ACT 3. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter Desdemona , Cassio , and Emilia .
DESDEMONA
Be thou assured , good Cassio , I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf .
EMILIA
Good madam , do . I warrant it grieves my husband
As if the cause were his .
DESDEMONA
O , that’s an honest fellow ! Do not doubt , Cassio ,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were .
CASSIO
Bounteous madam ,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio ,
He’s never anything but your true servant .
DESDEMONA
I know ’t . I thank you . You do love my lord ;
You have known him long ; and be you well assured
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
Than in a politic distance .
CASSIO
Ay , but , lady ,
That policy may either last so long ,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet ,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance ,
That , I being absent and my place supplied ,
My general will forget my love and service .
DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that . Before Emilia here ,
I give thee warrant of thy place . Assure thee ,
If I do vow a friendship , I’ll perform it
To the last article . My lord shall never rest :
I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience ;
His bed shall seem a school , his board a shrift ;
I’ll intermingle everything he does
With Cassio’s suit . Therefore be merry , Cassio ,
[119] ACT 3. SC. 3 For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away .
Enter Othello and Iago .
EMILIA
Madam , here comes my lord .
CASSIO
Madam , I’ll take my leave .
DESDEMONA
Why , stay , and hear me speak .
CASSIO
Madam , not now . I am very ill at ease ,
Unfit for mine own purposes .
DESDEMONA
Well , do your discretion .
Cassio exits .
IAGO
Ha , I like not that .
OTHELLO
What dost thou say ?
IAGO
Nothing , my lord ; or if — I know not what .
OTHELLO
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife ?
IAGO
Cassio , my lord ? No , sure , I cannot think it
That he would steal away so guiltylike ,
Seeing your coming .
OTHELLO
I do believe ’twas he .
DESDEMONA
How now , my lord ?
I have been talking with a suitor here ,
A man that languishes in your displeasure .
OTHELLO
Who is ’t you mean ?
DESDEMONA
Why , your lieutenant , Cassio . Good my lord ,
If I have any grace or power to move you ,
His present reconciliation take ;
For if he be not one that truly loves you ,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning ,
I have no judgment in an honest face .
I prithee call him back .
OTHELLO
Went he hence now ?
[121]ACT 3. SC. 3
DESDEMONA
Yes , faith , so humbled
That he hath left part of his grief with me
To suffer with him . Good love , call him back .
OTHELLO
Not now , sweet Desdemon . Some other time .
DESDEMONA
But shall ’t be shortly ?
OTHELLO
The sooner , sweet , for you .
DESDEMONA
Shall ’t be tonight at supper ?
OTHELLO
No , not tonight .
DESDEMONA
Tomorrow dinner , then ?
OTHELLO
I shall not dine at home ;
I meet the captains at the citadel .
DESDEMONA
Why then tomorrow night , or Tuesday morn ,
On Tuesday noon or night ; on Wednesday morn .
I prithee name the time , but let it not
Exceed three days . In faith , he’s penitent ;
And yet his trespass , in our common reason —
Save that , they say , the wars must make example
Out of her best — is not almost a fault
T’ incur a private check . When shall he come ?
Tell me , Othello . I wonder in my soul
What you would ask me that I should deny ,
Or stand so mamm’ring on ? What ? Michael Cassio ,
That came a-wooing with you , and so many a time ,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly ,
Hath ta’en your part — to have so much to do
To bring him in ! By ’r Lady , I could do much —
OTHELLO
Prithee , no more . Let him come when he will ;
I will deny thee nothing .
DESDEMONA
Why , this is not a boon !
’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves ,
Or feed on nourishing dishes , or keep you warm ,
[123] ACT 3. SC. 3 Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person . Nay , when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed ,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight ,
And fearful to be granted .
OTHELLO
I will deny thee nothing !
Whereon , I do beseech thee , grant me this ,
To leave me but a little to myself .
DESDEMONA
Shall I deny you ? No . Farewell , my lord .
OTHELLO
Farewell , my Desdemona . I’ll come to thee straight .
DESDEMONA
Emilia , come . — Be as your fancies teach you .
Whate’er you be , I am obedient .
Desdemona and Emilia exit .
OTHELLO
Excellent wretch ! Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee ! And when I love thee not ,
Chaos is come again .
