ページの画像
PDF
ePub

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 a breast so pure, But some uncleanly apprehensions

55 Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit With meditations lawful?

Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, 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,-I entreat you then,
From one that so imperfectly conjects,

You'd 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, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

Oth.

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.

Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought.

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

Oth. Ha!

Iago.

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on 56: That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er,

Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. O misery!

Jago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; But riches, fineless 57, is as poor as winter,

To him that ever fears he shall be poor:

Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

Oth.

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 resolv'd: Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul

To such exsufflicate 58 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 eye-thus, not jealous, nor secure:
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't:

I know our country disposition well;

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not show their husbands; their best con

science

Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown.

Oth. Dost thou say so?

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

Oth.

Iago.

And so she did.

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;

I humbly do beseech you of your pardon,
For too much loving you.

Oth.

I am bound to thee for ever.

Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits.
Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.

Iago.

Trust me, I fear it has.

I hope, you will consider, what is spoke

Comes from my love;-But, I do see you are mov'd:

I am to pray you, not to strain my speech

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

Oth. I will not.

Iago.

My speech should fall into such vile success

As my thoughts aim not at.

friend:

Should you do so, my lord,

Cassio's my worthy

No, not much mov'd:

My lord, I see you are mov'd.

Oth.

I do not think, but Desdemona's honest.

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

so!

Oth. And yet, how nature erring 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:
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,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And (hapily) repent.

Oth.

Farewell, farewell:
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: Leave me, Iago.
Iago. My lord, I take my leave.

[Going.

Oth. Why did I marry?-This honest creature,

doubtless,

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. My lord, I would, I might entreat your ho

nour

To scan this thing no further; leave it to time:
And 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 a while,
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 mean time,
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 honour.
Oth. Fear not my government.

Jago. I once more take my leave.

Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,

[Exit.

And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings: If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses 60 were my dear heart-strings,

« 前へ次へ »