Othello, Act 5, Scene 2

Othello

It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood,Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,And smooth as monumental alabaster.Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.Put out the light, and then put out the light:If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,I can again thy former light restore,Should I repent me. But once put out thy light,Thou cunning’st pattern of excelling nature,I know not where is that Promethean heatThat can thy light relume. When I have pluck’d thy rose,I cannot give it vital growth again,It must needs wither. I’ll smell it on the tree.

It is the reason, the reason, my soul. Don’t make me name it to you, you pure stars! It is the reason. Still, I won’t shed her blood or scar her skin, whiter than snow and smooth as the pale stone of a tomb. Yet she must die, or she’ll betray more men. Put out the lamp, and then put out her life. If I put you out, you burning servant, I can restore your light if I regret it. But once I put out your light, you finest masterpiece of nature, I don’t know where to find the fire of Prometheus that could light you again. Once I’ve picked your rose, I can’t make it grow again. It must wither. I’ll smell it while it’s still on the plant.

Desdemona

Who’s there? Othello?

Who’s there? Othello?

Othello

Ay, Desdemona.

Yes, Desdemona.

Desdemona

Will you come to bed, my lord?

Will you come to bed, my lord?

Othello

Have you pray’d tonight, Desdemona?

Have you prayed tonight, Desdemona?

Desdemona

Ay, my lord.

Yes, my lord.

Othello

If you bethink yourself of any crimeUnreconcil’d as yet to heaven and grace,Solicit for it straight.

If you remember any sin for which you haven’t yet received heaven’s forgiveness and grace, ask for it now.

Desdemona

Alack, my lord, what may you mean by that?

Oh, my lord, what do you mean by that?

Othello

Well, do it, and be brief, I will walk by.I would not kill thy unprepared spirit,No, heaven forfend! I would not kill thy soul.

Well, do it, and be quick. I’ll walk nearby. I wouldn’t kill you with your spirit unprepared. No, heaven forbid! I wouldn’t destroy your soul.

Desdemona

Talk you of killing?

Are you talking about killing?

Othello

Ay, I do.

Yes, I am.

Desdemona

Then heaven have mercy on me!

Then may heaven have mercy on me!

Othello

Amen, with all my heart!

Amen, with all my heart!

Desdemona

If you say so, I hope you will not kill me.

If you say that, I hope you won’t kill me.

Othello

Hum!

Hmm!

Desdemona

And yet I fear you, for you are fatal thenWhen your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not,Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear.

And yet I’m afraid of you, because you’re deadly when your eyes roll like that. I don’t know why I should be afraid, since I know I’m not guilty, but still I feel afraid.

Othello

Think on thy sins.

Think about your sins.

Desdemona

They are loves I bear to you.

My only sins are the love I have for you.

Othello

Ay, and for that thou diest.

Yes, and that’s why you must die.

Desdemona

That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip?Some bloody passion shakes your very frame.These are portents; but yet I hope, I hope,They do not point on me.

It’s unnatural to kill someone for loving. Oh, why are you biting your lower lip like that? Some murderous passion is shaking your whole body. These are warning signs, but still I hope, I hope, they aren’t meant for me.

Othello

Peace, and be still!

Be quiet, and keep still!

Desdemona

I will so. What’s the matter?

I will. What’s the matter?

Othello

That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee,Thou gav’st to Cassio.

That handkerchief I loved so much and gave you—you gave it to Cassio.

Desdemona

No, by my life and soul!Send for the man and ask him.

No, I swear on my life and soul! Send for him and ask him.

Othello

Sweet soul, take heed, take heed of perjury,Thou’rt on thy death-bed.

Sweet soul, be careful. Be careful not to swear falsely. You’re on your deathbed.

Desdemona

Ay, but not yet to die.

Yes, but not to die yet.

Othello

Yes, presently:Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin.For to deny each article with oathCannot remove nor choke the strong conceptionThat I do groan withal. Thou art to die.

Yes, right now. So confess your sin freely. Swearing that every charge is false cannot remove or silence the firm belief that torments me. You must die.

Desdemona

Then, Lord have mercy on me!

Then, Lord, have mercy on me!

Othello

I say, amen.

I say amen to that.