IAGO
My noble lord —
OTHELLO
What dost thou say , Iago ?
IAGO
Did Michael Cassio ,
When you wooed my lady , know of your love ?
OTHELLO
He did , from first to last . Why dost thou ask ?
IAGO
But for a satisfaction of my thought ,
No further harm .
OTHELLO
Why of thy thought , Iago ?
IAGO
I did not think he had been acquainted with her .
OTHELLO
O yes , and went between us very oft .
IAGO
Indeed ?
[125]ACT 3. SC. 3
OTHELLO
Indeed ? Ay , indeed ! Discern’st thou aught in that ?
Is he not honest ?
IAGO
Honest , my lord ?
OTHELLO
Honest — ay , honest .
IAGO
My lord , for aught I know .
OTHELLO
What dost thou think ?
IAGO
Think , my lord ?
OTHELLO
‘Think , my lord ?’ By heaven , thou echo’st me
As if there were some monster in thy thought
Too hideous to be shown . Thou dost mean
something .
I heard thee say even now , thou lik’st not that ,
When Cassio left my wife . What didst not like ?
And when I told thee he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing , thou cried’st
‘Indeed ?’
And didst contract and purse thy brow together
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit . If thou dost love me ,
Show me thy thought .
IAGO
My lord , you know I love you .
OTHELLO
I think thou dost ;
And for I know thou ’rt full of love and honesty
And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them
breath ,
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more .
For such things in a false , disloyal knave
Are tricks of custom ; but in a man that’s just ,
They’re close dilations working from the heart
That passion cannot rule .
IAGO
For Michael Cassio ,
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest .
OTHELLO
I think so too .
[127]ACT 3. SC. 3
IAGO
Men should be what they seem ;
Or those that be not , would they might seem none !
OTHELLO
Certain , men should be what they seem .
IAGO
Why then , I think Cassio’s an honest man .
OTHELLO
Nay , yet there’s more in this .
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings ,
As thou dost ruminate , and give thy worst of
thoughts
The worst of words .
IAGO
Good my lord , pardon me .
Though I am bound to every act of duty ,
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to .
Utter my thoughts ? Why , say they are vile and
false —
As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not ? Who has that breast so
pure
But some uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and law days and in sessions sit
With meditations lawful ?
OTHELLO
Thou dost conspire against thy friend , Iago ,
If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts .
IAGO
I do beseech you ,
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess —
As , I confess , it is my nature’s plague
To spy into abuses , and oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not — that your wisdom
From one that so imperfectly conceits
Would take no notice , nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance .
It were not for your quiet nor your good ,
Nor for my manhood , honesty , and wisdom ,
To let you know my thoughts .
[129]ACT 3. SC. 3
OTHELLO
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
thousands .
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed .
OTHELLO
By heaven , I’ll know thy thoughts .
IAGO
You cannot , if my heart were in your hand ,
Nor shall not , whilst ’tis in my custody .
OTHELLO
Ha ?
IAGO
O , beware , my lord , of jealousy !
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on . That cuckold lives in bliss
Who , certain of his fate , loves not his wronger ;
But O , what damnèd minutes tells he o’er
Who dotes , yet doubts ; suspects , yet strongly loves !
OTHELLO
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 God , the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy !
OTHELLO
Why , why is this ?
Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy ,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions ? No . To be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved . Exchange me for a goat
When I shall turn the business of my soul
[131] ACT 3. SC. 3 To such exsufflicate and blown surmises ,
Matching thy inference . ’Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair , feeds well , loves company ,
Is free of speech , sings , plays , and dances well .
Where virtue is , these are more virtuous .
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt ,
For she had eyes , and chose me . No , Iago ,
I’ll see before I doubt ; when I doubt , prove ;
And on the proof , there is no more but this :
Away at once with love or jealousy .
IAGO
I am glad of this , for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit . Therefore , as I am bound ,
Receive it from me . I speak not yet of proof .
Look to your wife ; observe her well with Cassio ;
Wear your eyes thus , not jealous nor secure .
I would not have your free and noble nature ,
Out of self-bounty , be abused . Look to ’t .
I know our country disposition well .
In Venice they do let God see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands . Their best
conscience
Is not to leave ’t undone , but keep ’t unknown .
OTHELLO
Dost thou say so ?
