Oth. She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore. Thou art rash as fire, to say That she was false : 0, she was heavenly true ? Oth. Cassio did tup her; ask thy husband else. Emi. My husband ? Ay, with Cassio Emi. My husband ? Ay, 'twas he that told me first : My husband ? Oth. What needs this iterance, woman? I say, thy husband. Emi. O mistress, villany hath made mocks with love !-3 My husband say, that she was false? 1 A precious stone. 2 Repetition, 3.i. e. villany has taken advantage to play on the weakness of a violent passion.'-Johnson. Oth. He, woman: I say, thy husband. Dost understand the word ? My friend, thy husband; honest, honest Iago. Emi. If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart : She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. Oth. Ha ! Emi. Do thy worst : Peace ; you were best. Emi. Thou hast not half the power to do me harm, As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt ! As ignorant as dirt ! thou hast done a deed,-I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known, Though I lost twenty lives.—Help! help, ho! help! The Moor has kill'd my mistress : murder! murder ! Enter MONTANO, GRATIANO, and iago. Mon. What is the matter?-How now, general ? Emi. O, are you come, Iago ? you have done well, 'That men must lay their murders on your neck! Gra. What is the matter? Emi. Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man. He says, thou told’st him that his wife was false : I know, thou didst not; thou 'rt not such a villain. ' i. e. more can I bear than you dare execute. Speak, for my heart is full. Iago. I told him what I thought; and told no more Than what he found himself was apt and true. Emi. But did you ever tell him she was false? Emi. You told a lie; an odious, damned lie; tongue. Emi. I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak : All. O, Heavens forefend ! 1 Villany, villany, villany! - home. Emi. Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak: 'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. i Forbid. Oth. Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home. Oth. O! O! O! [hanging over his wife. Emi. Nay, lay thee down, and roar; For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent, That e'er did lift up eye. O, sh was foul !- [rising. I scarce did know you, uncle : there lies your niece, Whose breath, indeed, these hands have newly stopp'd. I know, this act shows horrible and grim. Gra. Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father's dead : Oth. 'Tis pitiful : but yet Iago knows, Emi. O heaven! O heavenly powers ! Come, hold your peace. Emi. 'Twill out, 'twill out:-I hold my peace, sir ? no: No; I will speak as liberal 1 as the air ; Iago. Be wise, and get you home. I will not. [Iago offers to stab his wife. Gra. Fie! Your sword upon a woman? Emi. O thou dull Moor! that handkerchief thou speak'st of, Villanous whore ! Filth, thou liest. [Iago stabs Emilia, then runs out. Oth. Are there no stones in heaven, But what serve for the thunder ?-Precious villain ! Gra. The woman falls : sure, he has kill'd his wife. Emi. Ay, ay: 0, lay me by my mistress' side! 1 Free. |