Page 1456 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

For that I do suspect the lustful Moor [290]
Hath leap’d into my seat, the thought whereof
Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards,
And nothing can, nor shall content my soul,

Till I am even with him, wife, for wife:
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor, [295]
At least, into a jealousy so strong,
That judgement cannot cure; which thing to do,

If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I’ll have our Michael Cassio on the hip, [300]
Abuse him to the Moor, in the rank garb

(For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too)
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me,
For making him egregiously an ass,
And practising upon his peace and quiet, [305]

Even to madness: ’tis here, but yet confus’d;
Knavery’s plain face is never seen, till us’d.
Exit.

Scene II IT

The same.

Enter a Gentleman reading a proclamation.

It is Othello’s pleasure; our noble and valiant general, that upon certain
tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet; that

every man put himself into triumph: some to dance, some make bonfires;
each man to what sport and revels [5] his mind leads him; for besides these
beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials. So much was his pleasure
should be proclaimed. All offices are open, and there is full liberty, from this
present hour of five, till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of

[10] Cyprus, and our noble general Othello!
Exit.

Scene III IT