Scene III

[The garden of the castle.]

Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.

DESD:

Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf.

DESD:

Be assured, good Cassio, I will do
All I can in your behalf.

EMILIA:

Good madam, do: I warrant it grieves my husband
As if the cause were his.

EMILIA:

Good madam, please do. I guarantee you that it grieves
My husband as if the cause were his.

DESD:

O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,(5)
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.

DESD:

O, that's an honest fellow. Don’t doubt it, Cassio,
That I will have my lord and you
As friendly again as you were.

CASSIO:

Bounteous madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never anything but your true servant.(10)

CASSIO:

Generous madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He'll never be anything but your true servant.

DESD:

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.

DESD:

I know it. I thank you. You love my lord.
You have known him a long time; and be assured
He shall stand no farther off in strangeness
Than in a distance dictated by policy.

CASSIO:

Ay, but, lady,(15)
That policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstances,
That I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.(20)

CASSIO:

Yes, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,
Or feed on such nice and light diet,
Or take itself so out of circumstance,
That, with my absence and my place filled,
My general will forget my love and service.

DESD:

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;(25)
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle everything he does
With Cassio's suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio,
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away.(30)

DESD:

Don’t doubt that; before Emilia here
I guarantee your place. I assure you,
That, If I promise a friendship, I'll deliver it
To the very last point. My lord shall never rest;
I'll watch him calmly, and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem like a school, his meals a
confessional; I'll intermingle everything he does
With Cassio's suit. Therefore be happy, Cassio;
Because your lawyer would rather die
Than lose your case.

Enter Othello, and Iago, at a distance.

EMILIA:

Madam, here comes my lord.

EMILIA:

Madam, here comes
My lord.

CASSIO:

Madam, I'll take my leave.

CASSIO:

Madam, I'll leave.

DESD:

Nay, stay and hear me speak.

DESD:

Why, stay, And listen to me speak.

CASSIO:

Madam, not now. I am very ill at ease,
Unfit for mine own purposes.(35)

CASSIO:

Madam, not now. I am very uncomfortable,
Unfit for my own intentions.

DESD:

Well, do your discretion.

DESD:

Well, have it your way.

Exit [Cassio.]

Enter Othello and Iago.

IAGO:

Ha! I like not that.

IAGO:

Ha! I don’t like that.

OTHELLO:

What dost thou say?

OTHELLO:

What did you say?

IAGO:

Nothing, my lord; or if I know not what.

IAGO:

Nothing, my lord. or if I don’t know what.

OTHELLO:

Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?(40)

OTHELLO:

Wasn’t that Cassio leaving my wife?

IAGO:

Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guiltylike,
Seeing you coming.

IAGO:

Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot believe
That he would steal away so guiltily,
Seeing you coming.

OTHELLO:

I do believe 'twas he.

OTHELLO:

I do believe it was he.

DESD:

How now, my lord!(45)
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

DESD:

How now, my lord!
I have been talking with a petitioner here,
A man that suffers greatly in your displeasure.

OTHELLO:

Who is't you mean?

OTHELLO:

Who is it you mean?

DESD:

Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,(50)
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 judgement in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.(55)

DESD:

Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. My good lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
Take his present efforts to reconcile,
Because if he isn’t one that truly loves you,
That made a mistake by accident, not on purpose
I cannot judge an honest face.
I beg you, call him back.

OTHELLO:

Went he hence now?

OTHELLO:

Didn’t he just leave?

DESD:

Ay, sooth; so humbled,
That he hath left part of his grief with me,
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

DESD:

Yes, truly, so humbled
That he has left part of his grief with me
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

OTHELLO:

Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.(60)

OTHELLO:

Not now, sweet Desdemon; some other time.

DESD:

But shall't be shortly?

DESD:

But shall it be soon?

OTHELLO:

The sooner, sweet, for you.

OTHELLO:

The sooner, sweet, for you.

DESD:

Shall't be tonight at supper?

