io, who had been imploring her intercession,
was departing at the opposite door: and Iago, who was full of art, said
in a low voice, as if to himself, "I like not that." Othello took no
great notice of what he said; indeed, the conference which immediately
took place with his lady put it out of his head; but he remembered it
afterwards. For when Desdemona was gone, Iago, as if for mere
satisfaction of his thought, questioned Othello whether Michael Cassio,
when Othello was courting his lady, knew of his love. To this the
general answering in the affirmative, and adding, that he had gone
between them very often during the courtship, Iago knitted his brow, as
if he had got fresh light on some terrible matter, and cried, "Indeed!"
This brought into Othello's mind the words which Iago had let fall upon
entering the room, and seeing Cassio with Desdemona; and he began to
think there was some meaning in all this: for he deemed Iago to be a
just man, and full of love and honesty, and what in a false knave would
be tricks, in him seemed to be the natural workings of an honest mind,
big with something too great for utterance: and Othello prayed Iago to
speak what he knew, and to give his worst thoughts words. "And what,"
said Iago, "if some thoughts very vile should have intruded into my
breast, as where is the palace into which foul things do not enter?"
Then Iago went on to say, what a pity it were, if any trouble should
arise to Othello out of his imperfect observations; that it would not be
for Othello's peace to know his thoughts; that people's good names were
not to be taken away for slight suspicions; and when Othello's curiosity
was raised almost to distraction with these hints and scattered words,
Iago, as if in earnest care for Othello's peace of mind, besought him to
beware of jealousy: with such art did this villain raise suspicions in
the unguarded Othello, by the very caution which he pretended to give
him against suspicion. "I know," said Othello, "that my wife is fair,
loves company and feasting, is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances
well: but where virtue is, these qualities are virtuous. I must have
proof before I think her dishonest." Then Iago, as if glad that Othello
was slow to believe ill of his lady, frankly declared that he had no
proof, but begged Othello to observe her behaviour well, when Cassio was
by; not to be jealous nor too secure neither, for that he (Iago) knew
the dispositions of the Itali