That either makes me, or fordoes me quite. For to deny each article with oath,

(Exeunt. Cannot remove, nor choke, the strong conception, SCENE II. A bed-chamber: Desdemona in bed That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. asleep. A light burning.

Des. Then, Lord have mercy on me!
Enter OTHELLO.

Oth. I say, amen.
Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, Des. And have you mercy too!- I never did
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars !- Offend

you in my life: never lov’d Cassio, It is the cause!-Yet I'll not shed her blood; But with such general warranty of heaven Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, As I might love: I never gave him token. And smooth as monumental alabaster.

Oth. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his hand!

[Takes off his sword. O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. and mak'st me call, what I intend to do,Pat out the light, and then put out the light ! A murder, which I thought a sacrifice: If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,

I saw the handkerchief.
I can again thy former light restore,

Des. He found it then;
Should I repent me:- but once put out thine, I never gave it him. — Send for him hither,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, And let him confess a truth.
I know not where is that Promethean heat,

Oth. He hath confess'd.,
That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd

Des. What, my

lord? they rose,

Oth. That he hath - us'd thee. I cannot give it vital growth again,

Des. How? unlawfully? It needs must wither:-I'll smell it on the tree.

Oth. Ay. [Kissing her.

Des. He'll not say so. o balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

Oth. No, his mouth is stopp'd: Justice to break her sword! – One more, one more!- Honest lago hath ta'en order for't. Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, Des. My fear interprets then, — what, is he dead? And love thee after. - One more, and this the last ! Oth. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,

Had stomach for them all. But they are cruel tears. This sorrow's heavenly; Des. Alas! he is betray'd, and I undone, It strikes, where it doth love. - She wakes - Oth. Out, strumpet! Weep’st thou for him to my Des. Who's there? Othello?

face? Oth. Ay, Desdemona!

Des. 0, banish me, my lord, but kill me not ! Des. Will you come to bed, my lord ?

Oth. Down, strumpet! Oth. Have you pray'd to-night, Desdemona ? Des. Kill me to-morrow, let me live to-night! Des. Ay, my lord !

Oth. Nay, if you strive, Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime,

Des. But half on hour. Upreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace,

Oth. Being done,
Solicit for it straight.

There is no pause.
Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that? Des. But while I say one prayer.
Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by : Oth. It is too late.

[He smothers her. I would not kill thy unprepared spirit;

Emil. (Within.] My lord, my lord! what ho! my No, - Heaven forefend! - I would not kill thy soul.

lord! Des. Talk you of killing?

Oth. What noise is this? Not dead! not yet Oth.Ay, I do.

quite dead? Des. Then heaven

1, that am cruel, am yet merciful; Have mercy on me!

I would not have thee linger in thy pain. Oth. Amen, with all my heart !

So, so. Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Emil. (Within.) What ho! my lord, my lord ! Oth. Humph!

Oth. Who's there? Des. And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then, Emil. (Within.] 0, good my lord, I would speak a When your eyes roll so. Why I should fear, I know word with you! not,

Oth. Yes ;— 'tis Emilia: by and by. - She's dead. Since guiltiness I know not; but yet, I feel, I fear. 'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death; Oth. Think on thy sins.

The noise was high.-Ha! no more moving ? Des. They are loves I bear to you.

Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were't good ? Oth. Ay, and for that thou diest.

I think, she stirs again. — No. — What's the best? Des. That death's unnatural, that kills for loving. If she come in, she'll sure speak to my wife: Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?

My wife! my wife! what wife?--I have no wife! Some bloody passion shakes your very frame: o, insupportable! O heavy hour! These are portents; but yet I hope, i hope, Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse They do not point on me.

Of sun and moon; and that the affrighted globe Oth. Peace, and be still!

Should yawn at alteration. Des. I will so; what's the matter?

Emil. ( Within. ) I do beseech you, I may speak Oth. That handkerchief, which I so lov'd, and gave thee,

0, good my lord! Thou gav'st to Cassio.

