III iii (part one)

 

“Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.”

 

Othello, Iago, Dedemona

 

[Enter OTHELLO and IAGO]

 

IAGO                       Ha! I like not that.

 

OTHELLO               What dost thou say?

 

IAGO                       Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what.

 

OTHELLO               Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?

 

IAGO                       Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.

 

OTHELLO               I do believe 'twas he.

 

DESDEMONA        How now, my lord!
I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.

 

OTHELLO               Who is't you mean?

 

DESDEMONA        Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
If I have any grace or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;
For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back.

 

OTHELLO               Went he hence now?

 

DESDEMONA        Ay, sooth; so humbled
That he hath left part of his grief with me,
To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.

 

OTHELLO               Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.

 

DESDEMONA        But shall't be shortly?

 

OTHELLO               The sooner, sweet, for you.

 

DESDEMONA        Shall't be to-night at supper?

 

OTHELLO               No, not to-night.

 

DESDEMONA        To-morrow dinner, then?

 

OTHELLO               I shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel.

 

DESDEMONA        Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn;
On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn:
I prithee, name the time, but let it not
Exceed three days:  When shall he come?
Tell me, Othello: I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny,
Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; Trust me, I could do much,--

 

OTHELLO               Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;
I will deny thee nothing.

 

DESDEMONA        Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm: 
Nay, when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
And fearful to be granted.

 

OTHELLO               I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
To leave me but a little to myself.

 

DESDEMONA        Shall I deny you? no: farewell, my lord.

 

OTHELLO               Farewell, my Desdemona: I'll come to thee straight.

 

DESDEMONA        Emilia, come. Be as your fancies teach you;
Whate'er you be, I am obedient.

 

                                 [Exeunt DESDEMONA and EMILIA]

 

OTHELLO               Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.