ACT III DES. Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my Lord. DES. Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you; But I do love thee! and, when I love thee not, IAGO. My noble Lord Отн. What dost thou say, Iago? IAGO. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my Lady, Know of your love? Отн. He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask? No further harm. Отн. Why of thy thought, Iago? IAGO. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. IAGO. Indeed! 90 Oтн. Indeed! ay, indeed: discern'st thou aught in that? Отн. Think, my Lord! By Heaven, he echoes me, my whole course of wooing, thou criedst Indeed! IAGO. My Lord, you know I love you. Отн. I think thou dost; And, for I know thou 'rt full of love and honesty, 120 Sc. III And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, ACT III IAGO. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn-I think that he is honest. ОTH. I think so too. IAGO. Men should be what they seem; Or, those that be not, would they might seem none ! IAGO. Why, then I think Cassio's an honest man. I pr'ythee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, 130 As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts IAGO. Good my Lord, pardon me : Though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false As where's that palace whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure, Keep leets and law-days? and in session sit With meditations lawful? OTн. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear IAGO. I do beseech you, Though I perchance am vicious in my guess (As, I confess, it is my nature's plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not) that your wisdom yet, From one that so imperfectly conceits, 140 Would take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble 150 Out of his scattering and unsure observance. It were not for your quiet nor your good, АСТ III Отн. Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands ; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Отн. By Heaven, I'll know thy thoughts! IAGO. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody. ОTн. Ha! IAGO. O, beware, my Lord, of Jealousy! It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er ; 160 Who doats, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves! Отн. O misery! IAGO. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough; But riches fineless is as poor as Winter To him that ever fears he shall be poor. Good Heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the Moon To such exsufflicate and blown surmises, 170 180 Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; Where virtue is, these are more virtuous: 1 i.c. dallies with the thoughts that nourish it, as a cat does with a mouse. I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; IAGO. I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason I know our country disposition well: In Venice they do let Heaven see the pranks 190 ACT III 200 They dare not shew their husbands; their best conscience Is not to leave't undone, but keep 't unknown. OTH. Dost thou say so? IAGO. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And, when she seem'd to shake and fear Отн. IAGO. your looks, And so she did. Why, go to, then ; Sc. III She that, so young, could give out such a seeming, To seel her father's eyes up close as oak— 210 He thought 'twas witchcraft- But I am much to blame; I humbly do beseech you of your pardon For too much loving you. Отн. I am bound to thee for ever. IAGO. I see this hath a little dash'd your spirits. OTH. Not a jot, not a jot. IAGO. I'faith, I fear it has. I hope you will consider what is spoke Comes from my love. But I do see you 're mov'd: I am to pray you not to strain my speech To grosser issues nor to larger reach Than to suspicion. OTн. I will not. IAGO. Should you do so, my Lord, My speech should fall into such vile success 220 I do not think but Desdemona's honest. IAGO. Long live she so! and long live you to think so! Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; 230 240 [going. Oтн. Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: 1 positive assertion. Honour. 250 [exit. |