IAGO
She did deceive her father , marrying you ,
And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks ,
She loved them most .
OTHELLO
And so she did .
IAGO
Why , go to , then !
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 .
[133] ACT 3. SC. 3 I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you .
OTHELLO
I am bound to thee forever .
IAGO
I see this hath a little dashed your spirits .
OTHELLO
Not a jot , not a jot .
IAGO
I’ faith , I fear it has .
I hope you will consider what is spoke
Comes from my love . But I do see you’re moved .
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion .
OTHELLO
I will not .
IAGO
Should you do so , my lord ,
My speech should fall into such vile success
As my thoughts aim not at . Cassio’s my worthy
friend .
My lord , I see you’re moved .
OTHELLO
No , not much moved .
I do not think but Desdemona’s honest .
IAGO
Long live she so ! And long live you to think so !
OTHELLO
And yet , how nature erring from itself —
IAGO
Ay , there’s the point . As , to be bold with you ,
Not to affect many proposèd matches
Of her own clime , complexion , and degree ,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends —
Foh ! One may smell in such a will most rank ,
Foul disproportion , thoughts unnatural —
But pardon me — I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her , though I may fear
Her will , recoiling to her better judgment ,
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent .
[135]ACT 3. SC. 3
OTHELLO
Farewell , farewell !
If more thou dost perceive , let me know more .
Set on thy wife to observe . Leave me , Iago .
IAGO
, beginning to exit
My lord , I take my leave .
OTHELLO
Why did I marry ? This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more , much more , than he unfolds .
IAGO
, returning
My lord , I would I might entreat your Honor
To scan this thing no farther . Leave it to time .
Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place —
For sure he fills it up with great ability —
Yet , if you please to hold him off awhile ,
You shall by that perceive him and his means .
Note if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement importunity .
Much will be seen in that . In the meantime ,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears —
As worthy cause I have to fear I am —
And hold her free , I do beseech your Honor .
OTHELLO
Fear not my government .
IAGO
I once more take my leave .
He exits .
OTHELLO
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty ,
And knows all qualities with a learnèd spirit
Of human dealings . If I do prove her haggard ,
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings ,
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 declined
Into the vale of years — yet that’s not much —
She’s gone , I am abused , and my relief
Must be to loathe her . O curse of marriage ,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
And not their appetites ! I had rather be a toad
[137] ACT 3. SC. 3 And live upon the vapor of a dungeon
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others’ uses . Yet ’tis the plague of great ones ;
Prerogatived are they less than the base .
’Tis destiny unshunnable , like death .
Even then this forkèd plague is fated to us
When we do quicken . Look where she comes .
Enter Desdemona and Emilia .
If she be false , heaven mocks itself !
I’ll not believe ’t .
DESDEMONA
How now , my dear Othello ?
Your dinner , and the generous islanders
By you invited , do attend your presence .
OTHELLO
I am to blame .
DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so faintly ? Are you not well ?
OTHELLO
I have a pain upon my forehead , here .
DESDEMONA
Faith , that’s with watching . ’Twill away again .
Let me but bind it hard ; within this hour
It will be well .
OTHELLO
Your napkin is too little .
Let it alone .
The handkerchief falls , unnoticed .
Come , I’ll go in with you .
DESDEMONA
I am very sorry that you are not well .
Othello and Desdemona exit .
EMILIA
, picking up the handkerchief
I am glad I have found this napkin .
This was her first remembrance from the Moor .
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it . But she so loves the token
( For he conjured her she should ever keep it )
That she reserves it evermore about her
[139] ACT 3. SC. 3 To kiss and talk to . I’ll have the work ta’en out
And give ’t Iago . What he will do with it
Heaven knows , not I .
I nothing but to please his fantasy .
Enter Iago .
IAGO
How now ? What do you here alone ?
EMILIA
Do not you chide . I have a thing for you .
IAGO
You have a thing for me ? It is a common thing —
EMILIA
Ha ?
IAGO
To have a foolish wife .
EMILIA
O , is that all ? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief ?
IAGO
What handkerchief ?
EMILIA
What handkerchief ?
Why , that the Moor first gave to Desdemona ,
That which so often you did bid me steal .
IAGO
Hast stol’n it from her ?
EMILIA
No , faith , she let it drop by negligence ,
And to th’ advantage I , being here , took ’t up .
