Óèëüÿì Øåêñïèð

 Îòåëëî

 
 
 
     Ïåðåâîä Îñèè Ñîðîêè.
 

ÄÅÉÑÒÂÓÞÙÈÅ ËÈÖÀ:

 
 
     Îòåëëî, áëàãîðîäíûé ìàâð íà âåíåöèàíñêîé ñëóæáå
     Áðàáàíöèî, ñåíàòîð, îòåö Äåçäåìîíû
     Êàññèî, çàìåñòèòåëü Îòåëëî.
     ßãî, àäúþòàíò Îòåëëî
     Ðîäðèãî, âåíåöèàíñêèé äâîðÿíèí
     Äîæ Âåíåöèè
     Ñåíàòîðû
     Ìîíòàíî, ïðåäøåñòâåííèê Îòåëëî ïî óïðàâëåíèþ Êèïðîì
     Ãðàöèàíî, áðàò Áðàáàíöèî
     Ëîäîâèêî, ðîäñòâåííèê Áðàáàíöèî
     Øóò, ÷åëÿäèíåö Îòåëëî
     Äåçäåìîíà, æåíà Îòåëëî
     Ýìèëèÿ, æåíà ßãî
     Áèàíêà, êóðòèçàíêà
     Ìàòðîñ, ãîíåö, ãëàøàòàé, îôèöåðû, äâîðÿíå, ìóçûêàíòû è ñëóãè
 
                      Ìåñòî äåéñòâèÿ: Âåíåöèÿ è Êèïð.
 

ÀÊÒ I

 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 1
 
                   Âåíåöèÿ. Óëèöà. Âõîäÿò ßãî è Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Áðîñü, ßãî, íå ìîðî÷ü ìåíÿ. Îáèäíî,
                      ×òî âåäàë òû îá ýòîì è ìîë÷àë,
                      Õîòü â ïîëíîå òâîå ðàñïîðÿæåíüå
                      ß îòäàë êîøåëåê ñâîé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                             ×åðò âîçüìè, -
                      Âû íå õîòèòå âûñëóøàòü. Ïåñ áóäó,
                      Íå çíàë íè ñíîì íè äóõîì ÿ î òîì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Òû ãîâîðèë, òåáå îí íåíàâèñòåí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìðàçü áóäó, åñëè íåò. Âåëüìîæíûõ òðîå
                      Âåíåöèàíöåâ êëàíÿëèñü åìó,
                      ×òîá çàìåñòèòåëåì ìåíÿ íàçíà÷èë.
                      À ÿ ãîæóñü. ß öåíó ñåáå çíàþ.
                      Íî îí, çàíîñ÷èâ è ñàìîâëþáëåí,
                      Íàïûùåííîþ ðå÷üþ îòâå÷àåò,
                      Íàïè÷êàííîé ðåçîíàìè âîéíû,
                      È â çàêëþ÷åíüå îñòàâëÿåò ñ íîñîì
                      Õîäàòàåâ ìîèõ. Óæ, äåñêàòü, âñå -
                      Óæ âûáðàë çàìåñòèòåëÿ ñåáå îí.
                      Êòî æ âûáðàí èì? Ìèêåëå Êàññèî íåêèé,
                      Íå âîèí, à ñêîðåå ñ÷åòîâîä,
                      È íå âåíåöèàíåö - ôëîðåíòèíåö.
                      Ïðèòîì îòïåòûé áàáíèê. Íèêîãäà
                      Â êàððå íå ñòðîèë âîéñê íà ïîëå áîÿ,
                      È â ïðàêòèêå ñðàæåíèé íè àçà
                      Íå ñìûñëèò, ïî òåîðèè ëèøü òîëüêî
                      Ðàññ÷èòûâàòü-ïîäñ÷èòûâàòü ãîðàçä.
                      Íî âåäü ëþáîé ñîâåòíèê â ìèðíîé òîãå
                      Ìàñòàê íà ýòî. Â áîëòîâíå ïóñòîé
                      Âåñü îïûò âîèíñêèé åãî. Îí - â äàìêàõ,
                      È, îáåçâåòðåí, ïàðóñ ìîé ïîâèñ,
                      Õîòü ìàâð ìåíÿ â áîÿõ âîî÷üþ âèäåë
                      Íà Êèïðå, Ðîäîñå, â äðóãèõ êðàÿõ
                      È õðèñòèàíñêèõ è ìàãîìåòàíñêèõ.
                      ß îòòåñíåí, è ùåëêàòåëü íà ñ÷åòàõ
                      Ìåíÿ îáùåëêàë. Â àäúþòàíòû ÿ
                      Íàçíà÷åí ÷åðíîìàçûì áëàãîðîäüåì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      ×åì àäúþòàíòîì, ÿ áû ïàëà÷îì
                      Îõîòíåé áûë åìó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        Äà ÷òî æ ïîäåëàòü.
                      Ïðîêëÿòüå ñëóæáû â ýòîì. Ïðîäâèæåíüå
                      Èäåò ïî äðóæáå íûí÷å, ïî ïðîòåêöèè,
                      À íå ïî âûñëóãå è ñòàðøèíñòâó.
                      Ñóäèòå æå, êàêîþ ÿ ëþáîâüþ
                      Ïûëàþ ê ìàâðó.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                     ß áû ó íåãî
                      È íå ñëóæèë.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    Î íåò, íå áåñïîêîéòåñü.
                      Ñëóæó ÿ èç ñâîèõ, èç ëè÷íûõ âèäîâ.
                      Íå âñå õîäèòü ìû ìîæåì â ãîñïîäàõ,
                      È âåðíûõ ñëóã íå âñå îíè èìåþò.
                      Êîíå÷íî, ìíîãî åñòü ðàáîâ óñåðäíûõ,
                      Êîëåíè ãíóùèõ òîëüêî ëèøü çà õàð÷,
                      Ïîäîáíî èøàêàì, - à îäðÿõëååò,
                      È âîí åãî ïðîãîíèò ãîñïîäèí.
                      ß ÷åñòíûõ áû õîëîïîâ ýòèõ - ïëåòüþ!
                      À åñòü äðóãèå, ïðåäàííûå ñ âèäó,
                      Íî ïîä ëè÷èíîé âåðíîãî ñëóãè
                      Îíè ñåáå ëèøü ñëóæàò - è óìåþò
                      Îòìåííî ïðîöâåñòè ïðè ãîñïîäàõ,
                      Íàæèòüñÿ, íàêîðûñòîâàòüñÿ âïðîê,
                      ×òîáû ñàìèõ ñåáÿ çàòåì óâàæèòü.
                      Âîò ìîëîäöû! - È ÿ èç èõ ÷èñëà.
                      Ðîäðèãî âû, íå òàê ëè? Âîò è ÿ
                      Íå ìàâð, à ßãî. È ñëóæó íå ìàâðó,
                      Ñëóæó ñåáå. È äåëàþ ëèøü âèä,
                      ×òî ÿ èç ëþáÿùèõ è áåççàâåòíûõ.
                      À åñëè á öåëè îáíàæàë ñâîè
                      È åñëè áû ðàñïàõèâàëñÿ ñåðäöåì,
                      Òî ãàëêè ðàñêëåâàëè áû åãî.
                      ß òîò, è ÿ - íå òîò.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                           Âåçåò æå ìàâðó,
                      Âåçåò æå òîëñòîãóáîìó, êîãäà îí
                      Òàêîå áåçíàêàçàííî òâîðèò!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îòöà åå áóäèòå! Íàäî ìàâðà
                      Âñïóãíóòü, êàê äè÷ü, íà ñëåä íàáðîñèòü ãîí÷èõ
                      È íàñëàæäåíüå îòðàâèòü åìó.
                      Íà óëèöàõ êëåéìèòü åãî, âçúÿðèòü
                      Ðîäíþ åå, ïîäáàâèòü ëîæêó äåãòþ
                       áî÷îíîê ìåäà, ÷òîá åìó è ðàäîñòü
                      Áûëà íå òàê óæ â ðàäîñòü.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                                Âîò è äîì
                      Åå îòöà. Ñåé÷àñ ÿ çàøóìëþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äàâàéòå. Óñòðàøàþùå âîïèòå,
                      Êàê ïðè íî÷íîì ïîæàðå â ãîðîäàõ
                      Ñðåäü ìíîãîëþäüÿ ñïÿùåãî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                                 Ýãåé!
                      Áðàáàíöèî! Ñèíüîð Áðàáàíöèî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïðîñíèòåñü! Ýé, Áðàáàíöèî! Âîðû, âîðû!
                      Äîì ñòåðåãèòå, çîëîòî è äî÷ü!
                      Âàñ ãðàáÿò, ãðàáÿò!
 
                    Íàâåðõó â îêíå ïîÿâëÿåòñÿ Áðàáàíöèî.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                           Ïîäíÿëè çà÷åì
                      Ïåðåïîëîõ âû çäåñü? ×åãî âàì íàäî?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Ñèíüîð, äîìà ëè âàøà âñÿ ñåìüÿ?
                      Äâåðè âñå ëü çàïåðòû?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                            À ÷òî òàêîå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà âû îãðàáëåíû! Âàì ñòûäíî ñïàòü!
                      Îäåíüòåñü! Âàøå ñåðäöå ðàñêîëîëè
                      È ïîëîâèíó îòíÿëè äóøè.
                      Ñåé÷àñ, ïîêà âû ìåäëèòå, âîò â ýòî
                      Ìãíîâåíüå, ÷åðíûé ìàòåðîé áàðàí
                      Áåëóþ âàøó ÿðî÷êó òàðàíèò.
                      Âàì ïîäûìàòüñÿ íàäî, áèòü â íàáàò,
                      Õðàïÿùèõ ãîðîæàí ñêîðåé áóäèòü,
                      Ïîêà âàñ ÷åðíûé ÷åðò íå ñäåëàë äåäîì.
                      Âñòàâàéòå, ãîâîðþ!
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                          Äà âû ðåõíóëèñü?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèé! Âàì ãîëîñ ìîé çíàêîì?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Íåò. Êòî âû?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                   ß - Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                                ×òî? Òåì õóæå.
                      Âåëåë òåáå ÿ íå ñîâàòüñÿ ê íàì,
                      ßñíî è ïðÿìî îáúÿâèë òåáå,
                      ×òî äî÷ü íå ïðî òåáÿ. Òåïåðü, íàæðàâøèñü
                      È íàëàêàâøèñü ãäå-òî, òû ÿâèëñÿ
                      Íî÷íîé ïîêîé ìîé íàãëî íàðóøàòü?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Ñèíüîð, ñèíüîð, ñèíüîð...
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                                 Íî áóäü óâåðåí,
                      ß äóõîì òâåðä è ñàíîì ÿ âûñîê, -
                      Òû ãîðüêî ïîæàëååøü.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                           Ïîãîäèòå...
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      ×òî òû îðåøü î ãðàáåæå? Æèâåì
                      Â Âåíåöèè, à íå â ãëóõîé äåðåâíå.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Ïî÷òåííåéøèé Áðàáàíöèî, ïðèøåë ÿ
                       äóøåâíîé ïðîñòîòå è ÷èñòîòå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ðàçðàçè  ìåíÿ  ãðîì,  âû  èç óïðÿìûõ. Ñîâåò ðàçóìíûé ìîæíî è îò äüÿâîëà
ïðèíÿòü.  Ìû  õîòèì  âàì  óñëóæèòü,  - íî ðàç âû ñ÷èòàåòå íàñ íàãëåöàìè, òî,
çíà÷èò,  ïóñòü  ëó÷øå  âàøó  äî÷ü ïîêðûâàåò ìàâðèòàíñêèé æåðåáåö, ïóñòü âàøè
âíóêè ðæóò æåðåáÿòàìè è êðîâíûå ðûñàêè ñòàíóò âàì êðîâíîé ðîäíåé.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Òû, ñêâåðíîñëîâ, - òû êòî òàêîé?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     ß ÷åëîâåê, ïðèøåäøèé âàì ñêàçàòü, ÷òî âàøà äî÷êà è ìàâð â ýòî ìãíîâåíèå
ñîñòàâëÿþò çâåðÿ î äâóõ ñïèíàõ.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Ìåðçàâåö ãðÿçíûé òû.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                            À âû - ñåíàòîð.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Òåáÿ, Ðîäðèãî, çíàþ. Òû îòâåòèøü
                      Çà ýòî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                               ß îòâå÷ó âàì çà âñå.
                      Íî óìîëÿþ... Åñëè âàøó äî÷ü-
                      Êðàñàâèöó â ñëåïóþ ýòó ïîëíî÷ü
                      Ñ ñîãëàñüÿ âàøåãî (âèäàòü, ÷òî òàê)
                      Óâåç ïðîñòîé íàåìíûé ãîíäîëüåð
                      Ïðî÷ü, ìàâðó â ïîõîòëèâûå îáúÿòüÿ,
                      Åñëè ãîíäîëà ñ íåþ óïëûëà
                      Ñ âàøåãî âåäîìà è ïîçâîëåíüÿ,
                      Òîãäà ìû - íàãëåöû è ïîäëåöû.
                      Íî åñëè âû íå âåäàëè îá ýòîì,
                      Òî ýòèêåòà ïðàâèëà ãëàñÿò,
                      ×òî âû íàñ óêîðÿåòå íàïðàñíî.
                      Íå äóìàéòå, ÷òî ÿ, ïðåçðåâ ó÷òèâîñòü,
                      Øóòèë áû äåðçêî è ìîðî÷èë âàñ.
                      È åñëè - ïîâòîðÿþ - âû íå çíàëè,
                      Òî äî÷êà ó÷èíèëà ãðóáûé áóíò,
                      Ñâÿçàâ ñâîþ êðàñó, äîëã, óì, ñóäüáó
                      Ñ áðîäÿãîé ÷óæäûì, ïåðåêàòèïîëåì,
                      Êîìó îò÷èçíà âñþäó è íèãäå.
                      Ïðîâåðüòå æå íåìåäëÿ, - åñëè äîìà
                      Îíà ñåé÷àñ, òî íà ìåíÿ îáðóøüòå
                      Âñþ ñèëó ïðàâîñóäèÿ çà îáìàí.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Îãíÿ ñþäà! Ñâå÷ó! Âñåõ ñëóã áóäè.
                      Ïðèâèäåëñÿ ìíå íûí÷å ñîí òÿæåëûé.
                      Îí, êàæåòñÿ, ñáûâàåòñÿ. Îãíÿ!
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íó, äî ñâèäàíüÿ. Äîëæåí ÿ óéòè.
                      Íåëüçÿ æå ìíå îòêðûòî ïðîòèâ ìàâðà.
                      Åãî çà ïðåãðåøåíüå óêîðÿò,
                      Íî îò êîìàíäîâàíüÿ íå îòñòàâÿò.
                      Ó Êèïðà âåäü ñåé÷àñ èäåò âîéíà.
                      Åãî òóäà â åäèíûé ãîëîñ ïðî÷àò.
                      Èì íèêîãî äðóãîãî íå íàéòè,
                      ×òîá áûë åãî êàëèáðà è çíà÷åíüÿ.
                      È ïîòîìó, õîòü îí è ãîðøå ìíå,
                      ×åì ìóêè àäà, íî ïî ñëóæáå äîëæåí
                      ß ïîäûìàòü ôëàã, çíàìÿ, çíàê ëþáâè -
                      Íî òîëüêî âíåøíèé çíàê. Âåäèòå èõ.
                      Íàéäóò åãî â ãîñòèíèöå, â "Ñòðåëüöå".
                      È ÿ òàì áóäó ñ íèì. Ïîêà ïðîùàéòå.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
             Âõîäÿò Áðàáàíöèî (óæå îäåòûé) è ñëóãè ñ ôàêåëàìè.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Äà, òàê è åñòü. Åå ïðîñòûë è ñëåä.
                      È ìíå îñòàëàñü ãîðå÷ü äî ñêîí÷àíüÿ
                      Ìîèõ ïðåçðåííûõ äíåé. Òû ãäå, Ðîäðèãî,
                      Âèäåë åå, çëîñ÷àñòíóþ ìîþ
                      Äî÷óðêó? Ñ ìàâðîì, ãîâîðèøü? Î, êòî æ
                      Òåïåðü çàõî÷åò áûòü îòöîì? À ìîæåò,
                      Òû îáîçíàëñÿ? (Êàê æåñòîêî, äî÷êà,
                      Ìåíÿ òû îáìàíóëà!) ×òî ñêàçàëà
                      Îíà òåáå? - Åùå, åùå îãíÿ!
                      Âñå ïîäûìàéòå ðîäè÷åé ìîèõ! -
                      È êàê òû äóìàåøü - óæ ïîâåí÷àëèñü?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Ñêàçàòü ïî ÷åñòè, äóìàþ, ÷òî äà.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Êàê óäàëîñü åé èç äîìó áåæàòü?
                      Â ðîäíîé êðîâè - èçìåíà! Î, íå âåðüòå
                      Îòíûíå ìèëûì äî÷åðÿì, îòöû!
                      È ðàçâå íåò íà ñâåòå çëîáíûõ ÷àð,
                      Ñìàíèòü ñïîñîáíûõ ÷èñòîòó è þíîñòü?
                      Òû â êíèãàõ ðàçâå íå ÷èòàë?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                                  ×èòàë.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Çîâèòå áðàòà ìîåãî! Îõ, íàäî
                      Åå ìíå âûäàòü áûëî çà òåáÿ. -
                      Âû â òîò êîíåö áåãèòå; âû - â äðóãîé. -
                      À ãäå ñõâàòèòü åå è ìàâðà ñìîæåì?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      ß ïîâåäó. Ëþäåé îðóæíûõ íàäî.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Âî âñå äîìà âîéäó. Ïî÷òè âåçäå
                      Ðàñïîðÿæàòüñÿ âëàñòåí ÿ. Áåðèòå
                      Îðóæèå! Íî÷íóþ ñòðàæó êëè÷ü!
                      Ïðîøó òåáÿ, âåäè, Ðîäðèãî äîáðûé.
                      Â äîëãó ÿ íå îñòàíóñü ïðåä òîáîé.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 2
 
Ïåðåä ãîñòèíèöåé "Ñòðåëåö". Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî, ßãî è ñîïðîâîæäàþùèå ñ ôàêåëàìè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Õîòü, íà âîéíå ñëóæà, ÿ óáèâàë,
                      Íî âíå âîéíû íå ïîçâîëÿåò ñîâåñòü.
                      Ìíå çëîáíîñòè, óâû, íåäîñòàåò.
                      À âñå æ ìåíÿ ðàç äåñÿòü ïîäìûâàëî
                      Ïûðíóòü åãî ïîä ðåáðà, âîò ñþäà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ëó÷øå áåç ýòîãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                         Îí ñêâåðíîñëîâèë,
                      Îí âàñ òàêîé õóëîþ îáëèâàë,
                      ×òî åëå óäåðæàëñÿ ÿ, õîòü âîâñå
                      ß íå ñâÿòîøà. Íî ñêàæèòå ìíå,
                      Âû íàêðåïêî ïîâåí÷àíû? Ó÷òèòå,
                      Ñåíàòîðà âñå ëþáÿò, è â äåëàõ
                      Ãîëîñ åãî âåñîì, êàê ãîëîñ äîæà.
                      Îí ìîæåò ðàçâåñòè - èëü íàëîæèòü
                      Âñå âðåäîíîñíûå îãðàíè÷åíüÿ,
                      Êîòîðûå ïðåäóñìîòðåë çàêîí, -
                      Íà ýòî ó íåãî äîñòàíåò ñèëû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïóñòü çëîáèòñÿ. Ìîè çàñëóãè ãðîì÷å
                      Åãî âñåõ æàëîá. Õîòü è íèêîãäà
                      Íå õâàñòàëñÿ ñâîèì ïðîèñõîæäåíüåì,
                      Íî ÿ èç ðîäà öàðñêîãî. Ìîãó
                      Ñòîÿòü, êàê ðàâíûé, íå ñíèìàÿ øàïêè,
                      ß ïåðåä âñåì, ÷åãî òåïåðü äîñòèã.
                      À íå ëþáè ÿ íåæíîé Äåçäåìîíû,
                      Òî è çà âñå ñîêðîâèùà ìîðåé
                      Ìîþ ñâîáîäó íå ñêîâàë áû áðàêîì. -
                      Íî êòî-òî ñ ôàêåëàìè ê íàì èäåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ýòî îòåö åå ñ ñâîåé ðîäíåé.
                      Âû áû âîøëè.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Íåò, ïðÿòàòüñÿ çà÷åì æå.
                      ß ìóæ åé, âîèí ÿ, äóøà ÿñíà -
                      È ïðàâîòà ÿñíà. Ýòî îíè?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà íåò, äâóëèêèì ßíóñîì êëÿíóñÿ.
 
                 Âõîäÿò Êàññèî è ñëóæèòåëè äîæà ñ ôàêåëàìè.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìîé çàìåñòèòåëü è ïîñëàíöû äîæà.
                      Äðóçüÿ, ïðèâåò! ×òî ñëûøíî?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                                   Ãåíåðàë,
                      Äîæ âàñ ïðèâåòñòâóåò è ïðèçûâàåò
                      Ê ñåáå ñî âñåé âîçìîæíîé áûñòðîòîé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      À ïî êàêîìó äåëó?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                        Âåñòè ñ Êèïðà,
                      ß äóìàþ, è äîðîã êàæäûé ìèã.
                      Ãîíöîâ äåñÿòîê ñïåøíî, äðóã çà äðóãîì,
                      Ñåãîäíÿ íî÷üþ ïðèñëàíî ñ ãàëåð.
                      Óæ ïîäíÿòû ñåíàòîðû ñ ïîñòåëåé
                      È çàñåäàþò ñ äîæåì. Êëè÷óò âàñ,
                      Íî, äîìà íå íàéäÿ, áðîñàþò â ïîèñê
                      Ëþäåé â òðè ðàçíûå êîíöà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                 Äîáðî.
                      Ìíå òîëüêî â êîìíàòå äâà ñëîâà ìîëâèòü,
                      È ìû ïîéäåì.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                    Ñêàæèòå, àäúþòàíò,
                      Çà÷åì îí çäåñü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                       Äà â íûíåøíþþ íî÷ü
                      Âçÿë ñóõîïóòíóþ îí êàðàâåëëó,
                      È åñëè ýòîò àáîðäàæ çàêîíåí,
                      Òî îáåñïå÷èë îí ñåáÿ íàâåê.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íå ïîíÿë âàñ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     Æåíèëñÿ îí.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                                  Íà êîì æå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà íà...
 
                               Âõîäèò Îòåëëî.
 
                                Èäåòå, ãåíåðàë?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                Ïîéäåì.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      À âîò åùå ïîñëàíöû.
 
          Âõîäÿò Áðàáàíöèî, Ðîäðèãî è äðóãèå ñ îðóæèåì è ôàêåëàìè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           Ýòî îí -
                      Áðàáàíöèî. Ãåíåðàë, ïîáåðåãèòåñü.
                      Ñ íåäîáðûìè íàìåðåíüÿìè îí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ýé òàì! Îñòàíîâèòåñü!
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                             Âîò îí - ìàâð.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Ñìåðòü âîðó!
 
