The family Shakespeare [expurgated by T. Bowdler]. in which those words are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family, by T. Bowdler

To grosser issues, nor to larger reach,
Than to suspicion.

Oth. I will not.
Iago.

Should you do so, my lord,

Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; I am to pray you, not to strain my speech
Nor shall not, whilst 'tis in my custody.
Oth. Ha!
Iago. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd 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 dreadful 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 9, is as poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor :

* Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy.

Why, why is this?

Oth.
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,
Is - once to be resolv'd: Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me
jealous,

To say,

my wife is fair, feeds well, loves com-
pany,

Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous :
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear, or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me: No, Iago;
I'll see, before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And, on the proof, there is no more but this,
Away at once with love, or jealousy.

My speech should fall into such vile success
As my thoughts aim not at. Cassio's my worthy

friend :

My lord, I see you are mov'd.
Oth.

No, not much mov'd: -
I do not think but Desdemona's honest.
Iago. Long live she so! and long live you to
think so!

Oth. And yet, how nature, erring from itself,
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;
Whereto, we see, in all things nature tends:
But, pardon me: I do not, in position,
Distinctly speak of her: though I may fear,
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And (happily) repent.
Farewell, farewell:
If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife to observe: Leave me, Iago.
Iago. My lord, I take my leave. [Going.
Oth. Why did I marry? This honest creature,

Iago. I am glad of this, for now I shall have And though it be fit that Cassio have his place,

reason

To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me- I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife: observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye—thus, not jealous, nor secure :
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of self-bounty, be abus'd; look to't:
I know our country disposition well:
In Venice, they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not show their husbands; their best con-
science

Is not to leave undone, but keep unknown.
Oth. Dost thou say so?

Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you;
And when she seem'd to shake, and fear your looks,
She lov'd them most.

Oth.
And so she did.
Iago.
Why, go to, then.
She that, so young, could give out such a seeming,
To seel her father's eyes up close as oak, —
He thought 'twas witchcraft: But I am much to
blame;

(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, if your lady strain his entertainment 3
With any strong or vehement importunity;
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 honour.
Oth. Fear not my government.
Iago. I once more take my leave.

[Exit.

Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings: If I do prove her haggard 4,
Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind,
To prey at fortune. Haply, for I am black;
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have :- - Or, for I am declin'd
Into the vale of years; - yet that's not much;
She's gone; I am abus'd; and my relief
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 vapour of a dungeon,

Than keep a corner in the thing I love,

But, with a little act upon the blood,

For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones; Burn like the mines of sulphur. — I did say so. —

Prerogativ'd are they, less than the base; 'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.

Oth.

Your napkin is too little;

guilt?

I saw it not, thought it not, it harm'd not me:

[He puts the Handkerchief from him, and it I slept the next night well, was free and merry;

drops.

Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you.
Des. I am very sorry that you are not well.
[Ereunt Orn. and Des.
Emil. I am glad I have found this napkin ;
This was her first remembrance from the Moor:
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Woo'd me to steal it; but she so loves the token,
(For he conjur'd her, she would ever keep it,)
That she reserves it ever more about her,

To kiss and talk to. I'll have the work ta'en out,
And give it Iago:

What he'll do with it, heaven knows, not I;

I nothing, but to please his fantasy.

Iago.

Why, what's that to you?

[Snatching it. Emil. If it be not for some purpose of import, Give it me again: Poor lady! she'll run mad, When she shall lack it.

Iago. Be not you known of 't; I have use for it. Go, leave me. [Exit EMILIA.

I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it: Trifles, light as air,
Are, to the jealous, confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison:
Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons,
Which, at the first, are scarce found to distaste;

I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips :
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stolen,
Let him not know it, and he's not robb'd at all.
I had been happy had I nothing known.
Iago. I am sorry to hear this.
Oth.
O now, for ever,
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars,
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!
Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner; and all quality,

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello's occupation's gone!

Iago. Is it possible? My lord,

Oth. Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore; Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof;

[Taking him by the Throat
Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog,
Than answer my wak'd wrath.

