Haply, for I am black 304 And have not those soft parts of conversation 305 That chamberers have, or for I am declined 306 Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much— 307 She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief 308 Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, 309 That we can call these delicate creatures ours 310 And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad 311 And live upon the vapor of a dungeon 312 Than keep a corner in the thing I love 313 For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague ⟨of⟩ great ones; 314 Prerogatived are they less than the base. 315 ’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
OTHELLO . . .
Haply, for I am black 304
And have not those soft parts of conversation 305
That chamberers have, or for I am declined 306
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—307
She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief 308
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage, 309
That we can call these delicate creatures ours 310
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad 311
And live upon the vapor of a dungeon 312
Than keep a corner in the thing I love 313
For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague ⟨of⟩ great ones; 314
Prerogatived are they less than the base. 315
’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death.
