Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, Know of your love? Oth. He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask? Iago. But for a satisfaction in my thought; No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. Oth. O yes; and went between us very oft. Iago. Indeed? Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed.-Discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest? By Heaven he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean something; Iago. My lord, you know I love you. Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just, Iago. I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. Oth. I think so too. For Michael Cassio, Men should be what they seem; Iago. I Iago. Why then, I think Cassio's an honest man. pray thee, 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,― Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure, Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit Oth. 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. To spy into abuses; and, oft, my jealousy You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble 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; Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; 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.- 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 To such exsufficate and blown surmises, Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous, Iago. I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason I know our country disposition well; In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience Is-not to leave undone, but keep unknown. Oth. 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. Oth. Iago And so she did. Why, go to, then; She that, so young, could give out such a seeming, He thought 'twas witchcraft.-But I am much to blame; For too much loving you. Oth. 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 moved.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. 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 are moved. Oth. No, not much moved; 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; Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank, But pardon me; I do not, in position, Oth. Farewell, farewell. [Going. Oth. Why did I marry? This honest creature, doubt less, Sees, and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. I once more take my leave. Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, [Exit. For others' use. Yet 'tis the plague of great ones; Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA. If she be false, O, then Heaven mocks itself!- Des. How now, my dear Othello? Your dinner, and the generous islanders By you invited, do attend your presence. Oth. I am to blame. Des. Why is your speech so faint? Are you not well? Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here. Des. 'Faith, that's with watching; 'twill away again. Let me but bind it hard, within this hour It will be well. Oth. Your napkin is too little; [He puts the handkerchief from him, and it drops. Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you. Des. I am very sorry that you are not well. [Exeunt ОTH. and DES. Emil. 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 would ever keep it,) That she reserves it evermore about her, To kiss, and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out, |