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To point his slow unmoving finger at,0!0!

Des. I have none: Do not talk to me, Æmilia;
I cannot weep; nor answer have I none,
But what should go by water. Pr'ythee, to-night
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets,- -remem-
5 And call thy husband hither.

Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner'd' up my heart;
Where either I must live, or bear no life;
The fountain from the which my current runs,
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern, for foul toads [there!
To knot and gender in!-turn thy complexion
Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubim; 10
Ay, there, look grim as hell!

Des. I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.
Oth. O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles,
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,
Who art so lovely fair, and smell'st so sweet,
That the sense aches at thee,-'Would, thou hadst
ne'er been born!

15

20

Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write whore upon? What committed!
Committed!-0 thou public commoner!
I should make very forges of my cheeks,
That would to cinders burn up modesty,
Did I but speak thy deed.-What committed!
Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks;|25|
The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets,
Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth,
And will not hear it: What committed!--Im-

pudent strumpet!

Des. By heaven, you do me wrong!
Oth. Are not you a strumpet?
; Des. No, as I am a Christian:
If to preserve this vessel for my lord,
From any other foul unlawful touch,
Be-not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Oth. What, not a whore?
Des. No, as I shall be saved.
Oth. Is it possible?

Des. O, heaven forgive us!
Oth. I cry you mercy then;

I took you for that cunning whore of Venice,
That married with Othello.-You, mistress,
Enter Emilia.

That have the office opposite to Saint Peter,
And keep the gate of hell; You! you! ay, you!
We have done our course; there's money for

your pains;

I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel.

30

[ber;-
Amil. Here is a change indeed. [Exit.
Des. 'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet..
How have I been behav'd, that he might stick
The small'st opinion on my great'st abuse?
Enter lago, with Æmilia.

Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is
it with you?
[babes,
Des. I cannot tell. Those, that do teach young
Do it with gentle means, and easy tasks:

He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,.
I am a child to chiding.

Iago. What is the matter, lady?

[her, Amil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd Thrown such despight and heavy terms upon her, As true hearts cannot bear.

Des. Am I that name, Iago?

Iago. What name, fair lady?

Des. Such as, she says, my lord did say I was.
Emil. He call'd her, whore; a beggar, in his
drink,

Could not have laid such terms upon his callet?.
Iago. Why did he so ?

Des. I do not know; I am sure, I am none such.
lago. Do not weep, do not weep; alas, the day!
Amil. Hath she forsook so many noble matches,
Her father, and her country, and her friends,
To be call'd-whore? would it not make one
weep?

Des. It is my wretched fortune.

135 Iago. Beshrew him for it!
How comes this trick upon him?

Des. Nay, heaven doth know.

Amil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,

40 Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
Has not devis'd this slander; I'll be hang'd else.
Iago. Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.
Des. If any such there be, heaven pardon him!
Amil. A halter, pardon him! and hell gnaw his
bones!
[company?
What should he call her, whore who keeps her
What place? what time? what form? what like-

45

[Exit. Emil.Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?--50 How do you, madam? how do you, my good Des. 'Faith, half asleep. [lady? Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with my lord?

Des. With who?

Emil. With my lord, madam.

Des. Who is thy lord?

Emil. He that is yours, sweet lady.

i. e. treasured up my heart.

lihood?

The Moor's abus'd by some most villainous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow :--
Ọ, heaven, that such companions thou❜dst un-
And put in every honest hand a whip, [fold;
To lash the rascal naked through the world,
Even from the east to the west!

55 Iago. Speak within door'.

[was,

Emil. O, fie upon him! some such quire he That turn'd your wit the seamy side without', And made you to suspect me with the Moor.

* This word in Shakspeare's time, besides its general signification, seems to have been applied particularly to unlawful acts of love. Hence perhaps it is so often repeated by Othello. 3 Callet is a lewd woman. * Notorious, for gross, not in its proper meaning for known. Companions, i. e. fellows. • i. e. do not clamour so as to be heard beyond the house. 1 That is, inside out.

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lage,

Iago. You are a fool; go to.
Des. O good Iago,

What shall I do to win my lord again?
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel :-
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,
Either in discourse, or thought, or actual deed;
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,
Delighted them in any other form;
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,

And ever will, though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement,—love him dearly,
Comfort forswear me ! Unkindness may do much;
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love. I cannot say, whore;
It does abhor me, now I speak the word;
To do the act that might the addition earn,
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.
Iago. I pray you, be content; 'tis but his hu-

mour;

The business of the state does him offence,
And he does chide with you.

Des. If 'twere no other,

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and even from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: Thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I have dealt most 5 directly in thy affair.

Rod. It hath not appear'd.

Iago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appear'd; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgement. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that within thee in10deed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean, purpose, courage, and valour, this night shew it: If thou the next night following enjoyest not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines for 15my life.

20

Iago. It is but so, I warrant you. [Trumpets.
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper! 25
And the great messengers of Venice stay:
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
[Exeunt Desdemona, and Æmilia.
Enter Roderigo.

How now, Roderigo?
[me. 30
Rod. I do not find, that thou deal'st justly with
Jago. What in the contrary?