Desdemona

And have you mercy too! I never didOffend you in my life, never lov’d CassioBut with such general warranty of heavenAs I might love. I never gave him token.

And you have mercy too! I have never wronged you in my life. I never loved Cassio except with the affection heaven allows us to feel for anyone. I never gave him a love token.

Othello

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand.O perjur’d woman, thou dost stone my heart,And mak’st me call what I intend to doA murder, which I thought a sacrifice.I saw the handkerchief.

By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in his hand. You lying woman, you turn my heart to stone and make me call what I intend to do a murder, when I thought it was a sacrifice. I saw the handkerchief.

Desdemona

He found it then.I never gave it him. Send for him hither.Let him confess a truth.

Then he found it. I never gave it to him. Send for him to come here. Let him tell the truth.

Othello

He hath confess’d.

He has confessed.

Desdemona

What, my lord?

To what, my lord?

Othello

That he hath us’d thee.

That he has slept with you.

Desdemona

How? Unlawfully?

What? In adultery?

Othello

Ay.

Yes.

Desdemona

He will not say so.

He will not say that.

Othello

No, his mouth is stopp’d.Honest Iago hath ta’en order for ’t.

No, he has been silenced. Honest Iago has taken care of that.

Desdemona

O, my fear interprets! What, is he dead?

Oh, my fear tells me what you mean! What, is he dead?

Othello

Had all his hairs been lives, my great revengeHad stomach for them all.

If every hair on his head had been a life, my hunger for revenge could have devoured them all.

Desdemona

Alas, he is betray’d, and I undone!

Oh, he has been betrayed, and I am ruined!

Othello

Out, strumpet! Weep’st thou for him to my face?

You shameless whore! Are you crying for him right in front of me?

Desdemona

O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!

Oh, send me into exile, my lord, but do not kill me!

Othello

Down, strumpet!

Get down, whore!

Desdemona

Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight!

Kill me tomorrow. Let me live tonight!

Othello

Nay, if you strive,—

No, if you struggle—

Desdemona

But half an hour!

Just half an hour!

Othello

Being done, there is no pause.

Once this has begun, there is no stopping.

Desdemona

But while I say one prayer!

Just long enough to say one prayer!

Othello

It is too late.

It is too late.

Emilia (within)

My lord, my lord! what, ho! my lord, my lord!

[From outside.] My lord, my lord! Hello! My lord, my lord!

Othello

What noise is this? Not dead? Not yet quite dead?I that am cruel am yet merciful,I would not have thee linger in thy pain.So, so.

What is that noise? Not dead? Not quite dead yet? Cruel as I am, I am still merciful. I would not let you linger in pain. There, there.

Emilia (within)

What, ho! my lord, my lord!

[From outside.] Hello! My lord, my lord!

Othello

Who’s there?

Who is there?

Emilia (within)

O, good my lord, I would speak a word with you!

[From outside.] Oh, my good lord, I would like a word with you!

Othello

Yes. ’Tis Emilia, by and by. She’s dead.’Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death;The noise was high.—Ha! no more moving?Still as the grave. Shall she come in? Were’t good?I think she stirs again; no. What’s best to do?If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife.My wife! my wife! what wife? I have no wife.O, insupportable! O heavy hour!Methinks it should be now a huge eclipseOf sun and moon, and that the affrighted globeShould yawn at alteration.

Yes. It is Emilia. In a moment. She is dead. Emilia has probably come to speak about Cassio’s death. There was a lot of shouting.—What! No more movement? As still as the grave. Should I let her in? Would that be wise? I think she is moving again. No. What is best to do? If Emilia comes in, she is sure to speak to my wife. My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife. Oh, this is unbearable! What a terrible hour! I feel there should now be a great eclipse of the sun and moon, and the terrified earth should split open at this change.

Emilia (within)

I do beseech youThat I may speak with you, O, good my lord!

[From outside.] I beg you to let me speak with you, my good lord!

Othello

I had forgot thee: O, come in, Emilia.Soft, by and by; let me the curtains draw.Where art thou?

I had forgotten you. Oh, come in, Emilia. Wait, just a moment. Let me close the bed curtains. Where are you?

Emilia

O, my good lord, yonder’s foul murders done!

Oh, my good lord, terrible murders have been committed out there!

