He's almost slain, and Roderigo dead.

Emi. Alas, good gentleman! alas, good Cassio!
Iago. This is the fruit of whoring.-Pr'ythee,
Emilia,

Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night.
What, do you shake at that?

Bian. He supp'd at my house; but I therefore shake not.

Iago. O, did he so? I charge you, go with me. Emi. Fie, fie upon thee, strumpet!

Bian. I am no strumpet; but of life as honest As you that thus abuse me.

Emi.

As I foh! fie upon thee!

Iago. Kind gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio

dress'd.

Come, mistress, you must tell us another tale.
Emilia, run you to the citadel,

And tell my lord and lady what has happ'd.—
Will you go on, I pray ?—This is the night, [aside.
That either makes me, or fordoes 1 me quite.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A bedchamber: DESDEMONA in bed asleep: a light

burning.

Enter OTHELLO.

Oth. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul ;

1 Undoes, ruins.

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.

[takes off his sword.
Yet she must die, else she 'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light.1
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,

Should I repent me: but once put out thine,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat,
That can thy light relume: when I have pluck'd thy

rose,

I cannot give it vital growth again;

It needs must wither:-I'll smell it on the tree.

[kissing her.

O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword!-one more, one more.
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
And love thee after :-one more, and this the last.
So sweet was ne'er so fatal.
I must weep,
But they are cruel tears : this sorrow's heavenly;
It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
Des. Who's there ? Othello ?

Oth.

Ay, Desdemona.

Des. Will you come to bed, my lord ?

Oth. Have you pray'd to-night, Desdemona?

. 1. 6. the light of life.