Cio m'accora

English Libretto or Translation:

OTHELLO (approaching Iago)
What are you saying?

IAGO
Nothing... You here?
An idle word escaped my lips.

OTHELLO
The man now leaving my wife, is that Cassio?
(They both turn away from the terrace.)

IAGO
Cassio? No... that man gave
a guilty start on seeing you.

OTHELLO
I believe it was Cassio.

IAGO
My lord...

OTHELLO
What is it?

IAGO
Did Cassio, in the early days of your courtship,
not know Desdemona?

OTHELLO
He did. Why do you ask?

IAGO
A thought crossed my mind,
whimsical, but without malice.

OTHELLO
Tell me your thought, Iago.

IAGO
Did you confide in Cassio?

OTHELLO
He would often carry
a gift or note to my bride.

IAGO
Indeed?

OTHELLO
Ay, indeed. Do you not think him honest?

IAGO (imitating Othello)
Honest?

OTHELLO
What are you hiding from me?

IAGO
What am I hiding, my lord?

OTHELLO
‘‘What am I hiding, my lord?’’
By heaven, you echo me!...
The inner chamber of your brain
harbours some terrible monster.
Indeed, I heard you saying even now,
‘‘ I like not that!’’
What did you not like? You mentioned Cassio
then did contract and purse your brow together.
Come, speak if you love me!

IAGO
You know that I love you.

OTHELLO
Speak then without concealment
or ambiguity.
Speak as you think,


and give your worst of thoughts
the worst of words!

IAGO
Even if my heart were in your hand
that thought you would not know.

OTHELLO
Ah!...

IAGO
(coming very close to Othello and speaking in an undertone)
Beware, my lord, of jealousy!
’Tis a spiteful monster, livid,
blind, with her own venom
self-poisoned, with a vivid
wound upon her bosom.

OTHELLO
O misery!
No! I have no use for baseless doubts.
Before doubt comes enquiry,
after doubt comes proof,
after the proof –
Othello has his supreme laws –
away with love and jealousy together.