Stay you, good gentlewoman: mistress? look you pale, Do you perceive the gastness of her eye? Though tongues were out of use. Emil. 'Las, what's the matter; what's the matter, husband? Iago. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark, By Roderigo, and fellows that are scap'd; Emil. Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cas sio! Iago. This is the fruit of whoring. Pr'ythee, Emilia, Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to night: What, do you shake at that? To Binca Bian. He supp'd at my house; but I therefore shake not. Iago. O, did he so? I charge you, go with me. Emil. Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet! Bian. I am no strumpet; but of life as honest, As you that thus abuse me. Emil. As I? foh! fie upon thee! Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio drefs'd: Emilia, run you to the citadel, And tell my lord and lady what has happ'd. Will you go on, 1 pray? This is the night, [Aside. That either makes me, or fordoes me quite. [Exeunt. A Bed-chamber: DESDEMONA in bed, asleep. 4 light burning. Enter OTHELLO. Oth. It is the cause, soul, it is the cause, my Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars! It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. [takes off his sword. Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light: If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore, Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, I cannot give it vital growth again, It needs must wither: I'll smell it on the [kissing her. tree. O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Justice herself to break her sword! Once Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill more. thee, And love thee after: the last: Once more, and this So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, ly; It strikes, where it doth love. Des. Who's there? Othello? Oth. Ay, Desdemona, She wakes Des. Will you come to bed, my lord? Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime, Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace, Solicit for it straight. Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that? Oth. Well, do it, and be brief; I will walk by: I would not kill thy unprepared spirit; No, Heaven forefend! thy soul. I would not kill Des. Talk you of killing? Oth. Ay, I do. Des. Then, heaven Have mercy on me! Oth. Amen, with all my heart! Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Oth. Humph! Des. And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then, When your eyes roll so: Why I should fear, I know not, Since guiltiness I know not; but yet, I feel, I fear. Oth. Think on thy sins. Des. They are loves I bear to you. Oth. Ay, and for that thou dy'st. Des. That death's unnatural, that kills for loving, Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame: These are portents; but yet, I hope, I hope, They do not point on me. Oth. Peace, and be still! Des. I will so: What's the matter? Oth. That handkerchief, which I so lov'd, and gave thee, Thou gav'st to Cassio. Des. No, by my life and soul; Send for the man, and ask him. Oth. Sweet soul, take heed, Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed. Des. Ay, but not yet to die. Oth. Yes, presently: Therefore confefs thee freely of thy sin; Cannot remove, nor choke, the strong concep tion That I do groan withal. Thou art to die. Des. Then, Lord have mercy on me! Oth. I say, amen. Des. And have you mercy too! I never did Offend you in my life; never lov'd Cassio, But with such general warranty of heaven As I might love: I never gave him token. Oth. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his hand. O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, And mak'st me call, what I intend to do, → |