What I have seen and known. You shall ob serve him." "Him" might well be spared, to accommodate the metre. 453. "And mark how he continues." Something has been lost-perhaps, "You have seen nothing then?" The deficiency of this line might be thus supplied: "You have seen nothing then, you say, of this?" 454. You have seen Cassio and she together." "She" should be altered to "her." "Nor send you out o'the way?" Emil. " I would offer "Indeed! nor send you out o'the way." Never." I would read, "To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing? "How say you?" Emil " Oth. Never, my lord." That is strange.' 455. "Some of your function, mistress." Something is wanting-perhaps this: "Some of your function, mistress;-pr'ythee go, "Leave procreants," &c. "Why, what art thou?" Something again is wanting-perhaps, Oth. "But not the words." "Well, tell me—what art thou?" Desd. "Your wife, my lord; your true and lawful wife.' "Come, swear it, damn thyself." More mutilation. We might read, Come, mistress, swear it then; and damn thyself." "Should fear to seize thee; therefore be doubledamn'd." We might read smoothly, This expression, which has perplexed the commentators, and may probably for ever perplex them, appears to have issued from a confusion of ideas, which the author did not take the trouble to disentangle or arrange. Othello's first reflection is, simply, that he could patiently have endured any temporary or external evil; but to be placed in a situation of endless and unavoidable disgrace, would be enough to convert patience itself into fury. The first part of this sentiment is clearly and beautifully delivered; but in the sequel of the position, "but, alas! to make me a fixed figure for the time," he was probably going to say-for the time's abuse, or the scorn o'the time; but "time" and "fixed figure" suggesting the idea of a clock or time-piece, he lays hold of it at once, and, without any examination as to general congruity, proceeds to the office of the hand upon the dial-plate-" his slow, unmoving finger" seems to mean, his finger, which, though it does move slowly on, yet, as it can never pass the point of disgrace, may be regarded as standing still. 459. — A cistern, for foul toads "To knot and gender in !-turn thy complexion there!” "In" should be omitted, to accommodate the metre ; "for" is "for the purpose or end," to keep it as a cistern for "the knotting and gendering of toads." 460. "Made to write whore upon? What committed!" We should read-Committed! what! Again 461. "Did I but speak thy deeds.-IVhat com mitted!" We should, perhaps, read "Did I but speak thy deeds. What! what! committed!" "And will not hear it: What committed !— Impudent strumpet !" I would propose, "And will not hear't: Committed! what! committed! "Impudent strumpet!" Desd. " By heav'n, you do me wrong." Oth. "Art not a strumpet ?" Desd. " No, as I'm a christian." "Is it possible?” The measure might be filled thus: "What is it possible?" Desd. "O, heaven forgive us !" Oth. for I I cry you mercy, madam, then; "Did take you for that cunning whore of Venice, "That married with Othello." You, mistress." Mistress! you! "That have," &c. 462, "Faith, half asleep." Here also correction is wanted: Emil. " Desd. " Emil. " 'Faith, half asleep." Good madam, what's the matter "With my lord now ?" With whom ?" My lord, madam." "Here's a change indeed." "Indeed" this is not wanted. 463. "What's the matter, lady?” "Lady" is an interpolation that spoils the metre; Iago's question being as much to Emilia, who replies to it, as to Desdemona : "I am a child to chiding." What's the matter?" Am I that name, Iago?” Iag. This wants regulation: "As true hearts cannot bear. "Tell me, I pray, that name? Iag. "What name, fair lady?" 464. "Why did he so ?” More deficiency: perhaps, ?" Why did he so? alas! take comfort, madam." Again: "Do not weep," &c. Nay, do not weep, don't weep; alas, the day!” 467. "It is but so, I warrant you." Some words appear to have been lost; perhaps, Be patient." SCENE III. 471. "I do beseech you, sir." |