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Othello Play by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Scene 19

 (Othello and Iago enter from the side, at a distance.)

Aemilia.
My lady, here comes your husband.

Cassio.
So I will take my leave, my lady.

Desdemona:
Why then? Stay here and hear me speak.

Cassio.
Not now, madam; I am so disturbed that I
would not give my cause any good impetus.

(Cassio leaves.)

Desdemona.
Well, as you please.

Jago (quietly.)
Ha! I don’t like this very much—

Othello (to Iago)
What say you?

Jago.
Nothing, my lord; or if—I don’t know what.

Othello:
Did not Cassio this moment leave my wife?

Iago. Cassio, my lord?—No, I assure you, I cannot imagine that, as soon as he sees you coming, he would slip away so hastily, as if he had no clear conscience.

Othello.
I believe it was no different than he was.

Desdemona.
How is it, my husband? I was just now speaking with a
supplicant, a man whom your disgrace makes very unhappy.

Othello.
And who is this man?

Desdemona. Who could it be but your lieutenant, Cassio? Dearest husband, if I have any power over your heart, reconcile yourself to him at once. Unless he is a man who truly loves you, and who has sinned from mere rashness and not with design, I know nothing of what an honest face is.

Othello.
Was it he who just left?

Desdemona.
And so cast down that he
has left a part of his sorrow to my compassionate heart. I pray you, my dear,
let him return.

Othello.
Not yet, dearest Desdemona, another time.

Desdemona:
But soon?

Othello.
Soon enough, my heart, for you.

Desdemona.
Tonight, for supper?

Othello.
Not that.

Desdemona:
So tomorrow at noon?

Othello.
I’m having lunch with some officers tomorrow at the Citadel.

Desdemona. Well, then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning, or night, or Wednesday morning, I pray you, fix the time; but let it not be longer than three days. By my faith, he is penitent; and yet his crime, judging by the common way of it, and setting aside that in time of war the best example is required of an officer, is a trifling rashness, scarcely deserving a private rebuke. When shall he come? Tell me, Othello! I wonder in my soul what you could ask of me that I should refuse you, or stand so sullen about! What? Michael Cassio! Who has served your love for me so well; who so often, when I did not speak very favorably of you, took your side—and I shall have so much trouble to restore him to your favor? Take my word for it, I probably wanted more—

Othello. I pray thee, let it be enough; he may come if he will; I will refuse thee nothing.

Desdemona. Why, this is no favor I ask for myself; it is as if I asked you to wear your clothes, or eat of wholesome food, or keep yourselves warm; in short, as if I begged you to indulge yourselves. Nay, if I have a request by which I mean to try your love indeed, let it be something hard and great, something the heart requires to be granted.

Othello. I will deny you nothing, and all I ask in return is that you will leave me alone for a while.

Desdemona.
Should I refuse you? No; farewell, my husband.

Othello.
Farewell, my Desdemona, I will follow presently.

Desdemona. Aemilia, come; be as your mood dictates, be as you will, and I will obey.

(They leave.)

Table of Contents

Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
Scene 8
Scene 9
Scene 10
Scene 11
Scene 12
Scene 13
Scene 14
Scene 15
Scene 16
Scene 17
Scene 18
Scene 20
Scene 21
Scene 22
Scene 23
Scene 24
Scene 25
Scene 26
Scene 27
Scene 28
Scene 29
Scene 30
Scene 31
Scene 32