Hamlet. Othello

unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself, I will seek satisfaction of you.

Iago. You have said now.

Ro. Ay, and I have said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing.

Iago. Why, now I see there's mettle in thee; and even, from this instant, do build on thee a better opinion than ever before. Give me thy hand, Roderigo: thou hast taken against me a most just exception; but yet, I protest, I have dealt most directly in thy affair.

Ro. It hath not appeared.

Iago. I grant, indeed, it hath not appeared; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that within thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean, purpose, courage, and valor,—this night show it if thou the next night following enjoyest not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery, and devise engines for my life.

Ro. Well, what is it? is it within reason and compass?

Iago. Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice, to depute Cassio in Othello's place.

Ro. Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

Iago. O, no; he goes into Mauritania, and takes away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be lingered here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.

Ro. How do you mean, removing of him?

Iago. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place; knocking out his brains.

Ro. And that you would have me do?

Iago. Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to-night with a harlot, and thither will I go to him: he knows not yet of his honorable fortune. If you will watch his going thence, (which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one) you may take him at your pleasure; I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amazed at it, but go along with me: I will show you such a necessity in his death, that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high supper-time, and the night grows to waste: 1 about it.

Ro. I will hear farther reason for this.
Iago. And you shall be satisfied.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Another room in the custle.

Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and

Attendants.

Lo. I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no

farther.

Oth. O, pardon me; 'twill do me good to walk. Lo. Madam, good night: I humbly thank your ladyship.

1 i. e. is wasting apace.

Oth. Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned forthwith: dismiss your attendant there: look, it be done.

[Exeunt Othello, Lodovico, and Attendants. Emi. How goes it now? he looks gentler than he

did.

Des. He says, he will return incontinent.1

He hath commanded me to go to bed;

And bade me to dismiss you.

Emi.

Dismiss me?

Des. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia, Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu.

We must not now displease him.

Emi. I would, you had never seen him!

Des. So would not I: my love doth so approve

him,

That even his stubbornness, his checks, and frowns,

Pr'ythee, unpin me,-have grace and favor in them. Emi. I have laid those sheets you bade me on

the bed.

Des. All's one :-Good father! how foolish are our minds!

1 Immediately.

If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets.

Emi.

Come, come; you talk. Des. My mother had a maid call'd Barbara; She was in love, and he she loved proved mad,1 And did forsake her: she had a song of-Willow; An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune, And she died singing it: that song, to-night, Will not go from my mind: I have much to do, But to go hang my head all at one side, And sing it like poor Barbara.-Pr'ythee, despatch. Emi. Shall I go fetch your night-gown?

Des.

This Lodovico is a proper man.

No, unpin me here.—

And he speaks well.

Emi. A very handsome man. Des. Emi. I know a lady in Venice, who would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.