Oth. I had forgot thee: 0, come in, Emilia ! Des. No, by my life and soul!

Soft, — by and by:- let me the curtains draw. Send for man, and ask him.

Where art thou? What's the matter with thee now? Oth. Sweet soul, take heed,

(Unlocks the door. Take heed of perjury! thou’rt on thy death-bed!

Enter Emilia. Des. Ay, but not yet to die.

Emil. O, good my lord, yonder's foul murder Oth. Yes, presently!

done. Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin ;

Oth. What? now?

lord ! my

with you,

:

а

Emil. But now, my lord !

The Moor has kill'd my mistress : murder! murder! Oth. It is the very error of the moon;

Enter Montano, Gratiano, and lago. She comes more near the earth, than she was wont; Mon. What is the matter! - How now, general ? And makes men mad.

Emil. O, are you come, Iago ? you have done well, Emil. Cassio, my lord, has kill'd a young Venetian, That men must lay their murders on your neck. Callid — Roderigo.

Gra. What is the matter? Oth. Poderigo kill'd !

Emil. Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man: And Cassio kill'd?

He says, thou told'st him that his wife was false: No, Cassio is not kill'd.

I kno thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain; Oth. Not Cassio kill'd? Then murder's out of tune, Speak, for my heart is full. And sweet revenge grows harsh.

Iago. I told him what I thought; and told no more, Des., 0, falsely, falsely murder'd !

Than what he found himself was apt and true. Emil. Alas! what cry is that?

Emil. But did you ever tell him, she was false? Oth. That! what!

Iago. I did. Emil. Out, and alas! that was my lady's voice: - Emil. You told a lie, an odious, damned lie! Help! help! ho! help - 0) lady, speak again! Upon my soul, a lie! a wicked lie!. Sweet Desdemona! o, sweet mistress, speak! She false with Cassio !-- Did you say with Cassio ? Des. A guiltless death I die.

Iago. With Cassio, mistress! go to, charm your Emil. O, who hath done

tongue! This deed?

Emil. I will not charm my tongue: I am bound to Des. Nobody; I myself; farewell !

speak; Commend me to my kind lord; 0, farewell! [Dies. My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed. Oth. Why, how should she be murder'd ?

All. O heavens forefend ! Emil. Alas, who knows?

Emil. And your reports have set the murder on. Oth. You heard her say herself, it was not I. Oth. Nay, stare not, masters; it is true, indeed! Emil. She said so; I must needs report the truth. Gra. 'Tis a strange truth.

Oth. She's, like a liar, gone to burning hell; Mon. O monstrous act! 'Twas I that kill'd her.

Emil. Villainy, villainy, villainy! Emil. O, the more angel she,

I think upon’t, — I think, - I smellt; - O villainy! And you the blacker devil!

I thought so then; -- I'll kill myself for grief. Oth. She turu'd to folly, and she was a whore. O villainy, villainy ! Emil. Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil. Iago. What, are you mad? I charge you, get yon Oti he was false as water.

home! Emil. Thou art rash as fire, to say

Emil. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak; That she was false; 0, she was heavenly true! 'Tis proper I obey him, but not now:

Oth. Cassio did tup her: ask thy husband else. Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. 0, I were damn'd beneath all depth in hell,

Oth. O! O! O! (Hanging over his wife. But that I did proceed upon just grounds

Emil. Nay, lay thee down, and roar ;
To this extremity: thy husband knew it all. For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent,
Emil. My husband?

That e'er did list up eye.
Oth. Thy husband.

Oth. 0, she was foul! Emil. That she was false to wedlock ?

I scarce did know you, uncle! there lies your niece, Oth. Ay, with Cassio.

Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly Nay, had she been true,

stopp'd; If heaven would make me such another world know, this act shows horrible and grim. of one entire and perfect chrysolite,

Gra. Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead; I'd not have sold her for it.

Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief Emil. My husband ?