DESD:

Shall it be tonight at supper?

OTHELLO:

No, not tonight.

OTHELLO:

No, not tonight.

DESD:

Tomorrow dinner then?(65)

DESD:

Tomorrow night at dinner then?

OTHELLO:

I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel.

OTHELLO:

I won’t be eating at home;
I have to meet the captains at the fortress.

DESD:

Why then tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn;
On Tuesday noon, or night, on Wednesday morn;
I prithee, name the time, but let it not(70)
Exceed three days. In faith, he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason—
Save that, they say, the wars must make examples
Out of their best—is not almost a fault
To incur a private check. When shall he come?(75)
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on. What? Michael Cassio,
That came awooing with you, and so many a time
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly(80)
Hath ta'en your part—to have so much to do
To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much—

DESD:

Why then tomorrow night; or Tuesday morning;
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morning.
I beg you, name the time, but let it be
More than three days. in faith, he's very sorry;
And yet his crime, in our common reason,
Except that, they say, the wars must make examples
Out of their best, is not almost a fault
To incur a private punishment. When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
What you would ask me to do that I should deny,
Or stand so hesitant about. What! Michael Cassio,
That came with you to court me, and so many times,
When I have spoken about you insultingly,
Has taken your side. To have so much to do
To bring him back! Trust me, I could do a lot.

OTHELLO:

Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.

OTHELLO:

I beg you, no more. Let him come when he wants to.
I will deny you nothing.

DESD:

Why, this is not a boon;(85)
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
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,(90)
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight,
And fearful to be granted.

DESD:

Why, this is not a favor.
It’s as if I should beg you to wear your gloves,
Or to eat better, or to keep yourself warm,
Or beg you to do a peculiar thing
To yourself. No, when I have a favor to ask
Where I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of confidence and heavy,
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.(95)

OTHELLO:

I will deny you nothing.
Where, I beg you, grant me this,
To leave me just a little to myself.

DESD:

Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord.

DESD:

Shall I deny you? No. farewell, my lord.

OTHELLO:

Farewell, my Desdemona; I'll come to thee straight.

OTHELLO:

Farewell, my Desdemona. I'll come to you right away.

DESD:

Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you; Whate'er
you be, I am obedient. [Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.]

DESD:

Emilia, come. Be as your thoughts teach you;
Whatever you are, I am obedient.

OTHELLO:

Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,(100)
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.

OTHELLO:

Excellent wretch! Destruction take my soul,
But I do love you! and when I don’t love you,
Chaos comes back.

IAGO:

My noble lord—

IAGO:

My noble lord.

OTHELLO:

What dost thou say, Iago?

OTHELLO:

What do you say, Iago?

IAGO:

Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,(105)
Know of your love?

IAGO:

Did Michael Cassio, when you courted my lady,
Know about your love?

OTHELLO:

He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?

OTHELLO:

He did, from first to last. Why do you ask?

IAGO:

But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.

IAGO:

Only to satisfy my thought,
No further harm.

OTHELLO:

Why of thy thought, Iago?(110)

OTHELLO:

What bout your thought, Iago?

IAGO:

I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

IAGO:

I didn’t think he had been acquainted with her.

OTHELLO:

O, yes, and went between us very oft.

OTHELLO:

O, yes; and went between us very often.

IAGO:

Indeed!

IAGO:

Indeed!

OTHELLO:

Indeed? ay, indeed. Discern'st thou aught in that?
Is he not honest?(1155)

OTHELLO:

Indeed! Yes, indeed. Do you see anything in that?
Isn’t he honest?

IAGO:

Honest, my lord?

IAGO:

Honest, my lord!

OTHELLO:

Honest? Ay, honest.

OTHELLO:

Honest! Yes, honest.

IAGO:

My lord, for aught I know.

IAGO:

My lord, for all I know.

OTHELLO:

What dost thou think?

OTHELLO:

What do you think?

