How now! what do you here alone?
EMILIA
Do not you chide; I have a thing for you.
IAGO
A thing for me! – it is a common thing.
EMILIA
Ha!
IAGO
To have a foolish wife.
EMILIA
O, is that all? What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief?
IAGO
What handkerchief?
EMILIA
What handkerchief!
Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona;
That which so often you did bid me steal.
IAGO
Hast stol'n it from her?
EMILIA
No, faith; she let it drop by negligence,
And, to the advantage, I being here, took't up.
Look, here it is.
IAGO
A good wench; give it me.
EMILIA
What will you do with't, that you have been so earnest
To have me filch it?
IAGO
[Snatching it.] Why, what's that to you?
EMILIA
If it be not for some purpose of import,
Give't me again: poor lady, she'll run mad
When she shall lack it.
IAGO
Be not acknown on't; I have use for it.
Go, leave me.
[Exit Emilia.]
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison:
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons,
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
But, with a little act upon the blood,
Burn like the mines of sulphur. – I did say so: —
Look, where he comes!
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou ow'dst yesterday.
[Re-enter Othello.]
OTHELLO
Ha! ha! false to me?
IAGO
Why, how now, general! no more of that.
OTHELLO
Avaunt! be gone! thou hast set me on the rack: —
I swear 'tis better to be much abus'd
Than but to know't a little.