The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice

IAGO: 'Tis not nor history's praises, nor the ornament of welcome, nor the sum of public ceremonies that can make you love me, Roderigo; but I will hardly believe that thou art so fond of thyself as to think I would be jealous of thee for any other man's sake.

RODERIGO: What a full fortune does the thicklips owe, If he can carry't thus! But I do love the Moor to live with him, and live with him I will.

IAGO: You are a senator.

RODERIGO: You are a gentleman.

IAGO: You are a man; you are of my mind; you are my friend; and I'll tell you what you suffer for: You are jealous of my success with Othello; but that is not the cause. I follow him to serve my turn upon him: we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed. You shall mark many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, that, doting on his own obsequious bondage, wears out his time, much like his master's ass, for subjecthood. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you this: I do follow the Moor to serve my turn upon him.

RODERIGO: What is he that you follow?

IAGO: I follow him to serve my turn upon him: we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed. You shall mark many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, that, doting on his own obsequious bondage, wears out his time, much like his master's ass, for subjecthood; and many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, that, doting on his own obsequious bondage, wears out his time, much like his master's ass, for subjecthood; and many a dutiful and knee-crooking knave,/* repetition for dramatic effect */—but I will incontinently break with thee.

RODERIGO: I am one, sir, that comes to tell you this: I do follow the Moor to serve my turn upon him.

IAGO: I know my price, I am worth no worse a place: But since I am a plain, honest fellow, I will be content.

RODERIGO: How am I then a villain to iniquity, and sing a lamentable tale of my grievances to thee? O, be wise; yet think yourself to be the most happy for thou didst love the Moor to live, and live with him I will.

IAGO: Though I do hate him as I do hell pains, yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is but a show: I follow him to serve my turn upon him; and I will endeavor to set down every circumstance that may be to his disadvantage.

RODERIGO: I heard some say, the Moor hath leaped into my seat; the Moor hath leaped into my seat! O, did he steal away so guilty-like, seeing you here before him?

IAGO: 'Sblood, but you will not hear me. If ever I did dream of such a matter, I would have been hanged for't: I do protest I would never have suspected it. Yet I will carry this into effect, and I will do what I may to evaporate the Moor's credit with Brabantio.'