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Iago. There's many a beat then in a populous

city,

And many a civil monster.

Oth. Did he confefs it?

Lage. Good fir, be a man;

Think, every bearded fellow, that's but yok'd,
May draw with you: there's millions now alive,
That nightly lie in thofe unproper beds,
Which they dare fwear peculiar; your cafe is better.
O, 'tis the fpight of hell, the fiend's arch-mock,
To lip a wanton in a fecure couch,,

And to fuppofe her chafte! No, let me know;
And, knowing what I am, I know what the fhall be.
Oth. O, thou art wife; 'tis certain,

Iago. Stand you a while apart :

Confine yourself but in a patient lift 2.

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Caf. I marry her!-what a customer; I pr'ythee, bear fome charity to my wit; do not

Whilft you were here, ere while, mad with your think it fo unwholesome, Ha, ha, ha !

grief,

(A passion most unfuiting such a man)
Caffio came hither: I fhifted him away,
And laid good 'fcufe upon your ecstasy 3;

Bade him anon return, and here speak with me ;
The which he promis'd. Do but encave yourself 4,
And mark the ficers, the gibes, and notable fcorns,
That dwell in every region of his face;
For I will make him tell the tale anew,-
Where, how, how oft, how long ago, and when
He hath, and is again to cope your wife;

I fay, but mark his gefture. Marry, patience;
Or I fhall fay, you are all in all in fpleen,
And nothing of a man.

Orb. Dott thou hear, Iago?

I will be found most cunning in my patience;
But (doft thou hear ?) moft bloody.

lago. That's not amifs;

But yet keep time in all. Will you withdraw?

[Othello withdraws.

Now will I queftion Caffio of Brauca,

A housewife, that, by felling her defires,
Buys herfelf bread and cloaths: it is a creature,
That dotes on Caffio,--as 'tis the ftrumpet's plague,
To beguile many, and be beguil'd by one;
He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain

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Caf. She was here even now; the haunts me in every place. I was, the other day, talking on the fea-bank with certain Venetians; and thither comes the bauble; by this hand, fhe falls thus abou my neck ;

Oth. Crying, O dear Caffio! as it were: hi gefture imports it. Etha Caf. So hangs, and lolls, and weeps upon me; fo hales, and pulls me : ha, ha, ha !—

Oth. Now he tells, how the pluck'd him to mỹ chamber: O, I fee that nofe of yours, but not that dog I fhall throw it to. [Afide.

Caf. Well, I must leave her company. lago. Before me! look, where the comes. Enter Bianca.

Caf. 'Tis fuch another fitchew3 ! marry, a per

From the excels of laughter :-Here he comes:-fum'd onc.-What do you mean by this haunting

Enter Caffio.

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1 Unproper, for common.

within the bounds of patience. hochik, for ignorant,

[Speaking lower.

of me?

it.

Bian. Let the devil and his dam haunt you ! What did you mean by that fame handkerchief, you gave me even now? I was a fine fool to take I must take out the whole work.-A likely piece of work, that you should find it in your chamber, and not know who left it there! This is fome minx's token, and I must take out the work? There, give it your hobby-horfe: wherefoever you had it, I'll take out no work on 't.

Caf. How now, my fweet Bianca ? how now ? how now?

2 Lift, or lifts, is barriers, bounds. Keep your temper, fays Iago, 4 i. c. hide yourself in a private place.

3. e. trance.

Othello calls him. Roman ironically. Triumph, which was a Romance7 A common woman, one that invites cuftom.

remony, brought Roman into his thoughts.

3 To five, fays Mr. Steevens, originally meant no more than to cut a notch upon a tally, or to mark out a forn by indenting it on any substance; but it was foon figuratively used for setting a brand or mark of difgrace on any one. A polecar. A pole-cat was anciently one of the cant terms for a

ftrumper.

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[Ajide.

vico,

[him. Oth. By heaven, that should be my handkerchief Lago. Something from Venice, fure. 'Tis LodoBian. An you'll come to fupper to-night, you Come from the duke: and, fee, your wife is with may: an you will not, come when you are next

prepar'd for.

lago. After her, after her.