                       Ñ îáåèõ ñòîðîí îáíàæàþò ìå÷è.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                   Áà! Ïîæàëóéòå, Ðîäðèãî, -
                      Ñêðåñòèì êëèíêè!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Ìå÷è âëîæèòå â íîæíû,
                      ×òîáû íå ïîðæàâåëè îò ðîñû.
                      Ñèíüîð, ïî÷òåííîé âàøåé ñåäèíîé
                      Âû áîëüøåãî äîáüåòåñü, ÷åì îðóæüåì.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Î ïîäëûé âîð, êóäà óïðÿòàë äî÷êó?
                      Ïðîêëÿòûé, òû îêîëäîâàë åå,
                      Öåïÿìè ÷åðíîé ìàãèè îïóòàë.
                      Íåìûñëèìî èíà÷å, ÷òîá îíà -
                      Ñ ñâîåþ þíîé íåæíîñòüþ, êðàñîþ,
                      Ñ÷àñòëèâàÿ â äåâè÷åñòâå ñâîåì
                      È íå æåëàþùàÿ çíàòü î áðàêå,
                      È îòâåðãàþùàÿ áîãàòåéøèõ,
                      Êóäðÿâûõ, áðàâûõ íàøèõ æåíèõîâ -
                      Âäðóã, íà ñìåõ âñåé Âåíåöèè, ñáåæàëà
                       îáúÿòüÿ ÷åðíîñàæèå òâîè,
                      Íå ñòðàñòü, à ñòðàõ ñïîñîáíûå ëèøü âûçâàòü.
                      Ïóñòü ñêàæåò ìèð, íå î÷åâèäíî ðàçâå,
                      ×òî ýòó ïîð÷ó òû íàâåë âîëøáîé,
                      Ñîñòàâàìè èëü çåëüåì îäóðìàíèâ.
                      ßñíåé òóò ÿñíîãî. ß äîêàæó.
                      Òû àðåñòîâàí êàê âåäóí-ãóáèòåëü,
                      ×òî â ìàãèè çàïðåòíîé óëè÷åí.
                      Õâàòàéòå.  ñëó÷àå ñîïðîòèâëåíüÿ
                      Îðóæüå ïðèìåíèòå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                        Íå ñïåøèòå
                      Íàêèäûâàòüñÿ è îáîðîíÿòü.
                      Ïðè íóæäå áóäó äðàòüñÿ áåç ïîäñêàçêè.
                      Êóäà æåëàåòå ìåíÿ âåñòè
                      Ê îòâåòó?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                 Îòâåñòè â òþðüìó æåëàåì,
                      ×òîá ïî çàêîíó â äîëæíûé ÷àñ ñóäèòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×òî, åñëè ïîä÷èíþñü ÿ? Êàê ïîñìîòðèò
                      Íà ýòî äîæ, çà ìíîé ñâîèõ ãîíöîâ
                      Ñþäà ïîñëàâøèé ïî äåëàì äåðæàâû?
                      Ñëóæèòåëü. Äîñòîéíåéøèé ñèíüîð, âñå òàê è åñòü.
                      Äîæ ñîâåùàåòñÿ óæå ñ ñåíàòîì.
                      Çà âàìè ïîñëàíî íàâåðíÿêà.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Äîæ â ñîâåùàíüå?  ýòó ïîðó íî÷è?
                      Òóäà âåäèòå. Çäåñü íå ïóñòÿêè.
                      Äîæ è ñåíàòîðû, ìîè ñîáðàòüÿ,
                      Ìîþ áåäó âîñïðèìóò êàê ñâîþ.
                      Âåäü åñëè áåçíàêàçàííûì îñòàâèòü,
                      Ðàá è ÿçû÷íèê ñòàíóò íàìè ïðàâèòü.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 3
 
    Çàë ñîâåòà. Äîæ è ñåíàòîðû çà ñòîëîì; äîëæíîñòíûå ëèöà è ñëóæèòåëè.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                       èçâåñòèÿõ ñîãëàñüÿ íåò è, çíà÷èò,
                      Íåò èì âïîëíå äîâåðüÿ.
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                                              Äà, îíè
                      Ðàçíîðå÷èâû.  ýòîì äîíåñåíüå
                      Âðàæüèõ ñòî ñåìü óêàçàíî ãàëåð.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Â ìîåì - ñòî ñîðîê.
 
                                2-é ñåíàòîð
 
                                          À â ìîåì - âñå äâåñòè.
                      Íî åñëè öèôðà è íå ñîâïàäàåò,
                      ( ïðèêèäêàõ ýòî ÷àñòî), ðå÷ü èäåò
                      Îäíàêî âñþäó î òóðåöêîì ôëîòå,
                      Êîòîðûé äåðæèò êóðñ íà îñòðîâ Êèïð.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      ×òî î÷åíü âåðîÿòíî. Ïóñòü íåòî÷íû
                      Ïîäñ÷åòû, íî íå îòðèöàþ ÿ
                      Íàëè÷íóþ è òÿæêóþ óãðîçó.
 
                                   Ìàòðîñ
                                (çà ñöåíîé)
 
                      Ýãåé! Êòî âî äâîðöå? Ýãåé! Ýãåé!
 
                                 Ñëóæèòåëü
 
                      Ïîñëàíåö ñ êîðàáëåé.
 
                               Âõîäèò ìàòðîñ.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                            Êàêèå âåñòè?
 
                                   Ìàòðîñ
 
                      Ñèíüîð Àíäæåëî äîëîæèòü âåëåë,
                      ×òî òóðêè ïîâåðíóëè ôëîò íà Ðîäîñ.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Êàê îáúÿñíèòü íàì ýòó ïåðåìåíó?
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                      Ðàçóìíîãî îáîñíîâàíüÿ íåò.
                      Îáìàííàÿ óëîâêà, íå èíà÷å, -
                      ×òîá îòâåñòè ãëàçà. Êîãäà ñðàâíèòü
                      Çíà÷åíüå ýòèõ îñòðîâîâ äëÿ òóðêà
                      È âñïîìíèòü, ÷òî íå òîëüêî Êèïð âàæíåé,
                      Íî è ñëàáåå óêðåïëåí ãîðàçäî,
                      Òî ÿñíî, ÷òî íå òàê ïðîòèâíèê ïðîñò,
                      ×òîá ïðåíåáðå÷ü âàæíåéøåþ äîáû÷åé,
                      Îïàñíîñòü áåñïîëåçíóþ èùà.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Äà, öåëüþ òóðîê Ðîäîñ áûòü íå ìîæåò.
 
                                 Ñëóæèòåëü
 
                      Åùå îäèí ãîíåö.
 
                               Âõîäèò ãîíåö.
 
                                   Ãîíåö
 
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèé ñåíàò, ñâåòëåéøèé äîæ!
                      Òóðåöêèé ôëîò, äåðæàâøèé êóðñ íà Ðîäîñ,
                      Ñîåäèíèëñÿ ñ ïîäêðåïëåíüåì òàì...
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                      Òàê ÿ è äóìàë. Ñêîëüêî æå ãàëåð
                      Ïðèìêíóëî?
 
                                   Ãîíåö
 
                      Òðèäöàòü. È òåïåðü âñå âìåñòå,
                      Âñïÿòü ïîâåðíóâ, îòêðûòî âçÿëè êóðñ
                      Íà Êèïð. Ìîíòàíî, ãóáåðíàòîð Êèïðà,
                      Âàø âåðíûé è áåñòðåïåòíûé ñëóãà,
                      Ñî âñåì ïî÷òåíüåì ñîîáùàåò ýòî
                      È î ïîäìîãå ïðîñèò.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                          Çíà÷èò, Êèïð
                      Èõ öåëüþ. Â ãîðîäå ëè Ìàðê Ëóêåçå?
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                      Îí âî Ôëîðåíöèè.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                        Ïðèçâàòü åãî
                      Ñî âñåþ ñïåøíîñòüþ!
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                                           Ñþäà èäóò
                      Áðàáàíöèî è äîáëåñòíûé Îòåëëî.
 
      Âõîäÿò Áðàáàíöèî, Îòåëëî, Êàññíî, ßãî, Ðîäðèãî è ñîïðîâîæäàþùèå.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Îòåëëî äîáëåñòíûé, ìû âàñ íåìåäëÿ
                      Íà òóðêà ïîñûëàåì, íà âðàãà. -
                      À, âîò è âû, Áðàáàíöèî. Ìíå îòðàäíî
                      Âàñ âèäåòü. Íàì ïîòðåáíû âàø ñîâåò
                      È ïîìîùü.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                 Ìíå æ ïîòðåáíà âàøà ïîìîùü.
                      Ñâåòëåéøèé äîæ, ïðîñòèòå. Ïîäíÿëà
                      Ñ ïîñòåëè íå çàáîòà î äåðæàâå,
                      Íå äîëæíîñòü, íå íàñóùíûå äåëà,
                      À ãîðå, õëûíóâøåå íà ìåíÿ
                      Òàê áóðíî, ÷òî âñå ãîðåñòè äðóãèå
                      Ïîòîïëåíû èì è ïîãëîùåíû.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      À ÷òî ñòðÿñëîñü?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                       Î äî÷ü, î ìîÿ äî÷êà!
 
                                    Âñå
 
                      ×òî, óìåðëà?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                    Ñ÷èòàþ, óìåðëà.
                      Óêðàëè, ñîâðàòèëè, ïîãóáèëè
                      Åå âîëøáîþ, çíàõàðñêèì ïèòüåì, -
                      Èáî, íå áóäó÷è ñëåïîé êàëåêîé,
                      Áåçóìíî çàáëóæäàòüñÿ òàê íåëüçÿ âåäü
                      Èíà÷å, êàê âî âëàñòè êîëäîâñòâà.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Êòî á íè áûë îí, ÷üè ìåðçîñòíûå êîçíè
                      Óêðàëè âàøåé äî÷åðè ðàññóäîê
                      È äî÷ü ó âàñ óêðàëè, - â ðóêè âàì
                      Äàþ êðîâàâûé êîäåêñ ïðàâîñóäüÿ
                      Äëÿ ïîêàðàíèÿ ñîãëàñíî âñåé
                      Íàèãîð÷àéøåé ñòðîãîñòè çàêîíà,
                      Âèíîâíûì áóäü õîòü ñîáñòâåííûé ìîé ñûí.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ ñìèðåííî âàøó ñâåòëîñòü.
                      Âîò îí, âèíîâíûé, - ýòîò ìàâð, ñþäà,
                      ß âèæó, ïðèçâàííûé ïî äåëó ñëóæáû.
 
                                    Âñå
 
                      Æàëü. Î÷åíü æàëü.
 
                                    Äîæ
                                 (ê Îòåëëî)
 
                                         ×òî ìîæåòå îòâåòèòü
                      Íà ýòî ñàìè?
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                   Îïðîâåðãíóòü îí
                      Íå ìîæåò íè÷åãî. Âñå ýòî ïðàâäà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïî÷òåííûå, âåëüìîæíûå ñèíüîðû,
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèå ãîñïîäà ìîè!
                      Äà, âçÿë ÿ äî÷ü ó ñòàðîãî ñèíüîðà.
                      Äà, ÿ íà íåé æåíèëñÿ. Â ýòîì âåñü
                      Ïðîñòóïîê ìîé. Êîðÿâà ðå÷ü ìîÿ,
                      ß íå îáó÷åí ãëàäêèì îáîðîòàì,
                      Èç ìèðíîé æèçíè ñåìèëåòíèì âçÿò.
                      È ðóêè îòäàþò ñ òåõ ïîð âñþ ñèëó
                      Íà áðàííîì ïîëå ñõâàòêàì è áîÿì.
                      È ìàëî ñâåäóù ÿ â äðóãèõ äåÿíüÿõ
                      Áîëüøîãî ìèðà: â ãîðîäå ÿ çäåñü
                      Âñåãî ëèøü äåâÿòü ìåñÿöåâ ïðîòðàòèë.
                      Òàê ÷òî ñëîâà õóäîé çàùèòîé ìíå.
                      Íî, ñ ïîçâîëåíüÿ âàøåãî, ÿ âñå æ
                      Ïîâåäàþ êàê åñòü, íå ëàêèðóÿ,
                      Èñòîðèþ ëþáâè - óïîòðåáèë
                      Ïèòüå êàêîå, ñíàäîáüÿ è ÷àðû,
                       êîòîðûõ îáâèíÿþñü ÿ ñåé÷àñ, -
                      Âîëøáîé êàêîþ, ìàãèåé êàêîþ
                      ß äîáûë äî÷ü åãî.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                        Íåäåðçêàÿ,
                      Íåøóìíàÿ, ñòûäëèâàÿ äîíåëüçÿ -
                      È ÷òîá îíà, íàòóðå âîïðåêè,
                      Ãîäàì ñâîèì, ïðèëè÷üþ, äîáðîé ñëàâå,
                      Âëþáèëàñü â òî, íà ÷òî áîÿëàñü ãëÿíóòü?
                      Çàêîíû âñå ïðèðîäû èçâðàòèâ,
                      ×òîá öåëîìóäðåííîå ñîâåðøåíñòâî
                      Â òàêóþ âïàëî ñòðàøíóþ îøèáêó?
                      Ïîâåðèò â òî áåçóìåö èëü êðåòèí.
                      Òóò íåïðåìåííî äüÿâîëüñêèå êîçíè,
                      Òóò ñíàäîáüÿ, áóíòóþùèå êðîâü,
                      Èëè çàãîâîðåííûå ñîñòàâû,
                      Êîòîðûìè îí îòðàâèë åå.
                      Ðó÷àþñü, ýòî òàê.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                        Íî äîêàçàòü
                      Íåîáõîäèìî ÿâñòâåííî è òî÷íî.
                      Èíà÷å âàøè îáâèíåíüÿ âñå,
                      Êàê ñêóäíûå îäåæêè, ïîâèñàþò.
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                      Îòåëëî, îòâå÷àéòå æå - êîâàðíî
                      Ïîáåæäåíà îíà è ïðåëüùåíà?
                      Èëü áûëî âñå ïî äîáðîìó ñîãëàñüþ,
                      Êîãäà äóøà ñ äóøîþ ãîâîðèò?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðîøó ïîñëàòü çà íåé - îíà â "Ñòðåëüöå", -
                      È ïóñòü ïåðåä îòöîì ñâîèì ðàññêàæåò,
                      È åñëè îáâèíèò ìåíÿ ðàññêàç,
                      Òîãäà íå òîëüêî ñàíà è äîâåðüÿ
                      Ëèøàéòå, íî è æèçíè.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                           Äåçäåìîíó
                      Ñþäà äîñòàâèòü!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                      Àäúþòàíò, âåäè; -
                      Òû çíàåøü ýòî ìåñòî.
                  (ßãî óõîäèò ñ äâóìÿ-òðåìÿ ñëóæèòåëÿìè.)
                                           À ïîêàìåñò
                      ß ñòðîãîìó ñîáðàíüþ, êàê ïðåä Áîãîì,
                      Îòêðîþ, ÷åì ñíèñêàë åå ëþáîâü
                      È ÷åì îíà ìîþ ëþáîâü ñíèñêàëà.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Ìû ñëóøàåì, Îòåëëî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Åå îòöó äîíûíå áûë ÿ ëþá.
                      Îí ÷àñòî ïðèãëàøàë è íåóñòàííî
                      Ðàññïðàøèâàë î ïðîøëîì: î áîÿõ,
                      Îñàäàõ, î ïðåâðàòíîñòÿõ ôîðòóíû.
                      È ÿ ðàññêàçûâàë åìó âñþ æèçíü
                      Îò äåòñêèõ ëåò ïî íûíåøíþþ ïîðó -
                      Î ïðèêëþ÷åíüÿõ â ìîðå è íà ñóøå;
                      Îò ñìåðòè êàê áûâàë íà âîëîñîê,
                      Êîãäà êèäàëñÿ â êðåïîñòíûå áðåøè;
                      Êàê áûë çàõâà÷åí â ïëåí è ïðîäàí â ðàáñòâî,
                      È âûêóïëåí. Î ñòðàíñòâèÿõ ìîèõ,
                      Î âåëèêàíñêèõ âåë ÿ ðå÷ü ïåùåðàõ,
                      Íàãèõ ïóñòûíÿõ, ñêàëüíûõ ïðîïàñòÿõ
                      È î ãîðàõ, âçäûìàþùèõñÿ â íåáî, -
                      Âîò êàêîâà áûëà ìîÿ âîëøáà, -
                      Î êàííèáàëàõ, ÷òî åäÿò äðóã äðóãà,
                      Î ëþäÿõ ñ ãîëîâàìè íèæå ïëå÷.
                      À Äåçäåìîíà ïîðûâàëàñü ñëóøàòü
                      È, îò äîìàøíèõ îòî âñåõ õëîïîò
                      Îòäåëûâàÿñü íàñïåõ, âîçâðàùàëàñü,
                      Ëîâèëà æàäíûì óõîì ìîé ðàññêàç.
                      Ïðèìåòèâ ýòî, óëó÷èë ÿ âðåìÿ -
                      Íàâåë åå íà ïðîñüáó ïîâòîðèòü
                      Â ïîâåñòâîâàíüå ñâÿçíîì è ïîäðîáíîì
                      Âñå æèçíåííîå ñòðàíñòâèå, î ÷åì
                      Óðûâêè ñëûøàëà. ß ñîãëàñèëñÿ, -
                      È, âñïîìèíàÿ áåäû þíûõ äíåé,
                      Ó íåé íå ðàç, íå äâà ÿ âûçâàë ñëåçû.
                      Êîãäà æå êîí÷èë ÿ ïîâåñòâîâàòü,
                      Òî öåëûì ìèðîì âçäîõîâ íàãðàäèëà.
                      "Âîëøåáíà âàøà áûëü, - êëÿëàñü îíà. -
                      È ñåðäöå òàê ñæèìàåòñÿ ó÷àñòüåì.
                      Àõ, ëó÷øå á ÿ íå ñëûøàëà. Çà÷åì
                      Íå ðîäèëàñü òàêèì ÿ ÷åëîâåêîì?
                      Ñïàñèáî âàì. È åñëè åñòü ó âàñ
                       ìåíÿ âëþáëåííûé äðóã, òî íàó÷èòå
                      Åãî, ïóñòü ýòîò ïîâòîðèò ðàññêàç -
                      È ïîáåäèò ìåíÿ". È ÿ â îòâåò
                      Ñâîå îòêðûë åé ñåðäöå. Ïîëþáèëà
                      Îíà ìåíÿ çà ïðîéäåííîå ìíîþ:
                      Ñðàæåíèÿ, îïàñíîñòè. À ÿ -
                      ß ïîëþáèë åå çà ñîñòðàäàíüå.
                      Âîò êîëäîâñòâî ìîå. È Äåçäåìîíà,
                      Ñþäà èäóùàÿ, ñâèäåòåëü ìîé.
 
