Othello, the Moor of Venice
IAGO. Faith, that he did—I know not what he did. 

OTHELLO. What? What? 

IAGO. Lie. 

OTHELLO. With her? 

IAGO. With her, on her, what you will. 

OTHELLO. Lie with her! lie on her!—We say lie on her when they belie her.—Lie with her! that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is not words that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips. Is’t possible?—Confess?—handkerchief?—O devil!— 

 [Falls in a trance.]

IAGO. Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught, And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All guiltless, meet reproach. What, ho! my lord! My lord, I say! Othello! 

 Enter Cassio.

Cassio

How now, Cassio! 

CASSIO. What’s the matter? 

IAGO. My lord is fallen into an epilepsy. This is his second fit. He had one yesterday. 

CASSIO. Rub him about the temples. 

IAGO. No, forbear; The lethargy must have his quiet course. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs: Do you withdraw yourself a little while, He will recover straight. When he is gone, I would on great occasion speak with you. 

 [Exit Cassio.]

Cassio


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