Othello, William Shakespeare [best books for students to read .TXT] 📗

sup there? Cassio ’Faith, I intend so. Iago Well, I may chance to see you; for I would very fain speak with you. Cassio Prithee, come; will you? Iago Go to; say no more. Exit Cassio. Othello Advancing. How shall I murder him, Iago? Iago Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice? Othello O Iago! Iago And did you see the handkerchief? Othello Was that mine? Iago Yours by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore. Othello I would have him nine years a-killing. A fine woman! a fair woman! a sweet woman! Iago Nay, you must forget that. Othello Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature: she might lie by an emperor’s side and command him tasks. Iago Nay, that’s not your way. Othello Hang her! I do but say what she is: so delicate with her needle: an admirable musician: O! she will sing the savageness out of a bear: of so high and plenteous wit and invention:⁠— Iago She’s the worse for all this. Othello O, a thousand thousand times: and then, of so gentle a condition! Iago Ay, too gentle. Othello Nay, that’s certain: but yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago! Iago If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody. Othello I will chop her into messes: cuckold me! Iago O, ’tis foul in her. Othello With mine officer! Iago That’s fouler. Othello Get me some poison, Iago; this night: I’ll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again: this night, Iago. Iago Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated. Othello Good, good: the justice of it pleases: very good. Iago And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker: you shall hear more by midnight. Othello Excellent good. A trumpet within. What trumpet is that same? Iago

Something from Venice, sure. ’Tis Lodovico
Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him.

Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants. Lodovico Save you, worthy general! Othello With all my heart, sir. Lodovico The duke and senators of Venice greet you. Gives him a letter. Othello I kiss the instrument of their pleasures. Opens the letter, and reads. Desdemona And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico? Iago

I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.

Lodovico I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio? Iago Lives, sir. Desdemona

Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord
An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.

Othello Are you sure of that? Desdemona My lord? Othello Reads. “This fail you not to do, as you will⁠—” Lodovico

He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
Is there division ’twixt my lord and Cassio?

Desdemona

A most unhappy one: I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

Othello Fire and brimstone! Desdemona My lord? Othello Are you wise? Desdemona What, is he angry? Lodovico

May be the letter moved him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.

Desdemona Trust me, I am glad on’t. Othello Indeed! Desdemona My lord? Othello I am glad to see you mad. Desdemona Why, sweet Othello⁠— Othello Striking her. Devil! Desdemona I have not deserved this. Lodovico

My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw’t: ’tis very much:
Make her amends; she weeps.

Othello

O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!

Desdemona I will not stay to offend you. Going. Lodovico

Truly, an obedient lady:
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.

Othello Mistress! Desdemona My lord? Othello What would you with her, sir? Lodovico Who, I, my lord? Othello

Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn:
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
And she’s obedient, as you say, obedient,
Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.
Concerning this, sir⁠—O well-painted passion!⁠—
I am commanded home. Get you away;
I’ll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt! Exit Desdemona.
Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight,
I do entreat that we may sup together:
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.⁠—Goats and monkeys! Exit.

Lodovico

Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue
The shot of accident, nor dart of chance,
Could neither graze nor pierce?

Iago He is much changed. Lodovico Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain? Iago

He’s that he is: I may not breathe my censure
What he might be: if what he might he is not,
I would to heaven he were!

Lodovico What, strike his wife! Iago

’Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
That stroke would prove the worst!

Lodovico

Is it his use?
Or did the letters work upon his blood,
And new-create this fault?

Iago

Alas, alas!
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,
And his own courses will denote him so
That I may save my speech: do but go after,
And mark how he continues.

Lodovico I am sorry that I am deceived in him. Exeunt. Scene II

A room in the castle.

Enter Othello and Emilia. Othello You have seen nothing then? Emilia Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect. Othello Yes, you have seen Cassio and she together. Emilia

But then I saw no harm, and then I heard
Each syllable that breath made up between them.

Othello What, did they never whisper? Emilia Never, my lord. Othello Nor send you out o’ the way? Emilia Never. Othello To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? Emilia Never, my lord. Othello That’s strange. Emilia

I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
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