Please do, madam. My husband's so upset about
Cassio's problem you'd think it was his
own.
DESDEMONA
5
Oh, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.
DESDEMONA
Your husband's such a good man. Don't worry,
Cassio. I'm sure you and my husband will be as friendly
as you were before.
CASSIO
Bounteous madam,
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never anything but your true servant.
CASSIO
My dear beautiful lady, whatever happens to Michael Cassio,
he'll always be your humble servant.
DESDEMONA
10
I know 't, I thank you. You do love my lord.
You have known him long, and be you well assured
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
Than in a polite distance.
DESDEMONA
I know that. Thank you. You're my husband's
friend and you've known him a long time. I assure you the
only reason he's keeping away from you now is
political.
CASSIO
Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,
15
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstances,
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.
CASSIO
Yes, my lady. But those political considerations might last such a
long time that the general will forget my love and service,
especially if I'm gone and someone else has my
job.
DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that. Before Emilia here
20
I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article. My lord shall never rest,
I'll watch him tame and talk him out of
patience.
DESDEMONA
That'll never happen. Emilia here will be my witness: I
promise you that you'll get your position back again. And
if I promise to help someone, I do everything I can. My husband will
never get a moment's rest, I'll keep him up at
night talking about you until he runs out
