Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Adaptations; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Stories, plots, etc. -- Juvenile literature
What cause she could have ministered to him she knew not, and then she
accused herself for accusing the noble Othello, and thought to be sure
that some untoward news from Venice, or some state troubles had puddled
his spirits, and made his temper not so sweet as formerly. And she said,
"Men are not gods, and we must not look for that observance from them
when they are married, which they show us on the bridal day." And she
beshrewed herself for so unkindly judging of his unkindness.
Again Othello and Desdemona met, and he accused her more plainly of
being unfaithful, and of loving another man, but he did not name whom:
and Othello wept, and Desdemona said, "Alas! the heavy day! why do you
weep?" And Othello told her, he could have borne all sorts of evils with
fortitude--poverty, and disease, and disgrace; but her infidelity had
broken his heart: and he called her a weed, that looked so fair, and
smelled so sweet, that the sense ached at it; and wished she had never
been born. And when he had left her, this innocent lady was so stupefied
with wonder at her lord's untrue suspicion of her, that a weight-like
sleep came over her, and she only desired her attendant to make her bed,
and to lay her wedding-sheets upon it, saying, that when people teach
their babes, they do it by gentle means and easy tasks, and Othello
might have chid her so; for in good faith she was but a child when she
was chidden. And this was all the complaint which this gentle lady
made.
Desdemona being retired to bed expecting her lord would follow her, soon
fell into a slumber, the effect of her troubled spirits, when Othello
entered the chamber, full of the black purpose which he had meditated of
putting his lady to death. But when he saw her asleep, he thought he
would not shed her blood, nor scar that white skin of hers, more white
than alabaster. But he was resolved she should die; else (as he said)
she would live to betray more men, as she had done him. Then he kissed
her for the last time (as he said), and that kiss was so sweet, that he
must needs kiss her again: and he wept, but he said they were cruel
tears.
Desdemona was awakened with his kisses, and she looked upon Othello, and
she saw him gnaw his under lip, and roll his eyes, and she knew he was
always fatal when he looked so: and he bade her prepare for death, and
to say her prayers, for he would not kill her soul. And this innocent
wife, as she lay at his mercy, begged for compassion, and to know her
fault, and then he named Cassio, and the handkerchief which (he said)
she had given him; and as the guiltless lady was proceeding to clear
herself he suddenly would hear no more, but covering her up in the
bed-clothes, stifled her till she died.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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