Othello: The 30-Minute Shakespeare. William Shakespeare

general will forget my love and service.

      DESDEMONA (touches CASSIO’S hand comfortingly)

      If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it

      To the last article: my lord shall never rest;

      I’ll watch him tame, and talk him out of patience.

       EMILIA

      Madam, here comes my lord.

       CASSIO

      Madam, I’ll take my leave.

      Exit CASSIO stage right.

      Enter OTHELLO and IAGO from stage rear; IAGO stands to OTHELLO’S right.

       IAGO

      Ha! I like not that.

       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.

      DESDEMONA (stands; moves toward OTHELLO)

      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,

      I prithee, call him back.

      OTHELLO (moves downstage center, away from DESDEMONA)

      No, not to-night.

      DESDEMONA (follows OTHELLO)

      Why, then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn.

      OTHELLO (takes a step stage left, away from DESDEMONA)

      Prithee, no more: let him come when he will;

      I will deny thee nothing.

      OTHELLO kisses DESDEMONA’S hand.

       DESDEMONA

      Whate’er you be, I am obedient.

      DESDEMONA bows, then exits stage right with EMILIA.

       OTHELLO

      Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,

      But I do love thee! And when I love thee not,

      Chaos is come again.

       IAGO

      For Michael Cassio,

      I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.

       OTHELLO

      I think so too.

       IAGO

      Men should be what they seem.

       OTHELLO

      Certain, men should be what they seem.

       IAGO

      Why, then, I think Cassio’s an honest man.

       OTHELLO

      Nay, yet there’s more in this:

      Give thy worst of thoughts

      The worst of words.

       IAGO

      O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;

      It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock