Othello - Act 3, scene 3
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Othello - Act 3, scene 3Act 3, scene 3
Synopsis:
Desdemona’s interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. Cassio leaves hastily in order to avoid speaking with Othello. Desdemona pleads to Othello on Cassio’s behalf. When she exits, Iago says that Cassio’s avoidance of Othello is suspicious and that Cassio may not be honorable, all the while insinuating that he, Iago, knows more than he is willing to say. He warns Othello against becoming jealous of Desdemona.
When Desdemona enters and Othello complains of an aching head, Desdemona offers to bind his head with her handkerchief. As they exit, the handkerchief drops unnoticed by either of them. Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago, who has often asked for it. Othello reenters and, now tormented by jealousy, threatens Iago with death unless he provides proof of Desdemona’s infidelity.
Iago alleges that Cassio one night talked in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and that Cassio once wiped his beard with the lost handkerchief. Othello is convinced by this “proof” and vows to kill Desdemona; Iago agrees to kill Cassio. Othello then appoints Iago to the lieutenancy.
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.DESDEMONA
1604 Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
1605 All my abilities in thy behalf.
EMILIA
1606 Good madam, do. I warrant it grieves my husband
1607 As if the cause were his.
DESDEMONA
1608 5 O, that’s an honest fellow! Do not doubt, Cassio,
1609 But I will have my lord and you again
1610 As friendly as you were.
CASSIO 1611 Bounteous madam,
1612 Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
1613 10 He’s never anything but your true servant.
DESDEMONA
1614 I know ’t. I thank you. You do love my lord;
1615 You have known him long; and be you well assured
1616 He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
1617 Than in a politic distance.
CASSIO 1618 15 Ay, but, lady,
1619 That policy may either last so long,
1620 Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
1621 Or breed itself so out of ⟨circumstance,⟩
1622 That, I being absent and my place supplied,
1623 20 My general will forget my love and service.
DESDEMONA
1624 Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here,
1625 I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
1626 If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it
1627 To the last article. My lord shall never rest:
1628 25 I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience;
1629 His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
1630 I’ll intermingle everything he does
1631 With Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
1633 30 Than give thy cause away.
Enter Othello and Iago.
EMILIA 1634 Madam, here comes my lord.
CASSIO 1635 Madam, I’ll take my leave.
DESDEMONA 1636 Why, stay, and hear me speak.
CASSIO
1637 Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease,
1638 35 Unfit for mine own purposes.
DESDEMONA 1639 Well, do your discretion.Cassio exits.
IAGO
1640 Ha, I like not that.
OTHELLO 1641 What dost thou say?
IAGO
1642 Nothing, my lord; or if—I know not what.
OTHELLO
1643 40 Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
IAGO
1644 Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it
1645 That he would steal away so guiltylike,
1646 Seeing your coming.
OTHELLO 1647 I do believe ’twas he.
DESDEMONA 1648 45How now, my lord?
1649 I have been talking with a suitor here,
1650 A man that languishes in your displeasure.
OTHELLO 1651 Who is ’t you mean?
DESDEMONA
1652 Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
1653 50 If I have any grace or power to move you,
1654 His present reconciliation take;
1655 For if he be not one that truly loves you,
1656 That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
1657 I have no judgment in an honest face.
1658 55 I prithee call him back.
OTHELLO 1659 Went he hence now?
1661 That he hath left part of his grief with me
1662 To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
OTHELLO
1663 60 Not now, sweet Desdemon. Some other time.
DESDEMONA
1664 But shall ’t be shortly?
OTHELLO 1665 The sooner, sweet, for you.
DESDEMONA
1666 Shall ’t be tonight at supper?
OTHELLO 1667 No, not tonight.
DESDEMONA 1668 65Tomorrow dinner, then?
OTHELLO 1669 I shall not dine at home;
1670 I meet the captains at the citadel.
DESDEMONA
1671 Why then tomorrow night, ⟨or⟩ Tuesday morn,
1672 On Tuesday noon or night; on Wednesday morn.
1673 70 I prithee name the time, but let it not
1674 Exceed three days. In faith, he’s penitent;
1675 And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
1676 Save that, they say, the wars must make example
1677 Out of her best—is not almost a fault
1678 75 T’ incur a private check. When shall he come?
1679 Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
1680 What you would ask me that I should deny,
1681 Or stand so mamm’ring on? What? Michael Cassio,
1682 That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,
1683 80 When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
1684 Hath ta’en your part—to have so much to do
1685 To bring him in! ⟨By ’r Lady,⟩ I could do much—
OTHELLO
1686 Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will;
1687 I will deny thee nothing.
DESDEMONA 1688 85Why, this is not a boon!