Look , here ’tis .
IAGO
A good wench ! Give it me .
EMILIA
What will you do with ’t , that you have been so
earnest
To have me filch it ?
IAGO
, snatching it
Why , what is that to you ?
EMILIA
If it be not for some purpose of import ,
Give ’t me again . Poor lady , she’ll run mad
When she shall lack it .
[141]ACT 3. SC. 3
IAGO
Be not acknown on ’t .
I have use for it . Go , leave me .
Emilia exits .
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin
And let him find it . Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ . This may do something .
The Moor already changes with my poison ;
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons ,
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste ,
But with a little act upon the blood
Burn like the mines of sulfur .
Enter Othello .
I did say so .
Look where he comes . Not poppy nor mandragora
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday .
OTHELLO
Ha , ha , false to me ?
IAGO
Why , how now , general ? No more of that !
OTHELLO
Avaunt ! Begone ! Thou hast set me on the rack .
I swear ’tis better to be much abused
Than but to know ’t a little .
IAGO
How now , my lord ?
OTHELLO
What sense had I of her stol’n hours of lust ?
I saw ’t not , thought it not ; it harmed not me .
I slept the next night well , fed well , was free and
merry .
I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips .
He that is robbed , not wanting what is stol’n ,
Let him not know ’t , and he’s not robbed at all .
IAGO
I am sorry to hear this .
[143]ACT 3. SC. 3
OTHELLO
I had been happy if the general camp ,
Pioners and all , had tasted her sweet body ,
So I had nothing known . O , now , forever
Farewell the tranquil mind ! Farewell content !
Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars
That makes ambition virtue ! O , farewell !
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump ,
The spirit-stirring drum , th’ ear-piercing fife ,
The royal banner , and all quality ,
Pride , pomp , and circumstance of glorious war !
And O you mortal engines , whose rude throats
Th’ immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit ,
Farewell ! Othello’s occupation’s gone !
IAGO
Is ’t possible , my lord ?
OTHELLO
Villain , be sure thou prove my love a whore !
Be sure of it . Give me the ocular proof ,
Or , by the worth of mine eternal soul ,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
Than answer my waked wrath .
IAGO
Is ’t come to this ?
OTHELLO
Make me to see ’t , or at the least so prove it
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
To hang a doubt on , or woe upon thy life !
IAGO
My noble lord —
OTHELLO
If thou dost slander her and torture me ,
Never pray more . Abandon all remorse ;
On horror’s head horrors accumulate ;
Do deeds to make heaven weep , all Earth amazed ;
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
Greater than that .
IAGO
O grace ! O heaven forgive me !
Are you a man ? Have you a soul or sense ?
[145] ACT 3. SC. 3 God b’ wi’ you . Take mine office . — O wretched fool ,
That liv’st to make thine honesty a vice ! —
O monstrous world ! Take note , take note , O world :
To be direct and honest is not safe . —
I thank you for this profit , and from hence
I’ll love no friend , sith love breeds such offense .
OTHELLO
Nay , stay . Thou shouldst be honest .
IAGO
I should be wise ; for honesty’s a fool
And loses that it works for .
OTHELLO
By the world ,
I think my wife be honest and think she is not .
I think that thou art just and think thou art not .
I’ll have some proof ! Her name , that was as fresh
As Dian’s visage , is now begrimed and black
As mine own face . If there be cords , or knives ,
Poison , or fire , or suffocating streams ,
I’ll not endure it . Would I were satisfied !
IAGO
I see you are eaten up with passion .
I do repent me that I put it to you .
You would be satisfied ?
OTHELLO
Would ? Nay , and I will .
IAGO
And may ; but how ? How satisfied , my lord ?
Would you , the supervisor , grossly gape on ,
Behold her topped ?
OTHELLO
Death and damnation ! O !
IAGO
It were a tedious difficulty , I think ,
To bring them to that prospect . Damn them then
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
More than their own ! What then ? How then ?
What shall I say ? Where’s satisfaction ?
It is impossible you should see this ,
Were they as prime as goats , as hot as monkeys ,
[147] ACT 3. SC. 3 As salt as wolves in pride , and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk . But yet I say ,
If imputation and strong circumstances
Which lead directly to the door of truth
Will give you satisfaction , you might have ’t .
