(Desdemona, Aemilia, and Cassio remain.)
Desdemona. I pray you, do so—surely something concerning the state, either from Venice, or some unhatched plot here in Cyprus, of which he has made the discovery, must have darkened his usually cheerful spirit; and in such cases, it is the way of men to vent their displeasure on lesser things, though their subject be great. It cannot be otherwise. Let only one finger hurt us, and a feeling of pain spreads over our other healthy limbs. No, we must remember that our husbands are not gods; we cannot require them always to treat us as tenderly as they do before the wedding. Scold me well, Aemilia; naughty thing that I am, I was already on the point of prosecuting his unkindness in my heart; but now I find that my self-love has bribed the witness, and that he has been unjustly accused.
Aemilia. May Heaven grant that these are matters of state, as you believe, and not jealous whims that concern you.
Desdemona.
That would be so unfortunate! I never gave him cause for it.
Aemilia. Jealous minds cannot be appeased by this; they are not always jealous because they have a reason to be, but often simply because they are jealous. Jealousy is a monster that has no other father or mother than itself.
Desdemona:
Heaven preserve Othello’s heart from this monster!
Aemilia.
To that I say amen, Madam.
Desdemona. I will see where he is. Cassio, do not stray too far; if I find him in a better mood, I will revive your cause and try my utmost to succeed.
Cassio.
I humbly thank Your Grace.
(They leave on different sides.)