Shore his old thread in twain : did he live nos Oth. Ay, 'twas he that told me first;

This sight would make him do a desperate turn, An honest man he is, and hates the slime

Yea, curse his better angel from his side, That sticks on filthy deeds.

And fall to reprobation. Emil. My husband ?

Oth. 'Tis pitiful: but yet Jago knows, Oth. What needs this iterance, woman? I say, thy That she with Cassio hath the act of shame husband.

A thousand times committed : Cassio confess'd it: Emil. o mistress, villainy hath made mocks with And she did gratify his amorous works love!

With that recognizance and pledge of love, My husband say, that she was false ?

Which I first gave her; I saw it in his hand; Oth. He, woman;

It was a handkerchief, an antique token
I say, thy husband. Dost unterstand the word? My father gave my mother.
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago. Émil. O heaven! O heavenly powers !

Emil. If he say so, may his pernicious soul Iago. Come, hold your peace!
Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart; Emil.'Twill out,'twill out;-I hold my peace,sir? no;
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. No, I will speak as liberal as the air;
Oth. Ha!

Let heaven, and men, and devils, let them all, Emil. Do thy worst;

All, all, cry shame against me, yet I'll speak! This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven, Iago. Be wise, and get you home! Than thou wast worthy her.

Emil. I will not. [iago offers to stab his wife. Oth. Peace, you were best.

Gra. Fye!
Emil. Thou hast not half the power to do me harm, Your sword upon a woman ?
As I have to be hurt. O gull! o dolt!

Emil. O thou dall Moor! that handkerchief thou As ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed,

speak'st of, I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known, I found by fortune, and did give my husband ; Though I lost twenty lives. -Help !help, ho! help ! For often, with a solemu earnestness,

Oth. Ay.

a

a

(More than, indeed, belong'd to such a trifle, ) Lod. Wrench his sword from him. He begg’d of me to steal it.

Iago. I bleed, sir; but not kill'd. Iago. Villainous whore!

Oth. I am not sorry neither; I'd have thee live: Emil. She give it Cassio! no, alas; I found it For, in my sense, 'tis happiness to die. And I did give't my husband.

Lod. o thou Othello, that was once so good, Iago. Filth, thou liest!

Fall’n in the practice of a cursed slave, Emil

. By heaven, I do not! I do not, gentlemen! What shall be said to thee? O murd'rous coxcomb! what should such a fool Oth. Why, any thing: Do with so good a wife?

An honourable murderer, if you will; [Iago stabs Emilia, then runs out. For nought I did in hate, but all in honour. Oth. Are there no stones in heaven,

Lod. This wretch hath part confess’d his villainy; But what serve for the thunder ?- Precious villain ! Did you and he consent in Cassio's death? Gra. The woman falls; sure, he has kill'd his wife. Emil. Ay, ay; 0, lay me by my mistress' side! Cus. Dear general, I never gave you cause, Gra. He's gone, but his wife's kill'd.

Oth. I do believe it; and I ask your pardon! Mon. 'Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon, Will you, I pray you, demand that demi-devil, Which I have here recover'd from the Moor, Why he hath thus ensnar'd my soul and body? Come, guard the door without ; let him not pass, Iago. Demand me nothing: what you know, you But kill him rather; I'll after that same villain, know: For 'tis a damned slave.

From this time forth I never will speak word. (Exeunt Montano and Gratiano. Lod. What? not to pray ? Oth. I am not valiant neither,

Gra. Torments will ope your lips. But every puny whipster gets my sword:

Oth. Well, thou dost best. But why should honour outlive honesty ?

Lod. Sir, you shall understand what hath befall'n, Let it

go
all.

Which, as I think, you know not: here is a letter, Emil. What did thy song bode, lady?

Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo;
Hark, can'st thou hear me? I will play the swan, And here, another: the one of them imports
And die in music;— Willow, willow, willow.- The death of Cassio to be untertook
Moor, she was chaste; she lov'd thee, cruel Moor: By Roderigo.
So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;"

Oih. O villain !
So speaking as I think, I die,-1 die! (Dies. Cus. Most heathenish, and most gross !

