Othello - Act 3, scene 3 | Folger Shakespeare Library (2024)

Scene3

Synopsis:

Desdemona’s interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. Cassio leaves hastily in order to avoid speaking with Othello. Desdemona pleads to Othello on Cassio’s behalf. When she exits, Iago says that Cassio’s avoidance of Othello is suspicious and that Cassio may not be honorable, all the while insinuating that he, Iago, knows more than he is willing to say. He warns Othello against becoming jealous of Desdemona.

When Desdemona enters and Othello complains of an aching head, Desdemona offers to bind his head with her handkerchief. As they exit, the handkerchief drops unnoticed by either of them. Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago, who has often asked for it. Othello reenters and, now tormented by jealousy, threatens Iago with death unless he provides proof of Desdemona’s infidelity.

Iago alleges that Cassio one night talked in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and that Cassio once wiped his beard with the lost handkerchief. Othello is convinced by this “proof” and vows to kill Desdemona; Iago agrees to kill Cassio. Othello then appoints Iago to the lieutenancy.

EnterDesdemona,Cassio,andEmilia.

DESDEMONA
1604Bethouassured,goodCassio,Iwilldo
1605Allmyabilitiesinthybehalf.
EMILIA
1606Goodmadam,do.Iwarrantitgrievesmyhusband
1607Asifthecausewerehis.
DESDEMONA
16085O,that’sanhonestfellow!Donotdoubt,Cassio,
1609ButIwillhavemylordandyouagain
1610Asfriendlyasyouwere.
CASSIO1611Bounteousmadam,
1612WhatevershallbecomeofMichaelCassio,
161310He’sneveranythingbutyourtrueservant.
DESDEMONA
1614Iknow’t.Ithankyou.Youdolovemylord;
1615Youhaveknownhimlong;andbeyouwellassured
1616Heshallinstrangenessstandnofartheroff
1617Thaninapoliticdistance.
CASSIO161815Ay,but,lady,
1619Thatpolicymayeitherlastsolong,
1620Orfeeduponsuchniceandwaterishdiet,
1621Orbreeditselfsooutof⟨circ*mstance,⟩
1622That,Ibeingabsentandmyplacesupplied,
162320Mygeneralwillforgetmyloveandservice.
DESDEMONA
1624Donotdoubtthat.BeforeEmiliahere,
1625Igivetheewarrantofthyplace.Assurethee,
1626IfIdovowafriendship,I’llperformit
1627Tothelastarticle.Mylordshallneverrest:
162825I’llwatchhimtameandtalkhimoutofpatience;
1629Hisbedshallseemaschool,hisboardashrift;
1630I’llintermingleeverythinghedoes
1631WithCassio’ssuit.Thereforebemerry,Cassio,

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1632Forthysolicitorshallratherdie
163330Thangivethycauseaway.

EnterOthelloandIago.

EMILIA1634Madam,herecomesmylord.
CASSIO1635Madam,I’lltakemyleave.
DESDEMONA1636Why,stay,andhearmespeak.
CASSIO
1637Madam,notnow.Iamveryillatease,
163835Unfitformineownpurposes.
DESDEMONA1639Well,doyourdiscretion.Cassioexits.
IAGO
1640Ha,Ilikenotthat.
OTHELLO1641Whatdostthousay?
IAGO
1642Nothing,mylord;orif—Iknownotwhat.
OTHELLO
164340WasnotthatCassiopartedfrommywife?
IAGO
1644Cassio,mylord?No,sure,Icannotthinkit
1645Thathewouldstealawaysoguiltylike,
1646Seeingyourcoming.
OTHELLO1647Idobelieve’twashe.
DESDEMONA164845Hownow,mylord?
1649Ihavebeentalkingwithasuitorhere,
1650Amanthatlanguishesinyourdispleasure.
OTHELLO1651Whois’tyoumean?
DESDEMONA
1652Why,yourlieutenant,Cassio.Goodmylord,
165350IfIhaveanygraceorpowertomoveyou,
1654Hispresentreconciliationtake;
1655Forifhebenotonethattrulylovesyou,
1656Thaterrsinignoranceandnotincunning,
1657Ihavenojudgmentinanhonestface.
165855Ipritheecallhimback.
OTHELLO1659Wenthehencenow?

