The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Part 402

I hope you will consider what is spoke Comes from my love. But I do see you're moved; I am to pray you not to strain my speech To grosser issues nor to larger reach Than to suspicion.

OTh.e.l.lO. I will not.

IAGO. Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall into such vile success Which my thoughts aim not at. Ca.s.sio's my worthy friend- My lord, I see you're moved.

OTh.e.l.lO. No, not much moved.

I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

IAGO. Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

OTh.e.l.lO. And yet, how nature erring from itself- IAGO. Ay, there's the point, as- to be bold with you- Not to affect many proposed matches 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 judgement, May fall to match you with her country forms, And happily repent.

OTh.e.l.lO. Farewell, farewell.

If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.

IAGO. [Going.] My lord, I take my leave.

OTh.e.l.lO. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

IAGO. [Returning.] My lord, I would I might entreat your honor To scan this thing no further; leave it to time.

Though it be fit that Ca.s.sio 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 importunity; Much will be seen in that. In the meantime, 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 honor.

OTh.e.l.lO. Fear not my government.

IAGO. I once more take my leave. Exit.

OTh.e.l.lO. 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 dear heartstrings, I'ld whistle her 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 declined Into the vale of years- yet that's not much- She's gone. I am abused, and my relief Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appet.i.tes! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapor of a dungeon, Than keep a corner in the thing I love For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones: Prerogatived 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:

Re-enter Desdemona and Emilia.

If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!

I'll not believe't.

DESDEMONA. How now, my dear Oth.e.l.lo!

Your dinner, and the generous islanders By you invited, do attend your presence.

OTh.e.l.lO. I am to blame.

DESDEMONA. Why do you speak so faintly?

Are you not well?

OTh.e.l.lO. I have a pain upon my forehead here.

DESDEMONA. Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again.

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour It will be well.

OTh.e.l.lO. Your napkin is too little; He puts the handkerchief from him, and she drops it.

Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

DESDEMONA. I am very sorry that you are not well.

Exeunt Oth.e.l.lo and Desdemona.

EMILIA. 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 conjured her she should 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't Iago. What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy.

Re-enter Iago.

IAGO. How now, what do you here alone?

EMILIA. Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

IAGO. A thing for me? It is a common thing- EMILIA. Ha!

IAGO. To have a foolish wife.

EMILIA. O, is that all? What will you give me now For that same handkerchief?

IAGO. What handkerchief?

EMILIA. What handkerchief?

Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, That which so often you did bid me steal.

IAGO. Hast stol'n it from her?

EMILIA. No, faith; she let it drop by negligence, And, to the advantage, I being here took't up.

Look, here it is.

IAGO. A good wench; give it me.

EMILIA. What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest To have me filch it?

IAGO. [s.n.a.t.c.hing it.] Why, what is that to you?

EMILIA. If't be not for some purpose of import, Give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad When she shall lack it.

IAGO. Be not acknown on't; I have use for it.

Go, leave me. Exit Emilia.

I will in Ca.s.sio'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 Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so.

Look, where he comes!

Re-enter Oth.e.l.lo.

Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owedst yesterday.

OTh.e.l.lO. Ha, ha, false to me?

IAGO. Why, how now, general! No more of that.

OTh.e.l.lO. Avaunt! be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack.

I swear 'tis better to be much abused Than but to know't a little.

IAGO. How now, my lord?

OTh.e.l.lO. What sense had I of her stol'n hours of l.u.s.t?

I saw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me; I slept the next night well, was free and merry; I found not Ca.s.sio's kisses on her lips.

He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n, Let him not know't and he's not robb'd at all.

IAGO. I am sorry to hear this.

OTh.e.l.lO. I had been happy if the general camp, Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known. O, now forever 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 trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circ.u.mstance of glorious war!

And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit, Farewell! Oth.e.l.lo's occupation's gone!

IAGO. Is't possible, my lord?

OTh.e.l.lO. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a wh.o.r.e; Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof; Or, by the worth of man's eternal soul, Thou hadst been better have been born a dog Than answer my waked wrath!

IAGO. Is't come to this?

OTh.e.l.lO. Make me to see't; 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 n.o.ble lord- OTh.e.l.lO. If thou dost slander her and torture me, Never pray more; abandon all remorse; On horror's head horrors acc.u.mulate; Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed; For nothing canst thou to d.a.m.nation add Greater than that.

IAGO. O grace! O heaven defend me!

Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?

G.o.d be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool, That livest 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 sith love breeds such offense.

OTh.e.l.lO. Nay, stay; thou shouldst be honest.

IAGO. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool, And loses that it works for.

OTh.e.l.lO. 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 begrimed 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 pa.s.sion; I do repent me that I put it to you.

You would be satisfied?

OTh.e.l.lO. Would? Nay, I will.

IAGO. And may. But, how? how satisfied, my lord?

Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?

Behold her topp'd?

OTh.e.l.lO. Death and d.a.m.nation! O!

IAGO. It were a tedious difficulty, I think, To bring them to that prospect. d.a.m.n 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?