                     Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà, ßãî è ñëóæèòåëè.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Ñìîãëà áû ïîêîðèòü è äî÷ü ìîþ
                      Òàêàÿ áûëü. Áðàáàíöèî, ïðèìèðèòåñü
                      Ñ íåïîïðàâèìûì. Ïîùåðáëåííûé ìå÷
                      Ïðèãîäíåé âñå æå, ÷åì ïóñòûå íîæíû.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Ïðîøó âàñ ïðåæäå âûñëóøàòü åå.
                      È åñëè ñêàæåò, ÷òî ñàìà íàâñòðå÷ó
                      Øëà ìàâðó, òî åãî âèíèòü íè â ÷åì
                      Íå ñòàíó ÿ. Ïîáëèæå ïîäîéäè,
                      Ãîëóáóøêà. Êîìó â ñîáðàíüå ýòîì
                      Ïîêîðíîé áûòü äîëæíà ïðåâûøå âñåõ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Îòåö ìîé áëàãîðîäíûé! Ðàçäâîèëàñü
                      Îáÿçàííîñòü ìîÿ. Âû äàëè æèçíü,
                      Âçðàñòèëè âû ìåíÿ è âîñïèòàëè,
                      È ÿ îáÿçàíà âàñ ïî÷èòàòü,
                      Êàê äî÷åðè ïîñëóøíîé ïîäîáàåò.
                      Íî âîò ìîé ìóæ, - è ÿ ïîâèíîâàòüñÿ
                      Îáÿçàíà åìó, êàê ìàòü ìîÿ
                      Ïîâèíîâàëàñü âàì îòöà ïðåâûøå.
                      È â ýòîì ïîëàãàþ ÿ ñâîé äîëã
                      Ïðåä ìóæåì.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                   Áîã ñ òîáîé. ß îòñòóïàþñü.
                      Äàâàéòå, âàøà ñâåòëîñòü, ïåðåéäåì
                      Ê äåëàì äåðæàâû. ×åì ðîäèòü òàêóþ,
                      ß ëó÷øå áû óäî÷åðèë êîãî.
                      Ìàâð, ïîäîéäè-êà. Âîò îíà, âðó÷àþ
                      Òî, ÷òî òåáå áû â æèçíè íå âðó÷èë,
                      Íå áóäü îíî óæå òîáîþ âçÿòî.
                      Òåáå æå, äðàãîöåííàÿ, ñêàæó:
                      Äóøåâíî ðàä, ÷òî äî÷åðåé äðóãèõ
                      Íåò ó ìåíÿ, à òî á ìåíÿ òèðàíñòâó
                      Ïîáåã òâîé íàó÷èë.  êîëîäêè ÿ
                      Çàáèë áû èõ. ß êîí÷èë, âàøà ñâåòëîñòü.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Ïîçâîëüòå âàñ ïðèñëîâüÿìè óòåøèòü,
                      ×òîáû íà ìèëîñòü âû ñìåíèëè ãíåâ.
                      Çà÷åì, ïîíóðÿ ãîëîâó, ãðóñòèòü
                      Î òîì, ÷åãî óæå íå âîðîòèòü?
                      Âåäü ýòèì óìÿã÷èøü óäàð åäâà ëè.
                      Íàêëè÷åøü òîëüêî íîâûå ïå÷àëè.
                      Ñêîëü íè áûëè á óòðàòû âåëèêè,
                      Òåðïåíüå îáðàòèò èõ â ïóñòÿêè.
                      Óëûáêîþ ïîòåðþ òû îñëàáèøü,
                      À ñêîðáüþ ïóùå ëèøü ñåáÿ îãðàáèøü.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      ×òî æ, Êèïð äàâàéòå òóðêàì îòäàäèì,
                      Çàòî ñåáÿ óëûáêîé íàãðàäèì.
                      ×óæóþ - ñêàçàíî íå çðÿ - áåäó
                      Ðóêàìè çàïðîñòî, ìîë, ðàçâåäó.
                      Ïðèñëîâüÿ ýòè - ìåðòâîìó ïðèïàðêà;
                      Îò íèõ åìó íè õîëîäíî, íè æàðêî.
                      Òåðïåíüåì ãîðå ìîæíî áû óíÿòü.
                      Íî ó êîãî òåðïåíèÿ çàíÿòü?
                      Ñëîâà - ñëîâà è åñòü, è íå ïîìîãóò,
                      È ðàíó ñåðäöà èñöåëèòü íå ìîãóò.
                      Ïðîøó, ê äåëàì äåðæàâíûì ïåðåéäåì.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
     Òóðîê  ñ  ìîùíî èçãîòîâèâøåéñÿ ñèëîþ íàïðàâëÿåòñÿ ê Êèïðó. Âàì, Îòåëëî,
ëó÷øå  âñåõ  âåäîì  îáîðîííûé  ðåñóðñ  îñòðîâà.  È  õîòÿ ó íàñ òàì íàìåñòíèê
âûäàþùèõñÿ  è  ïðèçíàííûõ  äîñòîèíñòâ,  íî  îáùåñòâåííîå ìíåíèå, ÷åé ãîëîñ â
ïîäîáíûõ äåëàõ ÿâëÿåòñÿ ðåøàþùèì, ñ÷èòàåò âàñ íàäåæíåå. Ïîýòîìó ïðèäåòñÿ âàì
îøåðøàâèòü ëîñê âàøåãî íîâîáðà÷üÿ æåñòêèìè ìûòàðñòâàìè âîåííîãî ïîõîäà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äàâíî óæå âñåâëàñòíàÿ ïðèâû÷êà
                      Ñòàëüíîé è êàìåíèñòûé îäð âîéíû
                      Ìíå ñäåëàëà ïóõîâåéøåé ïîñòåëüþ.
                      ß ïðèíîðàâëèâàþñü áåç òðóäà
                      Ê ëèøåíüÿì ïîëåâûì. Ñî âñåé îõîòîé
                      ß ïðîòèâ òóðîê âîéñêî ïîâåäó.
                      È ïîòîìó ñ ïîêëîíîì è ñìèðåíüåì
                      Ïðîøó ÿ óâàæàåìûé ñåíàò
                      Æåíó ìîþ äîñòîéíî îáåñïå÷èòü
                      Äîâîëüñòâèåì, îáñëóãîþ, æèëüåì.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Ïóñòü ó îòöà æèâåò.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                                           ß íå ñîãëàñåí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È ÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                           È ÿ òàì íå ñîãëàñíà æèòü
                      È òîëüêî ðàçäðàæàòü îòöà ñîáîþ.
                      Ñâåòëåéøèé äîæ, êî ìíå ñêëîíèòå ñëóõ
                      È íå âçûùèòå, åñëè ÿ ñïðîñòà...
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Òàê â ÷åì æåëàíüå âàøå? Ãîâîðèòå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî ÿ ñ ìîèì ëþáèìûì æèòü æåëàþ,
                      ß ïðîòðóáèëà íà âåñü ìèð, ïîðâàâ
                      Ñ îòöîì è âûçîâ áðîñèâøè ñóäüáèíå.
                      ß îòäàëà ñåáÿ ñòðåìëåíüÿì ìóæà.
                      Ñêâîçü ëèê ñèÿëà ìíå åãî äóøà
                      ß ïîäâèãàì è äîáëåñòè åãî
                      Ñâîå âñå áóäóùåå ïîñâÿòèëà.
                      È åñëè îí óåäåò íà âîéíó,
                      À ÿ îñòàíóñü ìèðíûì ìîòûëå÷êîì,
                      Òî äëÿ ÷åãî ÿ âûøëà çà íåãî?
                      Çà÷åì ÿ áóäó áåç íåãî òîìèòüñÿ?
                      Ïîçâîëüòå ìíå ñ íèì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                             Ðàçðåøèòå åé,
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèå ãîñïîäà, ïîåõàòü.
                      Íå äëÿ òîãî ïðîøó, ÷òîáû ñâîþ
                      Ïîòåøèòü ïîõîòü, - ÿ óæå íå ìàëü÷èê, -
                      À ÷òîá æåíó íå óùåìèòü íè â ÷åì.
                      È óïàñè âàñ Áîã ïîäóìàòü, áóäòî
                      Ñóïðóæåñêèé ñâîé äîëã ïîñòàâëþ ÿ
                      Íàä âàøèì ãðîçíûì âîèíñêèì çàäàíüåì.
                      Íåò! Åñëè ëåãêîêðûëûå çàòåè
                      Àìóðíûå îñëàáÿò ñèëó ìûøö,
                      Ïðèòóïÿò çîðêîñòü è ñîîáðàæåíüå,
                      Òî ïóñòü êóõàðêè îáðàòÿò ìîé øëåì
                      Â êàñòðþëþ. Ïóñòü ìîÿ ïîãèáíåò ñëàâà!
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Äîáðî. Äîãîâîðèòåñü ìåæ ñîáîé,
                      Îñòàòüñÿ èëè åõàòü åé. Íî âðåìÿ
                      Íå òåðïèò; íûí÷å æ íî÷üþ îòïëûâàòü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Êàê, ýòîé íî÷üþ?
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                                       Äà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Íó ÷òî æ, îòëè÷íî.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Â äåñÿòü óòðà ìû ñîáåðåìñÿ âíîâü.
                      Îòåëëî, âû îñòàâüòå îôèöåðà.
                      Îí ïîëíîìî÷üÿ âàøè ïðèâåçåò
                      Ñî âñåì, ÷òî ïîëàãàåòñÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                               Îñòàâëþ
                      Çäåñü àäúþòàíòà. Ýòî ÷åëîâåê
                      Íàäåæíûé, ÷åñòíûé. ß åìó äîâåðþ
                      Ìîþ æåíó íà îñòðîâ ïðèâåçòè;
                      È âñå, ÷òî âû ïîøëåòå, îí äîñòàâèò.
 
                                    Äîæ
 
                      Áûòü ïî ñåìó. Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è âñåì.
                      Áðàáàíöèî! Äîáëåñòü - äàð ïðåêðàñíûé è âåëèêèé.
                      Ïðåñâåòåë äóõîì çÿòü âàø òåìíîëèêèé.
 
                                1-é ñåíàòîð
 
                      Ïðîùàéòå. Áåðåãèòå Äåçäåìîíó.
 
                                 Áðàáàíöèî
 
                      Äà, ñòåðåãè - è â íî÷ü, è ñðåäè äíÿ.
                      Íå òî òåáÿ îáìàíåò, êàê ìåíÿ.
 
                     Äîæ, ñåíàòîðû è ñëóæèòåëè óõîäÿò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ß æèçíüþ ïîðó÷óñü çà åå âåðíîñòü.
                      Ìîé ÷åñòíûé ßãî! Äåçäåìîíó ÿ
                      Îñòàâëþ íà òåáÿ è íà çàáîòû
                      Òâîåé æåíû. Áåç ëèøíåé ìåøêîòíè
                      Äîñòàâü íà Êèïð. Ïîéäåì æå, Äåçäåìîíà!
                      Ó íàñ âñåãî ëèøü ÷àñ - äëÿ íåæíûõ ñëîâ
                      È äëÿ æèòåéñêèõ äåë è íàñòàâëåíèé.
                      Ïðèäåòñÿ ïîä÷èíèòüñÿ âðåìåíàì.
 
                         Îòåëëî è Äåçäåìîíà óõîäÿò.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ßãî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     ×òî ñêàæåøü, áëàãîðîäíåéøèé?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Ãîâîðè, ÷òî ìíå äåëàòü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Èäè äîìîé è ñïàòü ëîæèñü.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ß òîïèòüñÿ èäó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òîãäà òû ìíå áîëüøå íå äðóã. Çà÷åì òîïèòüñÿ, ãëóïûé òû ÷åëîâåê?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Ýòî  æèòü  ãëóïî, êîãäà æèçíü ñòàëà ïûòêîé. Ðàçóì ïðåäïèñûâàåò óìåðåòü,
ðàç èçáàâëåíüå - â ñìåðòè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Íó  ÷òî  çà  ìåðçîñòü! Äâàäöàòü âîñåìü ëåò æèâó íà ñâåòå, è ñ òîé ïîðû,
êàê  íàó÷èëñÿ  ðàçëè÷àòü  ìåæäó ïîëüçîé è âðåäîì, íå âñòðå÷àë åùå íè îäíîãî,
êòî  áû  óìåë ñåáÿ ëþáèòü. Òîïèòüñÿ îò ëþáâè ê áàáåíêå? Äà ïðåæäå íàäîáíî èç
÷åëîâåêà îáðàòèòüñÿ â ïàâèàíà.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ×òî  æå äåëàòü? Ñî ñòûäîì ïðèçíàþñü â áåçðàññóäíîé ëþáâè, íî ïåðåáîðîòü
åå íåò ñèë.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ñèë íåòó? ×óøü ñîáà÷üÿ!  íàøåé âëàñòè áûòü òåì èëè äðóãèì. Òåëî íàøå -
îãîðîä;  âîëÿ  íàøà  -  îãîðîäíèê.  Ðàñòèòü  ëè ñàëàò èëü êðàïèâó, ïîëîòü ëè
áóðüÿí, çàíèìàòü ëè çåìëþ ïîä îäèí ðîä çåëåíè èëè ðàçíîîáðàçèòü, îáðàùàòü ëè
â  ïóñòîøü ëåíîñòüþ èëè óòó÷íÿòü òðóäîì, - âñå ýòî äåëî íàì ïîäâëàñòíîå, âñå
â  íàøåé  âîëå.  Íà  âåñàõ  æèçíè  íàøåé  ïðåäóñìîòðåíà  ÷àøêà  ðàçóìà, ÷òîá
óðàâíîâåøèâàòü  ÷àøêó ÷óâñòâåííîñòè. Èíà÷å áû íèçìåííûå ñòðàñòè íàøåé íàòóðû
äîâîäèëè  íàñ  äî  ñàìûõ íåñóñâåòíûõ áåä. Íî åñòü ó íàñ ðàçóì äëÿ îõëàæäåíüÿ
íàøèõ  ÿðûõ  ïîðûâîâ, íàøèõ ïëîòñêèõ âîæäåëåíèé, íàøèõ ðàçíóçäàííûõ ïîõîòåé,
îòâåòâëåíüåì êîèõ ÿ ñ÷èòàþ òî, ÷òî íàçûâàåøü òû ëþáîâüþ.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Íó êàê ìîæíî òàê ãîâîðèòü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà, äà, ýòî ïðîñòî ïîõîòü êðîâè, íå îáóçäàííàÿ âîëåé. Áóäü òû ìóæ÷èíîé!
Òîïèòüñÿ?  Òîïèòü ñåáÿ? Òîïè ñëåïûõ ùåíÿò è êîøåíÿò. ß òåáå äðóã, ÿ ïðèâÿçàí
ê  òåáå êðåï÷àéøèìè êàíàòàìè. È ÿ ñåé÷àñ ìîãó òåáå ïîìî÷ü êàê íèêîãäà. Íàáåé
äåíüãàìè  êîøåëåê; îòïðàâëÿéñÿ ñ íàìè íà âîéíó; îòïóñòè áîðîäó äëÿ èçìåíåíüÿ
âíåøíîñòè.  Ãîâîðþ  òåáå,  íàáåé  êîøåëü äåíüãàìè. Áûòü òîãî íå ìîæåò, ÷òîáû
Äåçäåìîíà  âñêîðîñòè íå ðàçëþáèëà ìàâðà. Íàáåé êîøåëü äåíüãàìè. Äà è ìàâð åå
ðàçëþáèò.  Ëþáîâü  èõ  íà÷àëàñü  ñêîðîïàëèòåëüíî  è  òàê  æå áûñòðî ñãàñíåò.
Íàáåé ëèøü êîøåëåê ïîòóæå. Ýòè ìàâðû ïåðåìåí÷èâû â æåëàíüÿõ. ×òî ñåãîäíÿ äëÿ
íåãî  âêóñíÿòèíà,  òî çàâòðà - êèñëÿòèíà. À íàñûòÿñü åãî òåëîì, ïîéìåò è îíà
ñâîþ  îøèáêó. Ïåðåìåíà åé ïîòðåáóåòñÿ, ïåðåìåíà. Ê ìîëîäîìó ïîòÿíåò. Òàê ÷òî
íàáåé  êîøåëü äåíüãàìè. Óæ åæåëè ãóáèòü ñåáÿ ïðèñïè÷èëî, òî âûáèðàé ïðèÿòíåé
ñïîñîá, ÷åì òîïèòüñÿ. Âñå äåíüãè ñîáåðè, êàêèå ìîæåøü. Ïåðåä ìîèì õèòðîóìüåì
è  âñåé  àäñêîé  ñâîðîé ÷åðòåé íå óñòîÿòü âåí÷àëüíîé õëèïêîé êëÿòâî÷êå ìåæäó
áðîäÿãîé-äèêàðåì è óòîí÷åííåéøåé âåíåöèàíêîé. Îíà áóäåò òâîÿ. Òàê ÷òî äåíüãè
äîáûâàé.  Êàêîãî  ëåøåãî òîïèòüñÿ? ×òî çà ÷óøü? ×åì òîïèòüñÿ ñ òîñêè ïî íåé,
òû óæ ëó÷øå åþ ïîíàñëàæäàéñÿ, à òàì ïóñêàé õîòü âåøàþò.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     À òû íå îáìàíåøü ìåíÿ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âî  ìíå áóäü óâåðåí. Èäè äîáûâàé äåíüãè. ß òåáå íåîäíîêðàòíî ãîâîðèë, è
îïÿòü  ïîâòîðþ, è îïÿòü, ÷òî ìàâðà íå òåðïëþ; îí ó ìåíÿ â ïå÷åíêàõ. È ó òåáÿ
íå  ìåíüøàÿ  ïðè÷èíà äëÿ âðàæäû; âîò è îáúåäèíèìñÿ â íàøåé ìåñòè. Ñäåëàâ åãî
ðîãà÷îì,  òû  äîñòàâèøü ñåáå óäîâîëüñòâèå, à ìíå - ïîòåõó. Ìíîãèìè ñîáûòüÿìè
÷ðåâàòî  âðåìÿ  -  è  äîëæíî ðàçðîäèòüñÿ. Äåéñòâóé, ìàðø-ìàðø çà äåíüãàìè. À
çàâòðà ïîòîëêóåì î äàëüíåéøåì. Äî ñâèäàíèÿ.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     À ãäå âñòðåòèìñÿ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ó ìåíÿ.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ß ñ ñàìîãî óòðà ïðèäó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âàëÿé. Áóäü çäîðîâ. È ñëûøèøü, Ðîäðèãî?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ×òî ãîâîðèøü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âûáðîñü èç ãîëîâû ñâîå "òîïèòüñÿ".
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Óæå âûáðîñèë.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âîò òàê. Áóäü çäðàâ. Íàáåé êîøåëü ïîòóæå.
 
                              Ðîäðèãî óõîäèò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Î÷åðåäíîé äóðàê ìîèì êîøëåì
                      Ñòàíîâèòñÿ. È ïðèáûëü, è çàáàâà.
                      Èíà÷å á ìóäðîîïûòíîñòü ñâîþ
                      Íå ñòàë ìàðàòü îáùåíüåì ñ ïðîñòîôèëåé.
                      ß íåíàâèæó ìàâðà. Ãîâîðÿò,
                      ×òî çàáèðàëñÿ îí ê ìîåé ñóïðóãå
                      Ïîä îäåÿëî. Ïðàâäà ëü, íå ñêàæó,
                      Íî ìíå è ïîäîçðåíèÿ äîâîëüíî.
                      ß íà âûñîêîì ó íåãî ñ÷åòó, -
                      Òåì ëåã÷å áóäåò ìàâðà îáìîðî÷èòü.
                      Ïðèêèíåì. Íàäî Êàññèî ñâàëèòü,
                      Êðàñàâ÷èêà... è ïîêâèòàòüñÿ ñ ìàâðîì...
                      Äâîéíîé óñòðîèòü ôîðòåëü íàäî ìíå.
                      Íî êàê? Ïðèêèíåì... Íàøåï÷ó Îòåëëî,
                      ×òî ñëèøêîì êîðîòîê ñ åãî æåíîé
                      Íàø Êàññèî. Ñ ïðèãîæåñòüþ ñâîåé,
                      Ñî âñåé ëîùåíîé ýòîþ ïîâàäêîé
                      Îí ñëîâíî ñîçäàí æåíùèí îáîëüùàòü.
                      À ìàâð îòêðûò äóøîé, ïðîñòîñåðäå÷åí
                      È ñ ëåãêîñòüþ ïîéäåò íà ïîâîäó
                      Îí ó ìåíÿ, êàê îñëèê, - ðàç ÿ "÷åñòåí",
                      Ðàç ïîêàçàëñÿ ÷åñòåí ÿ åìó.
                      Ãîòîâî. Çàðîäèëîñü. Ïîìîãè ìíå,
                      Ìîðîê íî÷åé è ñîíìèùå ÷åðòåé,
                      Äàòü õîä ÷óäîâèùíåéøåé èç çàòåé!
 
                                  Óõîäèò.
 
 

ÀÊÒ II

 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 1
 
     Íà Êèïðå, áëèç íàáåðåæíîé. Âõîäÿò Ìîíòàíî è äâîå äâîðÿí-êèïðèîòîâ.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      ×òî ñ ìûñà ðàçãëÿäåë òû íà âîëíàõ?
 
                                1-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      Òàì íè÷åãî íåò. Ìîðå ñâèðåïååò.
                      Íè ïàðóñà ìåæ íåáîì è âîäîé.
                      Ìîòàíî. Çàãîâîðèë íà ñóøå âåòåð ãðîìêî;
                      Ïîäîáíîé ñèëû øêâàë åùå íè ðàçó
                      Ñòåí íàøèõ êðåïîñòíûõ íå ñîòðÿñàë.
                      È åñëè îí è â ìîðå òàê áóÿíèò,
                      Òî êàê íå ëîïíóòü ðåáðàì êîðàáëÿ
                      Ïîä âîäÿíîé âàëÿùåéñÿ ãîðîþ?
                      ×òî ýòà áóðÿ íàòâîðèò!
 
                                2-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                                             Ðàññååò
                      Òóðåöêèé ôëîò. Íà ïåííîì áåðåãó
                      Ëèøü ïîñòîÿòü è ïîãëÿäåòü, êàê âîëíû
                      Äîõëåñòûâàþò ãðèâàìè äî òó÷
                      È âûøå - äî Ìåäâåäèöû ïîëÿðíîé,
                      Ñòîðîæåâûå äâå çâåçäû ãàñÿ.
                      Òàêîé ãóáèòåëüíîé è çëîé ïîãîäû
                      Ïðèïîìíèòü íå ìîãó.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                           Òóðåöêèé ôëîò,
                      Â îòêðûòîì ìîðå åñëè áûë çàñòèãíóò,
                      Âåñü ïîòîíóë. Òàì óöåëåòü íåëüçÿ.
 
                          Âõîäèò òðåòèé äâîðÿíèí.
 
                                3-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      ß íîâîñòü âàì íåñó: âîéíå êîíåö!
                      Ãàëåðû òóðîê òàê ðàñêîëîòèëî,
                      ×òî ïëàí èõ ðóõíóë. Íàø êîðàáëü "Âåðîíåö"
                      Ñâèäåòåëü áûë òîãî, êàê áîëüøèíñòâî
                      Ñóäîâ ïîãèáëî.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                      Íåóæåëè ïðàâäà?
 
                                3-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      Ïðèøâàðòîâàëñÿ îí ñåé÷àñ â ïîðòó.
                      Ìèêåëå Êàññèî, çàìåñòèòåëü ìàâðà,
                      Ïðèïëûë íà íåì. À ñàì îòâàæíûé ìàâð,
                      Îòåëëî, ê íàì íàçíà÷åííûé íà âîéñêî,
                      Åùå ïëûâåò ñþäà.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                        ß ðàä åìó.
                      Äîñòîéíûé áóäåò îí ïðàâèòåëü Êèïðà.
 
                                3-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      À Êàññèî êðóøåíèåì âðàãà
                      Õîòü è äîâîëåí, íî åãî ãíåòåò,
                      ×òî áóðÿ ðàçëó÷èëà èõ ñ Îòåëëî.
                      Îí ìîëèòñÿ çà ìàâðà.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                            Äàé-òî Áîã
                      Áëàãîïîëó÷íîãî åìó ïðèáûòüÿ!
                      Ó ìàâðà ïîä íà÷àëîì ÿ ñëóæèë, -
                      Äåðåòñÿ è êîìàíäóåò îòìåííî.
                      Ïîéäåìòå ê ìîðþ - ïîãëÿäèì êîðàáëü
                      È ïðèìåìñÿ âûãëÿäûâàòü Îòåëëî,
                      Ïîêà íå ïðîãëÿäèì ãëàçà, ïîêà
                      Íå ïîìóòíååò è ñîëüåòñÿ ñ íåáîì
                      ×åðòà âîäû.
 
                                3-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                                   Ïîéäåìòå. Äîëæíî æäàòü
                      Ïðèáûòèÿ ñ ìèíóòû íà ìèíóòó.
 
                               Âõîäèò Êàññèî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ îñòðîâèòÿí îòâàæíûõ
                      Çà óâàæåíüå ê ìàâðó! Íåáåñà
                      Äà îõðàíÿò åãî îò ãðîçíîé áóðè,
                      Íàñ ðàçëó÷èâøåé.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                        Êðåïîê ëè åãî êîðàáëü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Îí ïðî÷íîé ñòðîéêè, è âåäåò åãî
                      Èñïûòàííûé ìîðÿê, - è ïîòîìó ÿ
                      Íàäåæäó íà óñïåøíîå ïðèáûòüå
                      Íå íàçîâó ÷ðåçìåðíîé.
 
                         Çà ñöåíîé: "Ïàðóñ! Ïàðóñ!"
 
                             Âõîäèò ãîðîæàíèí.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ×òî òàì çà âîçãëàñû?
 
                                 Ãîðîæàíèí
 
                                           Íà áåðåãó
                      Âåñü ãîðîä ñîáðàëñÿ. Ñòîÿò ðÿäàìè,
                      Êðè÷àò. "Íà ãîðèçîíòå ïàðóñ, ïàðóñ!"
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Âîåíà÷àëüíèê ýòî íàø ïëûâåò.
 
                          Ñëûøåí ïóøå÷íûé âûñòðåë.
 
                                2-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      Íàì ñ áîðòà ñàëþòóþò. Ýòî íàøè,
                      Âî âñÿêîì ñëó÷àå.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                         Ïðîøó, ñõîäèòå
                      Óçíàéòå, êòî ýòî ïðèïëûë.
 
                                2-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                      Èäó.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                            À ÷òî, âîåíà÷àëüíèê íàø æåíàò?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      È î÷åíü ñ÷àñòëèâî. Îí âçÿë äåâèöó,
                      Êîòîðàÿ ïðåâûøå ïîõâàëû,
                      Âûøå èçûñêîâ âûñïðåííèõ ïîýòà, -
                      Âåíåö òâîðåíüÿ, ñãóñòîê êðàñîòû.
                      Âîçâðàùàåòñÿ âòîðîé äâîðÿíèí.
                      Íó, êòî ïðèïëûë òàì?
 
