That passion cannot rule.

Iago.

For Michael Cassio,

I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest.
Oth. I think so, too.

Iago.
Men should be what they seem;
Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none
Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem.
Iago. Why then I think, Cassio's an honest man.
Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this.

I 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...

As where's that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions

Keep leets and law-days, and in sessions sit
With meditations lawful?

Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear A stranger to thy thoughts.

Iago.
I do beseech you
Though I, perchance, am vicious in my guess
-As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy

Shapes faults that are not-that your wisdom yet,
From one that so imperfectly conceits,

Would take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.

What dost thou mean?

Oth. 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. lago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.

Oth. Ha!

Iago. Oh! beware, my lord, of Jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth makes The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, oh, what damned minutes tells he o'er,

Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. Oh, misery!

lago. 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.

Good Heaven the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

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
Is once to be resolv'd. Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,

Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous,
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, lago;
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And, on the proof, there is no more but this,-
Away at once with love, or jealousy.

you

Jago. I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason To shew the love and duty that I bear With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound, Receive it from me. speak not yet of proof.Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; Wear your eyes thus, not jealous, nor secure. I would not have your free and noble nature, Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't.

I know our country disposition well;

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not shew their husbands; their best con

science

Is not to leave undone, but keep unknown.

Oth. Dost thou say so?

Jago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks, She lov'd them most.

Oth. Iago.

And so she did.

Why, go to, then; She that, so young, could give out such a seeming, To seel her father's eyes up, close as oak

-He thought, 'twas witchcraft... But I am much to blame;

I humbly do beseech you of your pardon,
For too much loving you.

Oth.

I am bound to thee for ever.

Trust me, I fear it has.

Iago. I see, this hath a little dash'd your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.

Iago.

I hope, you will consider what is spoke

Comes from my love.-But, I do see you are mov❜d. I am to pray you, not to strain my speech

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

Oth. Iago.

I will not.

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 mov'd.

Oth.

No, not much mov'd.

I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

lago. 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;
Whereto, we see, in all things Nature tends...
Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank,
Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.
But pardon me; I do not, in position,
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And happily repent..

Oth.

Farewell, farewell. If more thou dost perceive, let me know more. Set on thy wife to observe; leave me, lago. Iago. My lord, I take my leave. [Going. Oth. Why did I marry?-This honest creature, doubtless,

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
Jago. My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time.
Although 'tis fit that Cassio have his place
-For, sure, he fills it up with great ability-
Yet, if you please to hold him off a while,
You shall by that perceive him and his means;
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement importunity:
Much will be seen in that. In the mean time,
Let me be thought too busy in my fears
-As worthy cause I have, to fear I am-
And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Oth. Fear not my government.
Iago.
I once more take my leave. [Exit.
Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,

And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind,
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black,
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have; or, for I am declin'd
Into the vale of years... yet that's not much.
She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief
Must be to loathe her. Oh, curse of marriage!
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites. I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love

For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones:
Prerogativ'd are they less than the base;
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death;
Even then this forked plague is fated to us,
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes.

Enter DESDEMONA and EMILIA.

If she be false, oh, then Heaven mocks itself!-
I'll not believe it.

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. Why 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;

[The Handkerchief falls on the ground. Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you. Des. I am very sorry that you are not well.

[Exeunt OтH. and DES. Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin.