Scene II
A room in the castle.[6389]
Enter Othello and Emilia.
Emil. Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect.[6390]
Emil. But then I saw no harm, and then I heard
Each syllable that breath made up between them.[6393] 5
Each syllable that breath made up between them.[6393] 5
Oth. What, did they never whisper?
Emil. Never, my lord.
Oth. Nor send you out o' the way?[6394]
Emil. Never.[6395]
Oth. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?[6396]
Emil. Never, my lord. 10
Oth. That's strange.
Emil. I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
If any wretch have put this in your head,[6397] 15
Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse![6398]
For if she be not honest, chaste and true,
There's no man happy; the purest of their wives[6399]
Is foul as slander.
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
If any wretch have put this in your head,[6397] 15
Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse![6398]
For if she be not honest, chaste and true,
There's no man happy; the purest of their wives[6399]
Is foul as slander.
Oth. Bid her come hither: go. [Exit Emilia.[6400]
She says enough: yet she's a simple bawd 20
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,[6401]
A closet lock and key of villanous secrets:[6402]
And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't.
She says enough: yet she's a simple bawd 20
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle whore,[6401]
A closet lock and key of villanous secrets:[6402]
And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't.
Enter Desdemona with Emilia.[6403]
Des. My lord, what is your will?
Oth. Pray, chuck, come hither.[6404]
Des. What is your pleasure?
Des. What horrible fancy's this?
Oth. [To Emilia] Some of your function, mistress;[6406]
Leave procreants alone and shut the door;
Cough, or cry hem, if any body come:
Your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch. [Exit Emilia.[6407]30
Leave procreants alone and shut the door;
Cough, or cry hem, if any body come:
Your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch. [Exit Emilia.[6407]30
Des. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import?[6408]
I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words.[6409][6410]
I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words.[6409][6410]
Oth. Why, what art thou?[6410]
Des. Your wife, my lord; your true and loyal wife.[6410] 35
Oth. Come, swear it, damn thyself;[6410][6411]
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves[6411][6412]
Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double-damn'd;[6411][6413]
Swear thou art honest.[6411]
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves[6411][6412]
Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double-damn'd;[6411][6413]
Swear thou art honest.[6411]
Des. Heaven doth truly know it.
Oth. Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.[6414] 40
Des. To whom, my lord? with whom? how am I false?[6415]
Oth. O Desdemona! Away! away! away![6416]
Des. Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?[6417]
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?[6418]
If haply you my father do suspect[6419] 45
An instrument of this your calling back,
Lay not your blame on me: if you have lost him,[6420][6421]
Why, I have lost him too.[6421]
Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?[6418]
If haply you my father do suspect[6419] 45
An instrument of this your calling back,
Lay not your blame on me: if you have lost him,[6420][6421]
Why, I have lost him too.[6421]
Oth. Had it pleased heaven[6422]
To try me with affliction; had they rain'd[6423]
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head,[6424] 50
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips,
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,[6425]
I should have found in some place of my soul[6426]
A drop of patience: but, alas, to make me[6427]
A fixed figure for the time of scorn[6428] 55
To point his slow unmoving finger at![6428]
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,[6429] 60
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads[6430]
To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,[6431][6432]
Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin,[6431][6433]
Ay, there, look grim as hell![6431][6434] 65
To try me with affliction; had they rain'd[6423]
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head,[6424] 50
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips,
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,[6425]
I should have found in some place of my soul[6426]
A drop of patience: but, alas, to make me[6427]
A fixed figure for the time of scorn[6428] 55
To point his slow unmoving finger at![6428]
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,[6429] 60
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads[6430]
To knot and gender in! Turn thy complexion there,[6431][6432]
Patience, thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin,[6431][6433]
Ay, there, look grim as hell![6431][6434] 65
Des. I hope my noble lord esteems me honest.[6435]
Oth. O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles,[6436]
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,[6437][6438]
Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet[6437][6439]
That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been born![6437][6440] 70
That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed,[6437][6438]
Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet[6437][6439]
That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been born![6437][6440] 70
Des. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Oth. Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write 'whore' upon? What committed![6441]
Committed! O thou public commoner![6442]
I should make very forges of my cheeks,[6442][6443] 75
That would to cinders burn up modesty,[6442]
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed![6442][6444]
Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks;
The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets,
Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth,[6445] 80
And will not hear it. What committed![6446]
Impudent strumpet![6447]
Made to write 'whore' upon? What committed![6441]
Committed! O thou public commoner![6442]
I should make very forges of my cheeks,[6442][6443] 75
That would to cinders burn up modesty,[6442]
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed![6442][6444]
Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks;
The bawdy wind, that kisses all it meets,
Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth,[6445] 80
And will not hear it. What committed![6446]
Impudent strumpet![6447]
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[6448] 85
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
From any other foul unlawful touch[6448] 85
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none.
