Oth. Say you ? Des. It is not lost; But what an if it were? Oth. Ha! Des. I say, it is not lost. Oth. Fetch't, let me see it. Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now; This is a trick, to put me from my suit; I pray, let Cassio be receiv'd again. Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgives. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. A man that, all his time, Hath founded his good fortune on your love; Shar'd dangers with you ; Oth. The handkerchief, Des. In sooth, You are to blame. Oth. Away! Emil. Is not this man jealous? [Exit OTHELLO. Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man : Enter IAGO and CASSIO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and impórtunẹ her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, That, by your virtuous means, I may again Exist, and be a member of his love, Whom I, with all the duty of my heart, Entirely honour; I would not be delay'd: That neither service past, nor present sorrows, Can ransome me into his love again; To fortune's alms. Des. Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, So help me, every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best; And stood within the blank of his displeasure,* For my free speech! You must a while be patient : What I can do, I will; and more I will, Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you. Emil. He went hence but now, And, certainly, in strange unquietness. Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, When it hath blown his ranks into the air, And, like the devil, from his very arm Puff'd his own brother ;-And can he be angry ? : [Exit. Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases, Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so; And it endues our other healthful members Even to that sense of pain. Men are not gods; Nay, we must think, Nor of them look for such observances › As fit the bridal."-Beshrew me much, Emilia, I was (unhandsome warrior as I am,)6 I Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness, And he's indited falsely. Emil. Pray heaven, it be state-matters, as you think ; And no conception, nor no jealous toy Concerning you. Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. [1] In favour---in look, in countenance. Some treason that has not taken effect. [2] Within the shot of his anger. JOHNSON. [4] I believe it should be rather, Subdues our other healthful members to a sense of pain. JOHNSON. [5] That is, the nuptial feast. A Saxon word. STEEVENS. [6] Unhandsome warrior---unfair assailant. 12 VOL. X. JOHNSON. H.2 Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so ; But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to effect it to my uttermost. Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship. [Exe. DESD. and Enter BIANCA. Bran. Save you, friend Cassio! Cas. What make you from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca ? Cas. Pardon me, Bianca; [EMIL. I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd; Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, [Giving her DESDEMONA's handkerchief. Take me this work out. Bian. O, Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend. Is it come to this? Well, well. Cas. Woman, go to ! Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now, That this is from some mistress, some remembrance : No, in good troth, Bianca. Bian. Why, whose is it? Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber. I like the work well; ere it be demanded, (As like enough, it will,) I'd have it copied : Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time. Bian. Leave you! wherefore? Cas. I do attend here on the general; Time less interrupted, time which I can call more my own. JOHNSON. The meaning is not, Pick out the work and leave the ground plain; but Copy this work in another handkerchief. JOHNSON. And think it no addition, nor my wish, Cas. Not that I love you not. Bian. But that you do not love me. I pray you, bring me on the way a little ; Cas. 'Tis but a little way, that I can bring you, Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanc'd. ACT IV. [Exeunt. SCENE I.—The same. Enter OTHELLO and IAGO. lago. WILL you think so? Oth. Think so, Iago? Iago. What, To kiss in private ? Oth. An unauthoriz'd kiss. Iago. Or to be naked with her friend abed, An hour, or more, not meaning any harm? Oth. Naked abed, Iago, and not mean harm? It is hypocrisy against the devil : They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. Iago. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip : But if I give my wife a handkerchief, Oth. What then? Iago. Why, then 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. Oth. She is protectress of her honour too; May she give that? Iago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen ; They have it very oft, that have it not : But, for the handkerchief, Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it : Thou saidst,—O, it comes o'er my memory, As doth the raven o'er the infected house, Boding to all, he had my handkerchief. Iago. Ay, what of that? Oth. That's not so good, now. Iago. What, if I had said, I had seen him do you wrong ? Or heard him say,-As knaves be such abroad, Who having, by their own importunate suit, Oth. Hath he said any thing? Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd, No more than he'll unswear. Oth. What hath he said? lago. 'Faith, that he did,—I know not what he did. Oth. What? what? lago. Lie Oth. With her? Iago. With her, on her; what you will. Oth. Lie with her! lie on her!-We say, lie on her, when they belie her: Lie with her! that's fulsome.Handkerchief,-confessions,-handkerchief.--To confess, and be hanged for his labour.-First, to be hanged, and then to confess :-I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion, without some instruction. It is not words, that shake me thus :-Pish !— Noses, ears, and lips :--Is it possible ?-Confess !—Handkerchief!--O devil![Falls in a trance. Iago. Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught My lord, I say! Othello !-How now, Cassio? Iago. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy; Iago. No, forbear : The lethargy must have his quiet course : If not, he foams at mouth; and, by and by, Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs : [Exit CAS. --How is it, general? have you not hurt your head? Cth. Dost thou mock me? Iago. I mock you! no, by heaven : 'Would, you would bear your fortunes like a man. Oth. A horned man's a monster, and a beast. |