Rod. Every day thou doff'st me with some device, Iago; and rather (as it seems to me now) keep'st from me all conveniency, than suppliest 35 me with the least advantage of hope. I will, indeed, no longer endure it: Nor am I yet persuaded, to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.

Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo? Rod. Faith, I have heard too much; for your words and performances are no kin together.

Jago. You charge me most unjustly.

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 taketh away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be linger'd 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 Othel lo's place; knocking out his brains.

Rod. And that you would have me to do? Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit, and a right. He sups to-night with a harlot, 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 twelve 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 amaz'd at it, but go along with me; I will shew you 40 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

Rod. With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have 45 had from me, to deliver to Desdemona, would half have corrupted a votarist: You have told me -she hath receiv'd them, and return'd me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and ac-| quaintance; but I find none.

Iago. Well; go to; very well.

Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis not very well: By this hand, I say, it is very scurvy; and begin to find myself fobb'd in it. Tago. Very well.

Rod. I tell you, 'tis not very well. I will make myself known to Desdemona: if she will return me my jewels, I will give over my suit, and repent my unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself, I will seek satisfaction of you. lago. You have said now.

Rod. Ay, and I have said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.

Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee;

50

55

60

lit.

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Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Æmi-
Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:
We must not now displease him.

Amil. I would, you had never seen him!
Des. So would not I; my love doth so approve
him,

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Dost thou in conscience think,- ~ 1 me, Æmilia, That there be women do abuse their husbands 5 In such gross kind?

That even his stubbornness, his checks,and frowns,-10
Pr'ythee, unpin me, have grace and favour in
them.
[the bed.

Emil. I have laid those sheets you bade me on
Des. All's one -Good father! how foolish are
our minds!-

If I do die before thee, pr'ythee shroud me
In one of those same sheets.

Emil. Come, come, you talk.

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 willow,
An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,
And she dy'd singing it: That song, to-night,
Will not go from my mind; I have much to do,
But to go hang my head all o' one side,
And sing it like poor Barbara. Pr'ythee, dispatch.
Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?
Des. No, unpin me here.-

This Lodovico is a proper man.
Emil. A very handsome man.
Des. He speaks well.

Emil. I know a lady in Venice, would have
walk'd barefoot to Palestine, for a touch of his
nether lip.
[tree,
Des. The poor soul sat singing by a sycamore
Sing all a green willow; [Singing.

Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow:

The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her

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15

I

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

Des. Would'st thou do such a deed for all the world? [price Emil. The world is a huge thing: 'Tis a great For a small vice.

Des. In troth, I think thou would'st not.

Æmil. In troth, I think I should; and undo 't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do such a 20thing for a joint ring; nor for measures of lawǹ; nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition: but, for all the whole world, Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him a monarch? I should venture purga-. 25tory for 't.

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, 30 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right.

35

Des. I do not think, there is any such woman.
Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many to the van
tage', 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, [us,
40 Throwing restraint upon us; or, say, they strike
Or scant our former having in despight!
Why, we have galls; and, though we have some

grace,

Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know, 45 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?
50 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 to.

Sing willow, &c.

[men. 55

If I court more women, you'll couch with more So, get thee gone; good night.

itch;

Doth that bode weeping?

-Mine eyes do

1601

Emil. 'Tis neither here nor there.

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Des. Good night, good night: Heaven me such usage send,

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

1i. e. wild, frantick, uncertain. We still call a wild girl a mad-cap. the first volume of Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry.

[Exeunt..

This song is printed in 'i. e. to boot, over and above.

i. e. our former allowance of expence¿ Usage is an old word for custom.

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Enter Iago, and Roderigo.

Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are

blotted;

Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be
spotted.
[Exit Othello.

Iago. HERE, stand behind this bulk; straight 5 Enter Lodovico, and Gratiano, at a distance.

will he come:

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Cas. What, ho! no watch? no passage? mur

der! murder!

[ful.

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Lod. Hark!

Gra. Here's one comes in his shirt, with light and weapons.

Iago. Who's there? whose noise is this, that cries out murder? Lod. We do not know.

Jago. Did not you hear a cry?

Cus. Here, here; for heaven's sake, help me! . Iago. What's the matter?

Gra. This is Othello's ancient, as I take it. Lod. The same, indeed; a very valiant fellow. Iago. What are you here, that cry so grievously? Cas. Iago? O, I'am spoil'd, undone by villains! Give me some help.

[this?

Iago. O me, lieutenant! what villains have done Cas. I think, that one of them is hereabout, And cannot make away.

Iago. O treacherous villains!

35 What are you there? come in, and give some help [To Lod. and Gra.

[Fight. Cassio wounds Roderigo: Iago 40 cuts Cassio behind in the leg, and exit.

Rod. O, I am slain!

Cas. I am maim'd for ever;-Help, ho! mur

der! murder!

Enter Othello, above.

Oth. The voice of Cassio:-Iago keeps his word. Rod. O, villain that I am!

Oth. Hark! 'tis even so.

Cas. O, help, ho! light! a surgeon!

Rod. O, help me here!
Cus. That's one of them.
lago. O murderous slave! O villain!