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DESDEMONA1660⟨Yes,faith,⟩sohumbled
1661Thathehathleftpartofhisgriefwithme
1662Tosufferwithhim.Goodlove,callhimback.
OTHELLO
166360Notnow,sweetDesdemon.Someothertime.
DESDEMONA
1664Butshall’tbeshortly?
OTHELLO1665Thesooner,sweet,foryou.
DESDEMONA
1666Shall’tbetonightatsupper?
OTHELLO1667No,nottonight.
DESDEMONA166865Tomorrowdinner,then?
OTHELLO1669Ishallnotdineathome;
1670Imeetthecaptainsatthecitadel.
DESDEMONA
1671Whythentomorrownight,⟨or⟩Tuesdaymorn,
1672OnTuesdaynoonornight;onWednesdaymorn.
167370Ipritheenamethetime,butletitnot
1674Exceedthreedays.Infaith,he’spenitent;
1675Andyethistrespass,inourcommonreason—
1676Savethat,theysay,thewarsmustmakeexample
1677Outofherbest—isnotalmostafault
167875T’incuraprivatecheck.Whenshallhecome?
1679Tellme,Othello.Iwonderinmysoul
1680WhatyouwouldaskmethatIshoulddeny,
1681Orstandsomamm’ringon?What?MichaelCassio,
1682Thatcamea-wooingwithyou,andsomanyatime,
168380WhenIhavespokeofyoudispraisingly,
1684Hathta’enyourpart—tohavesomuchtodo
1685Tobringhimin!⟨By’rLady,⟩Icoulddomuch—
OTHELLO
1686Prithee,nomore.Lethimcomewhenhewill;
1687Iwilldenytheenothing.
DESDEMONA168885Why,thisisnotaboon!
1689’TisasIshouldentreatyouwearyourgloves,
1690Orfeedonnourishingdishes,orkeepyouwarm,

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1691Orsuetoyoutodoapeculiarprofit
1692Toyourownperson.Nay,whenIhaveasuit
169390WhereinImeantotouchyourloveindeed,
1694Itshallbefullofpoiseanddifficultweight,
1695Andfearfultobegranted.
OTHELLO1696Iwilldenytheenothing!
1697Whereon,Idobeseechthee,grantmethis,
169895Toleavemebutalittletomyself.
DESDEMONA
1699ShallIdenyyou?No.Farewell,mylord.
OTHELLO
1700Farewell,myDesdemona.I’llcometotheestraight.
DESDEMONA
1701Emilia,come.—Beasyourfanciesteachyou.
1702Whate’eryoube,Iamobedient.
⟨DesdemonaandEmilia⟩exit.
OTHELLO
1703100Excellentwretch!Perditioncatchmysoul
1704ButIdolovethee!AndwhenIlovetheenot,
1705Chaosiscomeagain.
IAGO1706Mynoblelord—
OTHELLO
1707Whatdostthousay,Iago?
IAGO1708105DidMichaelCassio,
1709When⟨you⟩wooedmylady,knowofyourlove?
OTHELLO
1710Hedid,fromfirsttolast.Whydostthouask?
IAGO
1711Butforasatisfactionofmythought,
1712Nofurtherharm.
OTHELLO1713110Whyofthythought,Iago?
IAGO
1714Ididnotthinkhehadbeenacquaintedwithher.
OTHELLO
1715Oyes,andwentbetweenusveryoft.
IAGO1716Indeed?

p. 125

OTHELLO
1717Indeed?Ay,indeed!Discern’stthouaughtinthat?
1718115Ishenothonest?
IAGO1719Honest,mylord?
OTHELLO1720Honest—ay,honest.
IAGO
1721Mylord,foraughtIknow.
OTHELLO1722Whatdostthouthink?
IAGO1723120Think,mylord?
OTHELLO
1724“Think,mylord?”⟨Byheaven,⟩thouecho’stme
1725Asifthereweresomemonsterinthythought
1726Toohideoustobeshown.Thoudostmean
1727something.
1728125Iheardtheesayevennow,thoulik’stnotthat,
1729WhenCassioleftmywife.Whatdidstnotlike?
1730AndwhenItoldtheehewasofmycounsel
1731⟨In⟩mywholecourseofwooing,thoucried’st
1732“Indeed?”
1733130Anddidstcontractandpursethybrowtogether
1734Asifthouthenhadstshutupinthybrain
1735Somehorribleconceit.Ifthoudostloveme,
1736Showmethythought.
IAGO1737Mylord,youknowIloveyou.
OTHELLO1738135Ithinkthoudost;
1739AndforIknowthou’rtfullofloveandhonesty
1740Andweigh’stthywordsbeforethougiv’stthem
1741breath,
1742Thereforethesestopsofthinefrightmethemore.
1743140Forsuchthingsinafalse,disloyalknave
1744Aretricksofcustom;butinamanthat’sjust,
1745They’reclosedilationsworkingfromtheheart
1746Thatpassioncannotrule.
IAGO1747ForMichaelCassio,
1748145IdarebeswornIthinkthatheishonest.
OTHELLO
1749Ithinksotoo.

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IAGO1750Menshouldbewhattheyseem;
1751Orthosethatbenot,wouldtheymightseemnone!
OTHELLO1752Certain,menshouldbewhattheyseem.
IAGO
1753150Whythen,IthinkCassio’sanhonestman.
OTHELLO1754Nay,yetthere’smoreinthis.
1755Ipritheespeaktomeastothythinkings,
1756Asthoudostruminate,andgivethyworstof
1757thoughts
1758155Theworstofwords.
IAGO1759Goodmylord,pardonme.
1760ThoughIamboundtoeveryactofduty,
1761Iamnotboundto⟨thatallslavesarefreeto.⟩
1762Uttermythoughts?Why,saytheyarevileand
1763160false—
1764Aswhere’sthatpalacewhereintofoulthings
1765Sometimesintrudenot?Whohasthatbreastso
1766pure
1767⟨Butsome⟩uncleanlyapprehensions
1768165Keepleetsandlawdaysandinsessionssit
1769Withmeditationslawful?
OTHELLO
1770Thoudostconspireagainstthyfriend,Iago,
1771Ifthoubutthink’sthimwrongedandmak’sthisear
1772Astrangertothythoughts.
IAGO1773170Idobeseechyou,
1774ThoughIperchanceamviciousinmyguess—
1775As,Iconfess,itismynature’splague
1776Tospyintoabuses,and⟨oft⟩myjealousy
1777Shapesfaultsthatarenot—thatyourwisdom
1778175Fromonethatsoimperfectlyconceits
1779Wouldtakenonotice,norbuildyourselfatrouble
1780Outofhisscatteringandunsureobservance.
1781Itwerenotforyourquietnoryourgood,
1782Norformymanhood,honesty,andwisdom,
1783180Toletyouknowmythoughts.

