Shakespeare's First Folio Part 636

We haue done our course: there's money for your paines: I pray you turne the key, and keepe our counsaile.

Enter.

Aemil. Alas, what do's this Gentleman conceiue?

How do you Madam? how do you my good Lady?

Des. Faith, halfe a sleepe

Aemi. Good Madam, What's the matter with my Lord?

Des. With who?

Aemil. Why, with my Lord, Madam?

Des. Who is thy Lord?

Aemil. He that is yours, sweet Lady

Des. I haue none: do not talke to me, aemilia, I cannot weepe: nor answeres haue I none, But what should go by water. Prythee to night, Lay on my bed my wedding sheetes, remember, And call thy husband hither.

Aemil. Heere's a change indeed.

Enter.

Des. 'Tis meete I should be vs'd so: very meete.

How haue I bin behau'd, that he might sticke The small'st opinion on my least misvse?

Enter Iago, and aemilia.

Iago. What is your pleasure Madam?

How is't with you?

Des. I cannot tell: those that do teach yong Babes Do it with gentle meanes, and easie taskes.

He might haue chid me so; for in good faith I am a Child to chiding

Iago. What is the matter Lady?

Aemil. Alas (Iago) my Lord hath so bewhor'd her, Throwne such dispight, and heauy termes vpon her That true hearts cannot beare it

Des. Am I that name, Iago?

Iago. What name, (faire Lady?) Des. Such as she said my Lord did say I was.

Aemil. He call'd her wh.o.r.e: a Begger in his drinke: Could not haue laid such termes vpon his Callet

Iago. Why did he so?

Des. I do not know: I am sure I am none such

Iago. Do not weepe, do not weepe: alas the day.

Aemil. Hath she forsooke so many n.o.ble Matches?

Her Father? And her Country? And her Friends?

To be call'd Wh.o.r.e? Would it not make one weepe?

Des. It is my wretched Fortune

Iago. Beshrew him for't: How comes this Tricke vpon him?

Des. Nay, Heauen doth know

Aemi. I will be hang'd, if some eternall Villaine, Some busie and insinuating Rogue, Some cogging, cozening Slaue, to get some Office, Haue not deuis'd this Slander: I will be hang'd else

Iago. Fie, there is no such man: it is impossible

Des. If any such there be, Heauen pardon him.

Aemil. A halter pardon him: And h.e.l.l gnaw his bones.

Why should he call her Wh.o.r.e?

Who keepes her companie?

What Place? What Time?

What Forme? What liklyhood?

The Moore's abus'd by some most villanous Knaue, Some base notorious Knaue, some scuruy Fellow.

Oh Heauens, that such companions thou'd'st vnfold, And put in euery honest hand a whip To lash the Rascalls naked through the world, Euen from the East to th' West

Iago. Speake within doore.

Aemil. Oh fie vpon them: some such Squire he was That turn'd your wit, the seamy-side without, And made you to suspect me with the Moore

Iago. You are a Foole: go too

Des. Alas Iago, What shall I do to win my Lord againe?

Good Friend, go to him: for by this light of Heauen, I know not how I lost him. Heere I kneele: If ere my will did trespa.s.se 'gainst his Loue, Either in discourse of thought, or actuall deed, Or that mine Eyes, mine Eares, or any Sence Delighted them: or any other Forme.

Or that I do not yet, and euer did, And euer will, (though he do shake me off To beggerly diuorcement) Loue him deerely, Comfort forsweare me. Vnkindnesse may do much, And his vnkindnesse may defeat my life, But neuer taynt my Loue. I cannot say Wh.o.r.e, It do's abhorre me now I speake the word, To do the Act, that might the addition earne, Not the worlds Ma.s.se of vanitie could make me

Iago. I pray you be content: 'tis but his humour: The businesse of the State do's him offence

Des. If 'twere no other

Iago. It is but so, I warrant, Hearke how these Instruments summon to supper: The Messengers of Venice staies the meate, Go in, and weepe not: all things shall be well.

Exeunt. Desdemona and aemilia.

Enter Rodorigo.

How now Rodorigo?

Rod. I do not finde That thou deal'st iustly with me

Iago. What in the contrarie?

Rodori. Euery day thou dafts me with some deuise Iago, and rather, as it seemes to me now, keep'st from me all conueniencie, then suppliest me with the least aduantage of hope: I will indeed no longer endure it. Nor am I yet perswaded to put vp in peace, what already I haue foolishly suffred

Iago. Will you heare me Rodorigo?

Rodori. I haue heard too much: and your words and Performances are no kin together

Iago. You charge me most vniustly

Rodo. With naught but truth: I haue wasted my selfe out of my meanes. The Iewels you haue had from me to deliuer Desdemona, would halfe haue corrupted a Votarist. You haue told me she hath receiu'd them, and return'd me expectations and comforts of sodaine respect, and acquaintance, but I finde none

Iago. Well, go too: very well

Rod. Very well, go too: I cannot go too, (man) nor 'tis not very well. Nay I think it is scuruy: and begin to finde my selfe fopt in it

Iago. Very well

Rodor. I tell you, 'tis not very well: I will make my selfe knowne to Desdemona. If she will returne me my Iewels, I will giue ouer my Suit, and repent my vnlawfull solicitation. If not, a.s.sure your selfe, I will seeke satisfaction of you

Iago. You haue said now