IAGO:

Think, my lord?(120)

IAGO:

Think, my lord!

OTHELLO:

Think, my lord? By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:
I heard thee say even now, thou like'st not that,
When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like?(125)
And when I told thee he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst, “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,(130)
Show me thy thought.

OTHELLO:

Think, my lord!
By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thoughts
Too hideous to be shown. You do mean something.
I heard you say just now, you didn’t like that,
When Cassio left my wife. What didn’t you like?
And when I told you he knew everything
In my whole time of courting, you cried, "Indeed!"
And contracted and wrinkled your eyebrows together,
As if you then had shut up some horrible lie
In your brain. If you do love me,
Tell me what you were thinking.

IAGO:

My lord, you know I love you.

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 givest them breath,(135)
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.(140)

OTHELLO:

I think you do;
And, because I know you are full of love and honesty
And weigh your words carefully before saying them,
These stops of yours frighten me even more,
Because such things in a false, disloyal rogue
Are tricks of custom, but in a man that's just
They're hidden delays, working from the heart,
That passion cannot control.

IAGO:

For Michael Cassio,
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

IAGO:

For Michael Cassio,
I would swear I think that he is honest.

OTHELLO:

I think so too.

OTHELLO:

I think so too.

IAGO:

Men should be what they seem;
Or those that be not, would they might seem none!(145)

IAGO:

Men should be what they seem;
Or those that are not, I wish wouldn’t seem so!

OTHELLO:

Certain, men should be what they seem.

OTHELLO:

Certainly, men should be what they seem.

IAGO:

Why then I think Cassio's an honest man.

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(150)
The worst of words.

OTHELLO:

No, there's still more in this.
I beg you, tell me what you’re thinking,
Because you are thinking something and give your 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;(155)
As where's that palace where in to foul things
Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and lawdays, and in session sit
With meditations lawful?(160)

IAGO:

My good lord, pardon me.
Although I am bound to every act of duty,
I’m not bound to that that even all slaves are free to.
Speak my thoughts? Why, what if they are vile and false,
Where's that palace that foul things sometimes intrude?
Who has a breast so pure
That some unclean thoughts
Keep court records and legal holidays, and sit in session
With lawful deliberations?

OTHELLO:

Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
If thou but think'st him wrong'd and makest his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.

OTHELLO:

You conspire against your friend, Iago,
If you only think him wronged and won’t let him be
Anything but a stranger to your thoughts.

IAGO:

I do beseech you—
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,(165)
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 yet,
From one that so imperfectly conceits,
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble(170)
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

IAGO:

I do beg you,
Although I am, perhaps, vicious in my guess,
As I confess it is a bad habit of mine
To look deeply into wrongs, and to find faults that aren’t
By my jealousy, that your wisdom still would take no
Notice from one that so imperfectly imagines things,
Or create a problem for yourself
Out of his scattered and unsure observations.
It’s not good for your peace or your wellbeing,
Or for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom
To let you know my thoughts.

OTHELLO:

What dost thou mean?(175)

OTHELLO:

What do you 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(180)
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

IAGO:

A good name in man and woman, my dear lord,
Is the most precious jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; it is something,
nothing; it was mine, it’s his, and has been slave to
thousands; But he that steals my good name from me
Robs me of something that can’t possibly make him rich
And which makes me poor indeed.

OTHELLO:

By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.

OTHELLO:

By heaven, I'll know you’re thinking.

IAGO:

You cannot, if my heart were in your hand;
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.(185)

IAGO:

You cannot, unless my heart were in your hand,
And that won’t happen while it is in my custody.

OTHELLO:

Ha!

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;(190)
But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!

IAGO:

O, beware, my lord, jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which makes a joke of
The meat it feeds on. That deceived man lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, doesn’t love who wronged him;
But O, what damned stories he tells about
Who loves, but doubts, suspects, but strongly loves!

OTHELLO:

O misery!

OTHELLO:

O misery!