p. 129

OTHELLO1784Whatdostthoumean?
IAGO
1785Goodnameinmanandwoman,dearmylord,
1786Istheimmediatejeweloftheirsouls.
1787Whostealsmypursestealstrash.’Tissomething,
1788185nothing;
1789’Twasmine,’tishis,andhasbeenslaveto
1790thousands.
1791Buthethatfilchesfrommemygoodname
1792Robsmeofthatwhichnotenricheshim
1793190Andmakesmepoorindeed.
OTHELLO1794⟨Byheaven,⟩I’llknowthythoughts.
IAGO
1795Youcannot,ifmyheartwereinyourhand,
1796Norshallnot,whilst’tisinmycustody.
OTHELLO
1797Ha?
IAGO1798195O,beware,mylord,ofjealousy!
1799Itisthegreen-eyedmonsterwhichdothmock
1800Themeatitfeedson.Thatcuckoldlivesinbliss
1801Who,certainofhisfate,lovesnothiswronger;
1802ButO,whatdamnèdminutestellsheo’er
1803200Whodotes,yetdoubts;suspects,yet⟨strongly⟩loves!
OTHELLO1804Omisery!
IAGO
1805Poorandcontentisrich,andrichenough;
1806Butrichesfinelessisaspooraswinter
1807Tohimthateverfearsheshallbepoor.
1808205Good⟨God,⟩thesoulsofallmytribedefend
1809Fromjealousy!
OTHELLO1810Why,whyisthis?
1811Think’stthouI’dmakealifeofjealousy,
1812Tofollowstillthechangesofthemoon
1813210Withfreshsuspicions?No.Tobeonceindoubt
1814Is⟨once⟩toberesolved.Exchangemeforagoat
1815WhenIshallturnthebusinessofmysoul

p. 131

1816Tosuchexsufflicateand⟨blown⟩surmises,
1817Matchingthyinference.’Tisnottomakemejealous
1818215Tosaymywifeisfair,feedswell,lovescompany,
1819Isfreeofspeech,sings,plays,anddances⟨well.⟩
1820Wherevirtueis,thesearemorevirtuous.
1821NorfrommineownweakmeritswillIdraw
1822Thesmallestfearordoubtofherrevolt,
1823220Forshehadeyes,andchoseme.No,Iago,
1824I’llseebeforeIdoubt;whenIdoubt,prove;
1825Andontheproof,thereisnomorebutthis:
1826Awayatoncewithloveorjealousy.
IAGO
1827Iamgladofthis,fornowIshallhavereason
1828225ToshowtheloveanddutythatIbearyou
1829Withfrankerspirit.Therefore,asIambound,
1830Receiveitfromme.Ispeaknotyetofproof.
1831Looktoyourwife;observeherwellwithCassio;
1832Wearyoureyesthus,notjealousnorsecure.
1833230Iwouldnothaveyourfreeandnoblenature,
1834Outofself-bounty,beabused.Lookto’t.
1835Iknowourcountrydispositionwell.
1836InVenicetheydolet⟨God⟩seethepranks
1837Theydarenotshowtheirhusbands.Theirbest
1838235conscience
1839Isnottoleave’tundone,but⌜keep’t⌝unknown.
OTHELLO1840Dostthousayso?
IAGO
1841Shediddeceiveherfather,marryingyou,
1842Andwhensheseemedtoshakeandfearyourlooks,
1843240Shelovedthemmost.
OTHELLO1844Andsoshedid.
IAGO1845Why,goto,then!
1846Shethat,soyoung,couldgiveoutsuchaseeming,
1847Toseelherfather’seyesupcloseasoak,
1848245Hethought’twaswitchcraft!ButIammuchto
1849blame.

p. 133

1850Ihumblydobeseechyouofyourpardon
1851Fortoomuchlovingyou.
OTHELLO1852Iamboundtotheeforever.
IAGO
1853250Iseethishathalittledashedyourspirits.
OTHELLO
1854Notajot,notajot.
IAGO1855⟨I’faith,⟩Ifearithas.
1856Ihopeyouwillconsiderwhatisspoke
1857Comesfrom⟨my⟩love.ButIdoseeyou’removed.
1858255Iamtoprayyounottostrainmyspeech
1859Togrosserissuesnortolargerreach
1860Thantosuspicion.
OTHELLO1861Iwillnot.
IAGO1862Shouldyoudoso,mylord,
1863260Myspeechshouldfallintosuchvilesuccess
1864⟨Asmythoughtsaimnotat.⟩Cassio’smyworthy
1865friend.
1866Mylord,Iseeyou’removed.
OTHELLO1867No,notmuchmoved.
1868265IdonotthinkbutDesdemona’shonest.
IAGO
1869Longlivesheso!Andlongliveyoutothinkso!
OTHELLO
1870Andyet,hownatureerringfromitself—
IAGO
1871Ay,there’sthepoint.As,tobeboldwithyou,
1872Nottoaffectmanyproposèdmatches
1873270Ofherownclime,complexion,anddegree,
1874Wheretoweseeinallthingsnaturetends—
1875Foh!Onemaysmellinsuchawillmostrank,
1876Foul⟨disproportion,⟩thoughtsunnatural—
1877Butpardonme—Idonotinposition
1878275Distinctlyspeakofher,thoughImayfear
1879Herwill,recoilingtoherbetterjudgment,
1880Mayfalltomatchyouwithhercountryforms
1881Andhappilyrepent.