                                2-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                                            ßãî, àäúþòàíò
                      Âàøåãî ãåíåðàëà.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                       Áûñòðî ïðèáûë!
                      Øòîðìà è âåòðû, ðèôû è ïåñêè
                      Ïîäâîäíûå, ãäå âÿçíåò êèëü áåçâèííûé,
                      Ñþäà äîðîãó äàëè êîðàáëþ,
                      Çàáûâ ïðåäàòåëüñêóþ ñâîþ ñóòü
                      È ïîðàçÿñü êðàñîþ Äåçäåìîíû.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Êåì ïîðàçÿñü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                    ß ãîâîðþ î òîé,
                      Êîòîðàÿ êîìàíäóþùèì íàøèì
                      Êîìàíäóåò. Îí ïîðó÷èë åå
                      Äîñòàâèòü àäúþòàíòó-õðàáðåöó.
                      È ïðèáûëè îíè íåäåëåé ðàíüøå,
                      ×åì îæèäàëîñü. Ñîõðàíè Ãîñïîäü
                      Îòåëëî çäðàâûì è áëàãîïîëó÷íûì,
                      Íàäóé äûõàíüåì ìîùíûì ïàðóñà,
                      ×òîá ïîñêîðåé îí îáíÿë Äåçäåìîíó
                      È îæèâèë óñòàëûé äóõ ñîëäàò,
                      Íåñÿ îòðàäó Êèïðó.
 
             Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà, ßãî, Ýìèëèÿ è Ðîäðèãî (ïîîäàëü).
 
                                          Î, ãëÿäèòå!
                      Ñîøëî íà áåðåã çëàòî êîðàáëÿ!
                      Êîëåíà ïðåêëîíèòå, êèïðèîòû,
                      Âîçäàéòå ïî÷åñòü íàøåé ãîñïîæå!
                      Äà îêðóæàò òåáÿ è îáëåëåþò
                      Ñâîåþ áëàãîñòûíåé íåáåñà!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Îòâàæíûé Êàññèî, áëàãîäàðþ!
                      À ãäå æ ìîé ãîñïîäèí?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                            Åùå íå ïðèáûë.
                      Íî âñêîðîñòè - íàñêîëüêî çíàòü ìîãó -
                      Ïðèáóäåò æèâ-çäîðîâ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                           Òðåâîæóñü ÿ.
                      Êàê ýòî âûøëî, ÷òî âû ðàçëó÷èëèñü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íàñ ðàçäåëèëà áóðÿ...
                        (Çà ñöåíîé: "Ïàðóñ! Ïàðóñ!")
                                             ×ó! Êðè÷àò -
                      Çàâèäåëè êîðàáëü.
                            (Ïóøå÷íûé âûñòðåë.)
 
                                2-é äâîðÿíèí
 
                                        Îí ñàëþòóåò -
                      È, çíà÷èò, òîæå íàø.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                           Óçíàòü áû, êòî.
                           (2-é äâîðÿíèí óõîäèò.)
                      Äîáðî ïîæàëîâàòü, ëþáåçíûé ßãî.
                                 (Ýìèëèè.)
                      Ñóäàðûíÿ, ÿ ñ÷àñòëèâ âàñ óçðåòü.
                                (Öåëóåò åå.)
                      Äðàæàéøèé àäúþòàíò, âû íå ñåðäèòåñü
                      Çà ïîöåëóé ìîé - êàæåòñÿ îí ñìåë,
                      Íî òàê ìåíÿ ó÷èëè ýòèêåòó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êîãäà á âàì òàê óñåðäíî ïîäñòàâëÿëà
                      Óñòà, êàê ïèëèò èñòîâî ìåíÿ,
                      Òî áûëè á âû äîâîëüíû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                              Íî îíà
                      Âåäü ìîë÷àëèâà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Êàê æå, ìîë÷àëèâà!
                      Îñîáåííî, êîãäà õî÷ó ÿ ñïàòü.
                      Îíà ïðèêóñûâàåò ÿçû÷îê
                      Òîëüêî ïðè âàñ - è ìûñëåííî øïûíÿåò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Òû ýòî çðÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                   Íó êàê æå, êàê æå çðÿ.
                      Âû íà ëþäÿõ - êàðòèíêè. Âû - òðåùîòêè
                      Â ñâîåé ãîñòèíîé, à íà êóõíå âû -
                      Ìåãåðû. Ñ âèäó êðîòêè, êàê ñâÿòûå,
                      Íî ìñòèòå áåñïîùàäíåé ñàòàíû.
                      Õîçÿéíè÷àåòå øóòÿ; ëèøü íî÷üþ
                      Âû ê äåëó ïðèñòóïàåòå âñåðüåç.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Àõ, ïîëíî êëåâåòàòü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåò, ýòî ïðàâäà, õîòü ñëîâà çàäåëè.
                      Âû äåëîâèòû òîëüêî ëèøü â ïîñòåëè.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Âîò óæ íå ïîðó÷ó òåáå ïèñàòü
                      Ìîé ïàíåãèðèê.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    Ïðàâèëüíî, íå íàäî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      À ÷òî áû íàïèñàë òû îáî ìíå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå ïðèíóæäàéòå, äîáðàÿ ñèíüîðà.
                      ß îò ïðèðîäû ðåçîê è êîëþ÷.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ïîïðîáóé âñå æå. - Òàê ïîñëàëè â ïîðò
                      Óçíàòü, êòî ïðèáûë?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                          Òî÷íî òàê, ïîñëàëè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
                                (â ñòîðîíó)
 
                      Íåâåñåëî ìíå. Áîëòîâíåþ ýòîé
                      ß îòâëåêàþ ñåðäöå îò òîñêè.
                                 (Ãðîì÷å.)
                      Êàêîå æ òû ïðèñëîâüå ñî÷èíèøü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïûòàþñü ñî÷èíèòü, íî êðàéíå òóãî
                      Ðîæäàåòñÿ òâîðåíèå ìîå.
                      Ïðèêëåèëîñü, íå îòîðâåøü îò ìîçãà.
                      Ïðèõîäèòñÿ ðâàòü ñ ìÿñîì. Âîò îíî:
                      "Òû êðàñîòîé ñâåòëà. Óìíà ïðèòîì.
                      Óïîòðåáëÿé æå êðàñîòó ñ óìîì".
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Òàê. À åñëè óìíà, äà ñîáîþ äóðíà, ñìóãëà?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      "Êîëè óìíà, îòûùåøü òû îñëà,
                      Êîìó è ñàæà êàæåòñÿ áåëà".
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×àñ îò ÷àñó íå ëåã÷å.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                             Íó, à åñëè
                      Ñâåòëà îáëè÷üåì, äà ãëóïà êàê ïåíü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      "Êàê íè ãëóïà, à êðàñîòà ïîìîæåò.
                      Ðîäèòü íàñëåäíèêà è äóðà ñìîæåò".
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Ýòèìè  èçáèòûìè  îñòðîòàìè  çàáàâëÿþò  â  ïèâíîé  äóðàêîâ.  À  êàêîé òû
ïðèáàóòêîé óãîñòèøü òó, ÷òî è òóïà, è íåêðàñèâà?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      "Êðàñèâà, íåò ëè, óìíàÿ èëü äóðà, -
                      Îäíà âî âñåõ òû, øàëàÿ íàòóðà".
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Π òÿæêîå  íåâåæåñòâî, óðàâíèâàþùåå òóïîñòü ñ ðàçóìîì! Íî êàêîþ æ òîãäà
ïîõâàëîþ  íàãðàäèøü  òû æåíùèíó äåéñòâèòåëüíî äîñòîéíóþ, ÷üè äîáðûå êà÷åñòâà
äàæå è ñàìàÿ çëîáíàÿ çàâèñòü íå ñìîãëà íå ïðèçíàòü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      "Îíà êðàñàâèöà, íî íå ñïåñèâà;
                      Êðàñíîðå÷èâà, íî íå ñòðåêîòëèâà;
                      Ñ æèðó íå áåñèòñÿ è íå õàìååò.
                      Ñâîè æåëàíüÿ îáóçäàòü óìååò
                      È ìñòèòåëüíîå ÷óâñòâî óêðîòèòü,
                      Êîãäà ìîãëà á æåñòîêî îòîìñòèòü.
                      È â áðàêå, òåðïåëèâà è ìóäðà,
                      Íå ñòàíåò îò äîáðà èñêàòü äîáðà.
                      Õðàíèò ñåêðåòû, íå óðîíèò ÷åñòè
                      È íå ïîääàñòñÿ óõàæåðñêîé ëåñòè.
                      È ÷òî æå áóäåò íà çåìëå ñâåðøàòü?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Äà, ÷òî æå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Áåðå÷ü êîïåéêó è ãëóïöîâ ðîæàòü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Π êîðÿâåéøåå, î êîïåå÷íîå çàêëþ÷åíèå! Íå ó÷èñü ó íåãî, Ýìèëèÿ, õîòü îí
è ìóæ òâîé! Ñêàæèòå âû ìíå, Êàññèî, - íó íå áåññòûäíèê îí êîùóíñòâåííûé?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
      ñâîèõ ðå÷àõ, ñóäàðûíÿ, îí ðåçîê. Îí ñèëüíåé â ñîëäàòñêîì ðåìåñëå, ÷åì
â ãàëàíòíîé íàóêå.
 
                                    ßãî
                                (â ñòîðîíó)
 
     Áåðåò åå çà ðó÷êó... Òàê, òàê, ìîëîäöîì, øåï÷èòåñü.  ýòó ìîþ ìàëåíüêóþ
ïàóòèíî÷êó  ïîéìàåòñÿ áîëüøàÿ ìóõà, èìåíóåìàÿ Êàññèî. Òàê, òàê, óëûáàéñÿ åé.
Òåáÿ  ïîãóáÿò  ñîáñòâåííûå  ãàëàíòåðíîñòè  -  èìåííî  êàê  òû  ñêàçàë,  òâîÿ
ãàëàíòíàÿ   íàóêà.   Êîãäà   ñëåòèøü,  áëàãîäàðÿ  ýòèì  óæèìêàì,  ñî  ñâîåãî
çàìåñòèòåëüñòâà,  òî  ïîæàëååøü,  ÷òî öåëîâàë ñâîè òðè ïàëüöà òàê ÷àñòåíüêî.
Âîí  èõ  îïÿòü öåëóåøü, êàâàëåðà ãàëàíòíîãî ñòðîèøü. Îòëè÷íî ïîöåëîâàíî, ïî,
âñåé  íàóêå.  ×òî,  ñíîâà  ïàëüöû ê ãóáàì, ñëîâíî ýòî ïðîìûâàòåëüíûå òðóáêè,
ïîáûâàâøèå  â  çàâåòíîì  ìåñòå?.. (Çà ñöåíîé ôàíôàðà.) (Ãðîìêî.) Ýòî ìàâð, ÿ
óçíàþ åãî ôàíôàðó.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Äà, ýòî îí.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ïîéäåìòå âñòðåòèì.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                          Âîò îí ñàì íàâñòðå÷ó.
 
                           Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî è ñâèòà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Âîèòåëüíèöà ÷óäíàÿ ìîÿ!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ìîé äîðîãîé Îòåëëî!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          ß äèâëþñü
                      È ðàäóþñü, ïîêîé ñîøåë íà äóøó, -
                      Òû ïðèïëûëà ñþäà áûñòðåé ìåíÿ.
                      Î, åñëè çàâåðøàþòñÿ âñå áóðè
                      Òàêèì ïîêîåì, ïóñòü ðåâóò âåòðà
                      Ïîãèáåëüíûå. Ïóñòü ìÿòåòñÿ ñóäíî,
                      Êàðàáêàÿñü íà âîäÿíîé Îëèìï
                      È ñ ýòîé âûñîòû íûðÿÿ âíèç,
                      Êàê ñ íåáà â ïðåèñïîäíþþ. Ñåé÷àñ áû
                      È óìåðåòü: òàêîé îòðàäû ïîëíîé,
                      Áîþñü, óæå íå èñïûòàòü äóøå
                      Â íåâåäîìîì ãðÿäóùåì.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                            Íåáåñà
                      Äà íå äîïóñòÿò, ÷òîá ëþáîâü è áëàãî
                      Íå âîçðàñòàëè íàøè ñ êàæäûì äíåì!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà áóäåò òàê! Ìíå òðóäíî ãîâîðèòü:
                      Ìåøàåò ðàäîñòü.
                           (Îáíèìàåò Äåçäåìîíó.)
                                      Ýòè ïîöåëóè
                      Ïóñòü çíàìåíóþò âå÷íûé ëàä ñåðäåö.
 
                                    ßãî
                                (â ñòîðîíó)
 
                      Ñåé÷àñ-òî âû â ëàäó. Íî ÷åñòíûé ßãî
                      Ðàçëàäèò âàøó ìóçûêó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Ïîéäåì,
                      Â êðåïîñòü ïîäûìåìñÿ. Ïîãèáëè òóðêè,
                      Âîéíå êîíåö. Î ñòàðûå äðóçüÿ,
                      Êàê ïîæèâàåòå, îñòðîâèòÿíå?
                      Ãîëóáóøêà, òåáÿ ïðèâåòÿò çäåñü.
                      Ìåíÿ íà Êèïðå ëþáÿò. Îõ, ðîäíàÿ,
                      ß ÷òî-òî ðàçáîëòàëñÿ î ñâîåì
                      Ïîêîå äà áëàæåíñòâå. Äîáðûé ßãî,
                      Ñõîäè íà ïðèñòàíü, âûãðóçêó íàëàäü
                      È ïðèâåäè òû â êðåïîñòü êàïèòàíà.
                      Îí óâàæåíüå íàøå çàñëóæèë.
                      Ïîéäåì æå, ìèëîñòè ïðîøó, ãîëóáêà.
 
                      Âñå óõîäÿò, êðîìå ßãî è Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                    ßãî
                            (îäíîìó èç óõîäÿùèõ)
 
     Âñòðå÷àé  ìåíÿ  íà ïðèñòàíè. ß - ñêîðî. (Ê Ðîäðèãî.) Èäè ñþäà. Åæåëè òû
íå  òðóñ  -  à  ãîâîðÿò,  è  òðóñîâ ëþáîâü äåëàåò îòâàæíûìè - òî ñëóøàé, ÷òî
ñêàæó.  Ñåãîäíÿ  íî÷üþ Êàññèî îáõîäèò êàðàóëû. Íó òàê âîò. Âî-ïåðâûõ, Äåçäå-
ìîíà, ñ÷èòàé, âëþáëåíà â íåãî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Â Êàññèî? Íå ìîæåò òîãî áûòü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ïîëîæè-êà  ïåðñòà íà óñòà è ìîòàé ìîè ñëîâà íà óñ. Çàìåòü, êàê íåèñòîâî
îíà  âëþáèëàñü  â  ìàâðà  -  è âñåãî-òî çà åãî áàõâàëüñòâî äà ôàíòàñòè÷åñêèå
áàéêè.  È  ÷òî æ - îíà è âå÷íî áóäåò ëþáèòü åãî çà áîëòîâíþ? Ðàçóìíûé äóìàòü
òàê  íå  äîëæåí.  Î÷àì  íóæíà  óñëàäà,  à  êàêàÿ  åé óñëàäà ãëÿäåòü íà ÷åðòà
÷åðíîëèöåãî?   Êîãäà   êðîâü  óæå  íàñûòèëàñü  ñîèòèåì,  òî  ÷òîá  îïÿòü  åå
âîñïëàìåíèòü,   ÷òîá  âîçáóäèòü  óãàñøèé  àïïåòèò,  íóæíà  ïðèÿòíîñòü  âèäà,
îáùíîñòü âîçðàñòà, ìàíåð è êðàñîòû, - à ó ìàâðà íè÷åãî ïîäîáíîãî. À ðàç íåòó
ýòèõ  òðåáóåìûõ  ñîîòâåòñòâèé,  òî  õîëåíàÿ,  íåæíàÿ  åå  ïðèðîäà, âîçìóòÿñü
îáìàíîì, îòòîëêíåò åå îò òîøíîãî óæå, ïîñòûëîãî åé ìàâðà è çàñòàâèò âûáèðàòü
çàíîâî.  À ðàç òàê - à ýòî åñòåñòâåííåéøå òàê - òî êòî ó íåé íà î÷åðåäè, êàê
íå Êàññèî? Ìàëûé îí ðå÷èñòûé, áåññîâåñòíîñòü ñâîþ óìååò ïðèêðûâàòü ãàëàíòíîé
è ó÷òèâîé âèäèìîñòüþ, ÷òîáû òåì óñïåøíåé ïîòðàôëÿòü ñâîåé ïîäñïóäíîé ïîõîòè.
Ëóêàâûé  è  ñêîëüçêèé  ïîäëåö, ðüÿíî âûíþõèâàþùèé âîçìîæíîñòè. À âçãëÿäîì óæ
òàêîå  áëàãîðîäñòâî ëèïîâîå âûðàçèòü ñïîñîáåí. Ê òîìó æ õîðîø ñîáîþ, ìîëîä è
îáëàäàåò  âñåìè  òåìè  êà÷åñòâàìè,  êîèõ èùóò íåçðåëûå óìîì è øàëûå áàáåíêè.
Çàêîí÷åííûé ðàñïóòíèê, - è îíà óæå ãëàç íà íåãî ïîëîæèëà.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Íå ìîãó ïîâåðèòü. Âåäü â íåé áëàãîñëîâåííàÿ äóøà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Áëàãîñëîâåííîãî  â  íåé  íè øèøà! ×òî îíà - èç íåáåñíûõ âèíîãðàäîâ âèíî
ïüåò? Áóäü îíà áëàãîñëîâåííà, òî íå âòðåñêàëàñü áû â ìàâðà. Âèäàë, êàê îíà ñ
Êàññèî ðó÷êàëàñü èãðèâî?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Äà, íî ýòî âåäü ïðîñòî ó÷òèâîñòü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Êëÿíóñü  ìîåé  ðóêîé  -  ðàñïóòñòâî,  âîò ÷òî ýòî: ïðîëîã è óêàçàòåëü ê
ïîõîòëèâîìó  è  ãðÿçíîìó  ðîìàíó. Ãóáû ê ãóáàì äåðæàëè ïî÷òè âïëîòü, òàê ÷òî
äûõàíüå   ñìåøèâàëîñü.   Çà   òàêèìè  îáîþäíîñòÿìè  íåïîñðåäñòâåííî  ñëåäóåò
ãëàâíåéøàÿ  è çàâåðøàþùàÿ áëèçîñòü ïëîòñêàÿ. Íî òû, ñóäàðü, ìåíÿ ñëóøàéñÿ. ß
òåáÿ  íåäàðîì  èç  Âåíåöèè ïðèâåç. Íàçíà÷ó òåáÿ íûí÷å íî÷üþ â êàðàóë. Êàññèî
òåáÿ  â  ýòîì  âèäå  íå  óçíàåò. ß áóäó îò òåáÿ ïîáëèçîñòè; à òû íàéäè ïîâîä
ðàçîçëèòü  Êàññèî  -  çàãîâîðè çû÷íî èëè ïîõóëè åãî ðàñïîðÿæåíüÿ, èëè çàöåïè
èíûì óäîáíûì ñïîñîáîì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Õîðîøî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Îí  ãîðÿ÷,  âîñïëàìåíÿåòñÿ  ìãíîâåííî, - è, âîçìîæíî, æåçëîì ñâîèì òåáÿ
óäàðèò;  òû  íàðî÷èòî  âûçîâè  åãî íà ýòî, à ÿ óõâà÷óñü çà ïðåäëîã, âçáóíòóþ
êèïðèîòîâ,  è  ÷òîá  èõ  óòèõîìèðèòü,  ïðèäåòñÿ  ñìåñòèòü  Êàññèî. È âîò òàê
ñîêðàòèøü   ñåáå   ïóòü   ê   èñïîëíåíèþ  æåëàíèé,  -  ìíå  ëåã÷å  áóäåò  èì
ñîäåéñòâîâàòü,  êîãäà  óáðàíî  ïðåïÿòñòâèå,  à áåç òîãî íàäåæäû íà óñïåõ íàø
íåò.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ß ñäåëàþ, åñëè ïîçâîëÿò îáñòîÿòåëüñòâà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Îáñòîÿòåëüñòâà  ÿ  îáåñïå÷ó.  À  ïîêà äî ñêîðîé âñòðå÷è â êðåïîñòè. Èäó
ðàñïîðÿäèòüñÿ âûãðóçêîþ ñóíäóêîâ. Ñ÷àñòëèâî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Äî ñâèäàíèÿ. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×òî Êàññèî âëþáëåí, êàê íå ïîâåðèòü?
                      È âëþáëåíà, êîíå÷íî, è îíà.
                      ×òî ìîæåò áûòü åñòåñòâåííåé, ÷åì ýòî?
                      À ìàâðà íå òåðïëþ, íî ïðèçíàþ:
                      Îí áëàãîðîäåí, ëþáÿù, ïîñòîÿíåí -
                      È Äåçäåìîíå áóäåò âåðíûé ìóæ.
                      Íåïðî÷ü è ÿ ëþáèòü åå - íå òîëüêî
                      Èç âîæäåëåíüÿ, â êîåì ïðèçíàþñü,
                      Íî è æåëàÿ ìåñòü ñâîþ íàñûòèòü,
                      Ïîñêîëüêó ÿ ïîäîçðåâàþ: ìàâð
                      Â ìîå ñåäëî ñàäèëñÿ. Ìûñëü îá ýòîì
                      Îòðàâîé ææåò è ãëîæåò ìíå íóòðî.
                      Íè÷òî ìîåé äóøè íå óñïîêîèò,
                      Ïîêóäà ìíå æåíîþ çà æåíó
                      Îí íå çàïëàòèò, - èëü, ïî êðàéíåé ìåðå,
                      Ïîêóäà â ðåâíîñòü íå âãîíþ åãî
                      Íåèçëå÷èìóþ. È ïîòîìó
                      Íàóñüêèâàþ ýòîãî Ðîäðèãî
                      Íåñ÷àñòíîãî, è åñëè íå ïîäãàäèò,
                      Òî Êàññèî ïîïàëñÿ. ß åãî
                      Ê òîìó æå â ëîñê îêëåâåùó ïðåä ìàâðîì
                      (À ÿ è Êàññèî ïîäîçðåâàþ,
                      ×òî íà êîáûëå åçäèë îí ìîåé),
                      È ìàâð ìåíÿ ïîëþáèò, íàãðàäèò
                      Çà òî, ÷òî, îäóðà÷èâøè, åãî ÿ
                      Ëèøèë ïîêîÿ è â áåçóìüå ââåðã.
                      Åùå íå÷åòîê çàìûñåë â ìîçãó,
                      Íî â äåëå äîâåðøèòü åãî ñìîãó.
 
                                  Óõîäèò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 2
 
              Óëèöà. Âõîäèò ãëàøàòàé, ÷èòàåò íàðîäó âîççâàíèå.
 