Othello

What, now?

What, just now?

Emilia

But now, my lord.

Just now, my lord.

Othello

It is the very error of the moon,She comes more nearer earth than she was wontAnd makes men mad.

It is all because the moon has strayed from its course. It comes closer to earth than it used to and drives men mad.

Emilia

Cassio, my lord, hath kill’d a young VenetianCall’d Roderigo.

My lord, Cassio has killed a young Venetian named Roderigo.

Othello

Roderigo kill’d?And Cassio kill’d?

Roderigo killed? And Cassio killed too?

Emilia

No, Cassio is not kill’d.

No, Cassio has not been killed.

Othello

Not Cassio kill’d! Then murder’s out of tune,And sweet revenge grows harsh.

Cassio has not been killed! Then murder is out of tune, and sweet revenge turns sour.

Desdemona

O, falsely, falsely murder’d!

Oh, murdered unjustly, unjustly!

Emilia

Alas, what cry is that?

Oh, what cry is that?

Othello

That? What?

That? What?

Emilia

Out, and alas! That was my lady’s voice.Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again,Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!

Oh, how terrible! That was my lady’s voice. Help! Help! Someone help! Oh, my lady, speak again, sweet Desdemona! Oh, my dear mistress, speak!

Desdemona

A guiltless death I die.

I am dying innocent.

Emilia

O, who hath done this deed?

Oh, who has done this?

Desdemona

Nobody; I myself. Farewell.Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell!

Nobody. I did it myself. Goodbye.
Give my love to my kind husband. Oh, goodbye!

Othello

Why, how should she be murder’d?

Why, how could she have been murdered?

Emilia

Alas, who knows?

Oh, who knows?

Othello

You heard her say herself, it was not I.

You heard her say herself that it wasn't me.

Emilia

She said so. I must needs report the truth.

She said that. I have to tell the truth.

Othello

She’s like a liar, gone to burning hell.’Twas I that kill’d her.

She's gone to burn in hell like the liar she is.
I was the one who killed her.

Emilia

O, the more angel she,And you the blacker devil!

Oh, that makes her all the more an angel,
and you an even darker devil!

Othello

She turn’d to folly, and she was a whore.

She turned to immoral ways and was a whore.

Emilia

Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.

You're lying about her, and you're a devil.

Othello

She was false as water.

She was as unfaithful as water is unstable.

Emilia

Thou art rash as fire, to sayThat she was false: O, she was heavenly true!

You're as reckless as fire to say she was unfaithful. Oh, she was as faithful as an angel!

Othello

Cassio did top her; ask thy husband else.O, I were damn’d beneath all depth in hell,But that I did proceed upon just groundsTo this extremity. Thy husband knew it all.

Cassio slept with her. Ask your husband if you doubt it.
Oh, I would deserve damnation below the deepest pit of hell if I hadn't had just cause for taking such extreme action. Your husband knew it all.

Emilia

My husband?

My husband?

Othello

Thy husband.

Your husband.

Emilia

That she was false to wedlock?

That she broke her marriage vows?

Othello

Ay, with Cassio. Nay, had she been true,If heaven would make me such another worldOf one entire and perfect chrysolite,I’d not have sold her for it.

Yes, with Cassio. If she had been faithful, even if heaven had offered me another world like this one, made of a single perfect golden gemstone, I wouldn't have traded her for it.

Emilia

My husband?

My husband?

Othello

Ay, ’twas he that told me first.An honest man he is, and hates the slimeThat sticks on filthy deeds.

Yes, he was the first to tell me.
He's an honest man, and he hates the filth that clings to shameful acts.

Emilia

My husband?

My husband?

Othello

What needs this iterance, woman? I say thy husband.

Why do you keep repeating that, woman? I said your husband.

Emilia

O mistress, villainy hath made mocks with love!My husband say that she was false?

Oh, my lady, evil has made a mockery of love!
My husband said she was unfaithful?

Othello

He, woman;I say thy husband: dost understand the word?My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago.

Yes, woman. I said your husband. Do you understand the word? My friend, your husband, honest, honest Iago.

Emilia

If he say so, may his pernicious soulRot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart.She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.

If he says that, may his evil soul rot away half a grain a day! He's lying through and through.
She loved the filthy wretch she married far too much.

