Iago. Sir, there is fpecial Commiffion come from Venice to depute Caffio in Othello's place. Rod. Is that true? why, then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice. Iago. Oh, no; he goes into Mauritania, and taketh away with him the fair Defdemona, unlefs his abode be lingred here by fome accident: Wherein none can be fo determinate, as the removing of Caffio. Rod. How do you mean removing him? Iago. Why, by making him incapable of Othollo's Place; knocking out his brains. Rod. And that you would have me to do? Iago. Ay, if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He fups to-night with a harlot; and thither will I go to him. He knows not yet of his honourable 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 pleafure. I will be near to second your attempt, and he fhall fall between us. Come, fland not amaz'd at it, but go along with me; I will fhew you fuch a neceffity in his death, that you fhall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high fupper-time; and the night grows to wafte. About it. Rod. I will hear further reafon for this. SCENE XIII. [Exeunt. Enter Othello, Lodovico, Defdemona, Æmilia, and Oth. Oh, pardon me; 'twill do me good to walk. Def. Your honour is moft welcome. Oth. Oth. Will you walk, Sir? oh, Desdemona !- Oth. Get you to bed on th' inftant, I will be return'd forthwith; difmifs your attendant there; look, it be done. * Def. I will, my lord. [Exit. Emil. How goes it now? he looks gentler than he did. Def. He fays, he will return incontinent; And hath commanded me to go to bed, And bid me to difmifs you. Emil. Difmifs me? Def. It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia, Give me my nightly Wearing, and adieu. We must not now difpleafe him. Emil. I would, you had never feen him! Def. So would not I; my love doth fo approve him, That even his ftubbornnefs, his checks, and frowns, (Pr'ythee, unpin me) have grace and favour in them. Emil. I have laid thofe fheets, you bad me, on the bed. Def. All's one good father! how foolish are our minds ? If I do die before thee, pr'ythee, shroud me Emil. Come, come; you talk. Def. My mother had a maid call'd Barbara, She was in love; and he, she lov'd, forfook her, And she proved mad: She had a fong of willow, An old thing 'twas, but it exprefs'd her fortune, And she dy'd finging it. That fong to-night Will not go from my mind; I've much ado, But to go hang my head all at one fide. And fing it like poor Barbara. Pr'ythee, dispatch. Emil. Shall I go fetch your night-gown? Def. No, unpin me here; This Lodovico is a proper man. Emil. A very handsom man. Def. he speaks well. Emil. I know a lady in Venice would have walk'd barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip. Def. The poor foul fat finging by a fycamore-tree, Sing all a green willow: [Singing. Her hand on her bofom, her head on her knee, The fresh ftream ran by her, and murmur'd her moans; Her falt tears fell from her, and foftned the stones; Willow, willow, &c.. (Pr'ythee, hye thee, he'll come anon.) Sing all a green willow must be my garland, Let no body blame him, his fcorn I approve. Nay that's not next-Hark, who is it that knocks? Eemil. It's the wind. Def. I call'd my love falfe love; but what faid he then? Sing willow, &c.. If I court more women, you'll couch with more men. So, get thee gone, good-night; mine eyes do itch, Doth that boad weeping? Emil. 'Tis neither here nor there. men! Def. I have heard it said so; so these men, these Doft thou in confcience think, tell me, Emilia, That there be women do abuse their husbands In fuch grofs kind? Emil. There be fome fuch, no queftion. Def. Wouldst thou do fuch a deed for all the world? Emil. Why, would not you? Def. No, by this heav'nly light. Emil. Nor I neither, by this heav'nly light. I might do't as well i'th' dark. Def. Wouldst thou do fuch a deed for all the world? It is a great price, for a small vice. Def. In troth, I think, thou wouldst not. Emil. In troth, I think, I fhould; and undo't, when I had done. Marry, I would not do fuch a thing for a joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps; nor any petty exhi bition. But for all the whole world; why who would not make her husband a cuckold, to make him a monarch? I should venter purgatory for't. Def. Befhrew me, if I would do fuch a wrong For the whole world. Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i'th' world; and having the world for your labour, 'tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. fuch woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many to th' vantage, as Would ftore the world they play'd for. Def. I do not think, there is any But, I do think, it is their husbands' faults, grace, Throwing reftraint on us; or fay, they ftrike us, :: Def. Good-night, good-night; heaven me fuch ufes fend, Not to pick bad from bad? but by bad, mend! [Exe. ACT Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home; Rod! Be near at hand, I may miscarry in't. Rod. I have no great devotion to the deed, Yet he hath given me fatisfying reafons : 'Tis but a man gone. Forth, my fword: he dies. [Stands apart. Iago. I've rubb'd this young Gnat almoft to the fense, And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Caffio. Every way makes my gain. Live Rodorigo, Of gold and jewels, that I bob'd from him, It must not be.If Caffio do remain, That makes me ugly; and, befides, the Moor Enter Caffio. Rod. I konw his gait; 'tis he: villain, thou dieft. He runs at Caffio, and wounds him. Caf. |