                                  Ãëàøàòàé
 
       ñâÿçè  ñ  èçâåñòèåì  î ïîëíîì êðóøåíüè òóðåöêîãî ôëîòà áëàãîðîäíûé è
äîáëåñòíûé  íàø  ãåíåðàë  Îòåëëî ïîâåëåë, äàáû âñå êèïðèîòû ïðàçäíîâàëè: êòî
ïëÿñàë  áû,  êòî  êîñòðû âîçæåã áû, êòî äðóãèì âåñåëûì ñïîñîáîì âîçðàäîâàëñÿ
áû,  ñîîáðàçíî  ñêëîííîñòÿì  ñâîèì.  Èáî  ïîìèìî  ïîáåäíîãî  ñåãî  èçâåñòèÿ,
ïðàçäíóåòñÿ  áðàêîñî÷åòàíèå  ãåíåðàëà.  Îáî  âñåì  âûøåîçíà÷åííîì  è  âåëåíî
ïðîâîçãëàñèòü.  Âñå äâîðöîâûå êóõíè îòêðûòû, è âîëüíûé äîñòóï âñåì íà÷èíàÿ ñ
ñåãî  ïÿòîãî  ÷àñà è äî âðåìåíè, êîãäà ïðîáüåò îäèííàäöàòü. Äà õðàíÿò íåáåñà
îñòðîâ Êèïð è íàøåãî áëàãîðîäíîãî ãåíåðàëà Îòåëëî.
 
                                  Óõîäèò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 3
 
             Çàë â êðåïîñòè. Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî, Êàññèî è Äåçäåìîíà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äîáðûé Ìèêåëå, ïðèãëÿäè çà ñòðàæåé,
                      Äàáû äîñòîéíî ìû ñåáÿ âåëè,
                      È â ïðàçäíåñòâå íå ïðåñòóïàÿ ìåðû.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Óæ ßãî óêàçàíüå ïîëó÷èë,
                      Íî ïðèñìîòðþ è ñàì ÿ çà ïîðÿäêîì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×åñòíåå ßãî íåò. Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è.
                      Ìû ïîòîëêóåì ðàíî ïîóòðó.
                      Ïîéäåì, ëþáèìàÿ. Ñâåðøåí îáðÿä, -
                      È æäåò ïîðà ïëîäîâ, ïîðà óñëàä.
                      Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è.
 
                   Îòåëëî è Äåçäåìîíà óõîäÿò. Âõîäèò ßãî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Îòëè÷íî, ßãî. Ïîðà îáõîäèòü êàðàóëû.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ó  íàñ â çàïàñå ÷àñ, åùå è äåñÿòè íå áèëî. Ãåíåðàë îòïóñòèë íàñ îò ñåáÿ
òàê ðàíî, ÷òîáû çàíÿòüñÿ ñâîåé íîâîáðà÷íîé, è âèíèòü åãî íåëüçÿ: ó íèõ åùå è
ïåðâîé íî÷è íå áûëî, à Äåçäåìîíà - ïèùà äëÿ áîãîâ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Îíà âîñõèòèòåëüíà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     È ïîðó÷óñü, çàòåéëèâà â ëþáâè.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ñâåæà è íåæíà â âûñøåé ñòåïåíè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À ãëàçà êàê èãðàþò çàçûâíî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Âçîð ïðèìàí÷èâ, íî âìåñòå è ñêðîìåí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À ãîëîñ - ôàíôàðà ëþáâè.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Äà, îíà - ñîâåðøåíñòâî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Íó  ÷òî  æ, ïîñòåëüíîãî èì ñ÷àñòüÿ!.. Ñëóøàé, êîìàíäèð, - ó ìåíÿ áóòûëü
âèíà  åñòü,  è  òóò íåñêîëüêî óäàëûõ êèïðèîòîâ íåïðî÷ü áû âûïèòü çà çäîðîâüå
÷åðíîãî Îòåëëî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Òîëüêî íå ñåãîäíÿ, äðóã ìîé ßãî. ß áûñòðî è ñêâåðíî õìåëåþ. Æåëàë áû ÿ,
÷òîáû ïðèäóìàëè äðóãîé êàêîé-òî ñïîñîá ó÷òèâîãî îáùåíèÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà âåäü îíè íàøè äðóçüÿ. Îäèí êóáîê, íå áîëüøå. ß âìåñòî âàñ áóäó ïèòü.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     ß  óæå  âûïèë  -  âñåãî îäèí êóáîê, ïðèòîì ðàçáàâëåííîãî, à ãëÿäè òû, â
ãîëîâå  êàêàÿ  ïåðòóðáàöèÿ.  ß â ýòîì ñëàá, ê íåñ÷àñòüþ, è äîáàâëÿòü íå ñìåþ
áîëüøå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà íî÷ü âåäü ïðàçäíè÷íàÿ, è óäàëüöû ãóëüíóòü æåëàþò.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     À ãäå îíè?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Çà äâåðüþ îæèäàþò ïðèãëàøåíüÿ âàøåãî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ïîéäó ïîçîâó, íî îõîòû íå èìåþ. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Óæå îí âûïèë. Åñëè ìíå óäàñòñÿ
                      Åùå õîòü êóáîê âëèòü â íåãî ñåé÷àñ,
                      Ñâàðëèâ îí ñäåëàåòñÿ è êóñëèâ,
                      Êàê øàâêà äàìñêàÿ. À íåäîóìîê
                      Ðîäðèãî, î÷óìåëûé îò ëþáâè,
                      Óæ âûëàêàë çà çäðàâüå Äåçäåìîíû
                      Òóò â êàðàóëå ÷àðó íå îäíó.
                      ß ïîäïîèë òðåõ ìåñòíûõ îôèöåðîâ,
                      À çäåøíèå - âîèíñòâåííûé íàðîä
                      È ÷åñòè Êèïðà íå äàäóò â îáèäó.
                      È ñ ýòîé ïüÿíîé øàòèåé ñòîëêíó
                      Íàøåãî Êàññèî - ñ òàêèì ðàñ÷åòîì,
                      ×òîá îñêîðáèë èõ. Âîò îíè øàãàþò.
                      È åñëè îïðàâäàåòñÿ ðàñ÷åò,
                      Òî ìîé êîðàáëèê äâèíåòñÿ âïåðåä.
 
        Âõîäÿò Êàññèî, Ìîíòàíî è äðóãèå; çà íèìè èäóò ñëóãè ñ âèíîì.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íó åãî ê Áîãó! ß óæ ñíîâà âûïèë.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Äà ÷óòî÷êó âñåãî, íå áîëüøå ïèíòû,
                      Ñîëäàòñêîé ÷åñòèþ ìîåé êëÿíóñü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ýé, ðàçëèâàé âèíî!
                                  (Ïîåò.)
                         Ïóñòü, ÷îêàÿñü, êóáêè çâåíÿò: ÷îê-÷îê!
                         Ïóñòü, ÷îêàÿñü, êóáêè çâåíÿò.
                         Ñîëäàò - ÷åëîâåê,
                         Æèòü ëþäÿì íå âåê,
                         Òàê ïåé æå, äðóæèùå ñîëäàò!
                      Íàëèâàé, ðåáÿòà!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Åé-åé, îòëè÷íåéøàÿ ïåñíÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     ß  åå  â  Àíãëèè óñëûøàë. Âîò ãäå ïüþò áóäü çäîðîâ! Êóäà òàì òåáå íåìöû
èëè  äàò÷àíå èëè áðþõà÷è ãîëëàíäöû, - â ïîäìåòêè íå ãîäÿòñÿ àíãëè÷àíàì. Ïåé,
äðóçüÿ!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     ×òî, àíãëè÷àíèí ïðàâäà òàê óæ ïèòü çäîðîâ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà  îí  çàïðîñòî  ïåðåïüåò  äàò÷àíèíà,  è  óëîæèò ãåðìàíöà ïîä ñòîë, íå
ñìîðãíóâ, è ãîëëàíäöà äî áëåâîòû äîâåäåò, à ñàì çíàé ïîïèâàåò.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Çà çäðàâüå ãåíåðàëà íàøåãî!
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
     Ïðàâèëüíî. È ÿ âàñ ïîääåðæó íà ðàâíûõ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Î ìèëàÿ Àíãëèÿ!
                                  (Ïîåò.)
                         Êîðîëü Ñòåôàí áûë óæ òàê õîðîø -
                         Äðóãîãî íå íàéäåøü òàêîãî.
                         Îí ñøèë ñåáå øòàíû çà ãðîø,
                         Åùå è îòðóãàë ïîðòíîãî.
 
                         Îí áûë êîðîëü, à òû åñòü íîëü.
                         Ó÷èñü ó êîðîëÿ, ìîé ìèëûé,
                         È áåðåæëèâûì áûòü èçâîëü:
                         Ñòðàíó òðàíæèðñòâî ðàçîðèëî.
 
                      Ëåé, ðåáÿòà!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     À ýòà ïåñíÿ åùå áîëåå îòëè÷íåéøàÿ, åé æå åé!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ïîâòîðèòü ïðîñèòå?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Çàìåñòèòåëü  ãåíåðàëà íèêîãäà è íè÷åãî íå ïðîñèò. Íàä âñåìè íàìè Áîã, è
äóøè íàøè ïîäëåæàò ñïàñåíüþ, ííî íå âñå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âåðíàÿ ìûñëü, çàìåñòèòåëü.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     È ÷òî êàñàåòñÿ ìåíÿ, òî íå â îáèäó áóäü ñêàçàíî ãåíåðàëó èëè ëþáûì èíûì
ñàíîâíûì ëèöàì, ííî äóìàþ, ÷òî ïîäëåæó ñïàñåíüþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     È ÿ òîæå.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ííî,  ñ ïîçâîëåíüÿ âàøåãî, íå âïåðåä ìåíÿ. Ñïåðâà çàìåñòèòåëü ñïàñåòñÿ,
ïîòîì àäúþòàíò. È õâàòèò îá ýòîì, çàéìåìñÿ äåëàìè. (Ñïîòûêàåòñÿ.) Ïðîñòè Áîã
íàøè  ïðåãðåøåíüÿ! Ãîñïîäà, çàéìåìñÿ äåëîì! Íå äóìàéòå, ÷òî ÿ ïüÿí, ãîñïîäà.
Ýòî  âîò  ìîé àäúþòàíò, âîò ýòî - ìîÿ ïðàâàÿ ðóêà, à ýòî - ëåâàÿ. ß íå ïüÿí.
Íè íîãè, íè ÿçûê íå çàïëåòàþòñÿ.
 
                                    Âñå
 
     Íèñêîëüêî, íèñêîëüêî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Âîò è îòëè÷íî, è íå íàäî äóìàòü, ÷òî ÿ ïüÿí. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Ïîéäåì, ïîñòàâèì ó îðóäèé ñòðàæó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âû âèäåëè - îòìåííåéøèé ñîëäàò,
                      È Öåçàðþ â ñîðàòíèêè á ãîäèëñÿ.
                      Íî âû çàìåòèëè åãî èçúÿí,
                      Ðàâíîâåëèêèé âñåì åãî òàëàíòàì?
                      À æàëü. Îòåëëî âåñü âûñîêèé ïîñò
                      Åìó äîâåðèë.  øàòêèé, ïüÿíûé ÷àñ
                      Îí, îïàñàþñü, ïîøàòíåò âåñü îñòðîâ.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      È ÷àñòî îí òàêîâ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        Äà êàæäûé âå÷åð.
                      Íå óáàþêàí õìåëåì, íå óñíåò
                      È ñóòêè áóäåò ìàÿòüñÿ áåññîííî.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Äîâåñòü äî ñâåäåíèÿ á ãåíåðàëà.
                      Íå çàìå÷àåò, âåðíî, ãåíåðàë.
                      Èëè, ïî äîáðîòå ñâîåé äóøåâíîé,
                      Ñêâîçü ïàëüöû ñìîòðèò îí íà ýòî çëî,
                      Äîñòîèíñòâàìè Êàññèî ïëåíåííûé.
 
                              Âõîäèò Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                    ßãî
                             (òèõî, ê Ðîäðèãî)
 
                      Äàâàé, äàâàé, Ðîäðèãî, âñëåä èäè
                      Çà Êàññèî.
                             (Ðîäðèãî óõîäèò.)
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                  Æàëü, ÷òî áëàãîðîäíûé ìàâð
                      Âòîðûì ëèöîì íàçíà÷èë îôèöåðà.
                      Ïîäâåðæåííîãî ñëàáîñòè òàêîé.
                      Ïî ÷åñòè, íàäî áû åìó ñêàçàòü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äàé ìíå õîòü ýòîò îñòðîâ âî âëàäåíüå,
                      ß íå ñêàæó. ß Êàññèî ëþáëþ
                      È ðàä áû âûëå÷èòü åãî îò ïüÿíñòâà.
 
                    Êðèêè çà ñöåíîé: "Êàðàóë! Ñïàñèòå!"
 
                      Íî ÷òî çà øóì òàì?
 
                  Âáåãàåò Ðîäðèãî, çà íèì ãîíèòñÿ Êàññèî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Àõ òû, ïîäëåö!
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                      ÷åì äåëî, çàìåñòèòåëü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ó÷èòü ìåíÿ ïîñìåë? Äà ÿ òåáÿ
                      Ïåñòîì âîò ýòèì çàãîíþ â áóòûëêó!
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Ìåíÿ?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                            Òû îãðûçàòüñÿ?
                                (Áüåò åãî.)
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                           Ñóäàðü ìîé,
                      Ñäåðæèòå ðóêó.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                      Îòïóñòèòå, ñóäàðü,
                      Íå òî îãðåþ ïî áàøêå.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                            Íî, íî,
                      Âû ïüÿíû.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                Ïüÿí?
                          (Îíè äåðóòñÿ íà ìå÷àõ.)
 
                                    ßãî
                           (â ñòîðîíó, ê Ðîäðèãî)
 
                                       Áåãè, ñçûâàé íàðîä!
                             (Ðîäðèãî óõîäèò.)
                      Íåò, Êàññèî... Ãîñïîäà, ïîáîéòåñü Áîãà!
                      Ìîíòàíî!.. Äà îïîìíèòåñü, äðóçüÿ!
                      Íà ïîìîùü! Âîò òàê ïðàçäíè÷íàÿ ñòðàæà!
                              (Ñëûøåí íàáàò.)
                      Êòî ýòî áüåò â íàáàò? Äà ÷åðò âîçüìè,
                      Âåñü ãîðîä ïåðåáóäÿò. Çàìåñòèòåëü!
                      Äîâîëüíî. Îïîçîðèòåñü íàâåê.
 
                          Âõîäèò Îòåëëî ñî ñâèòîé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×òî çäåñü òâîðèòñÿ?
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                          Èñòåêàþ êðîâüþ.
                      ß ðàíåí íàñìåðòü... ß åãî óáüþ!
                           (Êèäàåòñÿ íà Êàññèî.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íè ñ ìåñòà, åñëè æèçíüþ äîðîæèòå!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñòîé! Ñòîéòå! Ãîñïîäà, îñòàíîâèòåñü!
                      Çàáûëè, ãäå âû? Ñâîé çàáûëè äîëã?
                      Ñàì ãåíåðàë âåëèò âàì. Ñðàì êàêîé!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Âû ÷òî? Îòêóäà ýòà îçâåðåëîñòü?
                      Âû òî õîòèòå íàä ñîáîé ñâåðøèòü,
                      ×òî íå äàë òóðêàì Áîã ñâåðøèòü íàä íàìè?
                      Âû æ õðèñòèàíå - ñòûä âàì è ïîçîð.
                      Òîò, êòî èç âàñ îïÿòü ðâàíåòñÿ â äðàêó,
                      Óìðåò íà ìåñòå. - Ïðåêðàòèòü òðåçâîí!
                      Íàáàòîì âñïîëîøèëè íàñåëåíüå.
                      ×òî òóò ïðîèçîøëî? Ìîé ÷åñòíûé ßãî!
                      ß âèæó, òû ñìåðòåëüíî îãîð÷åí.
                      Ñêàæè ìíå òû, êòî íà÷àë ýòó ñâàðó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåëüçÿ ïîíÿòü. Îíè ëèøü ìèã íàçàä
                      Äðóçüÿìè áûëè çäåñü, â ëàäó è ìèðå,
                      Êàê íîâîáðà÷íûå, èäóùèå â ïîñòåëü, -
                      È òóò æå, ñëîâíî áû ëèøàñü óìà
                      Ïîä äåéñòâèåì ãóáèòåëüíîé ïëàíåòû,
                      Ñ ìå÷àìè óñòðåìèëèñü äðóã íà äðóãà.
                      Íå çíàþ. Ëó÷øå á ÿ â ÷åñòíîì áîþ
                      Ëèøèëñÿ íîã, ÷òîá íå ïðèéòè, íå âèäåòü...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìèêåëå, êàê ñëó÷èëîñü òàê çàáûòüñÿ?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ïðîñòèòå, ÿ íå â ñèëàõ ãîâîðèòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèé Ìîíòàíî! Íåñìîòðÿ
                      Íà ìîëîäîñòü, âû ñäåðæàííû, ñòåïåííû,
                      È âàøå èìÿ ïðîèçíîñÿò âñå
                      Ñ âåëèêèì óâàæåíüåì. Êàê ñëó÷èëîñü,
                      ×òî âû òàê ðàñïîÿñàëè ñåáÿ
                      È óðîíèëè äî íî÷íîãî áóéñòâà?
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Äîñòîéíåéøèé! Îïàñíî ðàíåí ÿ...
                      Âàø ßãî âàì ðàññêàæåò âñå, êàê áûëî.
                      À ìíå ìåøàåò ñëàáîñòü. ß íè÷åì -
                      Íè ñëîâîì è íè äåëîì - íå ïîâèíåí.
                      Ìíå âûíóæäåííàÿ ñàìîçàùèòà
                      Íå ìîæåò áûòü ïîñòàâëåíà â óêîð.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òåðïåíèå êîí÷àåòñÿ ìîå,
                      Êðîâü çàêèïàåò. Äàé ìíå Áîã ñäåðæàòüñÿ,
                      Íå òî ðóêîé âîò ýòîé ñîêðóøó,
                      Íå ðàçáèðàÿ ÷èíà. Çíàòü æåëàþ,
                      Êàê ñâàðà íà÷àëàñü è êòî çàòåÿë.
                      È áóäü îí ìíå äðàæàéøèé áðàò-áëèçíåö,
                      ß ñ íèì ðàññòàíóñü. Â ãîðîäå îñàäíîì,
                      Êîãäà åùå â ñåðäöàõ íàðîäà ñòðàõ,
                      Çàòåÿòü ìåëî÷íóþ ïîòàñîâêó
                      Ñðåäü íî÷è, íà ïîñòó. ×óäîâèùíî!
                      Äîêëàäûâàé ìíå, ßãî. Êòî çà÷èíùèê?
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      È åæåëè ïî ñëóæáå èëè äðóæáå
                      Òû ïîêðèâèøü äóøîé, òû íå ñîëäàò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå âûíóæäàéòå... Ëó÷øå ÿçûêà
                      Ëèøèòüñÿ, ÷åì õóëèòü Ìèêåëå Êàññèî.
                      Íî ïðàâäîé âåäü åìó íå ïîâðåæó.
                      À äåëî âîò êàê áûëî, ãåíåðàë.
                      Ñ Ìîíòàíî áûë ÿ çàíÿò ðàçãîâîðîì;
                      Âáåãàåò ìàëûé ñ êðèêîì: "Êàðàóë!",
                      Çà íèì, ïîäíÿâøè ìå÷, ñòðåìèòñÿ Êàññèî.
                      Ìîíòàíî, ïóòü åìó çàãîðîäèâ,
                      Îñòàíîâèòüñÿ ïðîñèò. ß - âäîãîíêó
                      Çà ýòèì ìàëûì, ÷òîá ñïîêîéíûé ãîðîä
                      Îí âîïëÿìè íå ïåðåïîëîøèë
                      (À òàê è âûøëî - ïîäíÿë îí òðåâîãó).
                      ß áûñòðîíîãîãî äîãíàòü íå ñìîã,
                      Âåðíóëñÿ òóò æå, ñëûøà ëÿçã ìå÷åé
                      È ãíåâíûé ãîëîñ Êàññèî, - äîñåëå
                      ß ñëîâ òàêèõ íå âåäàë îò íåãî.
                      È âèæó - ÿðîñòíî ñõëåñòíóëèñü îáà,
                      Êàê è ïðè âàñ ïîòîì, êîãäà ìû ñàìè
                      Èõ ðîçíèëè. À áîëüøå ÷òî ñêàçàòü?
                      Ïîãîðÿ÷èòüñÿ êàæäûé âåäü ñïîñîáåí.
                      Ïóñòü Êàññèî è ïðè÷èíèë óùåðá, -
                      Âî ãíåâå ÷àñòî íå ùàäÿò è äðóãà, -
                      Íî ÿ óâåðåí, Êàññèî òåì ìàëûì
                      Áûë íåïåðåíîñèìî îñêîðáëåí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìîé ÷åñòíûé, äîáðûé ßãî. Ëþáèøü Êàññèî
                      È ïîòîìó ñìÿã÷àåøü òû âèíó.
                      Òû, Êàññèî, ìíå äîðîã, íî îòíûíå
                      Óæ áîëåå íå ñëóæèøü ó ìåíÿ.
 
                    Âõîäèò Äåçäåìîíà ñ ñîïðîâîæäàþùèìè.
 
                      Ýõ, ïîòðåâîæèëè ìîþ ãîëóáêó.
                                (Ê Êàññèî.)
                      Îñòðàñòêîé òû ïîñëóæèøü äëÿ äðóãèõ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî òóò ñòðÿñëîñü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Èäè, ëþáèìàÿ, âåðíèñü â ïîñòåëü. -
                      À âàøè ðàíû ñàì ÿ óâðà÷óþ.
                      Âåäèòå áåðåæíî.
                             (Ìîíòàíî óâîäÿò.)
                                      Òû, ßãî, îáîéäè
                      Ñî ñòðàæåé ãîðîä, óñïîêîé ñìÿòåíüå.
                      Âîò òàê-òî, äîðîãàÿ Äåçäåìîíà.
                      Ñîëäàòà æèçíü òðåâîæíà è áåññîííà.
 
