Act Four scene 1

 

Goats and monkeys!

 

Othello, Iago, Lodovico, Desdemona

 

 

                           [A trumpet within]

 

                           What trumpet is that same?

 

IAGO                 Something from Venice, sure. 'Tis Lodovico
Come from the duke: and, see, your wife is with him.

 

                           [Enter LODOVICO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants]

 

LODOVICO      Save you, worthy general!

 

OTHELLO         With all my heart, sir.

 

LODOVICO      The duke and senators of Venice greet you.

 

                           [Gives him a letter]

 

OTHELLO         I kiss the instrument of their pleasures.

 

                           [Opens the letter, and reads]

 

DESDEMONA And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico?

 

IAGO                 I am very glad to see you, signior
Welcome to Cyprus.

 

LODOVICO      I thank you. How does Lieutenant Cassio?

 

IAGO                 Lives, sir.

 

DESDEMONA Cousin, there's fall'n between him and my lord
An unkind breach: but you shall make all well.

 

OTHELLO         Are you sure of that?

 

DESDEMONA My lord?

 

OTHELLO         [Reads] 'This fail you not to do, as you will--'

 

LODOVICO      He did not call; he's busy in the paper.
Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio?

 

DESDEMONA A most unhappy one: I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.

 

OTHELLO         Fire and brimstone!

 

DESDEMONA My lord?

 

OTHELLO         Are you wise?

 

DESDEMONA What, is he angry?

 

LODOVICO      May be the letter moved him;
For, as I think, they do command him home,
Deputing Cassio in his government.

 

DESDEMONA Trust me, I am glad on't.

 

OTHELLO         Indeed!

 

DESDEMONA My lord?

 

OTHELLO         I am glad to see you mad.

 

DESDEMONA Why, sweet Othello,--

 

OTHELLO         [Striking her] Devil!

 

DESDEMONA I have not deserved this.

 

LODOVICO      My lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw't: 'tis very much:
Make her amends; she weeps.

 

OTHELLO         O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!

 

DESDEMONA I will not stay to offend you.

                           [Going]

 

LODOVICO      Truly, an obedient lady:
I do beseech your lordship, call her back.

 

OTHELLO         Mistress!

 

DESDEMONA My lord?

 

OTHELLO         What would you with her, sir?

 

LODOVICO      Who, I, my lord?

 

OTHELLO         Ay; you did wish that I would make her turn:
Sir, she can turn, and turn, and yet go on,
And turn again; and she can weep, sir, weep;
And she's obedient, as you say, obedient,
Very obedient. Proceed you in your tears.
Concerning this, sir,--O well-painted passion!--
I am commanded home. Get you away;
I'll send for you anon. Sir, I obey the mandate,
And will return to Venice. Hence, avaunt!

 

                           [Exit DESDEMONA]

 

Cassio shall have my place. And, sir, tonight,
I do entreat that we may sup together:
You are welcome, sir, to Cyprus.--Goats and monkeys!

 

                           [Exit]

 

LODOVICO      Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake?

 

IAGO                 He is much changed.

 

LODOVICO      Are his wits safe? is he not light of brain?

 

IAGO                 He's that he is.

 

LODOVICO      What, strike his wife!

 

IAGO                 'Faith, that was not so well; yet would I knew
That stroke would prove the worst!

 

 

LODOVICO      Is it his use?

 

IAGO                 Alas, alas!
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known. do but go after,
And mark how he continues.

 

LODOVICO      I am sorry that I am deceived in him.

 

                           [Exeunt]