OTHELLO
Give me a living reason she’s disloyal .
IAGO
I do not like the office ,
But sith I am entered in this cause so far ,
Pricked to ’t by foolish honesty and love ,
I will go on . I lay with Cassio lately ,
And being troubled with a raging tooth
I could not sleep . There are a kind of men
So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
Their affairs . One of this kind is Cassio .
In sleep I heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona ,
Let us be wary , let us hide our loves .’
And then , sir , would he gripe and wring my hand ,
Cry ‘O sweet creature !’ then kiss me hard ,
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips ; then laid his leg
O’er my thigh , and sighed , and kissed , and then
Cried ‘Cursèd fate that gave thee to the Moor !’
OTHELLO
O monstrous ! Monstrous !
IAGO
Nay , this was but his
dream .
OTHELLO
But this denoted a foregone conclusion .
’Tis a shrewd doubt , though it be but a dream .
IAGO
And this may help to thicken other proofs
That do demonstrate thinly .
OTHELLO
I’ll tear her all to pieces .
IAGO
Nay , but be wise . Yet we see nothing done .
[149] ACT 3. SC. 3 She may be honest yet . Tell me but this :
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand ?
OTHELLO
I gave her such a one . ’Twas my first gift .
IAGO
I know not that ; but such a handkerchief —
I am sure it was your wife’s — did I today
See Cassio wipe his beard with .
OTHELLO
If it be that —
IAGO
If it be that , or any that was hers ,
It speaks against her with the other proofs .
OTHELLO
O , that the slave had forty thousand lives !
One is too poor , too weak for my revenge .
Now do I see ’tis true . Look here , Iago ,
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven .
’Tis gone .
Arise , black vengeance , from the hollow hell !
Yield up , O love , thy crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate ! Swell , bosom , with thy fraught ,
For ’tis of aspics’ tongues !
IAGO
Yet be content .
OTHELLO
O , blood , blood , blood !
IAGO
Patience , I say . Your mind perhaps may change .
OTHELLO
Never , Iago . Like to the Pontic Sea ,
Whose icy current and compulsive course
Ne’er feels retiring ebb , but keeps due on
To the Propontic and the Hellespont ,
Even so my bloody thoughts , with violent pace
Shall ne’er look back , ne’er ebb to humble love ,
Till that a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up . He kneels . Now by yond marble
heaven ,
[151] ACT 3. SC. 4 In the due reverence of a sacred vow ,
I here engage my words .
IAGO
Do not rise yet .
Iago kneels .
Witness , you ever-burning lights above ,
You elements that clip us round about ,
Witness that here Iago doth give up
The execution of his wit , hands , heart
To wronged Othello’s service ! Let him command ,
And to obey shall be in me remorse ,
What bloody business ever .
They rise .
OTHELLO
I greet thy love
Not with vain thanks but with acceptance
bounteous ,
And will upon the instant put thee to ’t .
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassio’s not alive .
IAGO
My friend is dead .
’Tis done at your request . But let her live .
OTHELLO
Damn her , lewd minx ! O , damn her , damn
her !
Come , go with me apart . I will withdraw
To furnish me with some swift means of death
For the fair devil . Now art thou my lieutenant .
IAGO
I am your own forever .
They exit .
Scene 4
Enter Desdemona , Emilia , and Clown .
DESDEMONA
Do you know , sirrah , where Lieutenant
Cassio lies ?
CLOWN
I dare not say he lies anywhere .
DESDEMONA
Why , man ?
CLOWN
He’s a soldier , and for me to say a soldier lies ,
’tis stabbing .
[153]ACT 3. SC. 4
DESDEMONA
Go to ! Where lodges he ?
CLOWN
To tell you where he lodges is to tell you
where I lie .
DESDEMONA
Can anything be made of this ?
CLOWN
I know not where he lodges ; and for me to
devise a lodging and say he lies here , or he lies
there , were to lie in mine own throat .
DESDEMONA
Can you inquire him out , and be edified
by report ?
CLOWN
I will catechize the world for him — that is ,
make questions , and by them answer .
DESDEMONA
Seek him , bid him come hither . Tell him I
have moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will
be well .
CLOWN
To do this is within the compass of man’s wit ,
and therefore I will attempt the doing it .