Caf. I muft, fhe'll rail in the street elfe.

lago. Will you fup there?

Caj. I intend fo.

[Exit.

lago. Well, I may chance to fee you; for 1 would very fain speak with you.

Caf. Pr'ythee, come; Will you?
Jago. Go to; fay no more.

[Exit Caffio.

Orb. How fhall I murder him, Iago?
lago. Did you perceive how he laugh'd at his vice?
Urb. O, Lago!

Jago. And did you fee the handkerchief?
Otb. Was that mine?

lago. Yours, by this hand: and to fee how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! fhe gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.

Oth. I would have him nine years a killing: A fine woman! a fair woman! a fweet woman lago. Nay, you must forget that.

Oth. Ay, let her rot, and perith, and be damn'd to-night; for the fhall not live: No, my heart is turn'd to stone; I ftrike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a fweeter creature: the might lie by an emperor's fide, and command him talks.

lago. Nay, that's not your way.

Enter Lodovico, Defdemona, and Attendants.
Led. Save you, worthy general!
Oth. With all my heart, fir.

Lod. The duke and fenators of Venice greet you
[Gives him a letter.

Oth. I kifs the inftrument of their pleasures.
Def. And what's the news, good coufin Lodovico?
lago. I am very glad to fee you, fignior ;
Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you: How does lieutenant Caffio?
lago. Lives, fir.

Def. Coufin, there's fallen between him and
my lord

An unkind breach: but you fhall make all well.
Oth. Are you fure of that?
Def. My lord?

Oth. This fail you not to do, as you

will

[Reads

Lod. He did not call; he's bufy in the paper,"
Is there divifion 'twixt thy lord and Caffio?
Def. A moft unhappy one; I would do much
To atone them ', for the love I bear to Caffio.
Oth. Fire and brimstone!
Def. My lord?

Oth. Are you wife?

Def. What, is he angry?

Lod. 'May be, the letter mov'd him ;

Orb. Hang her! I do but fay what fhe is :-So For, as I think, they do command him home, delicate with her needle!--An admirable mufi-Deputing Caffio in his government.

-sian! O, he will fing the favagenefs out of a bear!--Of so high and plenteous wit and, inven Lion!

lago. She's the worfe for all this.

Orb. O, a thoufand, a thousand times :-And then, of fo gentle a condition !——

Jaga. Ay, too gentle.

Orb. Nay, that's certain: But yet the pity of it, Iago!O, lago, the pity of it, Iago!

Iago. If you are fo fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

Orb. I will chop her into mefle! :-Cuckold me!
Tago. O, 'tis foul in her.
Oth. With mine officer !
lago. That's fouler.

Oth. Get me fome poison, Iago; this night :I'll not expoftulate with her, left her body and beauty unprovide my mind again:-this night, lago.

lago. Do it not with poifon ; ftrangle her in her bed, even the bed fhe hath contaminated. Orb. Good, good: the juftice of it pleafes; very good.

Lago. And, for Caffio,-let me be his undertaker: You thall hear more by midnight. [A trumpet within. b. Excellent good.-What trumpet is that fame ?

Def. By my troth, I am glad on 't.

Oth. Indeed?

Def. My lord?

Oth. I am glad to see you mad.
Def. Why, fweet Othello?
Otb. Devil!

Def. I have not deferv'd this.

[Striking ber

Lod. My lord, this would not be believ'd in Venice, Though I should fwear I faw it: 'Tis very much; Make her amends, the weeps.

Oth. O devil, devil!

If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop fhe falls would prove a crocodile :-
Out of my fight!

I

Def. I will not stay to offend you.

Lod. Truly, an obedient lady

Oth. Miftrefs,

do befeech your lordship, call her back.

Def. My lord?

Oth. What would you with her, fir?
Led. Who, I, my lord?

[Going

[turn:

Oth. Ay; you did with, that I would make her
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and the can weep, fir, weep;
And the's obedient, as you fay,obedient,
Very obedient-Proceed you in your tears.➡ *
Concerning this, fir,-O well-painted patlion!
I am commanded home :-Get you away;
I'll fend for you anon.-Sir, I obey the mandate,

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And will return to Venice-Hence, avaunt!
[Exit Difdemoni.
Caffio fhall have my place. And, fir, to-night,
I do entreat that we may fup together.
You are welcome, fir, to Cyprus.-Goats and
monkies!!
[Exit.
Lod. Is this the noble Moor, whom our full
fenate

Call-all-in-all fufficient ? This the noble nature
Whom pattion could not thake ? whose solid virtue
The shot of accident, nor dart of chance,
Could neither graze, nor pierce?

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What he might be,--if, what he might, he is not,—

I would to heaven, he were.

Lod. What, ftrike his wife!

[knew,

Let beaven requite it with the serpent's curfe! -7
For, if the be not honeft, chaste, and true, -'
There's no man happy; the pureft of their wive
Is foul as flander.

Otb. Bid her come hither;go[Exit Emilia.
She fays enough ;-yet, she's a fimple bawd,
That cannot fay as much. This is a fubtle whan,
A clofet lock and key of villainous fecrets Far
And yet she'll kneel, and pray; I have feen har
Re-enter Æmilia, with Defdemona.

Def. My lord, what is your will ?
Oth Pray, chuck, come hither.
Def. What is your pleafore?
Otb. Let me fee your eyes ;

Look in my face.

Def. What horrible fancy's this?

[miftrefs;

Oth. [To Emilia.] Some of your function, Leave procreants alone, and shut the door; Cough, or cry-hem, if any body come :

Iago. 'Faith, that was not fo well; yet 'would I Your mystery, your mystery ;-nay, difpatch.

That stroke would prove the worst.

Lod. Is it his use?

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Another Apartment in the Cafle.
Enter Othelio, and Emilia.

[Exeunt.

Oth. You have feen nothing then?
Emil. Nor ever heard; nor ever did suspect.
Otb. Yes, you have feen Caffio and the together.
Emil. But then I faw no harm; and then I
heard

[Exit Emilia. Def. Upon my knees, what doth your speech import ?

I underftand a fury in your words,

But not the words.

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Dej. Heaven doth truly know it
Oth. Heaven truly knows that thou art faite
Def. To whom, my lord? With whom? How
am I falfe?

Oth. O Defdemona !-away! away! away!
Def. Alas, the heavy day!-Why do you weep?
Am I the occafion of thefe tears, my lord?

Each fyllable, that breath made up between them. If, haply, you my father do fufpect

Oth. What, did they never whifper ?

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An inftrument of this your calling back,`
Lay not your blame on me; if you have lost him,
Why, I have loft him too.

Oth. Had it pleas'd heaven

Orb. To fetch her fan, her gloves, her maik, norTo try me with affiction; had he rain'd -
Emil. Never, my lord.

Oth. That's ftrange.

mil, 1 durft, my lord, to wager she is honeft, Lay down my foul at itake: if you think other, Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bofom. If any wretch hath put this in your head,

All kind of fores, and fhames, on my bare head
Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips ;
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes;
Ifhould have found in fome place of my foul
A drop of patience: but (alas !) to make me
A fixed figure for the time of fcorn 3.

&

Mr. Malone remarks, that in this exclamation Shakspeare has fhewn great art. Jege, in the first feene in which he endeavours to awaken his fufpicion, being urged to give fome evident proof of the guilt of Caffio and Defdemona, tells him it were impoffible to have ocular demonstration of it. though they fhould be as prime as goats, as hot as monkies."-Thefe words, we may fuppofe, hill ring in the ears of Othello, who being now fully convinced of his wife's infidelity, rufhes out with this emphatic exclamation:-lago's words were but too true now indeed I am convinced that they are as hot as "goats and monkies." 2. e. my opinion. 3 Mr. Rowe reads "hand of scorn;" and fucceeding editors have followed him. Mr. Steevens, however, would (though in opposition.to many great authorities in favour of the change) continue to read with the old copy the time of fcorn;" and adds, We call the hour in which we are to die, the hour of death-the time when we are to be judged-the day of judgment the inftant when we iuffer calamity--the moment of evil; and why may we not diftinguish the time which brings contempt along with it, by the title of the time of fcorn pi

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To point his flow unmoving finger at,----
0101

Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner'd up my heart;
Where either I must live, or bear no life;
The fountain from the which my current runs,
Or elfe dries up; to be difcarded thence !
Or keep it as a ciftern, for foul toads
To knot and gender in-turn thy complexion
Patience, thou young and rofe-lipp'd cherubim ;
Ay, there, look grim as hell!

