villanous knave,
Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.
O heaven, that such companions thou’ldst unfold,
And put in every honest hand a whip
To lash the rascals naked through the world
Even from the east to the west!
Iago
Speak within door.
Emilia
O, fie upon them! Some such squire he was
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.
Desdemona
O good Iago,
What shall I do to win my lord again?
Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:
If e’er my will did trespass ’gainst his love,
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed,
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,
Delighted them in any other form;
Or that I do not yet, and ever did.
And ever will—though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement—love him dearly,
Comfort forswear me! Unkindness may do much;
And his unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love. I cannot say “whore:”
It does abhor me now I speak the word;
To do the act that might the addition earn
Not the world’s mass of vanity could make me.
Iago
I pray you, be content; ’tis but his humour:
The business of the state does him offence,
And he does chide with you.
Desdemona
If ’twere no other—
Iago
’Tis but so, I warrant. Trumpets within.
Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!
The messengers of Venice stay the meat;
Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well. Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
Enter
Roderigo.
How now, Roderigo!
Roderigo
I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.
Iago
What in the contrary?
Roderigo
Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago; and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure it, nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered.
Iago
Will you hear me, Roderigo?
Roderigo
’Faith, I have heard too much, for your words and performances are no kin together.
Iago
You charge me most unjustly.
Roderigo
With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of my means. The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist: you have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance, but I find none.
Iago
Well; go to; very well.
Roderigo
Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor ’tis not very well: nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it.
Iago
Very well.
Roderigo
I tell you ’tis not very well. I will make myself 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.
Iago
You have said now.
Roderigo
Ay, and said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.
Iago
Why, now I see there’s mettle in thee, and even from this instant to build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.
Roderigo
It hath not appeared.
Iago
I grant indeed it hath not appeared, and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason 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 with treachery and devise engines for my life.
Roderigo
Well, what is it? is it within reason and compass?
Iago
Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello’s place.
Roderigo
Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.
Iago
O, no; he goes into Mauritania and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident: wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.
Roderigo
How do you mean, removing of him?
Iago
Why, by making him uncapable of Othello’s place; knocking out his brains.
Roderigo
And that you would have me to do?
Iago
Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him: 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 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 suppertime, and the night grows to waste: about it.
Roderigo
I will hear further reason for this.
Iago
And you shall be satisfied.
Exeunt.
Scene III
Another room in the castle.
Enter
Othello,
Lodovico,
Desdemona,
Emilia and Attendants.
Lodovico
I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.
Othello
O, pardon me: ’twill do me good to walk.
Lodovico
Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.
Desdemona
Your honour is most welcome.
Othello
Will you walk, sir? O—Desdemona—
Desdemona
My lord?
Othello
Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned forthwith: dismiss your attendant there: look it be done.
Desdemona
I will, my lord.
Exeunt Othello, Lodovico, and Attendants.
Emilia
How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did.
Desdemona
He says he will return incontinent:
He hath commanded me to go to bed,
And bade me to dismiss you.
Emilia
Dismiss me!
Desdemona
It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,
Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:
We must not now displease him.
Emilia
I would you had never seen him!
Desdemona
So would not I my love doth so approve him,
That
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