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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [895]

By Root 19307 0
as well i' the dark.

DESDEMONA.

Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world?

EMILIA.

The world's a huge thing; it is a great price

For a small vice.

DESDEMONA.

In troth, I think thou wouldst not.

EMILIA.

In troth, I think I should, and undo't when I had done.

Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring, nor for

measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any

petty exhibition; but, for the whole world- why, who would not

make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should

venture purgatory for't.

DESDEMONA.

Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong

For the whole world.

EMILIA.

Why, the wrong is but a wrong i' the world; and having the

world for your labor, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you

might quickly make it right.

DESDEMONA.

I do not think there is any such woman.

EMILIA.

Yes, a dozen, and as many to the vantage as would store the

world they played for.

But I do think it is their husbands' faults

If wives do fall; say that they slack their duties

And pour our treasures into foreign laps,

Or else break out in peevish jealousies,

Throwing restraint upon us, or say they strike us,

Or scant our former having in despite,

Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,

Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know

Their wives have sense like them; they see and smell

And have their palates both for sweet and sour,

As husbands have. What is it that they do

When they change us for others? Is it sport?

I think it is. And doth affection breed it?

I think it doth. Is't frailty that thus errs?

It is so too. And have not we affections,

Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?

Then let them use us well; else let them know,

The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.

DESDEMONA.

Good night, good night. Heaven me such uses send,

Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!

Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I. Cyprus. A street.

Enter Iago and Roderigo:

IAGO.

Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come.

Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home.

Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow.

It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,

And fix most firm thy resolution.

RODERIGO.

Be near at hand; I may miscarry in't.

IAGO.

Here, at thy hand, be bold, and take thy stand.

Retires.

RODERIGO.

I have no great devotion to the deed;

And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.

'Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword; he dies.

IAGO.

I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobb'd from him,

As gifts to Desdemona;

It must not be. If Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. Be't so. I hear him coming.

Enter Cassio.

RODERIGO. I know his gait; 'tis he. Villain, thou diest!

Makes a pass at Cassio.

CASSIO.

That thrust had been mine enemy indeed,

But that my coat is better than thou know'st;

I will make proof of thine. Draws, and wounds Roderigo.

RODERIGO.

O, I am slain!

Iago from behind wounds Cassio in the leg, and exit.

CASSIO.

I am maim'd forever. Help, ho! Murther! Murther!

Falls.

Enter Othello.

OTHELLO. The voice of Cassio; Iago keeps his word.

RODERIGO.

O, villain that I am!

OTHELLO.

It is even so.

CASSIO.

O, help, ho! Light! A surgeon!

OTHELLO.

'Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just,

That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong!

Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead,

And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come!

Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;

Thy bed lust-stain'd shall with lust's blood be spotted.

Exit.

Enter Lodovico and Gratiano.

CASSIO. What, ho! No watch? No passage? Murther! Murther!

GRATIANO.

'Tis some mischance; the cry is very direful.

CASSIO.

O, help!

LODOVICO.

Hark!

RODERIGO.

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