tainly in a little time have done the deed; and sure never were times so favourable-everything conspires, for a' the auld political post-horses are broken-winded and foundered and cannot get on; and as till the rising generation, the vanity of surpassing one another in what they foolishly call taste and elegance binds them hand and foot in the chains of luxury, which will always set them up till the best bidder; so that, if they can but get wherewithal to supply their dissipation, a minister may convert the political morals of a' sic voluptuaries intill a vote that would sell the nation till Prester John, and their boasted liberties till the Great Mogul. Othello. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again. Tago. My noble lord,— Oth. What dost thou say, Iago? Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Know of your love? Oth. He did, from first to last: why dost thou ask? Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought; No further harm. Oth. Why of thy thought, Iago? Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with her. Oth. O, yes; and went between us very often. Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed :-discern'st thou aught in that? Is he not honest? Oth. Think, my lord! By heaven he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought Too hideous to be shown!-Thou dost mean some thing: I heard thee say but now,-thou lik'dst not that, Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me, Iago. My lord, you know I love you. I think thou dost. Oth. And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath, For such things in a false-disloyal knave Are tricks of custom; but in a man that's just, Iago. For Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn I think that he is honest. Oth. I think so too. Iago. Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none ! Oth. Certain, men should be what they seem. Iago. Why, then, I think Cassio's an honest man. Oth. Nay, yet there's more in this; I pr'ythee speak to me as to thy thinkings, As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts The worst of words. Iago. Good my lord, pardon me: Though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to that all slaves are free to. Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and false, As where's that palace whereinto foul things Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear A stranger to thy thoughts. I do beseech you, Iago. (As I confess it is my nature's plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy From one that so imperfectly conceits, Would take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom, Oth. What dost thou mean? Iago. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; 't is somethingnothing; 'T was mine, 't is his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, Oth. By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts! Iago. You cannot, if my heart were in your hand; Nor shall not, whilst 't is 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 husband lives in bliss Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er, Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet soundly loves! Oth. O, misery! Iago. Poor and content is rich, and rich enough; But riches fineless 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! Oth. Why, why is this? 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, May fall to match you with her country forms, And happily repent. Oth. Farewell, farewell: If more thou dost perceive, let me know more ;— [Going. Oth. Why did I marry?—This honest creature, doubtless, Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds. Iago. [Returning.] My lord, I would I might entreat your honour To scan this thing no farther; leave it to time: [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, 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 |