Nay, heaven doth know. How comes this trick upon him? Des. 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 impossible. 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 likelihood The Moor's abus'd by some most villainous knave, Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow :O, heaven, that such companions 7 thou'dst unfold; And put in every honest hand a whip, To lash the rascal naked through the world, Even from the east to the west! Jago. 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? If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love, Delighted them in any other form ; Iago. I pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour; The business of the state does him offence, And he does chide with you. 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? Rod. I do not find, that thou deal'st justly with me. Rod. Every day thou doff'st1 me with some device, Jago; 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. Jago. 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 I protest intendment of doing. lago. 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, Roderigo: 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. lago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is not without wit-and judgment. 2 Requital. 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 supper-time, and the night grows to waste: about it. Rod. I will hear further reason for this. SCENE III. Another Room in the Castle. [Exeunt. Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and Attendants. Lod. I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further. Oth. O, pardon me; 'twill do me good to walk. Lod. Madam, good night; I humbly thank your 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 ;3 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, Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu: 3 Immediately. |