Des.

I pray, talk me of Cassio.

Oth.

The handkerchief!

Des.

A man that all his time

Hath founded his good fortunes on your love;
Shared dangers with you

Sure, there 's some wonder in this handkerchief:

I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

[Sits.

Emil.

'Tis not a year or two shows us a man:

Look you-Cassio and my husband!

[Enter Cassio and Iago, at back.

Iago.

There is no other way; 'tis she must do 't:

And, lo, the happiness! go, and impòrtune her.

Des.

How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you ?

Cas.

Madam, my former suit.

[Advances R.

1

Des.

Alas! thrice gentle Cassio!

My advocation is not now in tune;

My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,

Were he in favour, as in humour, altered.

You must awhile be patient :

What I can do I will; and more I will

Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you.

Is my lord angry?

Iago.

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
Puffed his own brother; - and can he be angry ?
Something of moment, then: I will go meet him.

Des.

I pr'ythee do so.

Iago.

There's matter in 't indeed, if he be angry.

Something, sure, of state

Des.

[Exit Iago L.

Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,

Though great ones are their object.

Nay, we must think men are not gods,
Nor of them look for such observances

As fit the bridal.

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.

[Exit Cassio R.

I humbly thank your ladyship.

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!

Emil.

But jealous souls will not be answered so;
They are not ever jealous for the cause,

But jealous for they are jealous: 't is a monster

Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Des.

Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! [Kneels.

Yes, you have seen Cassio and her together.

Emil.

But then I saw no harm, and then I heard
Each syllable that breath made up between them.

To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?

Emil.

Never, my lord.

Oth.

That's strange.

Emil.

I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,

Lay down my soul at stake: if you think other,
Remove your thought,-it doth abuse your bosom.
If any wretch have put this in your head,

Let Heaven requite it with the serpent's curse!
For, if she be not honest, chaste and true,
There's no man happy; the purest of their wives
Is foul as slander.

Bid her come hither :-go.

Oth.

[Exit Emilia R.

She says enough;- yet she's a simple one
That cannot say as much. This is a subtle jade,
A closet lock and key of villainous secrets;

And yet she 'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do 't.

[Enter Desdemona and Emilia R.

Some of your function, mistress; shut the door;
Cough, or cry hem, if anybody come:

Your mystery, your mystery;- nay, despatch.

Des.

[Exit Emilia R.

Upon my knees, what doth your speech import ?
I understand a fury in your words,

But not the words.

Oth.

Why, what art thou ?

Des.

Your wife, my lord; your true

And loyal wife.

Oth.

Come, swear it, damn thyself;

Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves

Should fear to seize thee: swear thou art honest.

Des.

Heaven doth truly know it.

Oth.

Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.