Oth. I have another weapon in this chamber, Lod. Now here's another discontented paper,
It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper; Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,
O, here it is : Uncle, I must come forth.

Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain;
Gra.[Within.]If thou attemptit, it will cost thee dear; But that, belike, Iago in the interim
Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer. Came in and satisfied him.

Oth. Look in upon me then, and speak with me, Oth. O the pernicious caitiff!-
Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee!

How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief
Re-enter GRATIANO.

That was my wife's ?
Gra. What is the matter?

Cas. I found it in my chamber : Oth. Behold! I have a weapon;

And he himself confess’d, but even now, A better never did itself sustain

That there he dropp'd it, for a special parpose, Upon a soldier's thigh ; I have seen the day, Which wrought to his desire. That, with this little arm, and this good sword, Oth. O fool! fool! fool! I have made my way through more impediments, Cas. There is, besides, in Roderigo's letter, Than twenty times your stop :—but, О vain boast! How he upbraids lago, that he made him Who can control his fate? 'is not so now.- Brave me upon the watch; whereon it came Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d; That I was cast: and even but now he spake, Here is my journey's end, here is my butt, After long seeming dead,-Iago hurt him, And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.

Sago set him on. Do you go back dismay’d? 'tis a lost fear;

Lod. You must forsake this room, and go with us ; Man but a rush against Othello's breast,

Your power and your command is taken oil, And he retires; — where should Othello go? And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, – Now, how dost thon look now? O ill-starr'd wench! If there be any cunning cruelty, Pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt, That can torment him much, and hold him long, This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven, It shall be his; you shall close prisoner rest, Aud fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold my girl? Till that the nature of your fault be known Even like thy chastity:

To the Venetian state. — Come, bring him away! O cursed, cursed slave !- Whip me, ye devils, Oth. Soft you; a word or two, before you go! From the possession of this heavenly sight! I have done the state some service, and they know it: Blow me about in winds! roast me in sulphur! No more of of that:- I pray you, in your letters, Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!- When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead ?

Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, Dead? 0! 0! 0!

Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak Enter Lodovico, Mortaro, Cassio carried in a chair. Of one, that lov'd not wisely, but too well; and Officers, with lago, prisoner.

Of one, not easily jealous, but, being wrought, Lod. Where is this rash and most unfortunate Perplex'd in the extreme; of one, whose hand,

Like the base Judean, threw a pearl away,
Oth. That's he, that was Othello; here I am. Richer than all his tribe; of one, whose subdu'd eyes,
Lod. Where is that viper? bring the villain forth! Albeit unused to the melting mood,

Oth. I look down towards his feet;-but that's a fable: Drop tears as fast, as the Arabian trees
If that thou be'st a devil, I cannut kill thee. Their medicinal gum. Set you down this :

[Othello wounds Iago. And say, besides, that in Aleppo ouce,

:

man ?

a

Where a malignant and a turban’d Turk

Lod. O Spartan dog, Beat a Venetian, and traduc'd the state,

More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea ! I took by the throat the circumcised dog, Look on the tragic loading of this bed; (To lago. And smote him—thus.

Stabs himself. This is thy work! the object poisons sight; Lord. O bloody period !

Let it be hid! - Gratiano, keep the house, Gra. All, that's spoke, is marr'd.

And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor, Oth. I kiss'd thee, ere I kill'd thee;- no way but For they succeed to you.-To you, lord governor, this,

(Falling upon Desdemona. Remains the censure of this hellish villain; Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

(Dies. The time, the place, the torture, - enforce it! Cas. This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon, Myself will straight aboard; and, to the state, For he was great of heart.

This heavy act with heavy heart relate. (Exeunt.

THE END.

LEIPSIC,
PRINTED BY B. G. TEUBNER.

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