[there!

Def. I hope my noble lord efteems me honeft. Oth. O, ay; as fummer flies are in the fhambles, That quicken even with blowing. O thou weed, Who art fo lovely fair, and fmell'ft fo fweet, That the fenfe aches at thee,-'Would, thou hadst ne'er been born!

Def. Alas, what ignorant fin have I committed? Oth. Was this fair paper, this moft goodly book, Made to write whore upon? What committed! Committed 2-0 thou public commoner! I should make very forges of my cheeks, That would to cinders burn up modesty, Did I but fpeak thy deed.-What committed ! Heaven stops the nose at it, and the moon winks; The bawdy wind, that kiffes all it meets, Is hufh'd within the hollow mine of earth,

And will not hear it: What committed !-Impudent ftrumpet!

Def. By heaven, you do me wrong.

Oth. Are not you a strumpet ?

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Def. No, as I am a christian :

If to preferve this veffel for my lord,
From any other foul unlawful touch,
Be-not to be a ftrumpet, I am onе.
Otb. What, not a whore?
Def. No, as I fhall be saved.
Oth. Is it poffible?
Def. O, heaven forgive us!

Oth. I cry you mercy, then;

I took you for that cunning whore of Venice,
That married with Othello.-You, mistress,
Enter Emilia.

That have the office oppofite to Saint Peter,
And keep the gate of hell; You! you! ay, you!
We have done our courfe; there's money for your
pains ;

I pray you, turn the key, and keep our counsel.

[Exit.

Emil. Alas, what does this gentleman conceive? How do you, madam? how do you, my good lady Def. 'Faith, half asleep.

Emil. Good madam, what's the matter with my lord?

Def. With who?

Emil. With my lord, madam,
Def. Who is thy lord?

Emil. He that is yours, fweet lady.

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Def. 'Tis meet I should be used fo, very meet. How have I been behav'd, that he might stick The fmall'ft opinion on my great'st abuse." Enter lago, with Æmília.

lago. What is your pleasure, madam? How "it with you? {babes Def. I cannot tell. Thofe, that do teach young Do it with gentle means, and easy tasks : He might have chid me fo; for, in good faith, I am a child to chiding.

Jago. What is the matter, lady?

Emil. Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhor'd her, Thrown fuch defpight and heavy terms upon her As true hearts cannot bear.

Def. Am I that name, Iago? lago. What name, fair lady?

Def. Such as, the fays, my lord did fay I was. Emil. He call'd her, whore; a beggar, in his

drink,

Could not have laid fuch terms upon his callet 3. i. lage. Why did he fo?

Def. I do not know; I am fure, I am none fuch Iago. Do not weep, do not weep; alas, the day! Emil. Hath fhe forfook so many noble matches, Her father, and her country, and her friends, To be call'd-whore? would it not make one weep?

Def. It is my wretched fortune. lago. Bethrew him for it!

How comes this trick upon him

Def. Nay, heaven doth know.

Emil. I will be hang'd, if fome eternal villain, Some bufy and infinuating rogue,

Some cogging, cozening slave, to get fome office, Has not devis'd this flander; I'll be hang'd elfe. lago. Fie, there is no fuch man; it is impoffible. Def. If any fuch there be, heaven pardon him! Emil. A halter pardon him! and hell gnaw his

bones!

[company?

Why should he call her, whore? who keeps her What place? what time? what form? what likelihood?

The Moor's abus'd by fome moft villainous kaave,
Some base notorious 4 knave, some scurvy fellow :---
O, heaven, that fuch companions 5 thou'dst unfold;
And put in every honest hand a whip,
To lafh the rafcal naked through the world,
Even from the east to the weft!

