Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. I can again thy former light restore, Should I repent me:- but once put out thine, I know not where is that Promethean heat, That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd thy rose, I cannot give it vital growth again, It needs must wither:- I'll smell it on the tree. [Kissing her. O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade But they are cruel tears: This sorrow's heavenly; Des. Who's there? Othello? Oth. Ay, Desdemona. ⚫ Des. Will you come to bed, my lord? Ay, my lord. Oth. If you bethink yourself of any crime 1 Put out the light, and then put out the light:] This is one of the passages in which, by a modern regulation, our poet's words have obtained a meaning, which in my opinion was not in his thoughts. Mr. Upton was the first person who introduced the conceit in this line, which has been adopted since his book appeared, by pointing it thus: Put out the light, and then Put out the light! &c. I entirely agree with Dr. Farmer, that this regulation gives a spirit to this passage that was not intended. The poet, I think, meant merely to say, "I will now put out the lighted taper which I hold, and then put out the light of life;" and this introduces his subsequent reflection and comparison, just as aptly, as supposing the latter words of the line to be used in the same sense as in the beginning of it, which cannot be done without destroying that equivoque and play of words of which Shakspeare was so fond. MALONE. Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace, Des. Alas, my lord, what may you mean by that? No, Heaven forefend. - I would not kill thy soul.2 Des. Talk you of killing? Oth. Des. Have mercy on me! Oth. Ay, I do. Then, Heaven Amen, with all my heart! Des. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Des. And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then, Des. They are loves I bear to you. Oth. Ay, and for that thou diest. Des. That death's unnatural, that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame: They do not point on me. Oth. Peace, and be still! Des. I will so: What's the matter? Oth. That handkerchief, which I so lov'd, and gave Take heed of perjury; thou'rt on thy death-bed. Des. Ay, but not yet to die. 2- I would not kill thy soul.] Othello appears to have been a favourite of his author; for he has bestowed on him that piety which be had refused to Hamlet. Oth. Yes, presently: Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin; For to deny each article with oath, Cannot remove, nor choke, the strong conception, Des. Then, Lord have mercy on me! Oth. I say, amen. Des. And have you mercy too! I never did Oth. By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his hand. O perjur'd woman! thou dost stone my heart, And mak'st me call, what I intend to do, A murder, which I thought a sacrifice: 3 He found it then; Send for him hither, He hath confess'd. Honest Iago hath ta'en order for❜t.* Des. My fear interprets then, What, is he dead? Oth. Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge Had stomach for them all. Des. Alas! he is betray'd, and I undone, 3 A murder, which I thought a sacrifice:] This line is difficult. Thou hast hardened my heart, and makest me kill thee with the rage of a murderer, when I thought to have sacrificed thee to justice with the calmness of a priest striking a victim. I am glad that I have ended my revisal of this dreadful scene. It is not to be endured. JOHNSON. 4 hath ta'en order for't.] i. e. has taken measures. |