Oth. Give me your hand; This hand is moist, my lady. Des. It yet has felt no age, nor known no sorrow. For here's a young and sweating devil here, Des. You may, indeed, say so; For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart. Oth. A liberal hand: The hearts of old, gave hands; But our new heraldry is-hands, not hearts. Des. I cannot speak of this. Come now, your pro mise. Oth. What promise, chuck? Des. I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you, Oth. I have a salt and sullen rheum offends me; Lend me thy handkerchief. Des. Here, my lord. Oth. That which I gave you. Des. I have it not about me. Oth. Not? Des. No, indeed, my lord. Oth. That is a fault: That handkerchief Did an Egyptian to my mother give; 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 bid me, when my fate would have me wive, To give it her. I did so: and take heed of't, To lose or give❜t away, were such perdition, Des. Is it possible? Oth. 'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it: In her prophetic fury sew'd the work: The worms were hallow'd, that did breed the silk; Des. Indeed! is't true? Oth. Most veritable; therefore look to't well. Des. Why do you speak so startingly and rash? Oth. Is't lost? is't gone? speak, is it out of 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; Oth. Fetch me that handkerchief: my mind misgivés. Des. Come, come; You'll never meet a more sufficient man. Oth. The handkerchief!. Des. I pray, talk me of Cassio. Oth. The handkerchief! Des. A man that, all his time, Hath founded his good fortune on your love; Shar'd dangers with you; Oth. The handkerchief!- You are to blame. Oth. Away! Emil. Is not this man jealous? Des. I ne'er saw this before. [Exit OTHELLO. Sure, there's some wonder in this handkerchief: Emil. 'Tis not a year or two shows us a man: Look you! Cassio, and my husband. Enter IAGO and CASSIO. Iago. There is no other way; 'tis she must do't; And, lo, the happiness! go, and impórtune her. Des. How now, good Cassio? what's the news with you? Cas. Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, Exist, and be a member of his love, That neither service past, nor present sorrows, Can ransome me into his love again, But to know so must be my benefit; So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content, Des. Alas! thrice-gentle Cassio, My advocation is not now in tune; My lord is not my lord; nor should I know him, So help me, every spirit sanctified, As I have spoken for you all my best; And stood within the blank of his displeasure, my free speech! 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. Emil. He went hence but now, And, certainly, in strange unquietness. Iago. Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, And, like the devil, from his very arm Des. I pr'ythee, do so.-Something, sure, of state,— Though great ones are their object. 'Tis even so; Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense As fit the bridal.-Beshrew me much, Emilia, Arraigning his unkindness with my soul; And he's indited falsely. 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 answer'd so; They are not ever jealous for the cause, But jealous for they are jealous: 'tis a monster, Des. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! Des. I will go seek him.-Cassio, walk hereabout: If I do find him fit, I'll move your suit, And seek to affect it to my uttermost. Cas. I humbly thank your ladyship. [Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA. Enter BIANCA. Bian. Save you, friend Cassio! Cas. What make you from home? How is it with you, my most fair Bianca ? I'faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house. |