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 harlotry, 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 twelwe 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 farther reason for this.
Iago. And you shall be satisfied.

SCENE III.

Another Room in the Castle.

[Exeunt.

Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and Atten

dants.

Lod. I do beseech you, Sir, trouble yourself no farther.
Oth. O pardon me; 't will do me good to walk.

Lod. Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.
Des. Your honour is most welcome.

Oth.

O! - Desdemona,

Will you walk, Sir?

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;

He hath commanded me to go to bed,

And bade me to dismiss you.

Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia, Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu :

We must not now displease him.

Emil. I would you had never seen him.

Des. So would not I: my love doth so approve him, That even his stubbornness, his checks, and frowns, Pr'ythee, unpin me, have grace and favour in them. Emil. I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed. Des. All's one. Good father! how foolish are our minds!pr'ythee, shroud me

If I do die before thee,

In one of those same sheets.

Emil.
Des. My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:
She was in love; and he she lov'd prov'd mad,
And did forsake her: she had a song of

Come, come, you talk.

willow,
An old thing 't was, but it express'd her fortune,
And she died singing it: that song, to-night,
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,
But to go hang my head all at one side,

And sing it like poor Barbara. Pr'ythee, despatch.
Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?

Des.

This Lodovico is a proper man.

Emil. A very handsome man.

Des. He speaks well.

No, unpin me here.

Emil. I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.

Des. The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,

Sing all a green willow;

Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,

Sing willow, willow, willow:

[Singing.

The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans;
Sing willow, willow, willow:

Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;

Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve,

Nay, that's not next. - Hark! who is it that knocks?

Emil.

It is the wind.

Des. I call'd my love, false love; but what said he then?

Sing willow, willow, willow:

If I court mo women, you'll couch with mo men.

So, get thee gone; good night. Mine eyes do itch;
Doth that bode weeping?

Emil.

'T is neither here nor there.

Des. I have heard it said so.

O, these men, these men!

Dost thou in conscience think, tell me, Emilia,

That there be women do abuse their husbands

In such gross kind?

Emil.

There be some such, no question.

Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all the world?

Emil. Why, would not you?

Des.

No, by this heavenly light.

Emil. Nor I neither by this heavenly light:

I might do 't as well i' the dark.

Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all the world? Emil. The world is a huge thing: 't is a great price For a small vice.

Des.

In troth, I think thou would'st not.

Emil. In troth, I think I should, and undo 't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition; but, for the whole world, would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for 't.

why, who

Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong for the whole world.

Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i' the world; and, having the world for your labour, 't is a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

Des. I do not think there is any such woman.

Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many

To the vantage, as would store the world they play'd for.
But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults,

If wives do fall. Say, that they slack their duties,
And pour our treasures into foreign laps;

Or else break out in peevish jealousies,

Throwing restraint upon us; or, say, they strike us,
Or scant our former having in despite,

Why, we have galls; and, though we have some grace,
Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know,
Their wives have sense like them: they see, and smell,
And have their palates, both for sweet and sour,
As husbands have. What is it that they do,
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
I think, it is; and doth affection breed it?
I think, it doth. Is 't frailty, that thus errs?
It is so too and have not we affections,
Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?

Then, let them use us well; else; let them know,

The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

Des. Good night, good night: heaven me such uses send,

Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

[Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

A Street.

Enter IAGO and RODERIGO.

Iago. Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he 'come: Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.

Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow.

It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,

And fix most firm thy resolution.

Rod. Be near at hand; I may miscarry in 't.

Iago. Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand.

[Retires to a little distance.

Rod. I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he has given me satisfying reasons. "T is but a man gone:

forth, my sword; he dies.

[Goes to his stand.

Iago. I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my game: live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold, and jewels, that I bobb'd from him,

As gifts to Desdemona;

It must not be: if Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life,

That makes me ugly; and, besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him: there stand I in much peril.
No, he must die: be 't so; I hear him coming.

Enter CASSIO.

Rod. I know his gait; 't is he. — Villain, thou diest.
[Rushing out, and making a pass at CASSIO.

Cas. That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,

But that my coat is better than thou know'st:
I will make proof of thine.

[Draws, and wounds RODERIGO.