Jags. Speak within door 6.

[was

Amil. O, fie upon him! fome fuch squire he That turn'd your wit the feamy fide without 7, And made you to fufpect me with the Moor....

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Iago. You are a fool; go to.

Def. O good lago,

What fhall I do to win my lord again?

"Good friend, go to him; for, by this light of heaven,
I know not how I loft him. Here I kneel :-
"If e'er my will did trefpafs 'gainst his love;
Either in difcourfe, or thought, or actual deed;
Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any fense;
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 forfwear me ! Unkindness may do much;
And his unkindnefs may defeat my life,
Bat never taint my love. I cannot say, whore ;
It does abhor me, now I fpeak the word;

To do the act that might the addition earn,

Not the world's mafs of vanity could make me. lago. I pray you, be content; 'tis but his hu

mour;

The bufinefs of the ftate does him offence,
And he does chide with you.

Def. If 'twere no other,-
lago. It is but fo, I warrant you.

[Trumpets.

Hark, how thefe inftruments fummon to fupper!
And the great meffengers of Venice stay:
Go in, and weep not; all things fhall be well.
[Exeunt Dejdemona, and Æmilia.
Enter Roderigo.

How now, Roderigo ?
[me.
Red. I do not find, that thou deal'ft juftly with
lago. What in the contrary?
Rod. Every day theu doff'it nie with fome device,
Jago; and rather (as it feems to me now) keep'ft
from me all conveniency, than fuppliett me with
the leaft 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 fuf-
fered.

lego. Will you hear me, Roderigo?

Rod. Faith, I have heard too much; for your words and performances are no kin together.

lago. You charge me most unjustly.

Red. With nought but truth. I have wafted myfelf out of my means. The jewels you have had from me, to deliver to Defdemona, would half have corrupted a votarift: You have told me fhe hath receiv'd them, and return'd me expecta

and even from this inftant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Rolerigo: Thou haft taken against me a moit just exception; but yet, I proteft, I have dealt moft de rectly in thy affair.

Rod. It hath not appear'd.

Lugo. I grant, indeed, it hath riot appear'd; and your fufpicion is not without wit and judgment But, Roderigo, if thou haft that within thee indeed; which I have greater reafon to believe now than ever,-I mean, purpose, courage, and ra lour-this night fhew it: If thou the next night following enjoyeft not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devife engines for my life.

Rod. Well, what is it? is it within reafon and compafs?

Lago. Sir, there is efpecial commiffion come from Venice, to depute Caffio in Othello's place.

Rod. Is that true? why, then Othello and Def demona return again to Venice.

Lugo. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and taketh away with him the fair Defdemona, unles his abode be linger'd here by fome accident; wherein none can be fo determinate, as the removing of

Caifio.

Red. How do you mean-removing of him? Lago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othe lo's place; knocking out his brains.

Rod. And that you would have me to do? Iago. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit, and a right. He fups to-night with a harlot, and this ther will I go to hini;—he knows not yet of,i 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 picsfure; I will be near to fecond your attempt, and he fhall fall between us. Come, ftand not amaz'd at it, but go along with me; I will fhew you fuch a neceffity in his death, that you shall think yourfelf bound to put it on him. It is now high fupper-time, and the night grows to waste: about

it.

Rad. I will hear further reafon for this.

Iago, And you shall be satisfied. [Excusa.

SCENE III.
A Room in the Cafile.

tions and comforts of fudden refpect and acquain- Enter Oibello, Lodovico, Defdemona, Æmilia, ard tance; but I find none.

Jago. Well; go to; very well.

Rod. Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; Dor 'tis not very well: By this hand, I fay, it is very fcurvy; and begin to find myself fobb'd in it. lago. Very well.

Rod. 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 fuit, and repent my unlawful folicitation; if not, affure yourfelf, I will seek fatisfaction of you.

lago. You have faid now.

Rod. Ay, and I have faid nothing but what I proteft intendment of doing.

Iago. Why, now I fee there's mettle in thee;

Attendants.

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