Clo. Not much commendation to them. You understand me? Clo. Most fruitfully; I am there before my legs. SHAKSPEARE. IAGO INCITING OTHELLO TO JEALOUSY. OTHELLO-IAGO. lago. My noble Lord. Oth. What dost thou say, Iago? Oth. He did, from first to last: Why dost thou ask? No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think, he had been acquainted with her. Iago. Indeed? Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed :-Discern'st thou aught in that? ls he not honest ? By heaven, he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown. I heard thee say but now, Thou dost mean something: Thou likedst not that, And, when I told thee he was of my counsel In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, Indeed! Iago. My lord, you know I love you. Oth. And I think, thou dcst: - for I know thou art full of love and honesty, And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, Are tricks of custom; but, in a man that's just, Iago. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn, I think that he is honest. Oth. I think so too. Iago. Men should be what they seem, Or, those that be not, 'would they might seem none! Iago. I think that Cassio is an honest man. I Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this : Why then, pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts Good my lord, pardon me: Iago. I am not bound to that all slaves are free to, Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and use, As where's that palace, whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure, But some uncleanly apprehensions Keep leets, and law-days, and in sessions sit Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, Iago To spy into abuses; and, oft, my jealousy Shapes faults that are not, I entreat you then, From one that so imperfectly conjects, You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble Oth. What dost thou mean? Iago. Good name, in man, and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls ; Who steals my purse, steals trash; 't is something, nothing: 'T was mine, 't is 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. Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thought. Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 't is in my custody. Oth. Ha! Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock The meat it feeds on: That cuckold lives in bliss, Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er, Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves! Oth. 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 Oth. Why? why is this? Think'st thou, I'd make a life of jealousy, To follow still the changes of the moon With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt, my soul To such exsufficate and blown surmises, Matching thy inference. 'T is not to make me jealous, Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; Iago. I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason I know our country disposition well; In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience not to leave undone, but keep unknown. Oth. Dost thou say so? Is Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you: And, when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, She loved them most. Oth Iago. And so she did. Why, go to, then: She that so young, could give out such a seeming He thought 't was witchcraft:-But I am much to blame; For too much loving you. Oth. I am bound to thee for ever. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot. love ;my Trust me, I fear it has. lago. But, I do see you are moved : Oth. Iago. I will not. Should you do so, my lord, My speech should fall in such vile success My lord, I see you are moved. Oth. Cassio's my worthy friend: No, not much moved : I do not think but Desdemona 's honest. Iago. Long live she so, and long live you to think so! Iago. Ay, there's the point- As, to be bold with you,~ Not to affect many proposed matches, Of her own clime, complexion, and degree; Oth. Farewell, farewell. If more thou dost perceive, let me know more; honor (Going.) Oth. Why did I marry?— This honest creature, doubtless, Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. My lord, I would I might entreat your To scan this thing no further; leave it to time: And, though it be fit that Cassio have his place, (For, sure, he fills it up with great ability,) Yet, if you please to hold him off a while, You shall by that perceive him and his means: Note it your lady strain his entertainment With any strong or vehement opportunity; Much will be seen in that. In the mean time, Let me be thought too busy in my fears, (As worthy cause I have, to fear? I am,) And hold her free, I do beseech your honor. Oth. Fear not my government. Iago. I once more take my leave. Oth. This fellow 's of exceeding honesty, Must be to loath her. O curse of marriage, That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapor of a dungeon, Than keep a corner in the thing I love For others' uses. Yet, 't is the plague of great ones; (Exit.) SHAKSPEARE. |