Scene IV
Before the castle
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.[6090]
Des. Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?[6091]
Clo. I dare not say he lies any where.
Des. Why, man?
Clo. He's a soldier; and for one to say a soldier lies, is[6092]
stabbing. 5
stabbing. 5
Des. Go to: where lodges he?[6093]
Des. Can any thing be made of this?[6094]
Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise 10
a lodging, and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie[6095]
in mine own throat.[6096]
a lodging, and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie[6095]
in mine own throat.[6096]
Des. Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?[6097]
Clo. I will catechize the world for him; that is, make
questions and by them answer.[6098] 15
questions and by them answer.[6098] 15
Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have
moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well.[6099]
moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well.[6099]
Clo. To do this is within the compass of man's wit, and[6100]
therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit.[6101]
therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit.[6101]
Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?[6102] 20
Emil. I know not, madam.
Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse[6103]
Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough[6104] 25
To put him to ill thinking.[6104]
Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough[6104] 25
To put him to ill thinking.[6104]
Emil. Is he not jealous?
Des. Who, he? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humours from him.
Drew all such humours from him.
Emil. Look, where he comes.
Enter Othello.[6106]
How is't with you, my lord?[6107] 30
Oth. Well, my good lady. [Aside] O, hardness to dissemble![6108]
How do you, Desdemona?
How do you, Desdemona?
Des. Well, my good lord.[6109]
Oth. Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady.[6110]
Des. It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow.[6111]
Oth. This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart: 35
Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires[6112]
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,[6113]
Much castigation, exercise devout;[6114]
For here's a young and sweating devil here,[6115]
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, 40
A frank one.[6116]
Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires[6112]
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,[6113]
Much castigation, exercise devout;[6114]
For here's a young and sweating devil here,[6115]
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, 40
A frank one.[6116]
Des. You may, indeed, say so;
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.
For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart.
Oth. A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands;[6117]
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts.
Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.[6118] 45
Oth. What promise, chuck?
Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you.
Des. Here, my lord. 50
Oth. That which I gave you.
Des. I have it not about me.
Oth. Not?[6121]
Des. No, indeed, my lord.[6122]
Oth. That's a fault. That handkerchief[6120][6123] 55
Did an Egyptian to my mother give;
She was a charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father[6124]
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it[6125] 60
Or made a gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt[6126]
After new fancies: she dying gave it me,
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,[6127]
To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't; 65
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose't or give't away were such perdition[6128]
As nothing else could match.
Did an Egyptian to my mother give;
She was a charmer, and could almost read
The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it
'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father[6124]
Entirely to her love, but if she lost it[6125] 60
Or made a gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt[6126]
After new fancies: she dying gave it me,
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,[6127]
To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't; 65
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose't or give't away were such perdition[6128]
As nothing else could match.
Des. Is't possible?
Oth. 'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it:
A sibyl, that had number'd in the world[6129] 70
The sun to course two hundred compasses,[6130]
In her prophetic fury sew'd the work;[6131]
The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;[6132]
And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful[6133]
Conserved of maidens' hearts.
A sibyl, that had number'd in the world[6129] 70
The sun to course two hundred compasses,[6130]
In her prophetic fury sew'd the work;[6131]
The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;[6132]
And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful[6133]
Conserved of maidens' hearts.
Des. Indeed! is't true?[6134] 75
Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well.
Des. Then would to God that I had never seen't![6135]
Oth. Ha! wherefore?
Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash?[6136]
Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way?[6137] 80
Des. Heaven bless us![6138]
Oth. Say you?
Des. It is not lost; but what an if it were?[6139]
Oth. How![6140]
Des. I say, it is not lost. 85
Oth. Fetch't, let me see it.[6141]
Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now.[6142]
This is a trick to put me from my suit:
Pray you, let Cassio be received again.[6143]
This is a trick to put me from my suit:
Pray you, let Cassio be received again.[6143]
Oth. The handkerchief![6145]
Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio.[6149]
Oth. The handkerchief![6149]
Des. A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,[6150] 95
Shared dangers with you,—[6151][6152]
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,[6150] 95
Shared dangers with you,—[6151][6152]
Oth. The handkerchief![6151]
Des. I ne'er saw this before.
Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief:[6156]
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.[6157]
Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief:[6156]
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.[6157]
Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man:
They are all but stomachs and we all but food;[6158] 105
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full[6159]
They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband.
They are all but stomachs and we all but food;[6158] 105
They eat us hungerly, and when they are full[6159]
They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband.
Enter Cassio and Iago.[6160]
Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't:[6161]
And, lo, the happiness! go and importune her.
And, lo, the happiness! go and importune her.