Iago.
Is it come to this?
Oth. Make me to see it; or (at the least) so
prove it,

That the probation bear no hinge, nor loop,
To hang a doubt on: or, woe upon thy life !
Iago. My noble lord,

Oth. If thou dost slander her, and torture me, Never pray more: abandon all remorse,

On horror's head horrors accumulate :

Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amaz'd,
For nothing can'st thou to damnation add,
Greater than that.

Iago. O grace! O heaven defend me! Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense? God be wi' you; take mine office. 0 wretched

fool,

That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice! —

O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world.
To be direct and honest, is not safe. —

I thank you for this profit; and, from hence,
I'll love no friend, since love breeds such offence.
Oth. Nay, stay: - Thou shouldst be honest.
Iago. I should be wise; for honesty's a fool,
And loses that it works for.

6 The mandrake has a soporifick quality.
7 Possessedst.

Oth.

By the world,

I think my wife be honest, and think she is not.
I think that thou art just, and think thou art not;
I'll have some proof: Her name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black
As mine own face. If there be cords, or knives,
Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
I'll not endure it. Would, I were satisfied!
Iago. I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion:
I do repent me, that I put it to you.
You would be satisfied?

Oth.

Would? nay, I will.

Iago. And may: But, how? how satisfied, my lord? Would you, the supervisor, see their crime? Oth. Death and damnation! O!

Iago. It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
To bring them to that prospect: Damn them then,
If ever mortal eyes do see their guilt,
More than their own! What then? How then?
What shall I say? Where's satisfaction?
It is impossible you should see this,
Impossible, though they were fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
If imputation, and strong circumstances,
Which lead directly to the door of truth,
Will give you satisfaction, you may have it.
Oth. Give me a living reason she's disloyal.
Iago. I do not like the office:

But, sith I am enter'd in this cause so far, -
Prick'd to it by foolish honesty and love, -
I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep.

There are a kind of men so loose of soul,
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs;
One of this kind is Cassio:

[Kneels.

Oth. Never, Iago. Like to the Pontick sea, Whose icy current and compulsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on To the Propontick, and the Hellespont ; Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne'er look back, ne'er ebb to humble love, Till that a capable2 and wide revenge Swallow them up. - Now, by yond' marble heaven, In the due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words. Iago. Do not rise yet. Witness, you ever-burning lights above! You elements that clip us round about! Witness, that here Iago doth give up The execution of his wit, hands, heart, To wrong'd Othello's service! let him command, And to obey shall be in me remorse, What bloody work soever.

[Kneels.

Oth. I greet thy love, Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance boun

teous,

And will upon the instant put thee to't:
Within these three days let me hear thee say,
That Cassio's not alive.

Iago. My friend is dead; 'tis done, at your request;

But let her live.

Oth. Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her! Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw, To furnish me with some swift means of death For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant. Iago. I am your own for ever. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. - The same.

Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, and Clown. Des. Do you know where lieutenant Cassio lodges?

Clo. I know not where he lodges.

Des. Can you enquire him out, and be edified by report?

Clo. I will catechise the world for him; that is, make questions, and by them answer.

Des. Seek him, bid him come hither: tell him I have moved my lord in his behalf, and hope, all

will be well.

Clo. To do this, is within the compass of man's and therefore I will attempt the doing it.

wit;

[Exit.

Des. Where should I lose that handkerchief,

Emilia?

Emil. I know not, madam.

Des. Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse Full of cruzadoes.

And, but my noble Moor

Is true of mind, and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are, it were enough
To put him to ill-thinking.

Emil.

Is he not jealous?

Des. Who, he? I think, the sun, where he was

Enter OTHEllo.

Des. Come, come;

Oth. Well, my good lady: -- [Aside.] O, hard- You'll never meet a more sufficient man. ness to dissemble!.

How do you, Desdemona?

Des.

Well, my good lord.

Oth. What promise, chuck?

Come now, your

Oth. The handkerchief,
Des.

I pray, talk me of Cassie.

A man that, all his time,

Des. I ne'er saw this before.
Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief:
I am most unhappy in the loss of it.

Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man;

Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with But look you! Cassio, and my husband, come.

you.

