OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. EDITED BY WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK AND WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOLUME IV. NEW YORK: WM. L. ALLISON COMPANY. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place: Nonsuits my mediators; for, Certes," says he, " 10 And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, +A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, 20 Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd 30 And I-God bless the mark!-his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, Preferment goes by letter and affection, And not by old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself, To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him then. Tago. O, sir, content you: I follow him to serve my turn upon him: You shall mark Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, That, doting on his own obsequious bondage, Wears out his time, much like his master's ass, For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd: Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, 40 50 Do well thrive by them and when they have lined their coats Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, 60 For when my outward action doth demonstrate |