Oth. What, not a whore?
Des. No, as I shall be saved.
Oth. Is't possible?
Des. O, heaven forgive us!
Oth. I cry you mercy then:[6449]
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice 90
That married with Othello. [Raising his voice] You, mistress,[6450]
That have the office opposite to Saint Peter,
And keep the gate of hell!
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice 90
That married with Othello. [Raising his voice] You, mistress,[6450]
That have the office opposite to Saint Peter,
And keep the gate of hell!
Re-enter Emilia.
You, you, ay, you![6451]
We have done our course; there's money for your pains:[6452]
I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel. [Exit. 95
We have done our course; there's money for your pains:[6452]
I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel. [Exit. 95
Emil. Alas, what does this gentleman conceive?
How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady?
How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady?
Des. Faith, half asleep.
Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with my lord?[6453]
Des. With who?[6454] 100
Emil. Why, with my lord, madam.[6455]
Des. Who is thy lord?
Emil. He that is yours, sweet lady.[6456]
Des. I have none: do not talk to me, Emilia;[6457]
I cannot weep, nor answer have I none[6458]
But what should go by water. Prithee, to-night[6459] 105
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember;[6460]
And call thy husband hither.
I cannot weep, nor answer have I none[6458]
But what should go by water. Prithee, to-night[6459] 105
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets: remember;[6460]
And call thy husband hither.
Emil. Here's a change indeed! [Exit.[6461]
Des. 'Tis meet I should be used so, very meet.[6462]
How have I been behaved, that he might stick
The small'st opinion on my least misuse? 110
How have I been behaved, that he might stick
The small'st opinion on my least misuse? 110
Re-enter Emilia with Iago.[6463]
Iago. What is your pleasure, madam? How is't with you?[6464]
Des. I cannot tell. Those that do teach young babes[6465]
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks:
He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,[6466]
I am a child to chiding.
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks:
He might have chid me so; for, in good faith,[6466]
I am a child to chiding.
Iago. What's the matter, lady?[6467] 115
Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her,
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.[6468]
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.[6468]
Des. Am I that name, Iago?
Iago. What name, fair lady?
Des. Such as she says my lord did say I was.[6469] 120
Emil. He call'd her whore: a beggar in his drink
Could not have laid such terms upon his callat.[6470]
Could not have laid such terms upon his callat.[6470]
Iago. Why did he so?
Des. I do not know; I am sure I am none such.[6471]
Iago. Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day! 125
Emil. Hath she forsook so many noble matches,[6472]
Her father and her country and her friends,[6473]
To be call'd whore? would it not make one weep?
Her father and her country and her friends,[6473]
To be call'd whore? would it not make one weep?
Des. It is my wretched fortune.
Des. Nay, heaven doth know. 130
Emil. I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devised this slander; I'll be hang'd else.[6476]
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devised this slander; I'll be hang'd else.[6476]
Iago. Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible. 135
Des. If any such there be, heaven pardon him![6477]
Emil. A halter pardon him! and hell gnaw his bones![6478]
Why should he call her whore? who keeps her company?[6478]
What place? what time? what form? what likelihood?[6478]
The Moor's abused by some most villanous knave,[6479] 140
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
O heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold,[6480]
And put in every honest hand a whip
To lash the rascals naked through the world[6481]
Even from the east to the west!
Why should he call her whore? who keeps her company?[6478]
What place? what time? what form? what likelihood?[6478]
The Moor's abused by some most villanous knave,[6479] 140
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
O heaven, that such companions thou'ldst unfold,[6480]
And put in every honest hand a whip
To lash the rascals naked through the world[6481]
Even from the east to the west!
Iago. Speak within door.[6482] 145
Emil. O, fie upon them! Some such squire he was[6483]
That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,
And made you to suspect me with the Moor.
That turn'd your wit the seamy side without,
And made you to suspect me with the Moor.
Iago. You are a fool; go to.
