Othello by William Shakespeare Read Free Book Online

wife, observe her well with Cassio,
     Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure 221 .
     I would not have your free and noble nature,
     Out of self-bounty 223 , be abused: look to’t.
     I know our country 224 disposition well:
     In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks 225
     They dare not show their husbands: their best conscience
     Is not to leave’t undone 227 , but kept unknown.
    OTHELLO    Dost thou say so?
    IAGO    She did deceive her father, marrying you:
     And when she seemed to shake and fear your looks,
     She loved them most.
    OTHELLO    And so she did.
    IAGO    Why, go to 233 then:
     She that so young could give out such a seeming,
     To seel 235 her father’s eyes up close as oak,
     He thought ’twas witchcraft. But I am much to blame:
     I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
     For too much loving you.
    OTHELLO    I am bound 239 to thee for ever.
    IAGO    I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.
    OTHELLO    Not a jot, not a jot.
    IAGO    Trust me, I fear it has.
     I hope you will consider what is spoke
     Comes from your love 244 . But I do see you’re moved:
     I am to pray you not to strain my speech
     To grosser 246 issues nor to larger reach
     Than to suspicion 247 .
    OTHELLO    I will not.
    IAGO    Should you do so, my lord,
     My speech should fall into such vile success 250
     Which my thoughts aimed not. Cassio’s my worthy friend.
     My lord, I see you’re moved.
    OTHELLO    No, not much moved:
     I do not think but Desdemona’s honest 254 .
    IAGO    Long live she so; and long live you to think so!
    OTHELLO    And yet, how nature erring from itself—
    IAGO    Ay, there’s the point: as — to be bold with you —
     Not to affect 258 many proposèd matches
     Of her own clime, complexion and degree 259 ,
     Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
     Foh, one may smell in such a will 261 most rank,
      Foul 262 disproportions, thoughts unnatural.
     But pardon me: I do not in position 263
      Distinctly 264 speak of her, though I may fear
     Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
     May fall to match you with her country forms 266
     And happily 267 repent.
    OTHELLO    Farewell, farewell.
     If more thou dost perceive, let me know more:
     Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.
    IAGO    My lord, I take my leave.
    Starts to leave
    OTHELLO    Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
     Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.
    IAGO    My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
    Returns
         To scan 275 this thing no further: leave it to time.
     Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place 276 ,
     For sure he fills it up with great ability,
     Yet, if you please to put him off awhile,
     You shall by that perceive him and his means 279 .
     Note, if your lady strain his entertainment 280
     With any strong or vehement importunity,
     Much will be seen in that. In the meantime,
     Let me be thought too busy 283 in my fears —
     As worthy cause I have to fear I am —
     And hold her free 285 , I do beseech your honour.
    OTHELLO    Fear not my government 286 .
    IAGO    I once more take my leave.
    Exit
    OTHELLO    This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,
     And knows all quantities 289 , with a learnèd spirit,
     Of human dealings 290 . If I do prove her haggard,
     Though that her jesses 291 were my dear heartstrings,
     I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind 292
     To prey at fortune 293 . Haply, for I am black
     And have not those soft parts of conversation 294
     That chamberers 295 have, or for I am