Page 1454 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Lay thy finger thus, and let thy soul be instructed: [220] mark me, with what
violence she first lov’d the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical
lies; and will she love him still for prating? let not the discreet heart think so.
Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?

[225] When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be
again to inflame it, and give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,
sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in:
now, for want of these requir’d conveniences, [230] her delicate tenderness

will find itself abus’d, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor,
very nature will instruct her to it, and compel her to some second choice.
Now, sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforc’d position) who
stands so [235] eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does? a

knave very voluble, no farther conscionable than in putting on the mere form
of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and hidden
affections: a subtle slippery knave, a finder [240] out of occasions; that has
an eye can stamp and counterfeit the true advantages never present

themselves. Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those
requisites in him that folly and green minds look after; a pestilent complete
knave, and the [245] woman has found him already.

RODERIGO
I cannot believe that in her, she’s full of most blest condition.

IAGO
Blest fig’s-end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blest,

she would never have [250] lov’d the Moor. Didst thou not see her paddle
with the palm of his hand?

RODERIGO
Yes, but that was but courtesy.

IAGO
Lechery, by this hand: an index and prologue to the history of lust and foul
thoughts: they met so near [255] with their lips, that their breaths embrac’d

together. When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes
the main exercise, the incorporate conclusion. But, sir, be you rul’d by me, I
have brought you from Venice: watch you to-night, for your [260] command,
I’ll lay’t upon you, Cassio knows you not, I’ll not be far from you, do you find