No, my heart is turn'd to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature! she might lie by an emperor's side and command him tasks.

IAGO. Nay, that's not your way.

OTH. Hang her, I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle! an admirable musician! O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear. Of so high and plenteous wit and invention!

IAGO. She's the worse for all this.

OTH. O, a thousand, a thousand times. And then of so gentle a condition!

IAGO. Ay, too gentle.

OTH. Nay, that's certain. But yet the pity of it, Iago! O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!

IAGO. If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you, it comes near nobody.

OTH. I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!

IAGO. O, 'tis foul in her.

OTH. With mine officer!

IAGO. That's fouler.

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.

 

[A trumpet.]

 

What trumpet is that same?

IAGO.

I warrant, something from Venice.

 

Enter Lodovico, Desdemona, and Attendants.

 

'Tis Lodovico –

This comes from the Duke. See, your wife's with him.

LOD.

[God] save you, worthy general!

OTH.

With all my heart, sir.

LOD.

The Duke and the senators of Venice greet you.

 

[Gives him a letter.]

OTH.

I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

 

[Opens the letter and reads.]

 

DES.

And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?

IAGO.

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 'twixt my lord and Cassio?

DES.

A most unhappy one. I would do much

T' 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 th' letter mov'd 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.

Why, sweet Othello?

OTH [Striking her.]

Devil!

DES.

I have not deserv'd this.

LOD.

My lord, this would not be believ'd in Venice,

Though I should swear I saw't.