1689 ’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
1690 Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
1692 To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
1693 90 Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
1694 It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,
1695 And fearful to be granted.
OTHELLO 1696 I will deny thee nothing!
1697 Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
1698 95 To leave me but a little to myself.
DESDEMONA
1699 Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord.
OTHELLO
1700 Farewell, my Desdemona. I’ll come to thee straight.
DESDEMONA
1701 Emilia, come.—Be as your fancies teach you.
1702 Whate’er you be, I am obedient.
⟨Desdemona and Emilia⟩ exit.
OTHELLO
1703 100 Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
1704 But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,
1705 Chaos is come again.
IAGO 1706 My noble lord—
OTHELLO
1707 What dost thou say, Iago?
IAGO 1708 105 Did Michael Cassio,
1709 When ⟨you⟩ wooed my lady, know of your love?
OTHELLO
1710 He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?
IAGO
1711 But for a satisfaction of my thought,
1712 No further harm.
OTHELLO 1713 110 Why of thy thought, Iago?
IAGO
1714 I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
OTHELLO
1715 O yes, and went between us very oft.
IAGO 1716 Indeed?
1717 Indeed? Ay, indeed! Discern’st thou aught in that?
1718 115 Is he not honest?
IAGO 1719 Honest, my lord?
OTHELLO 1720 Honest—ay, honest.
IAGO
1721 My lord, for aught I know.
OTHELLO 1722 What dost thou think?
IAGO 1723 120Think, my lord?
OTHELLO
1724 “Think, my lord?” ⟨By heaven,⟩ thou echo’st me
1725 As if there were some monster in thy thought
1726 Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean
1727 something.
1728 125 I heard thee say even now, thou lik’st not that,
1729 When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?
1730 And when I told thee he was of my counsel
1731 ⟨In⟩ my whole course of wooing, thou cried’st
1732 “Indeed?”
1733 130 And didst contract and purse thy brow together
1734 As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
1735 Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me,
1736 Show me thy thought.
IAGO 1737 My lord, you know I love you.
OTHELLO 1738 135I think thou dost;
1739 And for I know thou ’rt full of love and honesty
1740 And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them
1741 breath,
1742 Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.
1743 140 For such things in a false, disloyal knave
1744 Are tricks of custom; but in a man that’s just,
1745 They’re close dilations working from the heart
1746 That passion cannot rule.
IAGO 1747 For Michael Cassio,
1748 145 I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.
OTHELLO
1749 I think so too.
1751 Or those that be not, would they might seem none!
OTHELLO 1752 Certain, men should be what they seem.
IAGO
1753 150 Why then, I think Cassio’s an honest man.
OTHELLO 1754 Nay, yet there’s more in this.
1755 I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings,
1756 As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of
1757 thoughts
1758 155 The worst of words.
IAGO 1759 Good my lord, pardon me.
1760 Though I am bound to every act of duty,
1761 I am not bound to ⟨that all slaves are free to.⟩
1762 Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and
1763 160 false—
1764 As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
1765 Sometimes intrude not? Who has that breast so
1766 pure
1767 ⟨But some⟩ uncleanly apprehensions
1768 165 Keep leets and law days and in sessions sit
1769 With meditations lawful?
OTHELLO
1770 Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
1771 If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
1772 A stranger to thy thoughts.
IAGO 1773 170 I do beseech you,
1774 Though I perchance am vicious in my guess—
1775 As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague
1776 To spy into abuses, and ⟨oft⟩ my jealousy
1777 Shapes faults that are not—that your wisdom
1778 175 From one that so imperfectly conceits
1779 Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
1780 Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
1781 It were not for your quiet nor your good,
1782 Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom,
1783 180 To let you know my thoughts.
IAGO
1785 Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
1786 Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
1787 Who steals my purse steals trash. ’Tis something,
1788 185 nothing;
1789 ’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to
1790 thousands.
1791 But he that filches from me my good name
1792 Robs me of that which not enriches him
1793 190 And makes me poor indeed.
OTHELLO 1794 ⟨By heaven,⟩ I’ll know thy thoughts.
IAGO
1795 You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
1796 Nor shall not, whilst ’tis in my custody.
OTHELLO
1797 Ha?
IAGO 1798 195 O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
1799 It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
1800 The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
1801 Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
1802 But O, what damnèd minutes tells he o’er
1803 200 Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet ⟨strongly⟩ loves!
OTHELLO 1804 O misery!
IAGO
1805 Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
1806 But riches fineless is as poor as winter
1807 To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
1808 205 Good ⟨God,⟩ the souls of all my tribe defend
1809 From jealousy!
OTHELLO 1810 Why, why is this?