Othello

Ha!

Ha!

Emilia

Do thy worst:This deed of thine is no more worthy heavenThan thou wast worthy her.

Do your worst.
What you've done deserves heaven no more than you deserved her.

Othello

Peace, you were best.

You'd better be quiet.

Emilia

Thou hast not half that power to do me harmAs I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed(I care not for thy sword) I’ll make thee known,Though I lost twenty lives. Help! help, ho! help!The Moor hath kill’d my mistress! Murder, murder!

Your power to hurt me isn't half as great as my strength to bear it. You fool! You idiot! As ignorant as dirt! You've done something—I'm not afraid of your sword—that I'll expose you for, even if it costs me twenty lives. Help! Help! Somebody help! The Moor has killed my mistress! Murder! Murder!

Montano

What is the matter? How now, general?

What's the matter? What's happening, General?

Emilia

O, are you come, Iago? You have done well,That men must lay their murders on your neck.

Oh, you've come, Iago? You've done a fine job, when men can put the blame for their murders on you.

Gratiano

What is the matter?

What's the matter?

Emilia

Disprove this villain, if thou be’st a man.He says thou told’st him that his wife was false.I know thou didst not, thou’rt not such a villain.Speak, for my heart is full.

Prove this villain wrong, if you're a man.
He says you told him his wife was unfaithful.
I know you didn't. You're not that much of a villain.
Speak, because my heart is ready to burst.

Iago

I told him what I thought, and told no moreThan what he found himself was apt and true.

I told him what I thought, and nothing more than what he himself found convincing and true.

Emilia

But did you ever tell him she was false?

But did you ever tell him she was unfaithful?

Iago

I did.

I did.

Emilia

You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;Upon my soul, a lie; a wicked lie.She false with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

You told a lie, a hateful, damnable lie.
I swear on my soul, a lie—a wicked lie.
She cheated with Cassio? Did you say with Cassio?

Iago

With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.

With Cassio, woman. Come on, hold your tongue.

Emilia

I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak.My mistress here lies murder’d in her bed.

I will not hold my tongue. It's my duty to speak.
My lady lies here, murdered in her bed.

All

O heavens forfend!

Oh, heaven forbid!

Emilia

And your reports have set the murder on.

And your stories brought about the murder.

Othello

Nay, stare not, masters, it is true indeed.

Don't stare, gentlemen. It's all true.

Gratiano

’Tis a strange truth.

It's a shocking truth.

Montano

O monstrous act!

Oh, what a monstrous act!

Emilia

Villany, villany, villany!I think upon’t, I think I smell’t; O villany!I thought so then. I’ll kill myself for grief.O villany, villany!

Evil, evil, evil!
The more I think about it, the more I think I smell it. Oh, what evil!
I suspected it back then. I'll kill myself from grief.
Oh, what evil, what evil!

Iago

What, are you mad? I charge you, get you home.

What, are you crazy? I order you to go home.

Emilia

Good gentlemen, let me have leave to speak.’Tis proper I obey him, but not now.Perchance, Iago, I will ne’er go home.

Good gentlemen, please let me speak.
It's right for me to obey him, but not now.
Perhaps, Iago, I'll never go home.

Othello

O! O! O!

Oh! Oh! Oh!

Emilia

Nay, lay thee down and roar;For thou hast kill’d the sweetest innocentThat e’er did lift up eye.

Go on, lie down and howl, for you have killed the sweetest innocent woman who ever looked up at the sky.

Othello (rising)

O, she was foul!I scarce did know you, uncle, there lies your niece,Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stopp’d.I know this act shows horrible and grim.

Oh, she was filthy!
I hardly recognized you, uncle. There lies your niece, whose breathing these hands have just stopped. I know this act looks horrible and grim.

Gratiano

Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father’s dead.Thy match was mortal to him, and pure griefShore his old thread in twain: did he live now,This sight would make him do a desperate turn,Yea, curse his better angel from his side,And fall to reprobance.

Poor Desdemona! I am glad your father is dead. Your marriage killed him; pure grief cut short his old life. If he were alive now, this sight would drive him to some desperate act, even to curse his guardian angel away from his side and give himself over to damnation.

