OTHELLO.
O Iago!
IAGO.
And did you see the handkerchief?
OTHELLO.
Was that mine?
IAGO.
Yours, by this hand: and to see how he prizes the foolish woman
your wife! she gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.
OTHELLO.
I would have him nine years a-killing. — A fine woman! a fair
woman! a sweet woman!
IAGO.
Nay, you must forget that.
OTHELLO.
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for
she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; I strike
it, and it hurts my hand. — O, the world hath not a sweeter
creature: she might lie by an emperor's side, and command him
tasks.
IAGO.
Nay, that's not your way.
OTHELLO.
Hang her! I do but say what she is: — so delicate with her
needle! — an admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness
out of a bear! — Of so high and plenteous wit and invention! —
IAGO.
She's the worse for all this.
OTHELLO.
O, a thousand, a thousand times: — and then, of so gentle a
condition!
IAGO.
Ay, too gentle.
OTHELLO.
Nay, that's certain: — but yet the pity of it, Iago!
O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
IAGO.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to
offend; for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
OTHELLO.
I will chop her into messes. — Cuckold me!
IAGO.
O, 'tis foul in her.
OTHELLO.
With mine officer!
IAGO.
That's fouler.
OTHELLO.
Get me some poison, Iago; this night. — I'll not expostulate
with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again: —
this night, Iago.
IAGO.
Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the
bed she hath contaminated.
OTHELLO.
Good, good: the justice of it pleases: very good.
IAGO.
And for Cassio, — let me be his undertaker: — you shall hear
more by midnight.
OTHELLO.
Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is that same?
IAGO.
Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico
Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him.
[Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.]
LODOVICO.
Save you, worthy general!
OTHELLO.
With all my heart, sir.
LODOVICO.
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
[Gives him a packet.]
OTHELLO.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
[Opens the packet and reads.]
DESDEMONA.
And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?
IAGO.
I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.
LODOVICO.
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
IAGO.
Lives, sir.
DESDEMONA.
Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord
An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
OTHELLO.
Are you sure of that?
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
[Reads.] "This fail you not to do, as you will, — "
LODOVICO.
He did not call; he's busy in the paper.
Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio?
DESDEMONA.
A most unhappy one: I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
OTHELLO.
Fire and brimstone!
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
Are you wise?
DESDEMONA.
What, is he angry?
LODOVICO.
May be the letter mov'd him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.
DESDEMONA.
Trust me, I am glad on't.
OTHELLO.
Indeed!
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
I am glad to see you mad.
DESDEMONA.
Why, sweet Othello, —
OTHELLO.
Devil! [Striking her.]
DESDEMONA.
I have not deserv'd this.
LODOVICO.
My lord, this would not be believ'd in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw't: 'tis very much:
Make her amends; she weeps.
OTHELLO.
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. —
Out of my sight!
DESDEMONA.
[Going.] I will not stay to offend you.
LODOVICO.
Truly, an obedient lady: —
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
OTHELLO.
Mistress!
