 (Othello and his followers return to the previous group.)
Othello.
O my fair heroine!
Desdemona.
My dear Othello!
Othello. My wonder to see you here before me is as great as my pleasure. O delight of my heart! If so sweet a calm succeeded every storm, the winds would blow until they had awakened death; so might the toiling bark climb hills from water to Olympus, then plunge as low again as hell is from heaven! If I must die now, it were in the instant when my happiness is at its highest; I fear much this delight of my soul is too great for another to lie for me in the unknown future.
Desdemona. Heaven forbid that our love and pleasure should not increase in proportion as our days grow!
Othello.
Amen, to this sweet wish! I cannot
speak enough of this joy, my heart is so full—
(he kisses her—)
and this, and this, may be the greatest dissonance our hearts will ever make!
Jago (aside.)
Oh, now you are still in a good mood; but I will lay the whirl that makes this music, as truly as I am honest!
Othello. Come, let us go to the castle. Now, my friends, the war is ended before it began; the Turks are drowned. How do our old acquaintances fare on this island?—My dearest heart, you will be much loved in Cyprus; I have received much friendship here.—O my love, I perceive I forget myself; the excess of my joy makes me rave.—I pray thee, good Iago, go to the roadstead and have my chests unpacked; and bring the ship’s master to me in the citadel; he is a clever man, whose merits deserve a most esteem. Come, Desdemona, welcome once more to Cyprus!
(Othello and Desdemona exit.)