Othello

’Tis pitiful. But yet Iago knowsThat she with Cassio hath the act of shameA thousand times committed; Cassio confess’d it,And she did gratify his amorous worksWith that recognizance and pledge of loveWhich I first gave her; I saw it in his hand.It was a handkerchief, an antique tokenMy father gave my mother.

It is pitiful. But Iago knows that she committed that shameful act with Cassio a thousand times. Cassio confessed it, and she rewarded his lovemaking with that token and pledge of love I first gave her. I saw it in his hand. It was a handkerchief, an old keepsake my father gave my mother.

Emilia

O heaven! O heavenly powers!

Oh, heaven! Oh, heavenly powers!

Iago

Come, hold your peace.

Come on, keep quiet.

Emilia

’Twill out, ’twill out. I peace?No, I will speak as liberal as the north.Let heaven and men and devils, let them all,All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.

The truth will come out, it will come out. Me, keep quiet? No, I will speak as freely as the north wind blows. Let heaven and men and devils, every one of them, all, all, condemn me as shameless. I will still speak.

Iago

Be wise, and get you home.

Be sensible and go home.

Emilia

I will not.

I will not.

Gratiano

Fie!Your sword upon a woman?

Shame on you!
You draw your sword on a woman?

Emilia

O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st ofI found by fortune and did give my husband;For often with a solemn earnestness,More than indeed belong’d to such a trifle,He begg’d of me to steal it.

Oh, you stupid Moor! That handkerchief you speak of, I found by chance and gave to my husband. He had often begged me to steal it, with a serious urgency far greater than such a little thing deserved.

Iago

Villanous whore!

You wicked whore!

Emilia

She give it Cassio! no, alas, I found it,And I did give’t my husband.

She gave it to Cassio? No, sadly, I found it, and I gave it to my husband.

Iago

Filth, thou liest!

You filthy creature, you're lying!

Emilia

By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen.O murderous coxcomb! What should such a foolDo with so good a wife?

I swear by heaven, I am not, I am not, gentlemen. Oh, you murderous fool! What business did such a fool have with so good a wife?

Othello

Are there not stones in heavenBut what serve for thunder? Precious villain!

Are there no stones in heaven except the ones that make thunder? You absolute villain!

Gratiano

The woman falls. Sure, he hath kill’d his wife.

The woman is falling. Surely he has killed his wife.

Emilia

Ay, ay. O, lay me by my mistress’ side.

Yes, yes. Oh, lay me beside my mistress.

Gratiano

He’s gone, but his wife’s kill’d.

He has escaped, but his wife is dead.

Montano

’Tis a notorious villain. Take you this weapon,Which I have here recover’d from the Moor.Come, guard the door without, let him not pass,But kill him rather. I’ll after that same villain,For ’tis a damned slave.

He is an outrageous villain. Take this weapon, which I have taken from the Moor. Come, guard the door outside. Do not let him pass; kill him instead. I will go after that villain, for he is a damned scoundrel.

Othello

I am not valiant neither,But every puny whipster gets my sword.But why should honour outlive honesty?Let it go all.

I am not brave either, when every puny upstart can take my sword. But why should my military honor survive the loss of my integrity? Let it all go.

Emilia

What did thy song bode, lady?Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,And die in music.[Sings.] Willow, willow, willow.Moor, she was chaste. She lov’d thee, cruel Moor,So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true;So speaking as I think, I die, I die.

What did your song foretell, my lady? Listen, can you hear me? I will be like the swan and die singing.
[She sings.] Willow, willow, willow.
Moor, she was faithful. She loved you, cruel Moor. May my soul find happiness in heaven, for I speak the truth. Saying what I truly believe, I die, I die.

Othello

I have another weapon in this chamber,It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook’s temper.O, here it is. Uncle, I must come forth.

I have another weapon in this room. It is a Spanish sword, hardened in an icy stream. Oh, here it is. Uncle, I must come out.

Gratiano (within)

If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear;Thou hast no weapon, and perforce must suffer.

[From outside.] If you try, you will pay dearly. You have no weapon and must submit.

Othello

Look in upon me then, and speak with me,Or, naked as I am, I will assault thee.

Then come in, look at me, and speak with me, or I will attack you, unarmed as I am.

Gratiano

What is the matter?