1811 Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,
1812 To follow still the changes of the moon
1813 210 With fresh suspicions? No. To be once in doubt
1814 Is ⟨once⟩ to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
1815 When I shall turn the business of my soul
1817 Matching thy inference. ’Tis not to make me jealous
1818 215 To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
1819 Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances ⟨well.⟩
1820 Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
1821 Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
1822 The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
1823 220 For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago,
1824 I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
1825 And on the proof, there is no more but this:
1826 Away at once with love or jealousy.
IAGO
1827 I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
1828 225 To show the love and duty that I bear you
1829 With franker spirit. Therefore, as I am bound,
1830 Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
1831 Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
1832 Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.
1833 230 I would not have your free and noble nature,
1834 Out of self-bounty, be abused. Look to ’t.
1835 I know our country disposition well.
1836 In Venice they do let ⟨God⟩ see the pranks
1837 They dare not show their husbands. Their best
1838 235 conscience
1839 Is not to leave ’t undone, but ⌜keep ’t⌝ unknown.
OTHELLO 1840 Dost thou say so?
IAGO
1841 She did deceive her father, marrying you,
1842 And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,
1843 240 She loved them most.
OTHELLO 1844 And so she did.
IAGO 1845 Why, go to, then!
1846 She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,
1847 To seel her father’s eyes up close as oak,
1848 245 He thought ’twas witchcraft! But I am much to
1849 blame.
1851 For too much loving you.
OTHELLO 1852 I am bound to thee forever.
IAGO
1853 250 I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.
OTHELLO
1854 Not a jot, not a jot.
IAGO 1855 ⟨I’ faith,⟩ I fear it has.
1856 I hope you will consider what is spoke
1857 Comes from ⟨my⟩ love. But I do see you’re moved.
1858 255 I am to pray you not to strain my speech
1859 To grosser issues nor to larger reach
1860 Than to suspicion.
OTHELLO 1861 I will not.
IAGO 1862 Should you do so, my lord,
1863 260 My speech should fall into such vile success
1864 ⟨As my thoughts aim not at.⟩ Cassio’s my worthy
1865 friend.
1866 My lord, I see you’re moved.
OTHELLO 1867 No, not much moved.
1868 265 I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.
IAGO
1869 Long live she so! And long live you to think so!
OTHELLO
1870 And yet, how nature erring from itself—
IAGO
1871 Ay, there’s the point. As, to be bold with you,
1872 Not to affect many proposèd matches
1873 270 Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
1874 Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
1875 Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank,
1876 Foul ⟨disproportion,⟩ thoughts unnatural—
1877 But pardon me—I do not in position
1878 275 Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
1879 Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
1880 May fall to match you with her country forms
1881 And happily repent.
1883 280 If more thou dost perceive, let me know more.
1884 Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.
IAGO, ⌜beginning to exit⌝ 1885 My lord, I take my leave.
OTHELLO
1886 Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
1887 Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
IAGO, ⌜returning⌝
1888 285 My lord, I would I might entreat your Honor
1889 To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time.
1890 Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place—
1891 For sure he fills it up with great ability—
1892 Yet, if you please to ⟨hold⟩ him off awhile,
1893 290 You shall by that perceive him and his means.
1894 Note if your lady strain his entertainment
1895 With any strong or vehement importunity.
1896 Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
1897 Let me be thought too busy in my fears—
1898 295 As worthy cause I have to fear I am—
1899 And hold her free, I do beseech your Honor.
OTHELLO 1900 Fear not my government.
IAGO 1901 I once more take my leave.He exits.
OTHELLO
1902 This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,
1903 300 And knows all ⟨qualities⟩ with a learnèd spirit
1904 Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
1905 Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
1906 I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind
1907 To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black
1908 305 And have not those soft parts of conversation
1909 That chamberers have, or for I am declined
1910 Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
1911 She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief
1912 Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
1913 310 That we can call these delicate creatures ours
1914 And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad
1916 Than keep a corner in the thing I love
1917 For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague ⟨of⟩ great ones;
1918 315 Prerogatived are they less than the base.
1919 ’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
1920 Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us
1921 When we do quicken. Look where she comes.
Enter Desdemona and Emilia.
1922 If she be false, heaven ⟨mocks⟩ itself!
1923 320 I’ll not believe ’t.
DESDEMONA 1924 How now, my dear Othello?
1925 Your dinner, and the generous islanders
1926 By you invited, do attend your presence.
OTHELLO 1927 I am to blame.
DESDEMONA
1928 325 Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?
