Iago monologue from Othello

Iago’s monologue

Touch me not so near:

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth

Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;

Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth

5Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.

Montano and myself being in speech,

There comes a fellow crying out for help:

And Cassio following him with determined sword,

To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman

10Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause:

Myself the crying fellow did pursue,

Lest by his clamour—as it so fell out—

The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,

Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather

15For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,

And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night

I ne'er might say before. When I came back—

For this was brief—I found them close together,

At blow and thrust; even as again they were

20When you yourself did part them.

More of this matter cannot I report:

But men are men; the best sometimes forget:

Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,

As men in rage strike those that wish them best,

25Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received

From him that fled some strange indignity,

Which patience could not pass.

Public domain text.