The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [890]
Nay, you must forget that.
OTHELLO.
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight, for
she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it,
and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature.
She might lie by an emperor's side, and command him tasks.
IAGO.
Nay, that's not your way.
OTHELLO.
Hang her! I do but say what she is. So delicate with her
needle, an admirable musician. O, she will sing the savageness
out of a bear. Of so high and plenteous wit and invention-
IAGO.
She's the worse for all this.
OTHELLO.
O, a thousand, a thousand times. And then, of so gentle a condition!
IAGO.
Ay, too gentle.
OTHELLO.
Nay, that's certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago!
O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!
IAGO.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to
offend, for, if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.
OTHELLO.
I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!
IAGO.
O, 'tis foul in her.
OTHELLO.
With mine officer!
IAGO.
That's fouler.
OTHELLO.
Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I'll not expostulate
with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again.
This
night, Iago.
IAGO.
Do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed
she hath contaminated.
OTHELLO.
Good, good, the justice of it pleases, very good.
IAGO.
And for Cassio, let me be his undertaker. You shall hear more by midnight.
OTHELLO.
Excellent good. [A trumpet within.] What trumpet is that same?
IAGO.
Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico
Come from the Duke. And, see your wife is with him.
Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.
LODOVICO. God save the worthy general!
OTHELLO.
With all my heart, sir.
LODOVICO.
The Duke and Senators of Venice greet you.
Gives him a letter.
OTHELLO.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
Opens the letter, and reads.
DESDEMONA.
And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?
IAGO.
I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.
LODOVICO.
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
IAGO.
Lives, sir.
DESDEMONA.
Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord
An unkind breech; but you shall make all well.
OTHELLO.
Are you sure of that?
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
[Reads.] "This fail you not to do, as you will-"
LODOVICO.
He did not call; he's busy in the paper.
Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio?
DESDEMONA.
A most unhappy one. I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
OTHELLO.
Fire and brimstone!
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
Are you wise?
DESDEMONA.
What, is he angry?
LODOVICO.
May be the letter moved him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.
DESDEMONA.
By my troth, I am glad on't.
OTHELLO.
Indeed!
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
I am glad to see you mad.
DESDEMONA.
Why, sweet Othello?
OTHELLO.
Devil! Strikes her.
DESDEMONA.
I have not deserved this.
LODOVICO.
My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw't. 'Tis very much.
Make her amends; she weeps.
OTHELLO.
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!
DESDEMONA.
[Going.] I will not stay to offend you.
LODOVICO.
Truly, an obedient lady.
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
OTHELLO.
Mistress!
DESDEMONA.
My lord?
OTHELLO.
What would you with her, sir?
LODOVICO.
Who, I, my lord?
OTHELLO.
Ay, you did wish that I would make her turn.
Sir, she can turn and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
And she's obedient, as you say, obedient,
Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.
Concerning this, sir- O well-painted passion!-
I am commanded home. Get you away;
I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt!
Exit Desdemona.
Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight,
I do entreat that we may sup together.
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats