Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming. Oth. I do believe 'twas he. Des. How now, my lord? I have been talking with a suitor here, A man that languishes in your displeasure. Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good my lord, For, if he be not one that truly loves you, Oth. Went he hence now ? Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled, That he hath left part of his grief with me; I suffer with him. Good love, call him back. Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time. Des. But shall 't be shortly? The sooner, sweet, for you. Oth. Des. To-morrow dinner then? No, not to-night. I shall not dine at home; I meet the captains at the citadel. Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn; Or Tuesday noon, or night; or Wednesday morn ;I pray thee, name the time; but let it not Exceed three days: in faith, he 's penitent; And yet his trespass, in our common reason, (Save that, they say, the wars must make examples To incur a private check: When shall he come? What you could ask me, that I should deny, Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio, To bring him in! Trust me, I could do much, Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he will; I will deny thee nothing. Des. Why, this is not a boon; 'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves, Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm; To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit, And fearful to be granted. I will deny thee nothing: Oth. To leave me but a little to myself. Des. Shall I deny you? no: Farewel, my lord. straight. Des. Emilia, come:-Be it as your fancies teach you; Whate'er you be, I am obedient. [Exit with EMIL. Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. Iago. My noble lord, Oth. What dost thou say, Iago? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Know of your love? Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask? Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought; No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think, he had been acquainted with her. Oth. O, yes; and went between us very oft. Jago. Indeed? Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed:-Discern'st thou aught in Oth. By heaven, he echoes me, Think, my lord! As if there were some monster in his thought Some horrible conceit: If thou dost love me, Iago. My lord, you know I love you. Oth. I think, thou dost; And, for I know thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath,—— Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more: For such things, in a false disloyal knave, Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that 's just, They are close denotements, working from the heart, 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. I think that Cassio is an honest man. I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, Why then, 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 session 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, You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom, Oth. What dost thou mean? 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, no thing; '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. Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! Iago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; To him that ever fears he shall be poor:- Oth. Why? why is this? Think'st thou, I 'd make a life of jealousy, With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt, Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous, 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 conscience Is-not to leave undone, but keep 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. 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. F I am bound to thee for ever. |