IAGO:

Poor and content is rich, and rich enough;
But riches fineless is as poor as winter(195)
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

IAGO:

To be poor and content is to be rich, and rich enough;
But endless riches are as poor as winter
To him that always fears he shall be poor;
Good heaven, the souls of all my family defend me
From jealousy!

OTHELLO:

Why, why is this?
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,(200)
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
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,(205)
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(210)
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!(215)

OTHELLO:

Why, why is this?
Do you think I'd make a life of jealousy
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No, to be in doubt once
Is to be resolved once. Trade me for a goat
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such puffed up and blown suspicions,
Matching your suggestion. It won’t make me jealous,
To say my wife is beautiful, cooks well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
And I won’t draw from my own weak merits
The smallest fear or doubt of her turning against me,
Because she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, I’ll need proof;
And on the proof, there is no more but this,
To hell with love or jealousy at once!

IAGO:

I am glad of it, 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;(220)
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure.
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of selfbounty be abused. Look to't.
I know our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks(225)
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown.

IAGO:

I’m glad to hear it; because now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With a more open spirit. Therefore, as I am supposed to,
Receive it from me. I don’t speak yet of proof.
Look at your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye like this, not jealous or secure.
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of my own generosity, be abused; see it.
I know our country’s disposition well;
In Venice they let heaven see the pranks
They wouldn’t dare show their husbands; their best conscience
Isn’t to leave it unfinished, but to keep it unknown.

OTHELLO:

Dost thou say so?

OTHELLO:

You say so?

IAGO:

She did deceive her father, marrying you;
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,(230)
She loved them most.

IAGO:

She deceived her father by marrying you;
And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most.

OTHELLO:

And so she did.

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—(235)
He thought 'twas witchcraft—but I am much to blame;
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you.

IAGO:

Why, think about it then;
She that, so young, could give out such an appearance,
To seal her father's eyes up like oak.
He thought it was witchcraft, but I am much to blame;
I humbly beg your pardon
Because I was loving you too much.

OTHELLO:

I am bound to thee forever.

OTHELLO:

I am bound to you forever.

IAGO:

I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits.(240)

IAGO:

I see this has dashed your spirits a little.

OTHELLO:

Not a jot, not a jot.

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(245)
To grosser issues, nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion.

IAGO:

Trust me, I fear it has.
I hope you will consider that what I have spoken
Comes from my love; but I see you're upset.
I beg you not to push my speech
To grosser issues or to reach beyond
Mere suspicion.

OTHELLO:

I will not.

OTHELLO:

I will not.

IAGO:

Should you do so, my lord,
My speech should fall into such vile success(250)
Which my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy friend—
My lord, I see you're moved.

IAGO:

Should you do so, my lord,
My speech should fall into such vile things
That my thoughts are not aimed at. Cassio's my worthy
friend. My lord, I see you're upset.

OTHELLO:

No, not much moved.
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

OTHELLO:

No, not too upset.
I can only think that Desdemona's honest.

IAGO:

Long live she so! and long live you to think so!(255)

IAGO:

Long live she so! and long live you to think so!

OTHELLO:

And yet, how nature erring from itself—

OTHELLO:

And yet, how nature can wander from itself.

IAGO:

Ay, there's the point, as—to be bold with you—
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—(260)
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 judgement,(265)
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And happily repent.

IAGO:

Yes, there's the point. As, to be bold with you,
Not to affect many promised engagements
Of her own kind, complexion, and degree,
Where we see in all things nature tends to do,
Damn! One may smell in such a will very rotten,
Dirty intentions, unnatural thoughts.
But pardon me. I don’t have the position
To speak knowingly of her; although I may fear,
Her will, rebelling against her better judgment,
May decide to match you with her countrymen,
And happily repent her ways.

OTHELLO:

Farewell, farewell:
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.(270)

OTHELLO:

Farewell, farewell.
If more you see more, let me know more;
Ask your wife to observe her. Leave me, Iago.

IAGO:

My lord, I take my leave.

IAGO:

My lord, I’m leaving.

OTHELLO:

Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

OTHELLO:

Why did I get married? This honest creature undoubtedly
Sees and knows more, much more, than he reveals.

IAGO:

My lord, I would I might entreat your honor
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:(275)
Though it be 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(280)
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.(285)

IAGO:

My lord, I wish I might be your honor
To think about this thing no further; leave it to time.
Although it is proper that Cassio have his place,
Because he surely fills the job with great ability,
Yet, if it would please you to hold him off a while,
You shall see him and his plans,
Note if your lady encourages you to consider his plea
With any strong or violent persistence;
Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
Please think I am too occupied with my fears,
As there are strong reasons to fear I am,
And consider her innocent, I beg your honor.

OTHELLO:

Fear not my government.

OTHELLO:

Don’t be afraid of what I think.

IAGO:

I once more take my leave.

IAGO:

Once more, I’m leaving.

Exit.

OTHELLO:

This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,(290)
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
I'ld 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(295)
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,(300)
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:(305)
Even then this forked plague is fated to us
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes:

Enter Desdemona and Emilia.

If she be false, O, then heaven mocks itself!
I'll not believe't.

OTHELLO:

This fellow's exceedingly honesty,
And knows all qualities, with an educated spirit,
Of human dealings. If I prove her unfaithful,
Although that her leashes were my dear heartstrings,
I'd suddenly go away, and let her follow the wind
To plunder fortune. Maybe, because I am black,
And don’t have those soft parts of conversation
That gentlemen have; or because I am getting
Much older, still that's not much,
She's already unfaithful; I am abused, and my relief
Must be to hate her. O curses on marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not control their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live on the air of a dungeon,
Than keep a piece of the thing I love
For others' uses. Still, it is the plague of great men,
They have fewer choices than common men;
It is an unshakeable destiny, like death.
Even then, this double-edged disease is our fate
Before we are born. Desdemona comes.
If she is false, O, then heaven mocks itself!
I'll not believe it.

DESD:

How now, my dear Othello!(310)
Your dinner, and the generous islanders
By you invited, do attend your presence.

DESD:

How are you, my dear Othello!
Your dinner and the generous islanders
You invited, wait for your presence.

OTHELLO:

I am to blame.

OTHELLO:

I am to blame.

DESD:

Why do you speak so faintly?
Are you not well?(315)

DESD:

Why do you speak so softly?
Are you unwell?

OTHELLO:

I have a pain upon my forehead here.

OTHELLO:

I have a pain on my forehead here.

DESD:

Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again:
Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
It will be well.

DESD:

Faith, that's because of watching; it will go away again;
Just let me tie it hard with my napkin. Within this hour,
It will be well.

OTHELLO:

Your napkin is too little;(320)

[He puts the handkerchief from him, and she drops it.]

Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

OTHELLO:

Your napkin is too little.

Leave it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.

DESD:

I am very sorry that you are not well.

Exeunt Othello and Desdemona

DESD:

I am very sorry that you are not well.

EMILIA:

I am glad I have found this napkin:
This was her first remembrance from the Moor:
My wayward husband hath a hundred times(325)
Woo'd 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
To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give't Iago. What he will do with it(330)
Heaven knows, not I;
I nothing but to please his fantasy.

EMILIA:

I am glad I have found this napkin.
This was her first gift from the Moor.
My wayward husband has a hundred times
Begged me to steal it; but she so loves the token,
Because he ordered her to keep it forever,
She keeps it always with her
To kiss and talk to. I'll have the embroidery taken out,
And give it Iago.
What he will do with it heaven knows, I don’t;
I only give it to him to please him.

Enter Iago.

IAGO:

How now, what do you here alone?

IAGO:

What! Why are you here alone?

EMILIA:

Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.

EMILIA:

Don’t scold; I have something for you.

