Page 1467 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Touch me not so near,
I had rather ha’ this tongue cut from my mouth,
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio:
Yet I persuade myself, to speak the truth

Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general: [215]
Montano and myself being in speech,
There comes a fellow, crying out for help,
And Cassio following him with determin’d sword,

To execute upon him: sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause; [220]
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
Lest by his clamour (as it so fell out)

The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
Outran my purpose: and I return’d the rather,
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords; [225]
And Cassio high in oaths, which till to-night

I ne’er might see before: when I came back
(For this was brief) I found them close together,
At blow and thrust, even as again they were,
When you yourself did part them. [230]

More of this matter can I not report,
But men are men, the best sometimes forget;
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

Yet surely Cassio, I believe, receiv’d, [235]
From him that fled, some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pass.

OTHELLO
I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,

Making it light to Cassio: Cassio, I love thee,
But never more be officer of mine. [240]

Enter Desdemona, with others.

Look if my gentle love be not rais’d up!
I’ll make thee an example.