What is the matter?

Othello

Behold, I have a weapon.A better never did itself sustainUpon a soldier’s thigh: I have seen the dayThat with this little arm and this good swordI have made my way through more impedimentsThan twenty times your stop. But, O vain boast!Who can control his fate? ’Tis not so now.Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d.Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt,And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.Do you go back dismay’d? ’Tis a lost fear.Man but a rush against Othello’s breast,And he retires. Where should Othello go?Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starr’d wench,Pale as thy smock, when we shall meet at compt,This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven,And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl!Even like thy chastity.O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils,From the possession of this heavenly sight!Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulphur,Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!O Desdemon! Dead, Desdemon! dead! Oh, oh!

Look, I have a weapon. No better sword ever hung at a soldier's side. There was a time when, with this little arm and this good sword, I forced my way through obstacles twenty times greater than the resistance you could offer. But what an empty boast! Who can control his fate? Things are different now. Do not be afraid, even though you see me armed. Here is my journey's end, my goal, the final marker of my farthest voyage. Are you backing away in fear? Your fear is wasted. Point even a reed at Othello's chest, and he retreats. Where could Othello go?
Now, how do you look now? Oh, ill-fated girl, as pale as your nightdress! When we meet on Judgment Day, that look of yours will throw my soul out of heaven, and devils will snatch it. Cold, cold, my girl, just like your purity. Oh, what a cursed, cursed wretch I am! Devils, whip me away from this heavenly sight! Blow me about in the winds, roast me in burning sulfur, plunge me into deep chasms of liquid fire! Oh, Desdemon! Dead, Desdemon! Dead! Oh, oh!

Lodovico

Where is this rash and most unfortunate man?

Where is this reckless and deeply unfortunate man?

Othello

That’s he that was Othello. Here I am.

Here is the man who used to be Othello. Here I am.

Lodovico

Where is that viper? Bring the villain forth.

Where is that snake? Bring the villain forward.

Othello

I look down towards his feet; but that’s a fable.If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee.

I look down at his feet, but the devil's hooves are only a story. If you are a devil, I cannot kill you.

Lodovico

Wrench his sword from him.

Wrest his sword away from him.

Iago

I bleed, sir, but not kill’d.

I am bleeding, sir, but I am not dead.

Othello

I am not sorry neither. I’d have thee live,For in my sense ’tis happiness to die.

And I am not sorry. I want you to live, for to my mind, dying is happiness.

Lodovico

O thou Othello, that wert once so good,Fall’n in the practice of a damned slave,What shall be said to thee?

Oh, Othello, you were once so good, and now you have fallen victim to a damned scoundrel's plot. What can anyone say to you?

Othello

Why, anything;An honourable murderer, if you will.For naught did I in hate, but all in honour.

Anything at all. Call me an honorable murderer, if you like. For I did nothing out of hatred, but everything out of honor.

Lodovico

This wretch hath part confess’d his villany.Did you and he consent in Cassio’s death?

This wretch has confessed to part of his villainy. Did you and he agree to kill Cassio?

Othello

Ay.

Yes.

Cassio

Dear general, I never gave you cause.

Dear general, I never gave you any reason.

Othello

I do believe it, and I ask your pardon.Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devilWhy he hath thus ensnar’d my soul and body?

I believe that, and I ask your forgiveness. Please, will you ask that half-devil why he has trapped my soul and body like this?

Iago

Demand me nothing. What you know, you know.From this time forth I never will speak word.

Ask me nothing. What you know, you know. From this moment on, I will never speak another word.

Lodovico

What, not to pray?

What, not even to pray?

Gratiano

Torments will ope your lips.

Torture will make you talk.

Othello

Well, thou dost best.

Well, that is your best choice.

Lodovico

Sir, you shall understand what hath befall’n,Which, as I think, you know not. Here is a letterFound in the pocket of the slain Roderigo,And here another. The one of them importsThe death of Cassio, to be undertookBy Roderigo.

Sir, you must learn what has happened, which I think you do not know. Here is a letter found in the pocket of the murdered Roderigo, and here is another. One of them describes a plan for Roderigo to kill Cassio.

Othello

O villain!

Oh, you villain!

Cassio

Most heathenish and most gross!

Utterly godless and vile!