IAGO:

A thing for me? It is a common thing—(335)

IAGO:

A thing for me! It is a common thing…

EMILIA:

Ha!

EMILIA:

Ha!

IAGO:

To have a foolish wife.

IAGO:

To have a foolish wife.

EMILIA:

O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?

EMILIA:

O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?

IAGO:

What handkerchief?(340)

IAGO:

What handkerchief?

EMILIA:

What handkerchief?
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.

EMILIA:

What handkerchief!
Why, the one that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
The one that you asked me so often to steal.

IAGO:

Hast stol'n it from her?

IAGO:

Have you stolen it from her?

EMILIA:

No, faith; she let it drop by negligence,(345)
And, to the advantage, I being here took't up.
Look, here it is.

EMILIA:

No, faith; she carelessly dropped it.
And, to my advantage, since I was here, I picked it up.
Look, here it is.

IAGO:

A good wench; give it me.

IAGO:

A good wench; give it to me.

EMILIA:

What will you do with't, that you have been so
earnest(350)
To have me filch it?

EMILIA:

What will you do with it, that you have been so eager
For me to steal it?

IAGO:

Why, what is that to you?

IAGO:

Why, what's that to you?

EMILIA:

If't be not for some purpose of import,
Give't me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad
When she shall lack it.(355)

EMILIA:

If it’s not for an important purpose,
Give it back to me again. Poor lady, she'll run mad
When she misses it.

IAGO:

Be not acknown on't; I have use for it.
Go, leave me. Exit Emilia.
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong(360)
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(365)
Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so:
Look, where he comes!

Enter Othello.

Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep(370)
Which thou owedst yesterday.

IAGO:

Mind your own business ; I have use for it.
Go, leave me.

I will put this napkin in Cassio's room,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are as strong a confirmation to the jealous
As proofs of the Bible. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison.
Dangerous ideas are poisons in their natures,
Which at the first are scarcely found to dislike,
But, with a little action on the blood,
Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so.
Look, here he comes!
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy drugs of the world,
Shall ever bring you that sweet sleep
Which you had yesterday.

OTHELLO:

Ha, ha, false to me?

OTHELLO:

Ha! ha! False to me?

IAGO:

Why, how now, general! No more of that.

IAGO:

Why, how are you, general! No more of that.

OTHELLO:

Avaunt! be gone! Thou hast set me on the rack:
I swear 'tis better to be much abused(375)
Than but to know't a little.

OTHELLO:

Go away! Be gone! You have put me on the rack of
Torture. I swear it is better to be much abused
Than only know it a little.

IAGO:

How now, my lord?

IAGO:

What, my lord!

OTHELLO:

What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?
I saw't not, thought it not, it harm'd not me;
I slept the next night well, was free and merry;(380)
I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips:
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stol'n,
Let him not know't and he's not robb'd at all.

OTHELLO:

What sense did I have of her stolen hours of lust?
I didn’t see it, didn’t think it, it didn’t harm me.
I slept well the next night, was free and merry;
I didn’t find Cassio's kisses on her lips.
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen,
Don’t let him know it and he's not robbed at all.

IAGO:

I am sorry to hear this.

IAGO:

I am sorry to hear this.

OTHELLO:

I had been happy if the general camp,(385)
Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,
So I had nothing known. O, now forever
Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell,(390)
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spiritstirring drum, the earpiercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats(395)
The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

OTHELLO:

I would’ve been happy if the entire camp,
Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,
As long as I didn’t know about it. O, now, forever
Farewell to the peaceful mind! Farewell happiness!
Farewell to the plumed forces and the big wars
That make ambition a virtue! O, farewell,
Farewell the neighing horse and the shrill trumpet,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all goodness,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
And, O you mortal device, whose rude throats
Pretend to be the immortal Jove's dread clamors,
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

IAGO:

Is't possible, my lord?

IAGO:

Is it possible, my lord?

OTHELLO:

Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;
Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof;(400)
Or, by the worth of man's eternal soul,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
Than answer my waked wrath!