Clown exits .
DESDEMONA
Where should I lose that handkerchief , Emilia ?
EMILIA
I know not , madam .
DESDEMONA
Believe me , I had rather have lost my purse
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
To put him to ill thinking .
EMILIA
Is he not jealous ?
DESDEMONA
Who , he ? I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humors from him .
EMILIA
Look where he
comes .
Enter Othello .
DESDEMONA
I will not leave him now till Cassio
Be called to him . — How is ’t with you , my lord ?
[155]ACT 3. SC. 4
OTHELLO
Well , my good lady .
Aside .
O , hardness to
dissemble ! —
How do you , Desdemona ?
DESDEMONA
Well , my good lord .
OTHELLO
Give me your hand . He takes her hand . This hand
is moist , my lady .
DESDEMONA
It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow .
OTHELLO
This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart .
Hot , hot , and moist . This hand of yours requires
A sequester from liberty , fasting and prayer ,
Much castigation , exercise devout ;
For here’s a young and sweating devil here
That commonly rebels . ’Tis a good hand ,
A frank one .
DESDEMONA
You may indeed say so ,
For ’twas that hand that gave away my heart .
OTHELLO
A liberal hand ! The hearts of old gave hands ,
But our new heraldry is hands , not hearts .
DESDEMONA
I cannot speak of this . Come now , your promise .
OTHELLO
What promise , chuck ?
DESDEMONA
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you .
OTHELLO
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me .
Lend me thy handkerchief .
DESDEMONA
Here , my lord .
OTHELLO
That which I gave you .
DESDEMONA
I have it not about me .
OTHELLO
Not ?
[157]ACT 3. SC. 4
DESDEMONA
No , faith , my lord .
OTHELLO
That’s a fault . That handkerchief
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
Entirely to her love . But if she lost it ,
Or made a gift of it , my father’s eye
Should hold her loathèd , and his spirits should hunt
After new fancies . She , dying , gave it me ,
And bid me , when my fate would have me wived ,
To give it her . I did so ; and take heed on ’t ,
Make it a darling like your precious eye .
To lose ’t or give ’t away were such perdition
As nothing else could match .
DESDEMONA
Is ’t possible ?
OTHELLO
’Tis true . There’s magic in the web of it .
A sybil that had numbered in the world
The sun to course two hundred compasses ,
In her prophetic fury sewed the work .
The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk ,
And it was dyed in mummy , which the skillful
Conserved of maidens’ hearts .
DESDEMONA
I’ faith , is ’t true ?
OTHELLO
Most veritable . Therefore , look to ’t well .
DESDEMONA
Then would to God that I had never seen ’t !
OTHELLO
Ha ? Wherefore ?
DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so startingly and rash ?
OTHELLO
Is ’t lost ? Is ’t gone ? Speak , is ’t out o’ th’ way ?
DESDEMONA
Heaven bless us !
OTHELLO
Say you ?
[159]ACT 3. SC. 4
DESDEMONA
It is not lost , but what an if it were ?
OTHELLO
How ?
DESDEMONA
I say it is not lost .
OTHELLO
Fetch ’t . Let me see ’t !
DESDEMONA
Why , so I can . But I will not now .
This is a trick to put me from my suit .
Pray you , let Cassio be received again .
OTHELLO
Fetch me the handkerchief !
Aside .
My mind
misgives .
DESDEMONA
Come , come .
You’ll never meet a more sufficient man .
OTHELLO
The handkerchief !
DESDEMONA
I pray , talk me of Cassio .
OTHELLO
The handkerchief !
DESDEMONA
A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love ;
Shared dangers with you —
OTHELLO
The handkerchief !
DESDEMONA
I’ faith , you are to blame .
OTHELLO
Zounds !
Othello exits .
EMILIA
Is not this man jealous ?
DESDEMONA
I ne’er saw this before .
Sure , there’s some wonder in this handkerchief !
I am most unhappy in the loss of it .
EMILIA
’Tis not a year or two shows us a man .
They are all but stomachs , and we all but food ;
They eat us hungerly , and when they are full
They belch us .
Enter Iago and Cassio .
Look you — Cassio and my husband .
[161]ACT 3. SC. 4
IAGO
, to Cassio
There is no other way ; ’tis she must do ’t ,
And , lo , the happiness ! Go and importune her .
