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'd 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 their souls: Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing: 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thou sands; But he, that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought. Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. Oth. Ha! Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; F 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: Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt, To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous, To say-my wife is fair, feeds well, loves com pany, Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; Iago. I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason To show the love and duty that I bear you Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks They dare not show their husbands; their best con science Is-not to leave undone, bat keep unknown. Oth. Dost thou say so? Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your 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, 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 Comes from my love;-But, I do see you are mov'd: I am to pray you, not to strain my speech To grosser issues, nor to larger reach, Than to suspicion. 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. friend: My lord, I see you are mov'd. Oth. Cassio's my worthy 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 you, with Not to affect many proposed matches, Of her own clime, complexion, and degree; Oth. Farewel, farewel: If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; [Going. Oth. Why did I marry?-This honest creature, doubtless, Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your honour To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: And hold her free, I do beseech your honour. Iago. I once more take my leave. [Exit. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, Of human dealings: If I do prove her haggard, Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings, I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind, To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black; And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have: Or, for I am declin'd Into the vale of years;-yet that's not much;— She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief Must be to loath her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapour of a dungeon, Than keep a corner in the thing I love, For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; Prerogativ'd are they less than the base: 'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death; Even then this forked plague is fated to us, |