Iago. I told him what I thought; and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true. Emil. But did you ever tell him, she was false? Emil. You told a lie; an odious, damned lie; She false with Cassio!-Did you say with Cassio? Iago. With Cassio, mistress; Go to, charm your tongue. Emil. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak; My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed. All. O heavens forefend! Emil. And your reports have set the murder on. Mon. O monstrous act! Emil. Villainy, villainy, villainy !— I think upon't, I think,-I smell't;-O villainy! O villainy, villainy! Iago. What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home. Emil. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak; Tis proper I obey him, but not now: Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. [Hanging over his wife. Emil. Nay, lay thee down, and roar; For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent, That e'er did lift up eye. Oth. O, she was foul!— [Rising. I scarce did know you, uncle: There lies your niece, Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd: I know, this act shows horrible and grim. Gra. Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead; Oth. "Tis pitiful: but yet, Iago knows, With that recognizance and pledge of love Emil. O heaven! O heavenly powers! Iago. Come, hold your peace. Emil. Twill out, 'twill out;-I hold my peace, sir? no; No, I will speak as liberal as the air; Let heaven, and men, and devils, let them all, All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak. Iago. Be wise, and get you home. Emil. I will not. Gra. Fye! Your sword upon a woman? [IAGO offers to stab his wife. Emil. O thou dull Moor! that handkerchief thou speak'st of, I found by fortune, and did give my husband; For often, with a solemn earnestness, (More than, indeed, belonged to such a trifle,) He begg'd of me to steal it. Iago. Villainous whore ! Emil. She gave it Cassio! no, alas; I found it, And I did give't my husband. Iago. Filth, thou liest. Emil. By heaven, I do not; I do not, gentlemen: O murd'rous coxcomb! what should such a fool Do with so good a wife? [IAGO stabs EMILIA, then runs out. Oth. Are there no stones in heaven, But what serve for the thunder?---Precious villain! Mon. "Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon, [Exeunt MONTANO and GRATIANO. Oth. I am not valiant neither, But every puny whipster gets my sword:- Emil. What did thy song bode, lady? Hark, can'st thou hear me? I will play the swan, Oth. I have another weapon in this chamber, [Dies Gra. [Within.] If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear; Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. Oth. Look in upon me then, and speak with me, Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee. Re-enter GRATIANO. Gra. What is the matter? Oth. Behold! I have a weapon; A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldier's thigh: I have seen the day, O cursed, cursed slave !-Whip me, ye devils, Dead? O! O! O! Enter LODOVICO, MONTANO, CASSIO, carried in a Chair, and Officers, with IAGO, prisoner. Lod. Where is this rash and most unfortunate man? Oth. That's he, that was Othello; here I am. Lod. Where is that viper? bring the villain forth. Oth. I look down towards his feet;-but that's a fable: If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee. [OTHELLO Wounds IAGO. Lod. Wrench his sword from him. Iago. I bleed, sir; but not kill'd. Oth. I am not sorry neither; I'd have thee live; For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die. Lod. O thou Othello, that was once so good, Fall'n in the practice of a cursed slave, What shall be said to thee? Oth. Why, any thing: An honourable murderer, if you will; For nought I did in hate, but all in honour. Lod. This wretch hath part confessed his villainy : Did you and he consent in Cassio's death? Oth. Ay. Cas. Dear general, I never gave you cause. Oth. I do believe it, and I ask your pardon. Will you, I pray you, demand that demi-devil, Why he hath thus ensnar'd my soul and body? Iago. Demand me nothing: What you know, you know : From this time forth I never will speak word. Lod. What? not to pray? Gra. Torments will ope your lips. |