DESDEMONA
How now , good Cassio , what’s the news with you ?
CASSIO
Madam , my former suit . I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist , and be a member of his love
Whom I with all the office of my heart
Entirely honor . I would not be delayed .
If my offense be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past nor present sorrows
Nor purposed merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again ,
But to know so must be my benefit .
So shall I clothe me in a forced content ,
And shut myself up in some other course
To fortune’s alms .
DESDEMONA
Alas , thrice-gentle Cassio ,
My advocation is not now in tune .
My lord is not my lord ; nor should I know him
Were he in favor as in humor altered .
So help me every spirit sanctified
As I have spoken for you all my best ,
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
For my free speech ! You must awhile be patient .
What I can do I will ; and more I will
Than for myself I dare . Let that suffice you .
IAGO
Is my lord angry ?
EMILIA
He went hence but now ,
And certainly in strange unquietness .
IAGO
Can he be angry ? I have seen the cannon
[163] ACT 3. SC. 4 When it hath blown his ranks into the air
And , like the devil , from his very arm
Puffed his own brother — and is he angry ?
Something of moment then . I will go meet him .
There’s matter in ’t indeed if he be angry .
DESDEMONA
I prithee do so .
He exits .
Something , sure , of state ,
Either from Venice , or some unhatched practice
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him ,
Hath puddled his clear spirit ; and in such cases
Men’s natures wrangle with inferior things ,
Though great ones are their object . ’Tis even so .
For let our finger ache , and it endues
Our other healthful members even to a sense
Of pain . Nay , we must think men are not gods ,
Nor of them look for such observancy
As fits the bridal . Beshrew me much , Emilia ,
I was — unhandsome warrior as I am ! —
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul .
But now I find I had suborned the witness ,
And he’s indicted falsely .
EMILIA
Pray heaven it be
State matters , as you think , and no conception
Nor no jealous toy concerning you .
DESDEMONA
Alas the day , I never gave him cause !
EMILIA
But jealous souls will not be answered so .
They are not ever jealous for the cause ,
But jealous for they’re jealous . It is a monster
Begot upon itself , born on itself .
DESDEMONA
Heaven keep that monster from Othello’s mind !
EMILIA
Lady , amen .
[165]ACT 3. SC. 4
DESDEMONA
I will go seek him . — Cassio , walk hereabout .
If I do find him fit , I’ll move your suit
And seek to effect it to my uttermost .
CASSIO
I humbly thank your Ladyship .
Desdemona and Emilia exit .
Enter Bianca .
BIANCA
’Save you , friend Cassio !
CASSIO
What make you from
home ?
How is ’t with you , my most fair Bianca ?
I’ faith , sweet love , I was coming to your house .
BIANCA
And I was going to your lodging , Cassio .
What , keep a week away ? Seven days and nights ,
Eightscore eight hours , and lovers’ absent hours
More tedious than the dial eightscore times ?
O weary reck’ning !
CASSIO
Pardon me , Bianca .
I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressed ,
But I shall in a more continuate time
Strike off this score of absence . Sweet Bianca ,
Giving her Desdemona’s handkerchief .
Take me this work out .
BIANCA
O , Cassio , whence came this ?
This is some token from a newer friend .
To the felt absence now I feel a cause .
Is ’t come to this ? Well , well .
CASSIO
Go to , woman !
Throw your vile guesses in the devil’s teeth ,
From whence you have them . You are jealous now
That this is from some mistress , some
remembrance .
No , by my faith , Bianca .
[167]ACT 3. SC. 4
BIANCA
Why , whose is it ?
CASSIO
I know not neither . I found it in my chamber .
I like the work well . Ere it be demanded ,
As like enough it will , I would have it copied .
Take it , and do ’t , and leave me for this time .
BIANCA
Leave you ? Wherefore ?
CASSIO
I do attend here on the General ,
And think it no addition , nor my wish ,
To have him see me womaned .
BIANCA
Why , I pray you ?
CASSIO
Not that I love you not .
BIANCA
But that you do not love me !
I pray you bring me on the way a little ,
And say if I shall see you soon at night .
CASSIO
’Tis but a little way that I can bring you ,
For I attend here . But I’ll see you soon .
BIANCA
’Tis very good . I must be circumstanced .
They exit .