I heard thee say but now,--Thou lik'dst not that,— When Cassio left my wife:-What didst not like?— And, when I told thee-he was of my counsel In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, " Indeed!" And didst contract and purse thy brow together, Iago. My lord, you know, I love you. Oth. I think, thou dost ; And-for I know, thou'rt full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just, Iago. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn,-I think, that he is honest. Iago. Men should be, that they seem; Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none ! Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem. Iago. Why then, I think, Cassio's an honest man. Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this : I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts The worst of words. Iago. Good my lord, pardon me; Though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.- As where's that palace whereinto foul things Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear A stranger to thy thoughts. Iago. I do beseech you,— (Though I, perchance, am vicious in my guess,- To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy You'ld take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble Oth. What dost thou mean? Iago. Good name, in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of our souls: Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, Oth. By Heaven, I'll know thy thought. Ingo. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand, Nor shall not, while 'tis in my custody. Oth. Ha! Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth make The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er, Who dotes, yet doubts: suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. O misery! Iago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter, To him that ever fears he shall be poor: F Good Heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend Oth. Why, why is this? Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon 'Tis not to make me jealous, To say,--my wife is fair, loves company, Iago. I'm glad of this; for now I shall have reason To show the love and duty that I bear you, With franker spirit: therefore, as I'm bound, Receive it from me:-I speak not yet of proof:Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio : Wear your eye-thus, not jealous, nor secure:-I would not have your free and noble nature, Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't; I know our country disposition well; In Venice they do let Heaven see the pranks They dare not show their husbands; their best con science Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown. Oth. Dost thou say so? lago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks, She lov'd them most. Oth. And so she did. Iago. Why, go to, then ; She that, so young, could give out such a seeming, To seel her father's eyes up, close as oak, He thought 'twas witchcraft:-But I am much to blame; I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, For too much loving you. Oth. I am bound to thee for ever. Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot. Iago. Trust me, I fear it has. I hope, you will consider, what is spoke I am to pray you, not to strain my speech Oth. I will not. Iago. Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall into such vile success As my thoughts aim not at: Cassio's my trusty friend, My lord, I see you're mov'd. Oth. No, not much mov'd:— I do not think but Desdemona's honest. Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! Oth. 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; Oth. Farewell, farewell: If more thou dost perceive, let me know more:— [Exit. Oth. Why did I marry?-This honest creature, doubtless, Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Enter IAGO. Iago. My lord,-I would I might entreat your ho nour To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: Iago. I once more take my leave. [Exit. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, |