I grant indeed it hath not appear'd; and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment. But, Roderigo, if thou hast that in thee indeed, which I have greater reason to believe now than ever (I mean purpose, courage, and valor), this night show it. If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life.

ROD. Well; what is it? Is it within reason and compass?

IAGO. Sir, there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place.

ROD. Is that true? Why then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice.

IAGO. O no; he goes into Mauritania and taketh away with him the fair Desdemona, unless his abode be ling'red here by some accident; wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio.

ROD. How do you mean, removing him?

IAGO. Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place: knocking out his brains.

ROD. And that you would have me to do?

IAGO. Ay; if you dare do yourself a profit and a right. He sups to-night with a harlotry, and thither will I go to him – he knows not yet of his honorable fortune. If you will watch his going thence (which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one), you may take him at your pleasure. I will be near to second your attempt, and he shall fall between us. Come, stand not amaz'd at it, but go along with me; I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him. It is now high supper-time, and the night grows to waste. About it.

ROD. I will hear further reason for this.

IAGO. And you shall be satisfied.

Exeunt.

 

 

Scene III

Enter Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, Emilia, and Attendants.

 

LOD.

I do beseech you, sir, trouble yourself no further.

OTH.

O, pardon me; 'twill do me good to walk.

LOD.

Madam, good night; I humbly thank your ladyship.

DES.

Your honor is most welcome.

OTH.

Will you walk, sir?

O, Desdemona!

DES.

My lord?

OTH. Get you to bed on th' instant, I will be return'd forthwith. Dismiss your attendant there. Look't be done.

DES.

I will, my lord.

 

Exeunt [Othello, Lodovico, and Attendants].

 

EMIL.

How goes it now? He looks gentler than he did.

DES.

He says he will return incontinent,

And hath commanded me to go to bed,

And bid me to dismiss you.

EMIL.

Dismiss me?

DES.

It was his bidding; therefore, good Emilia,

Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu.

We must not now displease him.

EMIL.

I would you had never seen him!

DES.

So would not I. My love doth so approve him,

That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns –

Prithee unpin me – have grace and favor [in them].

EMIL.

I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed.

DES.

All's one. Good [faith], how foolish are our minds!

If I do die before [thee], prithee shroud me

In one of these same sheets.

EMIL.

Come, come; you talk.

DES.

My mother had a maid call'd Barbary;

She was in love, and he she lov'd prov'd mad,

And did forsake her. She had a song of »Willow,«

An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her fortune,

And she died singing it. That song to-night

Will not go from my mind; I have much to do

But to go hang my head all at one side

And sing it like poor Barbary. Prithee dispatch.

EMIL.

Shall I go fetch your night-gown?

DES.

No, unpin me here.

This Lodovico is a proper man.

EMIL.