                      Âñå, êðîìå ßãî è Êàññèî, óõîäÿò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Óæ íå ðàíåíû ëè âû?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ðàíåí, è íåèçëå÷èìî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà ÷òî âû, óïàñè Ãîñïîäü!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ðåïóòàöèÿ,  ðåïóòàöèÿ,  ïîãóáëåíà  ìîÿ  ðåïóòàöèÿ!  Ïîãèáëà áåññìåðòíàÿ
÷àñòü  ìîåãî  åñòåñòâà,  è ëèøü îñòàëîñü ìîå ñêîòñêîå. À ðåïóòàöèÿ ãäå? Ãäå,
ßãî, ìîÿ ðåïóòàöèÿ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ñêàæó  êàê  ÷åñòíûé  ÷åëîâåê - ÿ óæ ïîäóìàë, âû ðàíåíû òåëåñíî. Âîò ýòî
áûëî  áû  ÷óâñòâèòåëüíî.  À  ðåïóòàöèÿ  -  ïîíÿòüå íàíîñíîå è ôàëüøèâîå, îíà
äàåòñÿ çà÷àñòóþ íåçàñëóæåííî è óõîäèò áåñïðè÷èííî. Äîáðóþ ñâîþ ñëàâó òåðÿåòå
âû  ëèøü  òîãäà,  êîãäà  ñàìè ðàññëàâèëè ñâîþ ïîòåðþ. Äà íó, êàê áóäòî íåò ó
âàñ  ïóòåé  âåðíóòü  ðàñïîëîæåíüå  ãåíåðàëà!  Âû ïîïàëè ïîä ãíåâíóþ ðóêó, âû
óâîëåíû  íå  ïî  âðàæäå,  à èç òîíêîé ïîëèòèêè. Òàê ñêàçàòü, áåé ñâîèõ, ÷òîá
÷óæèå áîÿëèñü. À ïîòîì î ïðîùåíüå ïîïðîñèòå, è âñå óëàäèòñÿ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     ß   ñêîðåé   ïîïðîøó   î   ïðåçðåíüå,  ÷åì  ñòàíó  íàâÿçûâàòü  ñëàâíîìó
âîåíà÷àëüíèêó   òàêîãî   ëåãêîìûñëåííîãî,  ïüÿíîãî,  áåçðàññóäíîãî  îôèöåðà.
Íàëèòüñÿ!  Ãîðëîïàíèòü! Äåáîøèðèòü! Ñêâåðíîñëîâèòü! Ìîëîòü íåñóñâåòíóþ ÷óøü!
Π òû,  íåâèäèìûé  äóõ,  ãíåçäÿùèéñÿ  â âèííîé áóòûëêå, íàñòîÿùåå èìÿ òåáå -
ñàòàíà!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Çà êåì ýòî ãíàëèñü âû ñ ìå÷îì íàãîëî?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Íå çíàþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà íåóæåëè?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
       ïàìÿòè  ìîåé öåëàÿ êàøà - è íè÷åãî îò÷åòëèâîãî. Ïîìíþ, áûëà ññîðà, à
èç-çà  ÷åãî,  íå ïîìíþ. Ýòî æ íàäî - ñàìîìó âïóñêàòü â ñåáÿ âðàãà, êðàäóùåãî
ìîçãè,  -  ñ  âåñåëüåì,  ðàäîñòüþ, ðóêîïëåñêàíüåì îáðàùàòü ñåáÿ â áåçìîçãëóþ
ñêîòèíó!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Íî òåïåðü âû íè â îäíîì ãëàçó. Êàê ýòî âû òàê ñìîãëè ïðîòðåçâèòüñÿ?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Äåìîí  õìåëÿ  ñîèçâîëèë  óñòóïèòü ìåñòî äåìîíó çëîñòè. Çà îäíèì ïîðîêîì
ñëåäóåò äðóãîé, è ìíå ëèøü îñòàåòñÿ îòêðîâåííî ïðåçèðàòü ñåáÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âû  ñëèøêîì óæ ñóðîâûé ìîðàëèñò. Ãðåõ ñëó÷èëñÿ ñ âàìè íå êî âðåìåíè, íå
ê  ìåñòó,  íå ê óñëîâüÿì çäåøíèì, íî ðàç óæ, ê ñîæàëåíèþ ìîåìó âåëèêîìó, òàê
âûøëî, òî íàäî âàì èñïðàâëÿòü ïîëîæåíèå.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     ß  ñòàíó  ïðîñèòü î âîçâðàòå ïîñòà, îí îòâåòèò, ÷òî ÿ ïüÿíèöà. È áóäü ó
ìåíÿ  ñîòíÿ  ðòîâ, êàê ó ñòîãëàâîé ãèäðû, ýòîò îòâåò çàòêíåò èõ âñå. Î Áîæå!
Èç  ðàçóìíîãî  îáîðîòèòüñÿ  òóò  æå  â  îñòîëîïà,  à çàòåì è â ñêîòà! Êàæäûé
íåâîçäåðæíûé áîêàë òàèò â ñåáå ïðîêëÿòèå è äüÿâîëà!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Íó,  íó,  âèíî - ÷åðòèê ñìèðíûé, åñëè îáðàùàòüñÿ ñ íèì óìåëî. Áóäåò âàì
ðóãàòü åãî. ß äóìàþ, âû çíàåòå, ÷òî ÿ ëþáëþ âàñ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Íå ðàç â òîì óæå óáåæäàëñÿ... Ìíå - è íàëèçàòüñÿ!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ýòî  ñ ëþáûì ìîæåò ïðîèçîéòè. Òàê âîò, ñêàæó âàì, ÷òî íàäî ïðåäïðèíÿòü.
Íàä  ãåíåðàëîì  òåïåðü  ãåíåðàëèò  æåíà.  Ãîâîðþ  òàê,  ïîñêîëüêó îí âñåöåëî
ïðåäàëñÿ ëþáîâàíüþ åå íåíàãëÿäíûìè êðàñîòàìè è êà÷åñòâàìè. Ðàññêàæèòå åé âñå
áåç  óòàéêè,  ïðîñèòå  åå, è îíà âàì ïîìîæåò âåðíóòüñÿ íà äîëæíîñòü. Îíà òàê
íåñêàðåäíà,  òàê áëàãîñòíî äîáðà, òàê îõî÷à ïîìî÷ü, ÷òî ñ÷èòàåò ñâîèì äîëãîì
ñäåëàòü äàæå áîëüøå, ÷åì ïîïðîøåíî. Ìîëèòå åå íàëîæèòü ëóáêè íà ðàçëîì ìåæäó
âàìè è ìóæåì åå, è - ãîòîâ ïîñòàâèòü âñå ñâîå ïðîòèâ ëþáîé ïóñòÿ÷íîé ñóììû -
âû ñ íèì åùå ñèëüíåå ñäðóæèòåñü, ÷åì ïðåæäå.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Âû äàåòå ìíå çäðàâûé ñîâåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Êëÿíóñü, îí ïîðîæäåí èñêðåííåé ëþáîâüþ è ÷åñòíûì äîáðîæåëàòåëüñòâîì.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Îõîòíî  âåðþ,  è  ñ  óòðà  ïîðàíüøå  áóäó óìîëÿòü ïðàâåäíóþ Äåçäåìîíó î
çàñòóïíè÷åñòâå. À èíà÷å ïîãèáëî ìîå áóäóùåå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ïðàâèëüíî ñäåëàåòå. Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è, ïîéäó îáõîäèòü êàðàóëû.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è, ÷åñòíûé ßãî. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      È êòî æå ñêàæåò, ÷òî ïðåñòóïåí ÿ,
                      Êîãäà ñîâåò äàþ ïðÿìîé è ÷åñòíûé
                      È äåëüíûé. Äåçäåìîíó óïðîñèòü
                      Âåäü ëåã÷å ëåãêîãî, ÷òîá çàñòóïèëàñü
                      Çà ÷åñòíîãî, ïîïàâøåãî â áåäó.
                      Îíà ùåäðà, êàê âîëüíûå ñòèõèè.
                      À ìàâð ëþáîâüþ òàê ïîðàáîùåí,
                      ×òî Äåçäåìîíà èç íåãî âåðåâêè
                      Ìîãëà áû âèòü. Ëèøü ïîâåëè îíà,
                      È îí îòðèíåò âåðó è êðåùåíüå.
                      Òàê â ÷åì æå ÿ çëîäåé? Âåäü ìîé ñîâåò
                      Òî÷íåéøå ñîãëàñîâàí ñ áëàãîì Êàññèî.
                      Âîò, âîò îíà, âèòèéñòâåííîñòü çëîäåéñòâà!
                      ×åðíåéøèé ãðåõ çàòåÿâ, ñàòàíà
                      Åãî íåáåñ ëàçóðüþ ìàñêèðóåò.
                      Âîò òàê è ÿ. Ïîêóäà ìîé ïðîñòàê
                      Ïîìî÷ü óïðàøèâàåò Äåçäåìîíó,
                      À òà óñåðäíî êëÿí÷èò çà íåãî,
                      ß ìàâðó â óõî êëåâåòó âîëüþ -
                      Ìîë, çà ëþáîâíèêà îíà õëîïî÷åò.
                      È ÷åì çàñòóïíè÷åñòâî ãîðÿ÷åé,
                      Òåì ãîðøå áóäåò íåäîâåðüå ìàâðà.
                      Òàê çàìàðàþ äåãòåì ÿ åå,
                      Èç äîáðîòû åå ñïëåòó òåíåòà
                      È âñåõ îïóòàþ. -
 
                              Âõîäèò Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                         Íó ÷òî, Ðîäðèãî?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ß  íà  ýòîì  ãîíó òîëüêî áåãó è ëàþ, âîò è âñÿ ìîÿ äîáû÷à. Äåíüãè ïî÷òè
÷òî  èññÿêëè,  íûí÷å  áûë  ÿ  îòìåííî  èçáèò. Äëÿ ìåíÿ, âèäíî, ê ýòîìó âñå è
ñâåäåòñÿ, - è, ïîóìíåâ è îáíèùàâ, âåðíóñü â Âåíåöèþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà, ó êîãî òåðïåíüÿ íåò, òîò íèù!
                      Öàðàïèíå, è òîé ïîòðåáíî âðåìÿ,
                      ×òîá çàæèëà. Ìû äîñòèãàåì öåëåé
                      Íå êîëäîâñòâîì, à ðàçóìîì ñâîèì.
                      Èäåò âñå êàê ïî ìàñëó. Òû èçáèò,
                      Íî ýòîé ìåëî÷üþ òîãî äîáèëñÿ,
                      ×òî Êàññèî ðàñêàññèðîâàí òîáîé.
                      Òåðïåíüå!  ñâîé ÷åðåä ïëîäû ñîçðåþò.
                      Âñåìó ñâîé ñðîê. - Óæ óòðî, ÷åðò âîçüìè!
                      È íå çàìåòèë çà ïðèÿòíûì äåëîì.
                      Èäè äîìîé - òóäà, ãäå êâàðòèðóåøü.
                      Èäè, à ïîòîëêóåì ïîãîäÿ.
                      Ñòóïàé.
                             (Ðîäðèãî óõîäèò.)
                              Åùå äâà äåëà íàäî ñäåëàòü.
                      Ïîéäó ñåé÷àñ ïîäãîâîðþ æåíó:
                      Îíà äîëæíà çà Êàññèî ñëîâöî
                      Ïðåä ãîñïîæîé çàìîëâèòü - Äåçäåìîíîé.
                      À ÿ òåì âðåìåíåì óñòðîþ òàê,
                      ×òîáû óâèäåë ìàâð, êàê Äåçäåìîíó
                      Î ÷åì-òî Êàññèî ìîëèò. Íå çåâàòü!
                      Ïîêà æåëåçî ãîðÿ÷î, êîâàòü!
 
                                  Óõîäèò.
 
 

ÀÊÒ III

 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 1
 
        Â êðåïîñòè, ïåðåä çàìêîì Îòåëëî. Âõîäÿò Êàññèî è ìóçûêàíòû.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ß âàñ âîçíàãðàæó. Èãðàéòå çäåñü -
                      Çäðàâèöó óòðåííþþ ãåíåðàëó.
                      Íåäëèííóþ.
 
                            Ìóçûêà. Âõîäèò øóò.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     ×òî   ýòî  âàøè  èíñòðóìåíòû  òàê  ãíóñàâÿò?  Äîëæíî  áûòü,  â  Íåàïîëå
ïîçàðàæàëèñü?
 
                                1-é ìóçûêàíò
 
     Êàê âàñ ïîíÿòü, ñóäàðü?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Âåäü ýòî äóõîâûå èíñòðóìåíòû?
 
                                1-é ìóçûêàíò
 
     Äóõîâûå, ñóäàðü.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Âîò è äåëî ñ êîíöîì.
 
                                1-é ìóçûêàíò
 
     Ñ êàêèì êîíöîì, ñóäàðü?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Ñ  òåì  ñàìûì, ÷òî ñïåðåäè âèñèò ó ìíîãèõ äóõîâûõ èíñòðóìåíòîâ. Îäíàêî,
ñèíüîðû,  âîò  âàì  äåíüãè.  Ãåíåðàëó âàøà ìóçûêà òàê ïî äóøå, ÷òî îí ïðîñèò
âàñ, ðàäè âñåãî ñâÿòîãî, áîëüøå íå øóìåòü.
 
                                1-é ìóçûêàíò
 
     Õîðîøî, ñóäàðü, íå áóäåì.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Åñëè  åñòü  ó âàñ ìóçûêà íåñëûøíàÿ, òî âàëÿéòå, èãðàéòå. À ñëûøàòü âàøó
ìóçûêó ãåíåðàëà, êàê ãîâîðèòñÿ, íå òÿíåò.
 
                                1-é ìóçûêàíò
 
     Íåñëûøíîé íå èìååì, ñóäàðü.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Òàê ñïðÿ÷üòå â ìåøîê âàøè äóäêè è êûø îòñþäà âî âåñü äóõ!
 
                             Ìóçûêàíòû óõîäÿò.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ñëûøèøü, äðóæå?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Íå äðóæå ÿ ñëûøó, à âàñ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ïîáåðåãè  ñâîè  îñòðîòû.  Âîò  òåáå  ìîíåòêà  çîëîòàÿ.  Åñëè êàìåðèñòêà
ãåíåðàëîâîé  æåíû  óæå ïîäíÿëàñü, òî óâåäîìü åå, ÷òî íåêèé Êàññèî õîòåë áû ñ
íåé ïîãîâîðèòü è ïðîñèò ê íåìó âûéòè.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Ïîäíÿëàñü  óæå,  ñèíüîð,  è  åñëè íå ñòàíåò îò íåêèõ îòíåêèâàòüñÿ, òî ÿ
óâåäîìëþ, ÷òîá ïîäíÿëàñü ñþäà.
 
                                Âõîäèò ßãî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Èäè, äðóæèùå. (Øóò óõîäèò.) Ðàä âàñ âèäåòü, ßãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âû òàê è íå ëîæèëèñü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                             Íå óñïåë.
                      Âåäü ïðåæäå ðàññâåëî, ÷åì ìû ðàññòàëèñü.
                      ß íà ñåáÿ âçÿë ñìåëîñòü ïîïðîñèòü,
                      ×òîáû ñþäà ñóïðóãà âàøà âûøëà.
                      Õî÷ó, ÷òîáû óñòðîèëà îíà
                      Ìíå âñòðå÷ó ñ äîñòî÷òèìîé Äåçäåìîíîé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Æåíó ñåé÷àñ ïðèøëþ è ïîñòàðàþñü
                      Îòâëå÷ü Îòåëëî, ÷òîá íå ïîìåøàë
                      Âàøåìó ðàçãîâîðó ñ ãîñïîæîþ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ.
                               (ßãî óõîäèò.)
                                 Äîáðåå è ÷åñòíåé
                      È âî Ôëîðåíöèè íåò ÷åëîâåêà.
 
                               Âõîäèò Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Äîáðîå óòðî. ß îãîð÷åíà
                      Ðàçìîëâêîé âàøåé ñ íàøèì ãåíåðàëîì.
                      Íî âñå óëàäèòñÿ, ó íèõ ñ æåíîþ
                      Óæå áûë ðàçãîâîð. Îíà ñòîèò
                      Çà âàñ ãîðîé. À îí åé îòâå÷àåò,
                      ×òî ðàíåí âàìè çíàòíûé êèïðèîò,
                      Ïðîñëàâëåííûé, ñ âåëüìîæíîþ ðîäíåþ,
                      È ÷òî íåìóäðî áûëî îáîéòèñü
                      Áåç íàêàçàíüÿ, íî ÷òî îí âàñ ëþáèò
                      È ÷òî â çàñòóïíè÷åñòâå íåò íóæäû -
                      Ïðè ïåðâîé æå âîçìîæíîñòè âåðíåò îí
                      Íà äîëæíîñòü âàñ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                        Íî âñå-òàêè ïðîøó,
                      Åñëè íå òðóäíî, ñ âàøåé ãîñïîæîþ
                      Óñòðîèòü ìíå êîðîòêèé ðàçãîâîð
                      Ñ ãëàçó íà ãëàç.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                        Ïîæàëóéñòà, âîéäèòå
                      È ñìîæåòå èçëèòü ñâîþ ïå÷àëü.
                      ß âñå óñòðîþ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                     Êðàéíå áëàãîäàðåí.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 2
 
                 Â êðåïîñòè. Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî, ßãî è îôèöåðû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äàé êàïèòàíó ýòè ïèñüìà, ßãî.
                      Ñ ïî÷òåíüåì ïóñòü ñåíàòó ïåðåäàñò.
                      À ÿ ïîêà ïðîéäóñü ïî áàñòèîíàì.
                      Ïðèäåøü òóäà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     Ñëóøàþ, ãåíåðàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×òî æ, ãîñïîäà, ïîñìîòðèì óêðåïëåíüÿ?
 
                                  Îôèöåðû
 
                      Êàê âû ïðèêàæåòå.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 3
 
    Â êðåïîñòè, ïåðåä çàìêîì Îòåëëî. Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà, Êàññèî è Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñïîêîéíû áóäüòå, Êàññèî. Óñèëüÿ
                      Âñå ïðèëîæó ÿ, ÷òîáû âàì ïîìî÷ü.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Óæ ïîñòàðàéòåñü, äîáðàÿ ñèíüîðà.
                      Âåäü âîò è ìóæ ìîé ýòèì óäðó÷åí,
                      Êàê áóäòî ñàì îò äîëæíîñòè îòñòàâëåí.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î, ßãî òâîé - ÷åñòíåéøèé ÷åëîâåê.
                      Íå ñîìíåâàéòåñü, Êàññèî. Âíîâü ñäðóæó
                      Îòåëëî ñ âàìè. Áóäåòå êàê ïðåæäå.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Âåëèêîäóøíû âû. ×òî íè ñëó÷èñü,
                      Îñòàíóñü ÿ íàâåê ñëóãîþ âàøèì.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ. Âû ëþáèòå Îòåëëî
                      È ñëóæèòå åìó íå ñî â÷åðà.
                      Áóäüòå óâåðåíû, îïàëà âàøà -
                      Èç ÷èñòî ïîëèòè÷åñêèõ ïðè÷èí.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Äà, íî ïîëèòèêà ïðîäëèòüñÿ ìîæåò,
                      Ïèòàÿñü æèæèöåþ ìåëî÷åé
                      Èëè íåîáõîäèìîñòÿìè áóäíåé.
                      ß ñ ãëàç äîëîé, âìåñòî ìåíÿ - äðóãîé,
                      È ãåíåðàë ìîþ ëþáîâü è ñëóæáó
                      Çàáóäåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Íå çàáóäåò. Ïåðåä íåé,
                      Ïåðåä Ýìèëèåé äàþ âàì ñëîâî -
                      Âåðíåòåñü âû íà ïîñò. À åñëè óæ
                      Ïîîáåùàëà, òî èñïîëíþ ñâÿòî.
                      Êàê ïðèðó÷àþò ñîêîëà, òàê ÿ
                      Íè ñíà, íè îòäûõà íå äàì Îòåëëî.
                      Âñå óøè ïðîæóææó åìó î âàñ
                      Ñ óòðà, â îáåä, è â óæèí, è â ïîñòåëè,
                      Ó÷èòåëÿ è ïàñòûðÿ íóäíåé.
                      Òàê ÷òî ðàçâåñåëèòåñü - âàì õîäàòàé
                      Óìðåò, à îòñòîèò âàñ.
 
                       Âõîäÿò (ïîîäàëü) Îòåëëî è ßãî.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ñþäà èäåò âàø ìóæ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ïðîùàéòå, ãîñïîæà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íåò, ÿ õî÷ó ïðè âàñ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íåëîâêî ìíå. Ñåé÷àñ ÿ íå ìîãó.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî æ, âîëÿ âàøà.
                              (Êàññèî óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                         Õì! Íå íðàâèòñÿ ìíå ýòî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×òî ñêàçàë òû?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà òàê... Íå çíàþ, ÷òî ìíå ïîêàçàëîñü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êòî ýòî áûë ñ æåíîé ìîåé? Íå Êàññèî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êàññèî? Äà íåò. Íå ìîæåò áûòü, ÷òîá îí,
                      Óâèäÿ âàñ, óøåë òàê âîðîâàòî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïî-ìîåìó, îí.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    À âîò è ìîé ñóïðóã!
                      Ñåé÷àñ ìåíÿ ïðîñèëè çàñòóïèòüñÿ.
                      Òåáÿ ïðîãíåâàâ, ìó÷èòñÿ áåäíÿê.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êàêîé áåäíÿê?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Òâîé çàìåñòèòåëü - Êàññèî.
                      Åñëè ÿ â ñèëàõ óïðîñèòü òåáÿ,
                      Ïðèìè åãî ñ ïîâèííîé ãîëîâîþ.
                      Âåäü áåççàâåòíî ïðåäàí îí òåáå
                      È îïëîøàë ñïðîñòà è íåëóêàâî, -
                      Èëè ñàìà ïðîñòà ÿ è ñëåïà,
                      ×òî íà ëèöå åãî ÷èòàþ ÷åñòíîñòü.
                      Ïîæàëóéñòà, âîññòàíîâè åãî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Îí ýòî áûë çäåñü?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                        Äà, è òàê óáèò,
                      Òàê îðîáåë, ÷òî ïîíåâîëå æàëêî.
                      Îí è ìåíÿ ïå÷àëüþ íàäåëèë.
                      Òû ïðèçîâè åãî ê ñåáå, ëþáèìûé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Â äðóãîé óæ ðàç, ãîëóáóøêà ìîÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íî âñêîðå?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                 Âñêîðå, ðàç òîãî æåëàåøü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñåãîäíÿ ê óæèíó?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Íåò, íå ñåãîäíÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Òîãäà ê îáåäó çàâòðà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Íåò, â îáåä
                      Ìåíÿ íå áóäåò - âñòðå÷à ñ îôèöåðñòâîì.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Òàê â óæèí, èëü âî âòîðíèê ïîóòðó?
                      Èëü äíåì? Èëü âå÷åðîì? Èëü óòðîì â ñðåäó?
                      Íî òîëüêî ïóñòü íå äàëåå ñðåäû.
                      Âåäü êàåòñÿ îí; çà ïðîñòóïîê ýòîò
                      Äîñòàòî÷íî áû òèõî ïîæóðèòü.
                      Õîòü, ïðàâäà, ãîâîðÿò, ÷òî íà âîéíå
                      Â ïðèìåð äðóãèì íàêàçûâàþò ëó÷øèõ.
                      Ñêàæè æå ìíå, êîãäà åìó ïðèéòè.
                      Ïðîøó òåáÿ. Àõ, åñëè á òû, Îòåëëî,
                      Î ÷åì óãîäíî ïîïðîñèë ìåíÿ,
                      Óæ ÿ á íå îòêàçàëà, ÿ á íå ìÿëàñü.
                      È âåäü ïðîøó ÿ çà Ìèêåëå Êàññèî,
                      Êîòîðûé áûë òâîèì óñåðäíûì ñâàòîì
                      È ñòîëüêî ðàç âñòóïàëñÿ çà òåáÿ,
                      ×óòü îòçîâèñü ÿ î òåáå íåëåñòíî.
                      È òû æå óïèðàåøüñÿ ñåé÷àñ?
                      Åé-Áîãó, ÿ áû...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Ëàäíî, ïóñòü ïðèõîäèò
                      Êîãäà óãîäíî. ß òåáå íè â ÷åì
                      Íå îòêàæó.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                 ß ýòî äëÿ òåáÿ æå.
                      Âåäü ýòî âñå ðàâíî ÷òî ïîïðîñèòü,
                      ×òîá òû òåïëåé îäåëñÿ, âçÿë ïåð÷àòêè,
                      Ïîåë ñûòíåé. Íåò, åñëè â ñàìîì äåëå
                      Òâîþ ëþáîâü ïðîâåðèòü çàõî÷ó,
                      Òî áóäåò ìîÿ ïðîñüáà ïîñåðüåçíåé.
                      È áóäåò âûïîëíèòü ïîòÿæåëåé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íè â ÷åì íå îòêàæó òåáå, ãîëóáêà.
                      Òåïåðü íà âðåìÿ òû ìåíÿ îñòàâü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ïîñëóøíî îñòàâëÿþ, ãîñïîäèí ìîé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ß âñêîðîñòè ïðèäó. Ïðîùàé ïîêà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ïîéäåì, Ýìèëèÿ. Ïîâèíîâàòüñÿ
                      Âñåì ïîæåëàíüÿì ðàäà ÿ òâîèì.
                        (Äåçäåìîíà è Ýìèëèÿ óõîäÿò.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                               (ãëÿäÿ âñëåä)
 
                      Åé ðàâíûõ íåò! Êëÿíóñü äóøè ñïàñåíüåì,
                      Ëþáëþ òåáÿ! Êîãäà æ ëþáâè êîíåö,
                      Òîãäà êîíåö âñåìó. Íàñòóïèò õàîñ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìîé ãåíåðàë!..
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                      Äà, ßãî. ×òî òåáå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êîãäà âû äîáèâàëèñü Äåçäåìîíû,
                      Çíàë ëè Ìèêåëå Êàññèî ïðî òî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Çíàë îò íà÷àëà è äî çàâåðøåíüÿ.
                      À òû ê ÷åìó ýòî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        Äà ïðîñòî òàê
                      Ïîäóìàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                ×òî ïîäóìàë òû?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                Íå çíàë ÿ,
                      ×òî îí çíàêîì áûë ñ íåé óæå òîãäà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È î÷åíü ÷àñòî áûë ñâÿçíûì ìåæ íàìè,
                      Õîäàòàåì ìîèì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     Äà íåóæåëü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      À ðàçâå ÷òî? ×òî áûëî â òîì òàêîãî?
                      Âåäü îí æå ÷åñòåí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                         ×åñòåí?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                 ×åñòåí, äà.
 
