Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. Oth. I have a salt and sullen rheum offends me: Lend me thy handkerchief. Did an Egyptian to my mother give: She was a charmer,1 and could almost read The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it, 'Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father Intirely to her love; but if she lost it, Or made a gift of it, my father's eye Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt And bid me, when my fate would have me wive To lose or give 't away, were such perdition, Des. Is it possible? Oth. 'Tis true; there's magic in the web of it: A sibyl, that had number'd in the world The sun to make two hundred compasses, The worms were hallow'd, that did breed the silk; Des. Indeed! is 't true? Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to 't well. Des. Then, would to heaven, that I had never seen it. Oth. Ha! wherefore? Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash? Oth. Is't lost? is 't gone? speak, is it out of the Des. It is not lost; but what an if it were ? Oth. Ha! Des. I say, it is not lost. Oth. Fetch't; let me see it. Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now. This is a trick to put me from my suit: I pray, let Cassio be received again. Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind mis gives. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief, Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: Emi. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: Enter IAGO and CASSIO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and importune her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, That, by your virtuous means, I may again Exist, and be a member of his love, If my offence be of such mortal kind, That neither service past, nor present sorrows, 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, Des. Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, So help me, every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best; And stood within the blank of his displeasure,2 Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you. Iago. Is my lord angry? Emi. 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. state, Des. I pr'ythee, do so.-Something, sure, of [Exit Iago. Either from Venice; or some unhatch'd practice,3 Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,Hath puddled his clear spirit; and, in such cases Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 1 In features. 2 Within the shot of his anger. • Some treason which has not taken effect. Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so: For let our finger ache, and it indues Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense As fit the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness, And he's indited falsely. Emi. Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think; And no conception, nor no jealous toy, Concerning you. Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. Emi. 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, Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Emi. Lady, amen. Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk here about: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, Ard seek to effect it to my uttermost. [Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia. |