p. 135

OTHELLO1882Farewell,farewell!
1883280Ifmorethoudostperceive,letmeknowmore.
1884Setonthywifetoobserve.Leaveme,Iago.
IAGO,⌜beginningtoexit⌝1885Mylord,Itakemyleave.
OTHELLO
1886WhydidImarry?Thishonestcreaturedoubtless
1887Seesandknowsmore,muchmore,thanheunfolds.
IAGO,⌜returning⌝
1888285Mylord,IwouldImightentreatyourHonor
1889Toscanthisthingnofarther.Leaveittotime.
1890Although’tisfitthatCassiohavehisplace—
1891Forsurehefillsitupwithgreatability—
1892Yet,ifyoupleaseto⟨hold⟩himoffawhile,
1893290Youshallbythatperceivehimandhismeans.
1894Noteifyourladystrainhisentertainment
1895Withanystrongorvehementimportunity.
1896Muchwillbeseeninthat.Inthemeantime,
1897Letmebethoughttoobusyinmyfears—
1898295AsworthycauseIhavetofearIam—
1899Andholdherfree,IdobeseechyourHonor.
OTHELLO1900Fearnotmygovernment.
IAGO1901Ioncemoretakemyleave.Heexits.
OTHELLO
1902Thisfellow’sofexceedinghonesty,
1903300Andknowsall⟨qualities⟩withalearnèdspirit
1904Ofhumandealings.IfIdoproveherhaggard,
1905Thoughthatherjessesweremydearheartstrings,
1906I’dwhistleheroffandletherdownthewind
1907Topreyatfortune.Haply,forIamblack
1908305Andhavenotthosesoftpartsofconversation
1909Thatchamberershave,orforIamdeclined
1910Intothevaleofyears—yetthat’snotmuch—
1911She’sgone,Iamabused,andmyrelief
1912Mustbetoloatheher.Ocurseofmarriage,
1913310Thatwecancallthesedelicatecreaturesours
1914Andnottheirappetites!Ihadratherbeatoad

p. 137

1915Andliveuponthevaporofadungeon
1916ThankeepacornerinthethingIlove
1917Forothers’uses.Yet’tistheplague⟨of⟩greatones;
1918315Prerogativedaretheylessthanthebase.
1919’Tisdestinyunshunnable,likedeath.
1920Eventhenthisforkèdplagueisfatedtous
1921Whenwedoquicken.Lookwhereshecomes.

EnterDesdemonaandEmilia.

1922Ifshebefalse,heaven⟨mocks⟩itself!
1923320I’llnotbelieve’t.
DESDEMONA1924Hownow,mydearOthello?
1925Yourdinner,andthegenerousislanders
1926Byyouinvited,doattendyourpresence.
OTHELLO1927Iamtoblame.
DESDEMONA
1928325Whydoyouspeaksofaintly?Areyounotwell?
OTHELLO
1929Ihaveapainuponmyforehead,here.
DESDEMONA
1930⟨Faith,⟩that’swithwatching.’Twillawayagain.
1931Letmebutbindithard;withinthishour
1932Itwillbewell.
OTHELLO1933330Yournapkinistoolittle.
1934Letitalone.⌜Thehandkerchieffalls,unnoticed.⌝
1935Come,I’llgoinwithyou.
DESDEMONA
1936Iamverysorrythatyouarenotwell.
⟨OthelloandDesdemona⟩exit.
EMILIA,⌜pickingupthehandkerchief⌝
1937IamgladIhavefoundthisnapkin.
1938335ThiswasherfirstremembrancefromtheMoor.
1939Mywaywardhusbandhathahundredtimes
1940Wooedmetostealit.Butshesolovesthetoken
1941(Forheconjuredhersheshouldeverkeepit)
1942Thatshereservesitevermoreabouther

p. 139

1943340Tokissandtalkto.I’llhavetheworkta’enout
1944Andgive’tIago.Whathewilldowithit
1945Heavenknows,notI.
1946Inothingbuttopleasehisfantasy.

