Act 3 — Scene IV. Before the castle.

Des. Do you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?[6091] Clo. I dare not say he lies any where. Des. Why, man? Clo. He's a soldier; and for one to say a soldier lies, is[6092] stabbing. 5 Des. Go to: where lodges he?[6093] Clo. To tell you where he lodges, is to tell you where[6094] I lie.[6094] Des. Can any thing be made of this?[6094] Clo. I know not where he lodges; and for me to devise 10 a lodging, and say he lies here or he lies there, were to lie[6095] in mine own throat.[6096] Des. Can you inquire him out and be edified by report?[6097] Clo. I will catechize the world for him; that is, make questions and by them answer.[6098] 15 Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well.[6099] Clo. To do this is within the compass of man's wit, and[6100] therefore I will attempt the doing it. [Exit.[6101] Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?[6102] 20 Emil. I know not, madam. Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse[6103] Full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor Is true of mind and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are, it were enough[6104] 25 To put him to ill thinking.[6104] Emil. Is he not jealous? Des. Who, he? I think the sun where he was born Drew all such humours from him. Emil. Look, where he comes. Des. I will not leave him now till Cassio[6105] Be call'd to him.[6105]

How is't with you, my lord?[6107] 30 Oth. Well, my good lady. [Aside] O, hardness to dissemble![6108] How do you, Desdemona? Des. Well, my good lord.[6109] Oth. Give me your hand: this hand is moist, my lady.[6110] Des. It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow.[6111] Oth. This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart: 35 Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires[6112] A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,[6113] Much castigation, exercise devout;[6114] For here's a young and sweating devil here,[6115] That commonly rebels. 'Tis a good hand, 40 A frank one.[6116] Des. You may, indeed, say so; For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. Oth. A liberal hand: the hearts of old gave hands;[6117] But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts. Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise.[6118] 45 Oth. What promise, chuck? Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you. Oth. I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me;[6119] Lend me thy handkerchief.[6120] Des. Here, my lord. 50 Oth. That which I gave you. Des. I have it not about me. Oth. Not?[6121] Des. No, indeed, my lord.[6122] Oth. That's a fault. That handkerchief[6120][6123] 55 Did an Egyptian to my mother give; She was a charmer, and could almost read The thoughts of people: she told her, while she kept it 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father[6124] Entirely to her love, but if she lost it[6125] 60 Or made a gift of it, my father's eye Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt[6126] After new fancies: she dying gave it me, And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,[6127] To give it her. I did so: and take heed on't; 65 Make it a darling like your precious eye; To lose't or give't away were such perdition[6128] As nothing else could match. Des. Is't possible? Oth. 'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it: A sibyl, that had number'd in the world[6129] 70 The sun to course two hundred compasses,[6130] In her prophetic fury sew'd the work;[6131] The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk;[6132] And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful[6133] Conserved of maidens' hearts. Des. Indeed! is't true?[6134] 75 Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well. Des. Then would to God that I had never seen't![6135] Oth. Ha! wherefore? Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash?[6136] Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way?[6137] 80 Des. Heaven bless us![6138] Oth. Say you? Des. It is not lost; but what an if it were?[6139] Oth. How![6140] Des. I say, it is not lost. 85 Oth. Fetch't, let me see it.[6141] Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now.[6142] This is a trick to put me from my suit: Pray you, let Cassio be received again.[6143] Oth. Fetch me the handkerchief: my mind misgives.[6144][6145][6146] 90 Des. Come, come;[6147] You'll never meet a more sufficient man.[6147][6148] Oth. The handkerchief![6145] Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio.[6149] Oth. The handkerchief![6149] Des. A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love,[6150] 95 Shared dangers with you,—[6151][6152] Oth. The handkerchief![6151] Des. In sooth, you are to blame.[6151][6153] Oth. Away! [Exit.[6151][6154] Emil. Is not this man jealous?[6151][6155] 100 Des. I ne'er saw this before. Sure there's some wonder in this handkerchief:[6156] I am most unhappy in the loss of it.[6157] Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: They are all but stomachs and we all but food;[6158] 105 They eat us hungerly, and when they are full[6159] They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband.

Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't:[6161] And, lo, the happiness! go and importune her. Des. How now, good Cassio! what's the news with you? 110 Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you That by your virtuous means I may again[6162] Exist, and be a member of his love Whom I with all the office of my heart[6163] Entirely honour: I would not be delay'd.[6164] 115 If my offence be of such mortal kind That nor my service past nor present sorrows[6165] Nor purposed merit in futurity Can ransom me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; 120 So shall I clothe me in a forced content And shut myself up in some other course[6166] To fortune's alms.[6167] Des. Alas, thrice-gentle Cassio! My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord, nor should I know him 125 Were he in favour as in humour alter'd. So help me every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best And stood within the blank of his displeasure[6168] For my free speech! You must awhile be patient: 130 What I can do I will; and more I will Than for myself I dare: let that suffice you. Iago. Is my lord angry? Emil. He went hence but now, And certainly in strange unquietness. Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, 135 When it hath blown his ranks into the air, And, like the devil, from his very arm Puff'd his own brother; and can he be angry?[6169] Something of moment then: I will go meet him: There's matter in't indeed if he be angry. 140 Des. I prithee, do so. [Exit Iago.[6170] Something sure of state, Either from Venice or some unhatch'd practice[6171] Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him,[6172] Hath puddled his clear spirit; and in such cases[6173] Men's natures wrangle with inferior things, 145 Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;[6174][6175] For let our finger ache, and it indues[6174][6176] Our other healthful members even to that sense[6174][6177] Of pain: nay, we must think men are not gods,[6174] Nor of them look for such observancy[6178] 150 As fits the bridal. Beshrew me much, Emilia, I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,[6179] Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find I had suborn'd the witness, And he's indicted falsely.[6180] 155 Emil. Pray heaven it be state-matters, as you think,[6181][6182] And no conception nor no jealous toy[6181][6183][6184] Concerning you.[6181] Des. Alas the day, I never gave him cause! Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so;[6184] 160 They are not ever jealous for the cause,[6185] But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster[6186][6187] Begot upon itself, born on itself.[6188] Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind![6189] Emil. Lady, amen. 165 Des. I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout:[6190] If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to effect it to my uttermost.[6191] Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship.

Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! Cas. What make you from home?[6193] 170 How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?[6194] I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.[6195] Bian. And I was going to your lodging, Cassio. What, keep a week away? seven days and nights? Eight score eight hours? and lovers' absent hours,[6196] 175 More tedious than the dial eight score times? O weary reckoning![6197] Cas. Pardon me, Bianca: I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;[6198] But I shall in a more continuate time[6199] Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,[6200] 180

Take me this work out. Bian. O Cassio, whence came this?[6201] This is some token from a newer friend:[6202] To the felt absence now I feel a cause:[6202] Is't come to this? Well, well. Cas. Go to, woman![6203] Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth,[6204] 185 From whence you have them. You are jealous now[6186] That this is from some mistress, some remembrance: No, by my faith, Bianca. Bian. Why, whose is it?[6205] Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber.[6206] I like the work well: ere it be demanded— 190 As like enough it will—I'ld have it copied:[6207] Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time. Bian. Leave you! wherefore? Cas. I do attend here on the general; And think it no addition, nor my wish, 195 To have him see me woman'd. Bian. Why, I pray you?[6208] Cas. Not that I love you not.[6208] Bian. But that you do not love me.[6209] I pray you, bring me on the way a little; And say if I shall see you soon at night.[6210] Cas. 'Tis but a little way that I can bring you; 200 For I attend here: but I'll see you soon. Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanced. [Exeunt.[6211]