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. O, 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.

IAGO enters L.

[Exit OTHELLO R.

Iago. I will in Cassio's lodging lose this kerchief And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ; this may do something. The Moor already changes with my poison :Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons, Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But, with a little act upon the blood,

Burn like the mines of sulphur.-I did say so:Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,

Shall ever med'cine thee to that sweet sleep

Which thou ow'dst yesterday.

Oth.

Re-enter OTHELLO R.

Ha ha! false to me

Iago. Why, how now, general! no more of that.

Oth. Avaunt! begone! thou hast set me on the

rack :

I swear 't is better to be much abus'd

Than but to know 't a little.

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 pr'ythee 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?-

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.

I do beseech you,

Iago.
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
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,

To say my wife is fair, 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, Iago;
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!

Iago. I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me:-I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife;-observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye 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 show their husbands; their best con

science

Is not to leave 't undone, but keep 't unknown.

Oth. Dost thou say so?

Iago. 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 seal her father's eyes up, close as oak,-

He thought 't was 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.

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

Iago.

I' faith, I fear it has.

I hope you will consider what is spoke

Comes from my love;-but I do see you're mov'd :

I am to pray you not to strain my speech

To grosser issues nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

Oth. I will not.

Iago.

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're mov'd.

Oth.

No, not much mov'd:

I do not think but Desdemona's honest.

Iago. 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 disproportions, thoughts unnatural,
But, pardon me; I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,