EnterIago.

IAGO1947Hownow?Whatdoyouherealone?
EMILIA
1948345Donotyouchide.Ihaveathingforyou.
IAGO
1949Youhaveathingforme?Itisacommonthing—
EMILIA1950Ha?
IAGO1951Tohaveafoolishwife.
EMILIA
1952O,isthatall?Whatwillyougivemenow
1953350Forthatsamehandkerchief?
IAGO1954Whathandkerchief?
EMILIA1955Whathandkerchief?
1956Why,thattheMoorfirstgavetoDesdemona,
1957Thatwhichsooftenyoudidbidmesteal.
IAGO1958355Haststol’nitfromher?
EMILIA
1959No,⟨faith,⟩sheletitdropbynegligence,
1960Andtoth’advantageI,beinghere,took’tup.
1961Look,here’tis.
IAGO1962Agoodwench!Giveitme.
EMILIA
1963360Whatwillyoudowith’t,thatyouhavebeenso
1964earnest
1965Tohavemefilchit?
IAGO,⌜snatchingit⌝1966Why,whatisthattoyou?
EMILIA
1967Ifitbenotforsomepurposeofimport,
1968365Give’tmeagain.Poorlady,she’llrunmad
1969Whensheshalllackit.

p. 141

IAGO1970Benotacknownon’t.
1971Ihaveuseforit.Go,leaveme.Emiliaexits.
1972IwillinCassio’slodginglosethisnapkin
1973370Andlethimfindit.Trifleslightasair
1974Aretothejealousconfirmationsstrong
1975Asproofsofholywrit.Thismaydosomething.
1976[TheMooralreadychangeswithmypoison;]
1977Dangerousconceitsareintheirnaturespoisons,
1978375Whichatthefirstarescarcefoundtodistaste,
1979Butwithalittleactupontheblood
1980Burnliketheminesofsulfur.

EnterOthello.

1981Ididsayso.
1982Lookwherehecomes.Notpoppynormandragora
1983380Norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheworld
1984Shallevermedicinetheetothatsweetsleep
1985Whichthouowedstyesterday.
OTHELLO1986Ha,ha,falsetome?
IAGO
1987Why,hownow,general?Nomoreofthat!
OTHELLO
1988385Avaunt!Begone!Thouhastsetmeontherack.
1989Iswear’tisbettertobemuchabused
1990Thanbuttoknow’talittle.
IAGO1991Hownow,mylord?
OTHELLO
1992WhatsensehadI⟨of⟩herstol’nhoursoflust?
1993390Isaw’tnot,thoughtitnot;itharmednotme.
1994Isleptthenextnightwell,fedwell,wasfreeand
1995merry.
1996IfoundnotCassio’skissesonherlips.
1997Hethatisrobbed,notwantingwhatisstol’n,
1998395Lethimnotknow’t,andhe’snotrobbedatall.
IAGO1999Iamsorrytohearthis.

p. 143

OTHELLO
2000Ihadbeenhappyifthegeneralcamp,
2001Pionersandall,hadtastedhersweetbody,
2002SoIhadnothingknown.O,now,forever
2003400Farewellthetranquilmind!Farewellcontent!
2004Farewelltheplumèdtroopsandthebigwars
2005Thatmakesambitionvirtue!O,farewell!
2006Farewelltheneighingsteedandtheshrilltrump,
2007Thespirit-stirringdrum,th’ear-piercingfife,
2008405Theroyalbanner,andallquality,
2009Pride,pomp,andcirc*mstanceofgloriouswar!
2010AndOyoumortalengines,whoserudethroats
2011Th’immortalJove’sdreadclamorscounterfeit,
2012Farewell!Othello’soccupation’sgone!
IAGO2013410Is’tpossible,mylord?
OTHELLO
2014Villain,besurethouprovemyloveawhor*!
2015Besureofit.Givemetheocularproof,
2016Or,bytheworthofmineeternalsoul,
2017Thouhadstbeenbetterhavebeenbornadog
2018415Thananswermywakedwrath.
IAGO2019Is’tcometothis?
OTHELLO
2020Makemetosee’t,orattheleastsoproveit
2021Thattheprobationbearnohingenorloop
2022Tohangadoubton,orwoeuponthylife!
IAGO2023420Mynoblelord—
OTHELLO
2024Ifthoudostslanderherandtortureme,
2025Neverpraymore.Abandonallremorse;
2026Onhorror’sheadhorrorsaccumulate;
2027Dodeedstomakeheavenweep,allEarthamazed;
2028425Fornothingcanstthoutodamnationadd
2029Greaterthanthat.
IAGO2030Ograce!Oheavenforgiveme!
2031Areyouaman?Haveyouasoulorsense?

p. 145

2032Godb’wi’you.Takemineoffice.—Owretchedfool,
2033430That⟨liv’st⟩tomakethinehonestyavice!—
2034Omonstrousworld!Takenote,takenote,Oworld:
2035Tobedirectandhonestisnotsafe.—
2036Ithankyouforthisprofit,andfromhence
2037I’lllovenofriend,sithlovebreedssuchoffense.
OTHELLO2038435Nay,stay.Thoushouldstbehonest.
IAGO
2039Ishouldbewise;forhonesty’safool
2040Andlosesthatitworksfor.
[OTHELLO2041Bytheworld,
2042Ithinkmywifebehonestandthinksheisnot.
2043440Ithinkthatthouartjustandthinkthouartnot.
2044I’llhavesomeproof!⌜Her⌝name,thatwasasfresh
2045AsDian’svisage,isnowbegrimedandblack
2046Asmineownface.Iftherebecords,orknives,
2047Poison,orfire,orsuffocatingstreams,
2048445I’llnotendureit.WouldIweresatisfied!]
IAGO
2049Iseeyouareeatenupwithpassion.
2050IdorepentmethatIputittoyou.
2051Youwouldbesatisfied?
OTHELLO2052Would?Nay,andIwill.
IAGO
2053450Andmay;buthow?Howsatisfied,mylord?
2054Wouldyou,the⟨supervisor,⟩grosslygapeon,
2055Beholdhertopped?
OTHELLO2056Deathanddamnation!O!
IAGO
2057Itwereatediousdifficulty,Ithink,
2058455Tobringthemtothatprospect.Damnthemthen
2059Ifevermortaleyesdoseethembolster
2060Morethantheirown!Whatthen?Howthen?
2061WhatshallIsay?Where’ssatisfaction?
2062Itisimpossibleyoushouldseethis,
2063460Weretheyasprimeasgoats,ashotasmonkeys,