Oth. I have a salt and sullen rheum offends me; Lend me thy handkerchief.

Des.

Here, my lord.

Oth. That which I gave you.

Des.

Oth. Not?

Des.

Oth.

I have it not about me.

No, indeed, my lord.

That handkerchief

Did an Egyptian to my mother give;
She was a charmer7, and could almost read
The thoughts of people: she told her, while she
kept it,

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
That is a fault: 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:
If my offence be of such mortal kind,
That neither service past, nor present sorrows,
Nor purpos'd merit in futurity,
Can ransome me into his love again,
But to know so must be my benefit ;
So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content,
And shut myself up in some other course,
To fortune's alms.

'Twould make her amiable, and subdue my father
Entirely to her love; but if she lost it,
Or made a gift of it, my father's eye
Should hold her loathly, and his spirits should hunt
After new fancies: She, dying, gave it me;
And bid me, when my fate would have me wive,
To give it her. I did so and take heed of 't,
Make it a darling like your precious eye;
To lose or give't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.

Alas! thrice gentle Cassio,
My advocation is not now in tune;
My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him,
Were he in favour9 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,
For my free speech! You must a while be patient:
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,
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?
Something of moment, then: I will go meet him;
There's matter in't indeed, if he be angry.
Des. I pr'ythee do so. — Something, sure of
state,
[Erit IAGO.
Either from Venice; or some unhatch'd practice?
Made démonstrable here in Cyprus to him, -
Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases,
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so;
For let our finger ache, and it endues

Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense
Of pain: Nay, we must think, men are not gods;
Nor of them look for such observances

Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind mis- As fit the bridal. 9 —

Beshrew me much, Emilia,

1 Within the shot of his anger. 3 The nuptial feast.

I was (unhandsome warrior as I am) Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; But now I find, I had suborn'd the witness,

And he's indited falsely.

I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd;
But I shall, in a more continuate time 6
Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca,
[Giving her DESDEMONA's Handkerchief.

Emil. Pray heaven, it be state matters, as you think; Take me this work out.7

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; They are not ever jealous for the cause,

But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster,
Begot upon itself, born on itself.

Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind!

Emil. Lady, amen.

Des. I will go seek him.

about:
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.

Bian. Save you, friend Cassio!
Cas.

What make you from home?
How is it with you, my most fair Bianca?
I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house.

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, More tedious than the dial eight score times? O weary reckoning!

Cas.

Pardon me, Bianca ;

Bian.

Woman, go to !

O, Cassio, whence came this? This is some token from a newer friend. To the felt absence now I feel a cause: Is it come to this? Well, well. Cas. Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now, That this is from some mistress, some remembrance; No, in good troth, Bianca.

Why, whose is it?

Bian.
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,
To have him see me woman'd.
Bian.

Cas. Not that I love you not.
Bian.

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 again. Cas. 'Tis but a little way, that I can bring you, For I attend here: but I'll see you soon. Bian. 'Tis very good; I must be circumstanc'd. [Exeunt.

Convinced or supplied them, cannot choose
But they must blab

4 The raven was thought to be a constant attendant on a

house infected with the plague.

Old spelling of suppled, i, e. softened.

Iago. He hath, my lord; but be you well assur'd, No more than he'll unswear.

Oth.

What hath he said?

Iago. 'Faith, that he did, I know not what he

did.

Oth. What? what?

chief.

I tremble at it.

confessions,

handker

Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion, without some instruction. It is not words, that shake me thus: Is it possible?. Handkerchief!-0, devil! [Falls in a Trance.

Iago. Work on,

Confess!

My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught;

And many worthy and chaste dames, even thus, All guiltless meet reproach. - What, ho! my lord Enter CASSIO.

How now, Cassio?

My lord, I say! Othello!
Cas. What is the matter?
This is his second fit; he had one yesterday
Iago. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy;

Cas. Rub him about the temples.
Iago.

No, forbear:

The lethargy must have his quiet course :
If not, he foams at mouth; and, by and by,
Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs.

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The family Shakespeare [expurgated by T. Bowdler]. in which those words are ...