Page 1486 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

But O, what damned minutes tells he o’er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!

OTHELLO
O misery! [175]

IAGO
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
But riches, fineless, is as poor as winter

To him that ever fears he shall be poor:
Good God, the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy!

OTHELLO
Why, why is this? [180]

Think’st thou I’ld make a life of jealousy?
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No, to be once in doubt,
Is once to be resolv’d: exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul [185]

To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference: ’tis not to make me jealous,
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,

Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous: [190]
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear, or doubt of her revolt,
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago,

I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove,
And on the proof, there is no more but this: [195]
Away at once with love or jealousy!

IAGO
I am glad of it, for now I shall have reason

To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore as I am bound
Receive it from me: I speak not yet of proof; [200]
Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio;