LODOVICO
The duke and senators of Venice greet you.
[Gives him a packet.]
OTHELLO.
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.
[Opens the packet and reads.]
DESDEMONA
And what’s the news, good cousin Lodovico?
IAGO
I am very glad to see you, signior;
Welcome to Cyprus.
LODOVICO
I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?
IAGO
Lives, sir.
DESDEMONA
Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord
An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.
OTHELLO
Are you sure of that?
DESDEMONA
My lord?
OTHELLO
[Reads.] “This fail you not to do, as you will,—”
LODOVICO
He did not call; he’s busy in the paper.
Is there division ‘twixt my lord and Cassio?
DESDEMONA
A most unhappy one: I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
OTHELLO
Fire and brimstone!
DESDEMONA
My lord?
OTHELLO
Are you wise?
DESDEMONA
What, is he angry?
LODOVICO
May be the letter mov’d him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.
DESDEMONA
Trust me, I am glad on’t.
OTHELLO
Indeed!
DESDEMONA
My lord?
OTHELLO
I am glad to see you mad.
DESDEMONA
Why, sweet Othello,—
OTHELLO
Devil! [Striking her.]
DESDEMONA
I have not deserv’d this.
LODOVICO
My lord, this would not be believ’d in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw’t: ‘tis very much:
Make her amends; she weeps.
OTHELLO
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.—
Out of my sight!
DESDEMONA
I will not stay to offend you. [Going.]
LODOVICO
Truly, an obedient lady:—
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.
OTHELLO
Mistress!
DESDEMONA
My lord?
OTHELLO
What would you with her, sir?
LODOVICO
Who, I, my lord?
OTHELLO
Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn:
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
And she’s obedient, as you say,—obedient,—
Very obedient.—Proceed you in your tears.—
Concerning this, sir,—O well-painted passion!
I am commanded home.—Get you away;
I’ll send for you anon.—Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice.—Hence, avaunt!
[Exit Desdemona.]
Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight,
I do entreat that we may sup together:
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.—Goats and monkeys!
[Exit.]
SCENE VII
LODOVICO
Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
Call all-in-all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake? whose solid virtue
The shot of accident nor dart of chance
Could neither graze nor pierce?
IAGO
He is much chang’d.
LODOVICO
Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain?
IAGO
He’s that he is: I may not breathe my censure
What he might be,—if what he might he is not,—
I would to heaven he were!
LODOVICO
What, strike his wife!
IAGO
Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
That stroke would prove the worst!
LODOVICO
Is it his use?
Or did the letters work upon his blood,
And new-create this fault?
IAGO
Alas, alas!
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known. You shall observe him;
And his own courses will denote him so
That I may save my speech: do but go after,
And mark how he continues.
LODOVICO
I am sorry that I am deceiv’d in him.
[Exeunt.]