The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Part 404

Pray you, let Ca.s.s...o...b.. received again.

OTh.e.l.lO. Fetch me the handkerchief, my mind misgives.

DESDEMONA. Come, come, You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

OTh.e.l.lO. The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA. I pray, talk me of Ca.s.sio.

OTh.e.l.lO. The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA. A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love, Shared dangers with you- OTh.e.l.lO. The handkerchief!

DESDEMONA. In sooth, you are to blame.

OTh.e.l.lO. Away! Exit.

EMILIA. Is not this man jealous?

DESDEMONA. I ne'er saw this before.

Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief; I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

EMILIA. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man.

They are all but stomachs and we all but food; They eat us hungerly, and when they are full They belch us. Look you! Ca.s.sio and my husband.

Enter Ca.s.sio and Iago.

IAGO. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't.

And, lo, the happiness! Go and importune her.

DESDEMONA. How now, good Ca.s.sio! What's the news with you?

Ca.s.sIO. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you That by your virtuous means I may again Exist and be a member of his love Whom I with all the office of my heart Entirely honor. I would not be delay'd.

If my offense be of such mortal kind That nor my service past nor present sorrows Nor purposed merit in futurity Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; So shall I clothe me in a forced content And shut myself up in some other course To Fortune's alms.

DESDEMONA. Alas, thrice-gentle Ca.s.sio!

My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him Were he in favor as in humor alter'd.

So help me every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best And stood within the blank of his displeasure For my free speech! You must awhile be patient.

What I can do I will; and more I will Than for myself I dare. Let that suffice you.

IAGO. Is my lord angry?

EMILIA. He went hence but now, And certainly in strange unquietness.

IAGO. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, When it hath blown his ranks into the air And, like the devil, from his very arm Puff'd his own brother. And can he be angry?

Something of moment then. I will go meet him.

There's matter in't indeed if he be angry.

DESDEMONA. I prithee, do so. Exit Iago.

Something sure of state, Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so; For let our finger ache, and it indues Our other healthful members even to that sense Of pain. Nay, we must think men are not G.o.ds, Nor of them look for such observancy As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, I was, unhandsome warrior as I am, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find I had suborn'd the witness, And he's indicted falsely.

EMILIA. Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, And no conception nor no jealous toy Concerning you.

DESDEMONA. Alas the day, I never gave him cause!

EMILIA. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they are jealous. 'Tis a monster Begot upon itself, born on itself.

DESDEMONA. Heaven keep that monster from Oth.e.l.lo's mind!

EMILIA. Lady, amen.

DESDEMONA. I will go seek him. Ca.s.sio, walk hereabout.

If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to effect it to my uttermost.

Ca.s.sIO. I humbly thank your ladyship.

Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.

Enter Bianca.

BIANCA. Save you, friend Ca.s.sio!

Ca.s.sIO. What make you from home?

How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?

I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

BIANCA. And I was going to your lodging, Ca.s.sio.

What, keep a week away? seven days and nights?

Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours, More tedious than the dial eight score times?

O weary reckoning!

Ca.s.sIO. Pardon me, Bianca.

I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; But I shall in a more continuate time Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, Gives her Desdemona's handkerchief.

Take me this work out.

BIANCA. O Ca.s.sio, whence came this?

This is some token from a newer friend.

To the felt absence now I feel a cause.

Is't come to this? Well, well.

Ca.s.sIO. Go to, woman!

Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now That this is from some mistress, some remembrance.

No, by my faith, Bianca.

BIANCA. Why, whose is it?

Ca.s.sIO. I know not, sweet. I found it in my chamber.

I like the work well. Ere it be demanded- As like enough it will- I'ld have it copied.

Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.

BIANCA. Leave you! wherefore?

Ca.s.sIO. I do attend here on the general; And think it no addition, nor my wish, To have him see me woman'd.

BIANCA. Why, I pray you?

Ca.s.sIO. Not that I love you not.

BIANCA. But that you do not love me.

I pray you, bring me on the way a little, And say if I shall see you soon at night.

Ca.s.sIO. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you, For I attend here, but I'll see you soon.

BIANCA. 'Tis very good; I must be circ.u.mstanced. Exeunt.

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ACT IV. SCENE I.

Cyprus. Before the castle.

Enter Oth.e.l.lo and Iago.

IAGO. Will you think so?

OTh.e.l.lO. Think so, Iago?

IAGO. What, To kiss in private?

OTh.e.l.lO. An unauthorized kiss.

IAGO. Or to be naked with her friend in bed An hour or more, not meaning any harm?

OTh.e.l.lO. Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm!

It is hypocrisy against the devil.

They that mean virtuously and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven.

IAGO. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip.

But if I give my wife a handkerchief- OTh.e.l.lO. What then?

IAGO. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord, and being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man.

OTh.e.l.lO. She is protectress of her honor too.