p. 147

2064Assaltaswolvesinpride,andfoolsasgross
2065Asignorancemadedrunk.ButyetIsay,
2066Ifimputationandstrongcirc*mstances
2067Whichleaddirectlytothedooroftruth
2068465Willgiveyousatisfaction,youmighthave’t.
OTHELLO
2069Givemealivingreasonshe’sdisloyal.
IAGO2070Idonotliketheoffice,
2071ButsithIamenteredinthiscausesofar,
2072Prickedto’tbyfoolishhonestyandlove,
2073470Iwillgoon.IlaywithCassiolately,
2074Andbeingtroubledwitharagingtooth
2075Icouldnotsleep.Thereareakindofmen
2076Solooseofsoulthatintheirsleepswillmutter
2077Theiraffairs.OneofthiskindisCassio.
2078475InsleepIheardhimsay“SweetDesdemona,
2079Letusbewary,letushideourloves.”
2080Andthen,sir,wouldhegripeandwringmyhand,
2081Cry“Osweetcreature!”thenkissmehard,
2082Asifhepluckedupkissesbytheroots
2083480Thatgrewuponmylips;⟨then⟩laidhisleg
2084O’ermythigh,and⟨sighed,⟩and⟨kissed,⟩andthen
2085⟨Cried⟩“CursèdfatethatgavetheetotheMoor!”
OTHELLO
2086Omonstrous!Monstrous!
IAGO2087Nay,thiswasbuthis
2088485dream.
OTHELLO
2089Butthisdenotedaforegoneconclusion.
2090’Tisashrewddoubt,thoughitbebutadream.
IAGO
2091Andthismayhelptothickenotherproofs
2092Thatdodemonstratethinly.
OTHELLO2093490I’lltearheralltopieces.
IAGO
2094Nay,⟨but⟩bewise.Yetweseenothingdone.

p. 149

2095Shemaybehonestyet.Tellmebutthis:
2096Haveyounotsometimesseenahandkerchief
2097Spottedwithstrawberriesinyourwife’shand?
OTHELLO
2098495Igavehersuchaone.’Twasmyfirstgift.
IAGO
2099Iknownotthat;butsuchahandkerchief—
2100Iamsureitwasyourwife’s—didItoday
2101SeeCassiowipehisbeardwith.
OTHELLO2102Ifitbethat—
IAGO
2103500Ifitbethat,orany⌜that⌝washers,
2104Itspeaksagainstherwiththeotherproofs.
OTHELLO
2105O,thattheslavehadfortythousandlives!
2106Oneistoopoor,tooweakformyrevenge.
2107NowdoIsee’tistrue.Lookhere,Iago,
2108505AllmyfondlovethusdoIblowtoheaven.
2109’Tisgone.
2110Arise,blackvengeance,fromthehollowhell!
2111Yieldup,Olove,thycrownandheartedthrone
2112Totyrannoushate!Swell,bosom,withthyfraught,
2113510For’tisofaspics’tongues!
IAGO2114Yetbecontent.
OTHELLO2115O,blood,blood,blood!
IAGO
2116Patience,Isay.Yourmind⟨perhaps⟩maychange.
OTHELLO
2117Never,[Iago.LiketothePonticSea,
2118515Whoseicycurrentandcompulsivecourse
2119Ne’er⌜feels⌝retiringebb,butkeepsdueon
2120TotheProponticandtheHellespont,
2121Evensomybloodythoughts,withviolentpace
2122Shallne’erlookback,ne’erebbtohumblelove,
2123520Tillthatacapableandwiderevenge
2124Swallowthemup.⟨Hekneels.⟩Nowbyyondmarble
2125heaven,]

p. 151

2126Intheduereverenceofasacredvow,
2127Ihereengagemywords.
IAGO2128525Donotriseyet.⟨Iagokneels.⟩
2129Witness,youever-burninglightsabove,
2130Youelementsthatclipusroundabout,
2131WitnessthathereIagodothgiveup
2132Theexecutionofhiswit,hands,heart
2133530TowrongedOthello’sservice!Lethimcommand,
2134Andtoobeyshallbeinmeremorse,
2135Whatbloodybusinessever.⌜Theyrise.⌝
OTHELLO2136Igreetthylove
2137Notwithvainthanksbutwithacceptance
2138535bounteous,
2139Andwillupontheinstantputtheeto’t.
2140Withinthesethreedaysletmeheartheesay
2141ThatCassio’snotalive.
IAGO2142Myfriendisdead.
2143540’Tisdoneatyourrequest.Butletherlive.
OTHELLO2144Damnher,lewdminx!O,damnher,damn
2145her!
2146Come,gowithmeapart.Iwillwithdraw
2147Tofurnishmewithsomeswiftmeansofdeath
2148545Forthefairdevil.Nowartthoumylieutenant.
IAGO2149Iamyourownforever.
Theyexit.