Emil. Never, my lord. Oth. That's strange. Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest, Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other, Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. If any wretch hath put this in your head Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse! For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true, There's no man happy; the purest of their wives Is foul as slander. Oth. Bid her come hither :-go. [Exit EMILIA. She says enough;-yet she's a simple bawd, 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 ? Leave procreants alone, and shut the door; Your mystery, your mystery;-nay, despatch. [Exit EMILIA. Des. Upon my knees, what doth your speecr import? 1 I understand a fury in your words, Oth. Why, what art thou ? And loyal wife. Your wife, my lord; your true Come, swear it, damn thyself; Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damn'd, Swear-thou art honest. Des. Heaven doth truly know it. Oth. Heaven truly knows, that thou art false as Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? How am I false ? Oth. 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 Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes; Yet could I bear that too; well, very well : Des. I hope, my noble lord esteems me honest. ne'er been born ! Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed? Made to write whore upon ? What committed! The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets, Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth, And will not hear it: What committed! Impudent strumpet! Des. By heaven, you do me wrong. No, as I am a christian: Oth. Are not you a strumpet? If to preserve this vessel for my lord, 5 Treasured up. From any other foul unlawful touch, Oth. What, not a whore? Des. Oth. Is it possible ? No, as I shall be saved. Des. O, heaven forgive us ! I cry you mercy, then; I took you for that cunning whore of Venice, That married with Othello,-You, mistress, Re-enter EMILIA. That have the office opposite to Saint Peter, We have done our course; there's money for your I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel. [Exit. Emil. Alas, what does this gentleman conceive? How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady? Des. 'Faith, half asleep. Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with my 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. 2 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 Re-enter EMILIA, with IAGO. Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is it with you? Des. I cannot tell. Those, that do teach young 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 ? What name, fair lady? 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 call'd-whore? would it not make one weep? Des. It is my wretched fortune. Lago, Beshrew him for it! 6 His drab. |