Des. O good Iago,[6484]
What shall I do to win my lord again? 150
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,[6485]
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:[6486][6487]
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love[6487]
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,[6487][6488]
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,[6487] 155
Delighted them in any other form,[6487][6489]
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,[6487]
And ever will, though he do shake me off[6487]
To beggarly divorcement, love him dearly,[6487]
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;[6487][6490] 160
And his unkindness may defeat my life,[6487]
But never taint my love. I cannot say 'whore':[6487][6491]
It doth abhor me now I speak the word;[6487][6492]
To do the act that might the addition earn[6487]
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.[6487] 165
What shall I do to win my lord again? 150
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,[6485]
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:[6486][6487]
If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love[6487]
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,[6487][6488]
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,[6487] 155
Delighted them in any other form,[6487][6489]
Or that I do not yet, and ever did,[6487]
And ever will, though he do shake me off[6487]
To beggarly divorcement, love him dearly,[6487]
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;[6487][6490] 160
And his unkindness may defeat my life,[6487]
But never taint my love. I cannot say 'whore':[6487][6491]
It doth abhor me now I speak the word;[6487][6492]
To do the act that might the addition earn[6487]
Not the world's mass of vanity could make me.[6487] 165
Iago. I pray you, be content; 'tis but his humour:
The business of the state does him offence,
And he does chide with you.[6493]
The business of the state does him offence,
And he does chide with you.[6493]
Des. If 'twere no other,—
Iago. 'Tis but so, I warrant. [Trumpets within.[6494]
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper![6495] 170
The messengers of Venice stay the meat:[6496]
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper![6495] 170
The messengers of Venice stay the meat:[6496]
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.
[Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.[6497]
Enter Roderigo.
How now, Roderigo![6498]
Rod. I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.[6499]
Iago. What in the contrary? 175
Rod. Every day thou daffest me with some device,[6500][6501]
Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me[6502][6501]
all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage[6501][6503][6504]
of hope. I will indeed no longer endure it; nor am I yet[6501][6504]
persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly[6501] 180
suffered.[6501]
Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me[6502][6501]
all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage[6501][6503][6504]
of hope. I will indeed no longer endure it; nor am I yet[6501][6504]
persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly[6501] 180
suffered.[6501]
Iago. Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Rod. Faith, I have heard too much; for your words[6505][6506]
and performances are no kin together.[6506][6507]
and performances are no kin together.[6506][6507]
Iago. You charge me most unjustly. 185
Rod. With nought but truth. I have wasted myself[6508]
out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to[6509]
deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist:[6510]
you have told me she hath received them and returned[6511]
me expectations and comforts of sudden respect[6512] 190
and acquaintance; but I find none.[6513]
out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to[6509]
deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist:[6510]
you have told me she hath received them and returned[6511]
me expectations and comforts of sudden respect[6512] 190
and acquaintance; but I find none.[6513]
Iago. Well; go to; very well.[6514]
Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis[6515]
not very well: by this hand, I say 'tis very scurvy, and[6516]
begin to find myself fopped in it.[6517] 195
not very well: by this hand, I say 'tis very scurvy, and[6516]
begin to find myself fopped in it.[6517] 195
Iago. Very well.
Rod. I tell you 'tis not very well. I will make myself[6518]
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.[6519] 200
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.[6519] 200
Iago. You have said now.[6520]
Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even
from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than[6523] 205
ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast taken
against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I[6524]
have dealt most directly in thy affair.[6525]
from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than[6523] 205
ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast taken
against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I[6524]
have dealt most directly in thy affair.[6525]
Rod. It hath not appeared.
Iago. I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your 210
suspicion is not without wit and judgement. But, Roderigo,
if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason[6526]
to believe now than ever, I mean purpose, courage
and valour, this night show it: if thou the next night following
enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world[6527] 215
with treachery and devise engines for my life.
suspicion is not without wit and judgement. But, Roderigo,
if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason[6526]
to believe now than ever, I mean purpose, courage
and valour, this night show it: if thou the next night following
enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world[6527] 215
with treachery and devise engines for my life.
Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reason and compass?[6528]
Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from[6529][6530]
Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place.[6530]
Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place.[6530]
Iago. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and takes away[6530][6531]
with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered[6530]
here by some accident: wherein none can be so determinate[6530][6532]
as the removing of Cassio.[6530] 225
with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered[6530]
here by some accident: wherein none can be so determinate[6530][6532]
as the removing of Cassio.[6530] 225
Rod. And that you would have me to do?[6535]
Iago. Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right.[6536] 230
He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him:[6537]
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 235
us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with
me; I will show you such a necessity in his death that you
shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high[6538]
supper-time, and the night grows to waste: about it.[6539]
He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him:[6537]
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 235
us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with
me; I will show you such a necessity in his death that you
shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high[6538]
supper-time, and the night grows to waste: about it.[6539]
Rod. I will hear further reason for this. 240
Iago. And you shall be satisfied. [Exeunt.[6540]
We’ll remember where you stopped. All chapters