OTHELLO:

Villain, be sure you prove my love a whore;
Be sure of it. Give me the proof I can see;
Or, by the worth of man's eternal soul,
You would’ve been better born a dog
Than answer my aroused anger!

IAGO:

Is't come to this?

IAGO:

Has it come to this?

OTHELLO:

Make me to see't; or at the least so prove it,(405)
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
To hang a doubt on; or woe upon thy life!

OTHELLO:

Make me see it ; or at the least prove it so
That the accusation has no hinges or loops
To hang a doubt on, or woe on your life!

IAGO:

My noble lord

IAGO:

My noble lord…

OTHELLO:

If thou dost slander her and torture me,
Never pray more; abandon all remorse;(410)
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.

OTHELLO:

If you slander her and torture me,
Never pray again; abandon all sorrow;
On your horrible head horrors will accumulate;
Do deeds to make heaven weep, amaze all earth,
Because nothing you can add to damnation
Will be greater than that.

IAGO:

O grace! O heaven defend me!(415)
Are you a man? have you a soul or sense?
God be wi' you; take mine office. O wretched fool,
That livest to make thine honesty a vice!
O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
To be direct and honest is not safe.(420)
I thank you for this profit, and from hence
I'll love no friend sith love breeds such offense.

IAGO:

O grace! O heaven defend me!
Are you a man? Have you got a soul or sense?
God be with you; take my job. O wretched fool,
That lives to make your 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 lesson; and from this point forward,
I'll love no friend, since love breeds such contempt.

OTHELLO:

Nay, stay; thou shouldst be honest.

OTHELLO:

No, stay. you should be honest.

IAGO:

I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for.(425)

IAGO:

I should be wise, because honesty's a fool,
And loses what 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(430)
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!

OTHELLO:

By the world,
I think my wife is honest, and think she is not;
I think that you are just, and think you are not.
I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh
As Diana's face, is now as grimy and black
As my own face. If there are ropes or knives,
Poison or fire, or suffocating streams,
I'll not endure it. I wish I were satisfied!

IAGO:

I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion;
I do repent me that I put it to you.(435)
You would be satisfied?

IAGO:

I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion.
I am sorry that I told you.
You would be satisfied?

OTHELLO:

Would? Nay, I will.

OTHELLO:

Would? No, I will.

IAGO:

And may. But, how? how satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
Behold her topp'd?(440)

IAGO:

And may. But how? How satisfied, my lord?
Would you, the planner, grossly look on,
See her being screwed?

OTHELLO:

Death and damnation! O!

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?(445)
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
It is impossible you should see this
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,(450)
If imputation and strong circumstances,
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
Will give you satisfaction, you may have't.

IAGO:

It’s a lengthy problem, I think,
To bring them to that event. Damn them then,
If ever mortal eyes see them in any bed
Other than their own! What then? How then?
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
It is impossible that you should see this
If they were as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salty as wolves in a pride, and fools as disgusting
As ignorance made drunk. But still, I say,
If suggestion and strong circumstances
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
Will give you satisfaction, you may have it.

OTHELLO:

Give me a living reason she's disloyal.

OTHELLO:

Give me a living reason why she's unfaithful.

IAGO:

I do not like the office;(455)
But sith I am enter'd in this cause so far,
Prick'd 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.(460)
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”;(465)
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
Cry, “O sweet creature!” and then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots,
That grew upon my lips; then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh'd and kiss'd; and then(470)
Cried, “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!”

IAGO:

I don’t like the job;
But, since I am entered already so far into this cause,
Encouraged to it by foolish honesty and love,
I will go on. I slept 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 speak about their affairs.
Cassio is one of this kind.
In his sleep, I heard him say, "Sweet Desdemona,
Let’s be careful, let’s hide our loves,"
And then, sir, he griped and wrung my hand,
Crying, "O sweet creature!" and then kissed me hard,
As if he pulled up kisses by their roots
That grew on my lips. Then he laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sighed and kissed; and then
Cried, "Cursed fate that gave you to the Moor!"

