This is a trick, to put me from my suit; I pray, let Cassio be receiv'd again. Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgives. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. Oth. The handkerchief, Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio. A man that, all his time, Has founded his good fortune on your love; Shar'd dangers with you ; Oth. Des. In sooth, You are to blame. Oth. Emil. The handkerchief, Away! [Exit OTHELLO. Is not this man jealous? Des. I ne'er saw this before. Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: Enter IAGO and CASSIO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and impórtune her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, That, by your virtuous means, I may again Exist, and be a member of his love, Whom I, with all the duty of my heart, Entirely honour; I would not be delay'd: That neither service past, nor present sorrows, Can ransome me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune's alms." Des. Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, So help me, every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best, And stood within the blank of his displeasure," 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, Puff'd his own brother;-And can he be angry ? Des. I pr'ythee, do so.-Something, sure, of state,- And shut myself up in some other course, To fortune's alms.] Being discarded from the military line, he proposes to confine or shut himself up, as he formerly had, within the limits of a new profession.-HENLEY. t - favour,] Look, countenance. u JOHNSON. within the blank of his displeasure,] Within the shot of his anger. * I have seen the cannon, When it hath blown, &c.] In Iago's speech something is suppressed. He means to say, I have seen his ranks blown into the air, and his own brother puff'd from his side,—and mean while have seen him cool and unruffled. And can he now be angry?-MALONE. y JOHNSON. 7- some unhatch'd practice,] Some treason that has not taken effect.— indues-] i. e. Embrues, tinctures.-MALONE. Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense As fit the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia, But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness, Emil. Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think: And no conception, nor no jealous toy, Concerning you. Des. Alas, the day! I never gave him cause. Emil. But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to effect it to my uttermost. Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship. [Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA. Enter BIANCA. What make you from home? Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! Cas. How is it with you, my most fair Bianca? I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house. Pardon me, Bianca; Cas. the bridal.] i. e. The nuptial feast: a Saxon word.-STEEVENS. C But I shall, in a more continuate time, Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, [Giving her DESDEMONA's Handkerchief. Take me this work out.d Bian. O, Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend. Cas. Woman, go to! Bian. Why, whose is it? Cas. I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber. I like the work well; ere it be demanded, (As like enough, it will,) I'd have it copied : 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, Bian. Cas. Not that I love you not. Why, I pray you? But that you do not love me. I pray you, bring me on the way a little ; And say, if I shall see you soon at night. Bian. "Tis very good; I must be circumstanc'd. [Exeunt. ca more continuate time,] i. e. A time less interrupted, time which I can call more my own.-JOHNSON. d Take me this work out.] The meaning is not, "Pick out the work, and leave the ground plain;" but, "Copy this work in another handkerchief."-JOHNSON. must be circumstanc'd.] i. e. I must give way to circumstances.— M. MASON. Iago. Or to be naked with her friend abed, It is hypocrisy against the devil: They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven. lago. So they do nothing, 'tis a venial slip : But if I give my wife a handkerchief, Oth. What then? Iago. Why, then, 'tis hers, my lord; and, being hers, She may, I think, bestow't on any man. Oth. She is protectress of her honour too; May she give that? Iago. Her honour is an essence that's not seen; They have it very oft, that have it not : But, for the handkerchief, Oth. By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it :Thou said'st,-O, it comes o'er my memory, As doth the raven o'er the infected house, Boding to all, he had my handkerchief. 1 That's not so good, now. hypocrisy against the devil:] i. e. Hypocrisy to cheat the devil. As common hypocrites cheat men, by seeming good, and yet living wickedly, these men would cheat the devil, by giving him flattering hopes, and at last avoiding the crime which he thinks them ready to commit.-JOHNSON. According to Warburton, and Steevens, there is an allusion designed to the extraordinary temptations to which the Romish saint D'Arbrissel and bishop Adhelme, are said to have voluntarily exposed themselves. 8-boding to all,-] The raven was thought to be a constant attendant on a house, in which there was infection. -MALONE. |