[lago stabs him. Rod. O damn'd Iago! O inhuman dog!—O!

0,0!

Iago. Kill men i' the dark !-Where be these
bloody thieves?-

45 How silent is this town!-Ho! murder! murder
What may you be? are you of good or evil?
Lod. As you shall prove us, praise us.
lago. Signior Lodovico?

Oth. 'Tis he;-O brave Iago, honest and just, 50 That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! Thou teachest me,-Minion, your dear lies dead, And your fate hies apace: Strumpet, I come:

Lod. He, sir.

[villains.

lago. I cry you mercy; Here's Cassio hurt by Gra. Cassio!

lugo. How is it, brother? Cas. My leg is cut in two.

1 This is a passage much controverted among the editors, who variously propose to read quab (a gudgeon), quail, gnat, and knot.—Dr. Johnson, however, adopts quat, which, he says, in the midland counties is a pimple, that, by rubbing, is made to smart, or is rubbed to sense.-Roderigo, he adds, is called a quat by the same mode of speech, as a low fellow is now termed, in low language, a scab.To rub to the sense, is to rub to the quick. i. e. No passengers? nobody going by?

Iago

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Iago. Who is 't that cry'd?

[suspect

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Iago. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark, 5 By Roderigo, and fellows that are 'scap'd; He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.

Bian. O my dear Cassio! my sweet Cassio!
O Cassio! Cassio! Cassio!
Iago. O notable strumpet!-
-Cassio, may you
Who they should be, that have thus mangled you? 10
Cas. No.
[to seek you.
Gra. I am sorry to find you thus; I have been
Iago. Lend me a garter: So.-O, for a chair,
To bear him easily hence!

Bian. Alas, he faints:-O Cassio! Cassio! Cassio! 15
Jugo. Gentlemen all, I do suspect this trash
To be a party in this injury.

Patience a while, good Cassio.-Come, come;
Lend me a light.-Know we this face, or no?
Alas! my friend, and my dear countryman,
Roderigo? no:-Yes, sure; O heaven! Roderigo.
Gra. What, of Venice?

lago. Even he, sir; did you know him?
Gra. Know him? ay.

20

Iago. Signior Gratiano? I cry you gentle pardon; 25 These bloody accidents must excuse my manners, That so neglected you.

Gra. I am glad to see you.

Iago. How do you, Cassio?-O, a chair, a chair!
Gra. Roderigo!

Iago. He, he, 'tis he :-O, that's well said;

30

the chair:- [A chair brought in. Some good man bear him carefully from hence; I'll fetch the general's surgeon.--For you, mistress, [To Bianca. 35 Save you your labour.—He that lies slain here, Cassio, [you? Was my dear friend; What malice was between Cas. None in the world; nor do I know the

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Emil. Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!
Lugo. This is the fruit of whoring.-Pr'ythee,
Emilia,

Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night :-
What, do you shake at that?

Bian. He supp'd at my house; but I therefore

shake not.

Iago. O, did he so? I charge you, go with me.
Amil. Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!

Bian. I am no strumpet; but of life as honest,
As you that thus abuse me.

Emil. As I foh! fie upon thee!

Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio
dress'd:-

Come, mistress, you must tell us another tale.-
Emilia, run you to the citadel,

And tell my ford and lady what hath hap'd.-
Will you go on, I pray? This is the night, [Aside.
That either makes me, or fordoes' me quite.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

A Bed-chamber: Desdemona in bed, asleep. A light burning.

Enter Othello.

--

Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!It is the cause.-Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster.

[Takes off his sword. Yet she must die, else she 'll betray more men 3. 40 Put out the light, and then-Put out the light *! If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore, Should I repent me:--but once put out thy light, Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, 451 know not where is that Promethean heat, That can thy light relumine.When I have pluck'd thy rose,

I cannot give it vital growth again,

It needs must wither: I'll smell it on the tree.500 balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

2 Dr. Johnson assigns

To fordo, as has been before observed, is to undo, to ruin, to destroy. the following meaning to this soliloquy: "I am here (says Othello in his mind) overwhelmed with horror. What is the reason of this perturbation? Is it want of resolution to do justice? Is it the dread of shedding blood? No; it is not the action that shocks me, but it is the cause, it is the cause, my soul; let me not name it to you, ye chaste stars! it is the cause."-Mr. Steevens adds, that "Othello full of horror at the cruel action which he is about to perpetrate, seems at this instant to be seeking his justification, from representing to himself the cause, i. e. the greatness of the provocation he had received." 3. "This is the second attempt of Othello (continues Mr. Steevens) to justify what he has undertaken. First he says, It is the cause, i, e. his own cause; now he is willing to suppose himself the preventer of succeeding mischief to others." 4 Dr. Farmer observes, that "this has been considered as a very difficult line. Fielding makes Betterton and Booth dispute about it with the author himself in the other world. The punctuation recommended by Dr. Warburton (and which we have adopted), gives a spirit to it which I fear (adds he) was not intended. It seems to have been only a play upon words. To put the light out, was a phrase for to kill.”

3 Z 2

Justice

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