                                    ßãî
                               (ïîñëå ïàóçû)
 
                      Íàñêîëüêî çíàþ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                      Ïî÷åìó çàìèíêà?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Çàìèíêà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Äà. Çàìèíêà ïî÷åìó?
                      Òû ïåðåñïðàøèâàåøü, óìîëêàåøü,
                      Êàê áóäòî ÷óäèùå òàèøü â ìîçãó
                      Íåâûðàçèìî ìåðçêîå.  ÷åì äåëî?
                      Óâèäÿ Êàññèî ñ ìîåé æåíîé,
                      Òû áîðìîòíóë, íå íðàâèòñÿ òåáå, ìîë.
                      À ïî÷åìó íå íðàâèòñÿ òåáå?
                      Óñëûøàâ æå, ÷òî îí ñëóæèë íàì ñâàòîì,
                      Âîñêëèêíóë òû ñåé÷àñ: "Äà íåóæåëü!",
                      Íàñóïèë áðîâè è íàìîðùèë ëîá
                      Òàê, ñëîâíî ðîäèëîñü â òâîåì ñîçíàíüå
                      ×òî-òî óæàñíîå. Ñêàæè æå, ÷òî, -
                      Åñëè ìåíÿ òû ëþáèøü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           ß ëþáëþ âàñ.
                      Âû ýòî çíàåòå, ìîé ãåíåðàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È çíàþ ÿ, ÷òî ÷åñòåí òû è ïðåäàí
                      È âçâåøèâàåøü òû ñâîè ñëîâà.
                      È òåì ñèëüíåé ñòðàøàò çàïèíêè ýòè.
                      Ó ïîäëåöà äâóëè÷íîãî îíè
                      Óëîâêîé ñëóæàò, íî ó ïðàâäîëþáà.
                      Òî ïðèçíàêè ãëóáèííîé áîëè ñåðäöà,
                      ×òî íåïîäâëàñòíî ïàãóáíûì ñòðàñòÿì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íî Êàññèî, ìíå äóìàåòñÿ, ÷åñòåí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È ìíå òàê äóìàåòñÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           ×åëîâåê
                      Áûòü äîëæåí òåì, êåì êàæåòñÿ. Ëóêàâûõ
                      Ïðèòâîðùèêîâ äîëîé!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          Áåññïîðíî, òàê.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      À Êàññèî - ÿ äóìàþ, îí ÷åñòåí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåò, òû ÷åãî-òî íå äîãîâîðèë.
                      Îòêðîéñÿ ìíå, è ñàìîé ãîðüêîé ìûñëè
                      Äàé âûðàæåíüå â ñàìûõ çëûõ ñëîâàõ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îò ýòîãî óâîëüòå, ãîñïîäèí ìîé.
                      Ïî äîëãó ÿ îáÿçàí âàì ñëóæèòü,
                      Íî è ðàáû â ñâîèõ ñâîáîäíûõ ìûñëÿõ.
                      Êàê èõ îòêðûòü? À åæåëè îíè
                      Ãðÿçíû è ëîæíû? Íåò äâîðöà òàêîãî,
                      Êóäà ïàóê íå ìîã áû çàïîëçòè.
                      È ñåðäöà ÷èñòîãî òàêîãî íåò,
                      Ãäå áû íå÷èñòûå ïîïîëçíîâåíüÿ
                      Íå íàõîäèëè ìåñòà èíîãäà
                      Â ñîñåäñòâå ñ ïîìûøëåíüÿìè áëàãèìè.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íî åñëè ÷òî-òî âåäîìî òåáå,
                      ×òî ìíå íàíîñèò âðåä èëè îáèäó,
                      Òî õóäî ïîñòóïàåøü òû ñî ìíîé,
                      Óòàèâàÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                               Óìîëÿþ âàñ...
                      Ìîãó æ ÿ áûòü íåïðàâ â ñâîåé äîãàäêå.
                      Ïðèçíàòüñÿ íàäî, åñòü âî ìíå èçúÿí -
                      ß çà÷àñòóþ ÷åðåñ÷óð ïðèäèð÷èâ,
                      Ìíå ÷óäèòñÿ âèíà, êîòîðîé íåò.
                      È ïîòîìó ïóñêàé âàñ íå çàáîòèò
                      Çàìå÷åííîå ìíîþ íåâïîïàä.
                      Çíàòü ìîè ìûñëè áûëî á íåïîëåçíî
                      Äëÿ âàøåãî ïîêîÿ è äîáðà,
                      È ìàëî ðàçóìà è ìàëî ÷åñòè
                      Ìíå îòêðîâåííè÷àòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           ×åðò ïîáåðè!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âåäü ó ìóæ÷èí è æåíùèí íè÷åãî
                      Öåííåå íåò, ÷åì äîáðîå èõ èìÿ -
                      Äðàæàéøåå ñîêðîâèùå äóøè.
                      Óêðàëè äåíüãè? Åðóíäà. Ïóñòÿê.
                      Îíè ìîè, òâîè, áåçâðåäíî ìîãóò
                      Âëàäåëüöåâ òûñÿ÷ó ïåðåìåíèòü.
                      Íî èìÿ äîáðîå ìîå óêðàâøèé
                      Ñåáÿ íèñêîëüêî íå îáîãàòèë,
                      Ìåíÿ æå ñäåëàë áåçíàäåæíî íèùèì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êëÿíóñü, òåáÿ çàñòàâëþ ãîâîðèòü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå ñìîæåòå, õîòü âûðâèòå ìíå ñåðäöå.
                      Ïîêóäà áüåòñÿ, áóäó ÿ ìîë÷àòü.
                      Î, áåðåãèòåñü ðåâíîñòè! Îíà -
                      Çåëåíîãëàçûé èçâåðã, æðóùèé äóøó
                      È ïîòåøàþùèéñÿ íàä äóøîé.
                      Áëàæåí ðîãà÷, ïðèåìëþùèé ñâîé ðîê
                      È ðàâíîäóøíûé ê òîé, ÷òî èçìåíèëà.
                      Íî áåñêîíå÷íû ìóêè äëÿ òîãî,
                      Êòî óñîìíèëñÿ - è áåçóìíî ëþáèò,
                      Ïîäîçðåâàåò - è äðîæèò íàä íåé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà, ãîðå, ãîðå!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Áåäíÿê, ñâîåþ áåäíîñòüþ äîâîëüíûé,
                      Áîãà÷å áîãà÷à, åñëè áîãà÷
                      Îáúÿò âñåãäàøíèì ñòðàõîì ðàçîðåíüÿ,
                      Êàê íèùèì õîëîäîì íàãîé çèìû.
                      Ñïàñè Ãîñïîäü îò ðåâíîñòè ìåíÿ
                      È áëèçêèõ âñåõ ìîèõ!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Çà÷åì òû ýòî
                      Ìíå ãîâîðèøü? Òû äóìàåøü, ÷òî ÿ
                      Âñþ æèçíü òîìèòüñÿ ðåâíîñòüþ íàìåðåí, -
                      Ïîäîáÿñü ïåðåìåí÷èâîé ëóíå,
                      Âñå â íîâûõ ïîäîçðåíüÿõ ëèõîðàäèòü?
                      Íåò, óñîìíèâøèñü, ðàç è íàâñåãäà
                      Ñîìíåíüå ðàçðåøó. Õóæå ìàðòûøêè
                      ß áóäó, åñëè áóäó ìàÿòü äóøó
                      Äîãàäîê ðàçäóâàíüåì. Íó è ÷òî æ,
                      ×òî æåíóøêà êðàñèâà, ãîâîðëèâà,
                      Ëþáèò ïîåñòü, ïîòàíöåâàòü, ïîïåòü
                       êîìïàíèè? Âñå ýòî íå ïðè÷èíû
                      Äëÿ ðåâíîñòè, à êîçûðè äîáðà,
                      Êîãäà êðåïêà â îñíîâå äîáðîäåòåëü.
                      Äîñòîèíñòâà ìîè êàê íè óáîãè,
                      Íî íå áîþñü íèñêîëüêî çà æåíó -
                      Ìåíÿ âåäü âûáèðàëà íå âñëåïóþ.
                      Íåò, ßãî. Ïîïóñòó ïîäîçðåâàòü
                      Íå ñòàíó ÿ. Òîò÷àñ óäîñòîâåðþñü -
                      Äà èëè íåò. È òóò æå ðàñïðîùóñü
                      Ñ ëþáîâüþ - èëè ñ ðåâíîñòüþ ïîêîí÷ó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ß ðàä. Òåïåðü ìîãó ÿâèòü îòêðûòî
                      Ñâîþ ëþáîâü è ïðåäàííîñòü. Åùå
                      Î äîêàçàòåëüñòâàõ íå ãîâîðþ.
                      Íî âû âíèìàòåëüíî ïîíàáëþäàéòå,
                      Íè â ðåâíîñòü íå âïàäàÿ, íè â áåñïå÷íîñòü,
                      Êàê ñåáÿ ñ Êàññèî âåäåò æåíà.
                      Æàëü, åñëè áû âåëèêîäóøüåì âàøèì
                      È áëàãîðîäñòâîì ñòàëè ïîìûêàòü.
                      ß äîñêîíàëüíî çíàþ íàøè íðàâû.
                      Âåíåöèàíêè, Áîãà íå áîÿñü,
                      Âûêèäûâàþò ôîðòåëÿ òàêèå,
                      Î êîèõ ìóæó íå ðèñêíóò ñêàçàòü.
                      Èì ãëàâíîå, ÷òîá áûëî øèòî-êðûòî,
                      À íðàâñòâåííî ëè, òî íå èõ ïå÷àëü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà ÷òî òû!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                  Ñâîåãî îíà îòöà
                      Îáìàíûâàëà, ïðèòâîðÿÿñü, áóäòî
                      Âàø âèä åå áðîñàåò â äðîæü è ñòðàõ,
                      À ìåæäó òåì ëþáèëà âàñ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Äà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                  Âîò âåäü
                      Ñóìåëà òàê çàñòëàòü îòöó ãëàçà,
                      ×òî îí ïîòîì íà êîëäîâñòâî ññûëàëñÿ.
                      Íî âèíîâàò, çàáûëñÿ ÿ. Ñìèðåííî
                      Ïðîøó ïðîùåíüÿ çà ÷ðåçìåðíûé ïûë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåò, ÿ òåáå íàâåêè áëàãîäàðåí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ß âèæó, îãîðîøèë âàñ ñëåãêà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íè÷óòü, íèìàëî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Âèæó, îãîðîøèë.
                      Íî ïîìíèòå, ÷òî ìíîþ äâèæåò äîëã.
                      Îãîð÷åíû âû. ß ìîëþ, íå íàäî,
                      Íå ðàñøèðÿéòå ñìûñëà ñëîâ ìîèõ.
                      Îíè - ëèøü ïîäîçðåíèÿ, íå áîëüøå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå áóäó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                               Íå ñîçäàòü áû âïå÷àòëåíüÿ,
                      Êîòîðîãî è â ìûñëÿõ íå èìåë.
                      Êàññèî - äðóã ìîé âåðíûé è íàäåæíûé.
                      Âû, âèæó, îøàðàøåíû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Íå ñëèøêîì.
                      Óâåðåí, ÷òî æåíà ìîÿ ÷åñòíà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äàé âàì Ãîñïîäü, ÷òîá è âñåãäà òàê áûëî!
                      Äàé âàì îáîèì äîëãèõ âåðíûõ ëåò!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È âñå æ íàòóðà ìîæåò èñêðèâèòüñÿ...
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Â òîì-òî è ñóòü. Îñìåëþñü ÿ íàïîìíèòü,
                      Êàê îòâåðãàëà ìíîãèõ æåíèõîâ
                      Åé ñîïëåìåííûõ, çíàòíûõ, áåëîêîæèõ,
                      Õîòÿ ðîäíîå òÿíåòñÿ ê ðîäíîìó
                      Âî âñåé ïðèðîäå. Åñòü òóò çàïàøîê
                      Ñòðîïòèâîñòè, óðîäñòâà, èçâðàùåíüÿ.
                      Íî ÿ íå ïðî íåå, à âîîáùå.
                      Äà òîëüêî, åñëè ñðàâíèâàòü ïóñòèëàñü
                      Âàñ è ñâîèõ ïðèãîæèõ çåìëÿêîâ,
                      Âäðóã äà è ñïîõâàòèëàñü...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                 Íó, ïðîñòèìñÿ.
                      È åñëè ÷òî çàìåòèøü, äàé ìíå çíàòü.
                      È ïóñòü òâîÿ æåíà ïîíàáëþäàåò.
                      Îñòàâü ìåíÿ òåïåðü.
 
                                    ßãî
                                  (óõîäÿ)
 
                                           Èìåþ ÷åñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Çà÷åì æåíèëñÿ ÿ. ×åñòíÿãà ýòîò
                      Âèäèò è çíàåò áîëüøå, ÷åì ñêàçàë.
                      Íàìíîãî áîëüøå.
 
                                    ßãî
                               (âîçâðàùàÿñü)
 
                                       Ãåíåðàë, ïðîøó âàñ
                      Íå òîðîïèòüñÿ. Âðåìÿ âñå ïîêàæåò.
                      Êîíå÷íî, Êàññèî - äåëüíûé îôèöåð,
                      Íî âû åãî â îòñòàâêå ïðèäåðæèòå.
                      Òàê åãî ëåã÷å áóäåò ðàñêóñèòü.
                      È åñëè ïðèìåòñÿ ñóïðóãà âàøà
                      Íàñòîé÷èâî è áóðíî õëîïîòàòü,
                      Òî ýòî âàæíûé ïðèçíàê. À ïîêàìåñò
                      Ñ÷èòàéòå, ÷òî ÿ ïàëêó ïåðåãíóë
                       ìîèõ, áîþñü, ÷ðåçìåðíûõ ñïàñåíüÿõ, -
                      Ñ÷èòàéòå, ÷òî æåíà âàøà ÷èñòà.
                      Ïðîøó âàñ...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Áóäü ñïîêîåí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                  ×åñòü èìåþ.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðåäåëüíî ÷åñòíûé ìàëûé - è çíàòîê
                      Ëþäñêèõ ïîñòóïêîâ. Åñëè ñîêîëèöà
                      Ïîðî÷íîþ îêàæåòñÿ ìîÿ,
                      Ïðî÷ü ÿ ïóùó åå íà âîëþ âåòðà,
                      Ñâÿçóþùèå íèòè îáîðâàâ
                      Ñåðäå÷íûå. Îõîòüñÿ ãäå æåëàåøü!
                      ß ÷åðåí, ÿ èçÿùåñòâà ëèøåí,
                      Êàêèì â ñàëîíàõ øàðêóíû áëèñòàþò;
                      Ïðèòîì ãîäà ïîøëè óæ ïîä óêëîí,
                      Õîòü è íå êðóòî. Âîò è ïîðàæåíüå.
                      Îáìàíóò ÿ, è îñòàåòñÿ ìíå
                      Åå ïðåçðåòü - è â îòâðàùåíüå ýòîì
                      Íàéòè ïîêîé. Â òîì è ïðîêëÿòüå áðàêà,
                      ×òî, õîòü çîâåì ïðåëåñòíèöó ñâîåé,
                      Åå æåëàíüÿìè âëàäåòü íå ìîæåì.
                      Äà ëó÷øå æàáîé áûòü, ïèòàòüñÿ âîíüþ
                      Ãíèëîé òåìíèöû, ÷åì äåëèòü ñ äðóãèì
                      Ëþáèìóþ. È íå ñïàñåò âåëè÷üå
                      Îò ýòîé íåìèíóåìîé ñóäüáû:
                      Ðîãà íàä âñåìè íàìè îò ðîæäåíüÿ
                      Íàâèñëè íåèçáåæíûå êàê ñìåðòü. -
                      Æåíà èäåò. Î, åñëè ëæèâà òû,
                      Òî íàñìåÿëîñü íåáî íàä ñîáîþ.
                      Íåò, íå ïîâåðþ.
 
                         Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà è Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       Ãäå æ òû, äîðîãîé?
                      Òåáÿ âåäü æäåò îáåä è êèïðèîòû,
                      Êîòîðûõ òû ê îáåäó ïðèãëàñèë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Óæ èçâèíè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                  Òû ãîâîðèøü òàê ãëóõî...
                      ×òî, íåçäîðîâ òû?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                        Ãîëîâà áîëèò.
                      Çäåñü, íàä áðîâÿìè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                          Ýòî ñ íåäîñûïó.
                      Îíî ïðîéäåò. Äàé îáâÿæó ëèøü ëîá.
                      Íå ìèíåò ÷àñó, êàê ðóêîþ ñíèìåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïëàòîê òâîé ñëèøêîì êîðîòîê. Íå íàäî.
               (Îòñòðàíÿåò åå ðóêó; Äåçäåìîíà ðîíÿåò ïëàòîê.)
 
                      Ïîéäåì.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Ïå÷àëüíî, ÷òî òû íåçäîðîâ.
 
                         Îòåëëî è Äåçäåìîíà óõîäÿò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Êàê õîðîøî! Ìîé ïðèâåðåäíèê ìóæ
                      Ñòî ðàç ïðîñèë óêðàñòü ïëàòîê âîò ýòîò.
                      Òî ïåðâûé áûë ïîäàðîê æåíèõà.
                      Ìàâð çàêëèíàë ñ ïëàòêîì íå ðàññòàâàòüñÿ,
                      È òàê ïîäàðîê ñäåëàëñÿ åé ìèë,
                      ×òî íîñèòñÿ ñ íèì - òî â íåãî ïîøåï÷åò,
                      Òî ïîöåëóåò. ß óçîð ñíèìó
                      È ßãî ïîäàðþ.
                      Çà÷åì åìó, íå âåäàþ, íå çíàþ, -
                      Íî ìóæíèíó êàïðèçó óñòóïàþ.
 
                                Âõîäèò ßãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Òû ÷òî òîð÷èøü îäíà çäåñü?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                                 Íå áðàíèñü.
                      Òóò ó ìåíÿ åñòü äëÿ òåáÿ âåùè÷êà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îíà äëÿ âñåõ äîñòóïíà...
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                                Àõ, íåãîäíèê!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ...Òà èñòèíà, ÷òî ãëóïàÿ æåíà -
                      Óäåë âñåîáùèé.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                      Î, áîëüøàÿ ìóäðîñòü!
                      À ÷òî âçàìåí òû äàøü ìíå çà ïëàòîê?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êàêîé ïëàòîê?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                    À ïåðâûé òîò ïîäàðîê
                      Îò ìàâðà Äåçäåìîíå. Ñêîëüêî ðàç
                      Íàäîåäàë òû, ÷òîá åãî óêðàëà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      È òû óêðàëà?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                   Íåò, îíà ñàìà
                      Òóò ïî íå÷àÿííîñòè îáðîíèëà.
                      ß ïîäíÿëà. Âîò, âèäèøü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                              Ìîëîä÷èíà.
                      Äàâàé ñþäà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                   À äëÿ ÷åãî òåáå?
                      Çà÷åì òàê íàñòîÿòåëüíî ïðîñèë
                      Åãî ñòÿíóòü?
 
                                    ßãî
                              (õâàòàÿ ïëàòîê)
 
                                   Íå âñå ëü òåáå åäèíî?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Åñëè äëÿ ïóñòÿêîâ êàêèõ-íèáóäü,
                      Äàâàé îáðàòíî. Ãîñïîæà ìîÿ
                      Ñ óìà ñîéäåò, áåäíÿæêà, îáíàðóæèâ
                      Åãî ïðîïàæó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                   Ïîçàáóäü. Ìîë÷è.
                      Îí íóæåí ìíå. Òåïåðü èäè îòñþäà.
                              (Ýìèëèÿ óõîäèò.)
                      Ïîäáðîøó Êàññèî ïëàòîê ÿ ýòîò.
                      Ïóñòü óòèðàåòñÿ. Ëåã÷àéøèé âçäîð
                      Ðåâíèâöó-ìóæó áóäåò ïîäòâåðæäåíüåì,
                      Íåçûáëåìûì êàê Áèáëèÿ. Ïëàòîê
                      Ïîñëóæèò äåëó. Ìàâð óæå õëåáíóë
                      Ìîåé îòðàâû. È ñïåðâà îòðàâà
                      Ïî÷òè íå ÷óâñòâóåòñÿ. Íî çàòåì
                      Ãîðåòü â êðîâè íåùàäíî íà÷èíàåò,
                      Êàê ïëàìÿ â ñåðíîé çàëåæè.
 
