Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; Where virtue is, these are most 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, lago,
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.

[son Iago. I'm glad of this; for now I shall have reaTo shew the love and duty that I bear you

With franker spirit.

Receive it from me.

Therefore as I'm bound,

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 abused: look to't.

appearance of a number of bubbles blown on his body, as alluded to in the same speech.

Fig. 103.

I know our country disposition well;

In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks

They dare not shew their husbands; their best

conscience

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

Iago. She did deceive her father, marrying you; And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, She loved them most.

Oth. And so she did.

Iago. Go to then;

She, that, so young, could give out such a seeming To seal her father's eyes up, close as oak

He thought 'twas witchcraft-but I'm much to I humbly do beseech you of your pardon, [blame: For too much loving you.

Oth. I'm bound to you for ever.

Iago. I see this hath a little dashed your spirits. Oth. Not a jot, not a jot.

Iago. Trust me, I fear it has :

I hope you will consider what is spoke

Comes from my love. But, I do see, you're moved-

I am to pray you, not to strain my speech

To

grosser issues, nor to larger reach,

Than to suspicion.

Oth. I will not.

Iago. Should you do so, my Lord,

My speech would fall into such vile success,

Which my thoughts aim not at. worthy friend.

My Lord, I see you're moved

Oth. No, not much moved

Cassio's my

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 itselfIago. Ay, there's the point;-as (to be bold with Not to affect many proposed matches

[you,)

Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things Nature tends:
Foh! one may smell, in such, a will most rank,
Foul disproportions, thoughts unnatural,
But, pardon me, I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her; tho' I may fear,

Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms,
And, haply, so repent.

Oth. Farewel, farewel;

If more thou dost perceive, let me know more;
Set on thy wife t' observe. Leave me, Iago,
Iago. My lord, I take my leave.
Oth. Why did I marry?

This honest creature, doubtless,

[Going.

Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.

Iago. My lord, I would I might entreat your honour

To scan this thing no farther; leave it to time:
Altho' 'tis fit that Cassio have his place,
For, sure, he fills it up with great ability;
Yet if you please to hold him off awhile,
You shall by that perceive him, and his means;
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment
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.

Manet OTHELLO.

[Exit.

Oth. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit, Of human dealings. If I prove her haggard, Tho' that the jesses were my dear heart-strings, I'd whistle her off, and let her down the wind To prey at fortune. Haply, for I'm black, And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have; or, for I am declined Into the vale of years, yet that's not muchShe's gone, I am abused, and my relief Must be to loath her. Oh the 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,
For others' use. Yet 'tis the plague of great ones:
Prerogativ'd are they less than the base;

'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
Even then, this forked plague is fated to us,
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes!
Enter DESDEMOMA and EMILIA.

If she be false, oh, then Heaven mocks itself;
I'll not believe it.

Des. How now, my dear Othello?
Your dinner, and the generous islanders,
By you invited, do attend your presence.
Oth. I am to blame.

Des. Why do you speak so faintly?

Oth. I have a pain upon my forehead here.
Des. Why, that's with watching, 'twill away

again;

Let me but bind it hard, within this hour

It will be well.

Oth. Your napkin is too little; (60)

[She drops her handkerchief.

Let it alone; come I'll go with you:

Des. I am very sorry that you are not well. [Exeunt.

(60) Your napkin is too little. Much in the play turns upon this napkin or handkerchief: it may therefore be well to point it out here, as being constituted of the white streaks