Lodovico

Now here’s another discontented paper,Found in his pocket too; and this, it seems,Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain,But that, belike, Iago in the interimCame in and satisfied him.

Now here is another letter full of complaints, also found in his pocket. It seems Roderigo meant to send it to this damned villain, but apparently Iago came along in the meantime and satisfied his complaints.

Othello

O the pernicious caitiff!How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchiefThat was my wife’s?

Oh, that vicious scoundrel!
Cassio, how did you get that handkerchief that belonged to my wife?

Cassio

I found it in my chamber.And he himself confess’d but even now,That there he dropp’d it for a special purposeWhich wrought to his desire.

I found it in my room. And he himself admitted just now that he dropped it there for a particular purpose, which worked out as he wanted.

Othello

O fool! fool! fool!

Oh, fool! Fool! Fool!

Cassio

There is besides in Roderigo’s letter,How he upbraids Iago, that he made himBrave me upon the watch, whereon it cameThat I was cast. And even but now he spake,After long seeming dead, Iago hurt him,Iago set him on.

Roderigo's letter also blames Iago for making him provoke me while I was on guard duty, which led to my dismissal. And just now, after seeming dead for a long time, he said that Iago had wounded him and that Iago had put him up to it.

Lodovico

You must forsake this room, and go with us.Your power and your command is taken off,And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave,If there be any cunning crueltyThat can torment him much and hold him long,It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest,Till that the nature of your fault be knownTo the Venetian state. Come, bring away.

You must leave this room and come with us. Your authority and command are taken away, and Cassio now governs Cyprus. As for this wretch, if there is any ingenious cruelty that can make him suffer terribly and keep him alive for a long time, he will endure it. You will remain under close guard until the Venetian government learns the nature of your crime. Come, take him away.

Othello

Soft you; a word or two before you go.I have done the state some service, and they know’t.No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speakOf one that loved not wisely, but too well;Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand,Like the base Judean, threw a pearl awayRicher than all his tribe; of one whose subdu’d eyes,Albeit unused to the melting mood,Drop tears as fast as the Arabian treesTheir medicinal gum. Set you down this.And say besides, that in Aleppo once,Where a malignant and a turban’d TurkBeat a Venetian and traduc’d the state,I took by the throat the circumcised dog,And smote him, thus.

Wait. A word or two before you go. I have done the state some service, and they know it. No more about that. Please, in your letters, when you report these tragic deeds, describe me as I am. Make no excuses for me, and write nothing out of malice. Then you must speak of someone who loved unwisely but too deeply; someone not easily made jealous, but who, once manipulated, became utterly distraught; someone whose hand, like the worthless Judean's, threw away a pearl worth more than his whole tribe; someone whose humbled eyes, though unused to weeping, shed tears as fast as Arabian trees drip their healing sap. Write that down. And say as well that once in Aleppo, where a vicious Turk in a turban beat a Venetian and insulted the state, I grabbed that circumcised dog by the throat and struck him like this.

Lodovico

O bloody period!

Oh, what a bloody ending!

Gratiano

All that’s spoke is marr’d.

Everything we have said has come to nothing.

Othello

I kiss’d thee ere I kill’d thee. No way but this,Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

I kissed you before I killed you. There is no way but this: to kill myself and die with a kiss.

Cassio

This did I fear, but thought he had no weapon,For he was great of heart.

I feared this, because he was brave at heart, but I thought he had no weapon.

Lodovico (to Iago)

O Spartan dog,More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea,Look on the tragic loading of this bed.This is thy work. The object poisons sight,Let it be hid. Gratiano, keep the house,And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor,For they succeed on you. To you, lord governor,Remains the censure of this hellish villain.The time, the place, the torture, O, enforce it!Myself will straight aboard, and to the stateThis heavy act with heavy heart relate.

You Spartan dog, more savage than suffering, hunger, or the sea, look at the tragic bodies piled on this bed. This is your work. The sight poisons the eyes. Have it covered. Gratiano, take charge of the house and seize the Moor's possessions, since you inherit them. You, lord governor, are left to pass sentence on this hellish villain. Choose the time, the place, the torture—oh, carry it out! I will go straight aboard ship and report this sorrowful deed to the state with a sorrowful heart.