No Fear Shakespeare
Othello
Act 4, Scene 3, Page 3
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DESDEMONA
(singing)
The poor soul sat sighing by a
sycamore tree,
Sing all a green
willow.
Her hand on her bosom, her head
on her knee,
Sing willow, willow,
willow.
The fresh streams ran by her,
and murmured her moans,
Sing willow, willow,
willow.
Her salt tears fell from her,
and softened the stones
Sing willow, willow,
willow—
Lay by
these—
Willow, willow—
Prithee, hie thee,
he’ll come anon—
Sing all a green willow must be
my garland.
Let nobody blame him, his scorn
I approve—
Nay, that’s not next—Hark! Who is
’t that knocks?
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DESDEMONA
(singing)
The poor soul sat singing by
the sycamore tree,
Everyone sing the green
willow,
She had her hand on her breast
and her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow,
willow.
The fresh streams ran by her
and murmured her moans,
Sing willow, willow,
willow.
Her salt tears fell from her
and softened the stones,
Sing willow, willow,
willow.—
Put these things over
there.—
Please, hurry, he’ll
come right away.—
Everyone sing, a green willow
must be my garland.
Nobody blame him,
he’s right to hate me—
No, that’s not how it goes.—Who’s
knocking?
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EMILIA
It’s the wind.
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EMILIA
It’s the wind.
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DESDEMONA
(sings)
I called my love false love but what said he
then?
Sing willow,
willow, willow.
If I court more women you’ll couch with more
men—
So, get thee gone, good night. Mine eyes do itch,
Doth that bode weeping?
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DESDEMONA
(singing) I told my lover he
didn’t love me, but what did he say? Sing willow,
willow, willow.
If I chase more women, you’ll sleep with more
men—Okay, go away now. Good night. My eyes
itch—is that an omen I’ll be crying
soon?
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EMILIA
'Tis
neither here nor there.
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EMILIA
No, it doesn’t mean anything.
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DESDEMONA
I have heard it said so. Oh, these men, these men!
Dost thou in conscience think—tell me,
Emilia—
That there be women do abuse their husbands
In such gross kind?
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DESDEMONA
I heard someone say that’s what it means. Oh, these
men, these men! Do you honestly think—tell me,
Emilia—there are women who’d cheat on their
husbands in such a disgusting manner?
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EMILIA
There be some
such, no question.
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EMILIA
There are women like that out there, no question.
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