Othello Page #18

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Hark, how these instruments summon to supper!

The messengers of Venice stay the meat;

Go in, and weep not; all things shall be well.

Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA

Enter RODERIGO

How now, Roderigo!

RODERIGO:

I do not find that thou dealest justly with me.

IAGO:

What in the contrary?

RODERIGO:

Every day thou daffest me with some device, Iago;

and rather, as it seems to me now, keepest from me

all conveniency than suppliest me with the least

advantage of hope. I will indeed no longer endure

it, nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what

already I have foolishly suffered.

IAGO:

Will you hear me, Roderigo?

RODERIGO:

'Faith, I have heard too much, for your words and

performances are no kin together.

IAGO:

You charge me most unjustly.

RODERIGO:

With nought but truth. I have wasted myself out of

my means. The jewels you have had from me to

deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a

votarist:
you have told me she hath received them

and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden

respect and acquaintance, but I find none.

IAGO:

Well; go to; very well.

RODERIGO:

Very well! go to! I cannot go to, man; nor 'tis

not very well:
nay, I think it is scurvy, and begin

to find myself fobbed in it.

IAGO:

Very well.

RODERIGO:

I tell you 'tis not very well. I will make myself

known to Desdemona: if she will return me my

jewels, I will give over my suit and repent my

unlawful solicitation; if not, assure yourself I

will seek satisfaction of you.

IAGO:

You have said now.

RODERIGO:

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

IAGO:

Why, now I see there's mettle in thee, and even from

this instant to 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.

RODERIGO:

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 in thee indeed, which I

have greater reason to believe now than ever, I mean

purpose, courage and valour, this night show it: if

thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona,

take me from this world with treachery and devise

engines for my life.

RODERIGO:

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.

RODERIGO:

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.

RODERIGO:

How do you mean, removing of him?

IAGO:

Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place;

knocking out his brains.

RODERIGO:

And that you would have me to do?

IAGO:

Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right.

He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I

go to him:
he knows not yet of his horrorable

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 suppertime, and the night grows

to waste:
about it.

RODERIGO:

I will hear further reason for this.

IAGO:

And you shall be satisfied.

Exeunt

SCENE III. Another room In the castle.

Enter OTHELLO, LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA and Attendants

LODOVICO:

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

OTHELLO:

O, pardon me:
'twill do me good to walk.

LODOVICO:

Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.

DESDEMONA:

Your honour is most welcome.

OTHELLO:

Will you walk, sir?

O,--Desdemona,--

DESDEMONA:

My lord?

OTHELLO:

Get you to bed on the instant; I will be returned

forthwith:
dismiss your attendant there: look it be done.

DESDEMONA:

I will, my lord.

Exeunt OTHELLO, LODOVICO, and Attendants

EMILIA:

How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did.

DESDEMONA:

He says he will return incontinent:

He hath commanded me to go to bed,

And bade me to dismiss you.

EMILIA:

Dismiss me!

DESDEMONA:

It was his bidding: therefore, good Emilia,.

Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu:

We must not now displease him.

EMILIA:

I would you had never seen him!

DESDEMONA:

So would not Imy love doth so approve him,

That even his stubbornness, his cheques, his frowns--

Prithee, unpin me,--have grace and favour in them.

EMILIA:

I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.

DESDEMONA:

All's one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds!

If I do die before thee prithee, shroud me

In one of those same sheets.

EMILIA:

Come, come you talk.

DESDEMONA:

My mother had a maid call'd Barbara:

She was in love, and he she loved proved mad

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. Prithee, dispatch.

EMILIA:

Shall I go fetch your night-gown?

DESDEMONA:

No, unpin me here.

This Lodovico is a proper man.

EMILIA:

A very handsome man.

DESDEMONA:

He speaks well.

EMILIA:

I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot

to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip.

DESDEMONA:

[Singing] The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,

Sing all a green willow:

Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,

Sing willow, willow, willow:

The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur'd her moans;

Sing willow, willow, willow;

Her salt tears fell from her, and soften'd the stones;

Lay by these:
--

Singing

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