OTHELLO
1929 I have a pain upon my forehead, here.
DESDEMONA
1930 ⟨Faith,⟩ that’s with watching. ’Twill away again.
1931 Let me but bind it hard; within this hour
1932 It will be well.
OTHELLO 1933 330 Your napkin is too little.
1934 Let it alone.⌜The handkerchief falls, unnoticed.⌝
1935 Come, I’ll go in with you.
DESDEMONA
1936 I am very sorry that you are not well.
⟨Othello and Desdemona⟩ exit.
EMILIA, ⌜picking up the handkerchief⌝
1937 I am glad I have found this napkin.
1938 335 This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
1939 My wayward husband hath a hundred times
1940 Wooed me to steal it. But she so loves the token
1941 (For he conjured her she should ever keep it)
1942 That she reserves it evermore about her
1944 And give ’t Iago. What he will do with it
1945 Heaven knows, not I.
1946 I nothing but to please his fantasy.
Enter Iago.
IAGO 1947 How now? What do you here alone?
EMILIA
1948 345 Do not you chide. I have a thing for you.
IAGO
1949 You have a thing for me? It is a common thing—
EMILIA 1950 Ha?
IAGO 1951 To have a foolish wife.
EMILIA
1952 O, is that all? What will you give me now
1953 350 For that same handkerchief?
IAGO 1954 What handkerchief?
EMILIA 1955 What handkerchief?
1956 Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,
1957 That which so often you did bid me steal.
IAGO 1958 355Hast stol’n it from her?
EMILIA
1959 No, ⟨faith,⟩ she let it drop by negligence,
1960 And to th’ advantage I, being here, took ’t up.
1961 Look, here ’tis.
IAGO 1962 A good wench! Give it me.
EMILIA
1963 360 What will you do with ’t, that you have been so
1964 earnest
1965 To have me filch it?
IAGO, ⌜snatching it⌝ 1966 Why, what is that to you?
EMILIA
1967 If it be not for some purpose of import,
1968 365 Give ’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad
1969 When she shall lack it.
1971 I have use for it. Go, leave me.Emilia exits.
1972 I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin
1973 370 And let him find it. Trifles light as air
1974 Are to the jealous confirmations strong
1975 As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
1976 [The Moor already changes with my poison;]
1977 Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,
1978 375 Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
1979 But with a little act upon the blood
1980 Burn like the mines of sulfur.
Enter Othello.
1981 I did say so.
1982 Look where he comes. Not poppy nor mandragora
1983 380 Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
1984 Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
1985 Which thou owedst yesterday.
OTHELLO 1986 Ha, ha, false to me?
IAGO
1987 Why, how now, general? No more of that!
OTHELLO
1988 385 Avaunt! Begone! Thou hast set me on the rack.
1989 I swear ’tis better to be much abused
1990 Than but to know ’t a little.
IAGO 1991 How now, my lord?
OTHELLO
1992 What sense had I ⟨of⟩ her stol’n hours of lust?
1993 390 I saw ’t not, thought it not; it harmed not me.
1994 I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and
1995 merry.
1996 I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips.
1997 He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol’n,
1998 395 Let him not know ’t, and he’s not robbed at all.
IAGO 1999 I am sorry to hear this.
2000 I had been happy if the general camp,
2001 Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,
2002 So I had nothing known. O, now, forever
2003 400 Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!
2004 Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars
2005 That makes ambition virtue! O, farewell!
2006 Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
2007 The spirit-stirring drum, th’ ear-piercing fife,
2008 405 The royal banner, and all quality,
2009 Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
2010 And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
2011 Th’ immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit,
2012 Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone!
IAGO 2013 410Is ’t possible, my lord?
OTHELLO
2014 Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore!
2015 Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof,
2016 Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,
2017 Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
2018 415 Than answer my waked wrath.
IAGO 2019 Is ’t come to this?
OTHELLO
2020 Make me to see ’t, or at the least so prove it
2021 That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
2022 To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!
IAGO 2023 420My noble lord—
OTHELLO
2024 If thou dost slander her and torture me,
2025 Never pray more. Abandon all remorse;
2026 On horror’s head horrors accumulate;
2027 Do deeds to make heaven weep, all Earth amazed;
2028 425 For nothing canst thou to damnation add
2029 Greater than that.
IAGO 2030 O grace! O heaven forgive me!
2031 Are you a man? Have you a soul or sense?
2033 430 That ⟨liv’st⟩ to make thine honesty a vice!—
2034 O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world:
2035 To be direct and honest is not safe.—
2036 I thank you for this profit, and from hence
2037 I’ll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense.
OTHELLO 2038 435Nay, stay. Thou shouldst be honest.
IAGO
2039 I should be wise; for honesty’s a fool
2040 And loses that it works for.
[OTHELLO 2041 By the world,
2042 I think my wife be honest and think she is not.
2043 440 I think that thou art just and think thou art not.
2044 I’ll have some proof! ⌜Her⌝ name, that was as fresh
2045 As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black
2046 As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,
2047 Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
2048 445 I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!]
IAGO
2049 I see you are eaten up with passion.
2050 I do repent me that I put it to you.
2051 You would be satisfied?
OTHELLO 2052 Would? Nay, and I will.
IAGO
2053 450 And may; but how? How satisfied, my lord?
2054 Would you, the ⟨supervisor,⟩ grossly gape on,
2055 Behold her topped?
OTHELLO 2056 Death and damnation! O!
IAGO
2057 It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
2058 455 To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then
2059 If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
2060 More than their own! What then? How then?
2061 What shall I say? Where’s satisfaction?
2062 It is impossible you should see this,
2063 460 Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
2065 As ignorance made drunk. But yet I say,
2066 If imputation and strong circumstances
2067 Which lead directly to the door of truth
2068 465 Will give you satisfaction, you might have ’t.
OTHELLO
2069 Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.
IAGO 2070 I do not like the office,
2071 But sith I am entered in this cause so far,
2072 Pricked to ’t by foolish honesty and love,
2073 470 I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately,
2074 And being troubled with a raging tooth
2075 I could not sleep. There are a kind of men
2076 So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
2077 Their affairs. One of this kind is Cassio.
2078 475 In sleep I heard him say “Sweet Desdemona,
2079 Let us be wary, let us hide our loves.”
2080 And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
2081 Cry “O sweet creature!” then kiss me hard,
2082 As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
2083 480 That grew upon my lips; ⟨then⟩ laid his leg
2084 O’er my thigh, and ⟨sighed,⟩ and ⟨kissed,⟩ and then
2085 ⟨Cried⟩ “Cursèd fate that gave thee to the Moor!”
OTHELLO
2086 O monstrous! Monstrous!
IAGO 2087 Nay, this was but his
2088 485 dream.
OTHELLO
2089 But this denoted a foregone conclusion.
2090 ’Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.
IAGO
2091 And this may help to thicken other proofs
2092 That do demonstrate thinly.
OTHELLO 2093 490I’ll tear her all to pieces.
IAGO
2094 Nay, ⟨but⟩ be wise. Yet we see nothing done.
2096 Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
2097 Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?
OTHELLO
2098 495 I gave her such a one. ’Twas my first gift.
IAGO
2099 I know not that; but such a handkerchief—
2100 I am sure it was your wife’s—did I today
2101 See Cassio wipe his beard with.
OTHELLO 2102 If it be that—
IAGO
2103 500 If it be that, or any ⌜that⌝ was hers,
2104 It speaks against her with the other proofs.
OTHELLO
2105 O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!
2106 One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
2107 Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago,
2108 505 All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
2109 ’Tis gone.
2110 Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell!
2111 Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
2112 To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
2113 510 For ’tis of aspics’ tongues!
IAGO 2114 Yet be content.
OTHELLO 2115 O, blood, blood, blood!
IAGO
2116 Patience, I say. Your mind ⟨perhaps⟩ may change.
OTHELLO
2117 Never, [Iago. Like to the Pontic Sea,
2118 515 Whose icy current and compulsive course
2119 Ne’er ⌜feels⌝ retiring ebb, but keeps due on
2120 To the Propontic and the Hellespont,
2121 Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace
2122 Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love,
2123 520 Till that a capable and wide revenge
2124 Swallow them up. ⟨He kneels.⟩ Now by yond marble
2125 heaven,]
2127 I here engage my words.
IAGO 2128 525 Do not rise yet.⟨Iago kneels.⟩
2129 Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
2130 You elements that clip us round about,
2131 Witness that here Iago doth give up
2132 The execution of his wit, hands, heart
2133 530 To wronged Othello’s service! Let him command,
2134 And to obey shall be in me remorse,
2135 What bloody business ever.⌜They rise.⌝
OTHELLO 2136 I greet thy love
2137 Not with vain thanks but with acceptance
2138 535 bounteous,
2139 And will upon the instant put thee to ’t.
2140 Within these three days let me hear thee say
2141 That Cassio’s not alive.
IAGO 2142 My friend is dead.
2143 540 ’Tis done at your request. But let her live.
OTHELLO 2144 Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn
2145 her!
2146 Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw
2147 To furnish me with some swift means of death
2148 545 For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.
IAGO 2149 I am your own forever.
They exit.