OTHELLO:

O monstrous! monstrous!

OTHELLO:

O monstrous! Monstrous!

IAGO:

Nay, this was but his dream.

IAGO:

No, this was only his dream.

OTHELLO:

But this denoted a foregone conclusion:
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.(475)

OTHELLO:

But this indicated a foregone conclusion.
It is a evil doubt, although it is only a dream.

IAGO:

And this may help to thicken other proofs
That do demonstrate thinly.

IAGO:

And this may help to support other proofs
That look questionable.

OTHELLO:

I'll tear her all to pieces.

OTHELLO:

I'll tear her all to pieces.

IAGO:

Nay, but be wise; yet we see nothing done;
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this;(480)
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?

IAGO:

No, only be wise. We see nothing done yet.
She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,
Haven’t you sometimes seen a handkerchief
Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand?

OTHELLO:

I gave her such a one; 'twas my first gift.

OTHELLO:

I gave her such a one; it was my first gift.

IAGO:

I know not that; but such a handkerchief—
I am sure it was your wife's—did I today(485)
See Cassio wipe his beard with.

IAGO:

I don’t know 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—

OTHELLO:

If it is that...

IAGO:

If it be that, or any that was hers,
It speaks against her with the other proofs.

IAGO:

If it is that, or any that was hers,
It speaks against her with the other proofs.

OTHELLO:

O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!(490)
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 thy hollow cell!(495)
Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
For 'tis of aspics' tongues!

OTHELLO:

O, that that slave had forty thousand lives,
One is too poor, too weak for my revenge!
Now I see it is true. Look here, Iago;
All my fond love like this do I blow to heaven.
It is gone.
Arise, black vengeance, from your hollow hell!
Yield up, O love, your crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with your fury,
Because it is from lavender’s tongues!

IAGO:

Yet be content.

IAGO:

Yet calm down.

OTHELLO:

O, blood, blood, blood!(500)

OTHELLO:

O, blood, Iago, blood!

IAGO:

Patience, I say; your mind perhaps may change.

IAGO:

Patience, I say; your mind may perhaps 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,(505)
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. Now, by yond marble heaven,
In the due reverence of a sacred vow(510)
I here engage my words.

OTHELLO:

Never, Iago. Like the Pontic Sea,
Whose icy current and compulsive course
Never feels a low ebb but keeps straight on
To the Propontic and the Hellespont Oceans,
Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace,
Shall never look back, never ebb to humble love,
Unless a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up. Now, by marble heaven above,
In the reverence due a sacred vow
I here engage my words

IAGO:

Do not rise yet.
Witness, you everburning lights above,
You elements that clip us round about, Iago Kneels.
Witness that here Iago doth give up(515)
The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
To wrong'd Othello's service! Let him command,
And to obey shall be in me remorse,
What bloody business ever.

IAGO:

Don’t rise yet.

Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
You elements that hit us round about,
Witness that here Iago does give up
The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
To wronged Othello's service! Let him command,
And it shall be penance for me to obey,
Whatever the bloody business is.

OTHELLO:

I greet thy love,(520)
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.

OTHELLO:

I welcome your love,
Not with empty thanks, but with generous acceptance,
And will put you to it instantly.
Within these three days let me hear you say
That Cassio's not alive.

IAGO:

My friend is dead, 'tis done at your request;(525)
But let her live.

IAGO:

My friend is dead; it is done at your request.
But let her live.

OTHELLO:

Damn her, lewd minx! O, 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.(530)

OTHELLO:

Damn her, lewd cat! O, damn her!
Come, go aside with me; I will leave so I can
Equip me with some swift means of death
For the beautiful devil. Now you are my lieutenant.

IAGO:

I am your own forever.

IAGO:

I am your own forever.

Exeunt.