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
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 bade me, when my fate would have me wive,
To give it her:-I did so :-and take heed on't,
Make it a darling, like your precious eye;

To lose or give't away, were such perdition,
As nothing else could match.

Des. Is it possible?

Oth. 'Tis true; there's magic in the web of it: A Sibyl, that had number'd in the world The sun to make two hundred compasses, In her prophetic fury sew'd the work:

The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk; And it was dy'd in mummy, which the skilful Conserved of maidens' hearts.

Des. Indeed! is it true?

Oth. Most veritable: therefore look to't well. Des. Then 'would to Heaven, that I had never seen it!

Oth. Ha! wherefore?

Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash? Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out o' the way? Des. Heaven bless us!

Oth. Say you?

Des. It is not lost: But what, an' if it were?
Oth. Ha!-

Des. I say it is not lost.

Oth. Fetch't, let me see it.

Des. Why, so I can, sir, but I will not now :This is a trick to put me from my suit:

I

pray let Cassio be received again.

F

Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief:-my mind mis

You'll never meet a more sufficient man.

Oth. The handkerchief!.

Des. A man that, all his time,

Hath founded his good fortunes on your love;
Shared dangers with you ;-

Oth. The handkerchief !—

Des. In sooth, you are to blame.

Oth. Away!

Emil. Is not this man jealous?

Des. I ne'er saw this before.

[Exit.

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.--Look you! Cassio, and my husband.

Enter IAGO and Cassio.

Tago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't :-And, lo, the happiness!-go, and importune her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you?

Cas. Madam, my former suit.

Des. 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 favour, as in humour, alter'd.

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 cannen,

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. [Exit.
Des. I pr'ythee do so.-Something, sure, of state
Hath puddled his clear spirit: and, in such cases,
Men's natures wrangle with inferior things,
Though great ones are their object.

Nay, we must think, men are not gods;
Nor of them look for such observances
As fit the bridal.

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 answered so: They are not ever jealous for the cause,

But jealous for they're 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.-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.

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

Cyprus.

An Apartment in the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO and IAGO.

Oth. Get me some poison, Iago; this night :-I'll not expostulate with her; lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again :-this night, Iago.

Iago. Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.

Oth. Good, good: the justice of it pleases; very good.

Iago. And for Cassio,-let me be his undertaker: You shall hear more by midnight.Oth. Excellent good.

What trumpet is that same ?

[A Trumpet without.

Iago. Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico Come from the Duke: and see, your wife is with him.

Enter LODOVICO and DESDEmona.

Lod. 'Save you, worthy general!

Oth. With all my heart, sir.

Lod. The Duke and senators of Venice greet you.

[Gives him a Letter.

Oth. I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

[Reads the Letter. Des. And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico ? lago. I am very glad to see you, signior : Welcome to Cyprus.

Lod. I thank you. How does lieutenant Cassio ? Iago. Lives, sir.

Des. Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord

An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
Oth. Are you sure of that?

Des. My lord?

Oth. [Reads.] This fail you not to do, as you will-Lod. He did not call; he's busy in the paper.— Is there division between my lord and Cassio? Des. A most unhappy one: I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Oth. Fire and brimstone !-—

Des. My lord?

Oth. Are you wise?

Des. What, is he angry?

Lod. 'May be, the letter moved him ;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.

Des. By my troth, I am glad on't.

Oth. Indeed?

Des. My lord?

Oth. I am glad to see you mad.

Des. How, sweet Othello?

Oth. Devil!

Des. I have not deserved this.

[Striking her.

Lod. My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, Though I should swear I saw't: 'Tis very much; Make her amends; she weeps.

Oth. O devil, devil !—

If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.-
Out of my sight!