Des. How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you? 110
Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again[6162]
Exist, and be a member of his love
Whom I with all the office of my heart[6163]
Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.[6164] 115
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past nor present sorrows[6165]
Nor purposed merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit; 120
So shall I clothe me in a forced content
And shut myself up in some other course[6166]
To fortune's alms.[6167]
That by your virtuous means I may again[6162]
Exist, and be a member of his love
Whom I with all the office of my heart[6163]
Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.[6164] 115
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past nor present sorrows[6165]
Nor purposed merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit; 120
So shall I clothe me in a forced content
And shut myself up in some other course[6166]
To fortune's alms.[6167]
Des. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio!
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him 125
Were he in favour as in humour alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure[6168]
For my free speech! You must awhile be patient: 130
What I can do I will; and more I will
Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him 125
Were he in favour as in humour alter'd.
So help me every spirit sanctified,
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure[6168]
For my free speech! You must awhile be patient: 130
What I can do I will; and more I will
Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.
Iago. Is my lord angry?
Emil. He went hence but now,
And certainly in strange unquietness.
And certainly in strange unquietness.
Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, 135
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?[6169]
Something of moment then: I will go meet him:
There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. 140
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?[6169]
Something of moment then: I will go meet him:
There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. 140
Des. I prithee, do so. [Exit Iago.[6170]
Something sure of state,
Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice[6171]
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,[6172]
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases[6173]
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 145
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;[6174][6175]
For let our finger ache, and it indues[6174][6176]
Our other healthful members even to that sense[6174][6177]
Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,[6174]
Nor of them look for such observancy[6178] 150
As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,[6179]
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indicted falsely.[6180] 155
Something sure of state,
Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice[6171]
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,[6172]
Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases[6173]
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 145
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;[6174][6175]
For let our finger ache, and it indues[6174][6176]
Our other healthful members even to that sense[6174][6177]
Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,[6174]
Nor of them look for such observancy[6178] 150
As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,[6179]
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,
And he's indicted falsely.[6180] 155
Emil. Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think,[6181][6182]
And no conception nor no jealous toy[6181][6183][6184]
Concerning you.[6181]
And no conception nor no jealous toy[6181][6183][6184]
Concerning you.[6181]
Des. Alas the day, I never gave him cause!
Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;[6184] 160
They are not ever jealous for the cause,[6185]
But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster[6186][6187]
Begot upon itself, born on itself.[6188]
They are not ever jealous for the cause,[6185]
But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster[6186][6187]
Begot upon itself, born on itself.[6188]
Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind![6189]
Emil. Lady, amen. 165
Des. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout:[6190]
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.[6191]
If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit,
And seek to effect it to my uttermost.[6191]
Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship.
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
Enter Bianca.[6192]
Bian. Save you, friend Cassio!
Cas. What make you from home?[6193] 170
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?[6194]
I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.[6195]
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?[6194]
I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.[6195]
Bian. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio.
What, keep a week away? seven days and nights?
Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,[6196] 175
More tedious than the dial eight score times?
O weary reckoning![6197]
What, keep a week away? seven days and nights?
Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,[6196] 175
More tedious than the dial eight score times?
O weary reckoning![6197]
Cas. Pardon me, Bianca:
I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;[6198]
But I shall in a more continuate time[6199]
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,[6200] 180
I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;[6198]
But I shall in a more continuate time[6199]
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,[6200] 180
[Giving her Desdemona's handkerchief.
Take me this work out.
Bian. O Cassio, whence came this?[6201]
This is some token from a newer friend:[6202]
To the felt absence now I feel a cause:[6202]
Is't come to this? Well, well.
This is some token from a newer friend:[6202]
To the felt absence now I feel a cause:[6202]
Is't come to this? Well, well.
Cas. Go to, woman![6203]
Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,[6204] 185
From whence you have them. You are jealous now[6186]
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:
No, by my faith, Bianca.
Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,[6204] 185
From whence you have them. You are jealous now[6186]
That this is from some mistress, some remembrance:
No, by my faith, Bianca.
Bian. Why, whose is it?[6205]
Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.[6206]
I like the work well: ere it be demanded— 190
As like enough it will—I'ld have it copied:[6207]
Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
I like the work well: ere it be demanded— 190
As like enough it will—I'ld have it copied:[6207]
Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time.
Bian. Leave you! wherefore?
Cas. I do attend here on the general;
And think it no addition, nor my wish, 195
To have him see me woman'd.
And think it no addition, nor my wish, 195
To have him see me woman'd.
Bian. Why, I pray you?[6208]
Cas. Not that I love you not.[6208]
Bian. But that you do not love me.[6209]
I pray you, bring me on the way a little;
And say if I shall see you soon at night.[6210]
I pray you, bring me on the way a little;
And say if I shall see you soon at night.[6210]
Cas. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you; 200
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
For I attend here: but I'll see you soon.
Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced. [Exeunt.[6211]
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