and humbled poor Cassio was, and that his offence did not deserve so sharp a check.  And when Othello still hung back, “What! my lord,” said she, “that I should have so much to do to plead for Cassio, Michael Cassio, that came a courting for you, and oftentimes, when I have spoken in dispraise of you, has taken your part!  I count this but a little thing to ask of you.  When I mean to try your love indeed, I shall ask a weighty matter.”  Othello could deny nothing to such a pleader, and only requesting that Desdemona would leave the time to him, promised to receive Michael Cassio again into favour.

It happened that Othello and Iago had entered into the room where Desdemona was, just as Cassio, 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 of 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