night: These may be counterfeits; let's think't unsafe To come in to the cry, without more help. Rod. No body come? then shall I bleed to death. Enter IAGO, with a light.

Lod. Hark!

Gra. Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.

Iago. Who's there? whose noise is this, that cries on murder? Lod. We do not know.

Iago. Did you not hear a cry? Cas. Here, here; for heaven's sake, help me. Iago. What's the matter? Gra. This is Othello's ancient, as I take it. Lod. The same, indeed; a very valiant fellow. Iago. What are you here, that cry so grievously? Cas. Iago? O, I am spoil'd, undone by villains! Give me some help.

Iago. O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?

Cas. I think, that one of them is hereabout, And cannot make away.

Iago. O treacherous villains! What are you there? come in, and give some help. [To LODOVICO, and GRATIANO.

Rod. O, help me here!

Cas. That's one of them.

Iago. Even he, sir; did you know him?
Gra.

Know him? ay. lago. Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon;

These bloody accidents must excuse my manners, That so neglected you.

Gra.

I am glad to see you.

lago. How do you, Cassio?-O, a chair, a chair' Gra. Roderigo!

Jago. He, he, 'tis he: - O, that's well said; the chair: [A chair brought in.

Emil. 'Las, what's the matter; what's the matter, husband?

Iago. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark, By Roderigo, and fellows that are scap'd; He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.

Emil. Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio. Iago. This is the fruit of whoring. - Pr'ythee, Emilia,

Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night :What, do you shake at that?

Bian. He supp'd at my house; but I therefore

shake not.

Iago. O, did he so? I charge you, go with me. Emil. Fye, fye upon thee, strumpet!

Bian. I am no strumpet; but of life as honest, As you that thus abuse me.

Emil.
As I? foh! fye upon thee!
Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassic
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.— wil you go on, I pray? This is the night, [Aside. That either makes me, or fordoes me quite. [Exeunt.

It needs must wither: - I'll smell it on the tree.
[Kissing her

O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword!-One more, one more.-
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee.
And love thee after : - One more, and this the last:

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