                               Âõîäèò Îòåëëî.
 
                                                  ß ïðàâ, -
                      Íà íåì óæ íåò ëèöà. Íè ìàê, íè ìàíäðàãîðà,
                      Íè âñå ïèòüÿ ñíîòâîðíûå çåìëè
                      Ìèëîãî ñíà òåáå íå âîçâðàòÿò,
                      Êîòîðûì òû â÷åðà ëèøü íàñëàæäàëñÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìåíÿ, ìåíÿ îáìàíûâàòü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                             Íó ÷òî âû,
                      Ìîé ãåíåðàë. Äîâîëüíî óæ î òîì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Èçûäè, îêàÿííûé! Òû ìåíÿ
                      Íà äûáó âçäåðíóë. Ëó÷øå òüìà íåçíàíüÿ,
                      ×åì ïûòêà çíàíüåì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                          ×òî, ìîé ãîñïîäèí?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Î ïîòàéíûõ åå ÷àñàõ ðàñïóòñòâà
                      Íå âåäàÿ, áûë âåñåë, íî÷üþ ñïàë,
                      Íå ÷óâñòâîâàë, íå äóìàë, íå òåðçàëñÿ
                      È íà ãóáàõ åå íå íàõîäèë ÿ
                      Îò ïîöåëóåâ Êàññèî ñëåäà
                      Îãðàáëåííûé íèñêîëüêî íå îãðàáëåí,
                      Êîãäà ïîòåðè íå îñîçíàåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìíå áîëüíî ýòî ñëûøàòü...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                 Äà ïóñêàé
                      Âñå âîéñêî á äî ïîñëåäíèõ çåìëåêîïîâ
                      Åå ïðåêðàñíûì òåëîì óãîñòèëîñü,
                      ß á ñ÷àñòëèâ áûë, íå çíàÿ íè÷åãî.
                      Òåïåðü íàâåê ïðîùàé, ñïîêîéíûé äóõ,
                      Ïðîùàé, áîëüøèõ ïîõîäîâ ÷åñòîëþáüå
                      È øëåìîâ îïåðåííàÿ êðàñà,
                      Ðæàíüå êîíÿ è çâîíêèé çîâ òðóáû,
                      È áîäðûé áàðàáàí, è ïîñâèñò ôëåéòû!
                      Ïðîùàé, øòàíäàðòîâ öàðñòâåííàÿ ïûøíîñòü
                      È ãîðäûé áëåñê è äîáëåñòü ñëàâíûõ âîéí!
                      È ñìåðòîíîñíûå ïðîùàé îðóäüÿ,
                      ×üè çåâû ìîùíûå çû÷íåé ãðîìîâ!
                      È ïîëêîâîä÷åñòâî ïðîùàé íàâåêè!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âîçìîæíî ëè?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                   Ìåðçàâåö, äîêàæè,
                      ×òî îíà øëþõà - ÿñíî è íàãëÿäíî, -
                      Èëè êëÿíóñü áåññìåðòíîþ äóøîé,
                      Ëó÷øå á òåáå ïàñêóäíûì ïñîì ðîäèòüñÿ,
                      ×åì èñïûòàòü ìîé ãíåâ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                             Òàê âîò ê ÷åìó
                      Ïðèøëî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                              Äàé ìíå âîî÷üþ óáåäèòüñÿ.
                      Èëü äîêàçàòåëüñòâî òàêîå äàé,
                      ×òîá íè çàäîðèíêè, ÷òîá íè ïðîðåõè,
                      Èíà÷å æèçíüþ îòâå÷àé ñâîåé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìîé áëàãîðîäíûé ãîñïîäèí...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                  È åñëè
                      Îêëåâåòàë åå íà ìóêó ìíå,
                      Òî ïîçàáóäü ìîëèòâû, óãðûçåíüÿ,
                      Íàãðîìîçäè òàêóþ ãîðó çâåðñòâ,
                      ×òîá íåáåñà íàä íåþ âîçðûäàëè
                      È ïîòðÿñëàñü çåìëÿ, - âåäü âñå ðàâíî
                      Òû ïð_î_êëÿòåå áûòü óæå íå ìîæåøü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Î ìèëîñòü Áîæüÿ, çàùèòè ìåíÿ!
                      Äà ÷åëîâåê ëè âû ñ äóøîé, ñ ðàññóäêîì?
                      Áîã ñ âàìè è ñî ñëóæáîé. ×åñòíûé äóðåíü
                      Çëîñ÷àñòíûé, ÿ çàâåë ñåáÿ â áåäó.
                      Ëþäè, çàïîìíèòå - îïàñíî áûòü
                      Ïðÿìûì è ÷åñòíûì â ýòîì ñòðàøíîì ìèðå!
                      Ñïàñèáî çà íàóêó. Áîëüøå äðóãó
                      Íå îêàæó ÿ íèêîãäà óñëóãó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåò, ïîãîäè. Òû æ ÷åñòåí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                ×åñòíûì áûòü -
                      Áîëüøàÿ ãëóïîñòü. Áóäó âïðåäü óìíåå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìíå êàæåòñÿ, æåíà ìîÿ ÷åñòíà.
                      À ìîæåò, íå÷åñòíà. ß ïîëàãàþ,
                      ×òî òû ïðàâäèâ. À ìîæåò áûòü, òû ëæåøü.
                      ß äîëæåí óáåäèòüñÿ. Åå èìÿ -
                      Äîñåëå ÷èñòîå, êàê ñâåòëûé ëèê
                      Áîãèíè öåëîìóäðèÿ, - ÷åðíåå
                      Òåïåðü, ÷åì êîæà ÷åðíàÿ ìîÿ.
                      Ïîêà íà ñâåòå åñòü ïåòëÿ è íîæ,
                      ßä è êîñòåð è îìóò, ÿ íå ñòàíó
                      Òåðïåòü. Î, åñëè á òîëüêî óáåäèòüñÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ß âèæó, âàñ îáóðåâàåò ãíåâ.
                      È êàþñü ÿ, ÷òî ïîäíÿë ýòó áóðþ.
                      Õîòèòå äîêàçàòåëüñòâ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Äà, õî÷ó -
                      È ïîëó÷ó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                Íî êàê âàì óáåäèòüñÿ?
                      Æåëàåòå óâèäåòü, êàê îíè
                      Ñîâîêóïëÿþòñÿ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                     Ñìåðòü è ïðîêëÿòüå!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îíî è ìåðçîñòíî, îíî è òðóäíî
                      Çàñòèãíóòü èõ. Äà ïðîïàäè îíè,
                      Åñëè ïîçâîëèëè ÷óæîìó âçîðó
                      Ãëÿäåòü íà èõ ïîñòåëüíóþ âîçíþ.
                      Íî ÷òî æå îñòàåòñÿ? Êàê èíà÷å
                      Âàì óáåäèòüñÿ? Áóäü îíè ÿðåé
                      Âîëêîâ, õîðüêîâ, ìàðòûøåê, áóäü ãëóïåå
                      Ïüÿí÷óãè ãðÿçíîãî, - òî è òîãäà
                      Íåëüçÿ óäîñòîâåðèòüñÿ ãëàçàìè.
                      Íî êîñâåííûå åæåëè óëèêè,
                      ×òî íàïðÿìóþ ê èñòèíå âåäóò,
                      Âàñ óäîâëåòâîðÿò, òîãäà èçâîëüòå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåîòðàçèìóþ óëèêó äàé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå íðàâèòñÿ ìíå ýòî ïîðó÷åíüå,
                      Íî ðàç ïîçâîëèë ÿ ñåáÿ âòðàâèòü,
                      Âëåêîìûé ãëóïîé ÷åñòíîñòüþ è äðóæáîé,
                      Òî óæ ïðîäîëæó. Êàê-òî íà íî÷ëåãå
                      Ëåæàë ÿ ðÿäîì ñ Êàññèî, â îäíîé
                      Ïîñòåëè. Áûëî òî íåäàâíî. Ìó÷èë çóá
                      Ìåíÿ, è ÿ íå ñïàë. Áûâàþò ëþäè
                      Ñ íåñäåðæàííîé äóøîé. Îíè âî ñíå
                      Áîðìî÷óò î äåëàõ ñâîèõ. Òàêîâ æå
                      È Êàññèî. Âî ñíå îí ãîâîðèë:
                      "Î Äåçäåìîíà, áóäåì îñòîðîæíû.
                      Ëþáèìàÿ, íå âûäàäèì ñåáÿ".
                      Çàòåì îí ñóäîðîæíî æàë ìíå ðóêó
                      È îõàë: "Äèâíàÿ!", è öåëîâàë
                      Òàê æàäíî, òî÷íî ïîæèðàÿ ãóáû,
                      È - íîãó íà áåäðî ìíå, çàâçäûõàâ,
                      Öåëóÿ âíîâü, è ïîñëå âîñêëèöàÿ:
                      "Çà÷åì òû ìàâðó îòäàíà ñóäüáîé!
                      Ïðîêëÿòàÿ ñóäüáà!"
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                         ×óäîâèùíî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íî ýòî ñîí áûë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                      Îçíà÷àåò îí,
                      ×òî èõ ñîèòüå ïðåæäå ñîñòîÿëîñü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Óëèêà âàæíàÿ, õîòÿ è ñîí, -
                      Ñïîñîáíàÿ óñèëèòü è äîïîëíèòü
                      Ìåíåå âåñêèå...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       ß ðàçîðâó
                      Åå íà ÷àñòè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    ...íî íå î÷åâèäíîñòü.
                      Íåò, áóäüòå ðàññóäèòåëüíû. Æåíà
                      Åùå îêàæåòñÿ ÷åñòíà. Ñêàæèòå,
                      Âàì íå ñëó÷àëîñü âèäåòü ó íåå
                      Ïëàòêà ñ óçîðîì çåìëÿíè÷íûì?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                   Ñàì ÿ
                      Åé ïîäàðèë, - òî áûë ìîé ïåðâûé äàð.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå çíàë ÿ... Íî ñåãîäíÿ òåì ïîäàðêîì
                      Êàññèî ñâîþ áîðîäêó âûòèðàë.
                      Èìåííî òåì ïëàòêîì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          À åñëè òàê...
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Òî ýòî äîáàâëÿåòñÿ ê óëèêàì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Î, åñëè áû ðàá ýòîò íå îäíó
                      Èìåë, à ñîðîê òûñÿ÷ æèçíåé. Ìàëî
                      Áóäåò îäíîé äëÿ ìùåíüÿ ìîåãî.
                      Âñå. Óáåäèëñÿ ÿ. Ãëÿäè æå, ßãî,
                      Êàê ñ ãëóïûì îñëåïëåíüåì ðàññòàþñü.
                    (Äåëàåò ðàçâåâàþùèé ïî âåòðó æåñò.)
                      Ïðî÷ü. Êîí÷åíî. Âñòàíü, ÷åðíîå âîçìåçäüå,
                      Èç ëîãîâà ãëóõîãî òâîåãî
                      È, íåíàâèñòüþ âûòåñíèâ èç ñåðäöà
                      Ëþáîâü, òû ïîñåëè â íåì ëþòûõ çìåé!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âû óñïîêîéòåñü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Êðîâè, ßãî, êðîâè!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Òåðïåíüå. Ìîæåò, ãíåâ åùå ïðîéäåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåò, ßãî. Ìîðþ ×åðíîìó ïîäîáíî,
                      ×üè âîäû â Ãåëëåñïîíò óñòðåìëåíû,
                      Íå âåäàÿ îòëèâà è âîçâðàòà,
                      Êðîâàâîå îòìùåíèå ìîå
                      Íå îñòàíîâèòñÿ, íå îñëàáååò,
                      Ïîêà íå èçîëüåòñÿ äî êîíöà.
                            (Ïðåêëîíÿåò êîëåíî.)
                      Êëÿíóñÿ ìðàìîðíûìè íåáåñàìè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ðÿäîì êîëåíî ïðåêëîíþ è ÿ.
                      Âå÷íî-ãîðÿùèå îãíè íåáåñ
                      È îêðóæàþùèå íàñ ñòèõèè,
                      Ñâèäåòåëÿìè áóäüòå, ÿ êëÿíóñü
                      Âñþ ìîþ ñèëó ñåðäöà, ðóê è ìîçãà
                      Îòåëëî îñêîðáëåííîìó îòäàòü.
                      Ïðèêàçûâàéòå, ãîñïîäèí, - ëþáóþ
                      Êðîâàâóþ ðàáîòó ñîâåðøó
                      ß ñ ÷èñòîé ñîâåñòüþ.
                         (Îáà ïîäûìàþòñÿ ñ êîëåí.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Òâîþ ãîòîâíîñòü
                      ß íå ñ ïóñòûì "ñïàñèáî" ïðèíèìàþ,
                      À ñ ïðèêàçàíüåì òóò æå ïðîÿâèòü
                      Åå íà äåëå - è äàþ òðè äíÿ,
                      Ïî èñòå÷åíüè êîèõ äîëîæè ìíå,
                      ×òî Êàññèî ìåðòâ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        Ñ÷èòàéòå, îí óæ ìåðòâ.
                      Íî åé îñòàâüòå æèçíü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Áóäü ïðîêëÿòà,
                      Áóäü ïðîêëÿòà ðàñïóòíàÿ êîêåòêà!
                      Ïîéäåì ñî ìíîé. Îáäóìàòü íóæíî ìíå,
                      Êàê ïîñêîðåé ñ ïðåëåñòíîé äüÿâîëèöåé
                      Ðàçäåëàòüñÿ. Òû - çàìåñòèòåëü ìîé
                      Îòíûíå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                              ß íàâåêè âàø ñëóãà.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 4
 
               Ïåðåä çàìêîì. Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà, Ýìèëèÿ è øóò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Çíàåøü òû, ìèëåéøèé, ãäå Ìèêåëå Êàññèî æèâåò?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Íå  çíàþ  íè  ãäå  æèâåò, íè ÷åì æèâåò, íè ñ êåì æèâåò. À è çíàë áû, íå
ñêàçàë áû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Ýòî ïî÷åìó?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Îí  ÷åëîâåê  âîåííûé,  à  åñëè  îòêðûâàòü  âîåííûå  ñåêðåòû, òîãî ãëÿäè
íàïîðåøüñÿ íà ìå÷.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Íî ãäå îí ïðîæèâàåò, çíàåøü?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Íè ãäå ïðîæèâàåò, íè ÷òî ïðîæèâàåò, íè ñ êåì äåòåé ïðèæèâàåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Íî âûñïðîñèòü, ãäå ïðîæèâàåò, ìîæåøü?
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Çàäàâàòü ìîãó âîïðîñû, âûñïðîñû, ðàññïðîñû, êàê ïî êàòåõèçèñó.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
     Ðàçûùè  åãî,  ñêàæè,  ÷òîáû  ïðèøåë, - ñêàæè, ÷òî ÿ ñìÿã÷èëà ìóæà è âñå
áóäåò õîðîøî, íàäåþñü.
 
                                    Øóò
 
     Ýòî ñäåëàòü ÿ ñîãëàñåí, ýòî â ñèëàõ ÷åëîâå÷üèõ. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ýìèëèÿ, êóäà äåâàòü ìîãëà ÿ
                      Ýòîò ïëàòîê?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                   Íå çíàþ, ãîñïîæà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ìíå ïîòåðÿòü áû ëåã÷å êîøåëåê,
                      Ìîíåòàìè íàáèòûé çîëîòûìè.
                      È õîðîøî, ÷òî ìóæ ìîé áëàãîðîäåí
                      È äóõîì ÷èñò, íå äàñò ñåáÿ óíèçèòü
                      Äî ðåâíîñòè, à òî Áîã çíàåò ÷òî
                      Ïîäóìàòü ìîã áû.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                       Ðàçâå íå ðåâíèâ îí?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íåò. Ñîëíöå, ïîä êîòîðûì îí ðîæäåí,
                      Èç êðîâè âûïàðèëî ýòó ñëÿêîòü.
 
                               Âõîäèò Îòåëëî.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Âîò îí èäåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                   ß íàñòîþ íà òîì,
                      ×òîáû ïðèçâàë îí Êàññèî. - Äîðîãîé ìîé,
                      Êàê ÷óâñòâóåøü ñåáÿ òû?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Õîðîøî.
                                (Â ñòîðîíó.)
                      Î, òÿãîòà ïðèòâîðñòâà! - Äåçäåìîíà,
                      À òû êàê?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                 Õîðîøî, ìîé ãîñïîäèí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äàé ðóêó. Ãîðÿ÷à è âëàæíà êîæà
                      Òâîåé ðóêè, ñóäàðûíÿ ìîÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Îíà åùå íå òðîíóòà ãîäàìè
                      È ãîðåì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                Ýòî çíàê ëþáâåîáèëüÿ -
                      Ãîðÿ÷àÿ è âëàæíàÿ ðóêà.
                      Åé òðåáóåòñÿ îáóçäàíüå: ïîñò,
                      Ìîëèòâà è áîëüøîå ïîêàÿíüå.
                      Ñåé ïîòíûé äüÿâîëåíîê òàê è ðâåòñÿ
                      Ïîäíÿòü ìÿòåæ. Îòêðûòàÿ ðóêà
                      È ùåäðàÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                 Åùå áû íå ùåäðà -
                      Òåáå îíà ìîå âðó÷èëà ñåðäöå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà, â ñòàðèíó ðóêà âðó÷àëà ñåðäöå.
                      Òåïåðü íå ñåðäöå, ðóêó ëèøü äàþò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î ÷åì òû?.. Íó à ãäå æå îáåùàíüå?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êàêîå, ìèëàÿ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Ïîñëàëà ÿ
                      Çà Êàññèî, ÷òîá îí ïåðåä òîáîþ
                      Ïðåäñòàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                Óïîðíûé íàñìîðê ó ìåíÿ.
                      Äàé-êà ïëàòîê.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                     Âîò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Òîò, ÷òî äàë òåáå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Åãî ñî ìíîþ íåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                        Íåò?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                              Ïðàâî, íåòó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òàê íå ãîäèòñÿ. Ìàòåðè ìîåé
                      Îí áûë ïîäàðåí âåùåé åãèïòÿíêîé,
                      Êîëäóíüåé, ñ íàñòàâëåíüåì íå òåðÿòü,
                      ×òîá íàâñåãäà ïðåáûòü æåëàííîé ìóæó;
                      À åñëè ïîòåðÿåò èëü îòäàñò,
                      Òî ìîé îòåö åå ðàçëþáèò òóò æå
                      È íîâîé ïðèìåòñÿ èñêàòü ëþáâè.
                      È, óìèðàÿ, ìàòü ìíå çàâåùàëà,
                      ×òîáû íåâåñòå ÿ åãî âðó÷èë.
                      ß òàê è ñäåëàë. Ïðè ñåáå äåðæè,
                      Õðàíè åãî òû, êàê çåíèöó îêà.
                      Íå äàé áîã ïîòåðÿòü èëü ïîäàðèòü, -
                      Íè÷òî ñ áåäîþ ýòîé íå ñðàâíèòñÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Äà ÷òî òû!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                 Â ýòîì øåëêå âîëøåáñòâî.
                      Îí âûøèò âäîõíîâåííîþ ñèâèëëîé,
                      Óæå óâèäåâøåþ äâåñòè ðàç
                      Êîëîâðàùåíüå ãîäîâîå ñîëíöà.
                      Ñâÿùåííûìè ÷åðâÿìè ñîçäàí îí
                      È êðàøåí ìóìèåé, áàëüçàìîì äðåâíèì
                      Èç ïðàõà äåâè÷üèõ ñåðäåö.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                                 Íî ýòî ïðàâäà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×èñòàÿ ïðàâäà. Áåðåãè åãî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Îõ, ëó÷øå á ÿ åãî è íå âèäàëà!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      À? Ïî÷åìó?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                   Äà ÷òî òû âñòðåïåíóëñÿ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðîïàë? Óòåðÿí? Ãäå îí, ãîâîðè!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñïàñè íàñ íåáî!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       ×òî?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                             Îí íå óòåðÿí.
                      À åñëè á è óòåðÿí, ÷òî òîãäà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òàê ïðèíåñè åãî, äàé ïîãëÿäåòü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ß ïðèíåñó, íî íå ñåé÷àñ, ïîïîçæå.
                      Óëîâêà ýòî, ÷òîá ìåíÿ îòâëå÷ü.
                      Ïðîøó, âåðíè òû Êàññèî íà äîëæíîñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïëàòîê íåñè. Ðàññåé ìîþ òðåâîãó.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Óìåëåé îôèöåðà íå íàéäåøü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïëàòîê!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Ïðîøó, ïîãîâîðèì î Êàññèî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïëàòîê!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Âåäü îí âñåãäà è áåççàâåòíî
                      Ëþáèë òåáÿ, îïàñíîñòè ñ òîáîé
                      Äåëèë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                             Ïëàòîê!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                     Åé-Áîãó æå, íåïðàâ òû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðîêëÿòüå!
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                   Ãîâîðèòå, íå ðåâíèâ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Òàêîãî íå áûëî åùå. Äîëæíî áûòü,
                      Â ïëàòêå è ïðàâäà ñêðûòî âîëøåáñòâî.
                      Áåäà, áåäà. Çëîñ÷àñòíàÿ ïîòåðÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      ×òîáû óçíàòü ìóæ÷èíó, íóæíî âðåìÿ.
                      Áûâàåò ìàëî ãîäà èëè äâóõ.
                      Äëÿ íèõ ìû ïèùà. Æàäíî íàñ åäÿò.
                      Íó à ïîòîì, íàñûòÿñü, âûðûãàþò.
 
                            Âõîäÿò ßãî è Êàññèî.
 
                      Ñþäà èäóò - Êàññèî è ìîé ìóæ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåëüçÿ èíà÷å. Òîëüêî ÷ðåç íåå.
                      Âàì ïîâåçëî - îíà! Íå óïóñêàéòå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íó, Êàññèî, ÷òî íîâîãî ó âàñ?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ñóäàðûíÿ, ÿ âñå î òîì ïðîøó âàñ.
                      Ëèøü ñ âàøåé äîáðîé ïîìîùüþ ìîãó
                      Âåðíóòüñÿ ê æèçíè ÿ, â áûëóþ ìèëîñòü
                      Ê òîìó, êîìó âñåì ñåðäöåì ðàä ñëóæèòü.
                      Âðåìÿ íå æäåò. È åñëè ìîé ïðîñòóïîê
                      Òàê òÿæåê, ÷òî åãî íå èñêóïèòü
                      Íè ïðîøëîþ, íè áóäóùåé çàñëóãîé,
                      Íè íûíåøíèì ðàñêàÿíüåì ìîèì,
                      Òî íóæíî ìíå õîòÿ áû çíàòü îá ýòîì,
                      ×òîáû, ñìèðèâøèñü, êàê-òî ïî-äðóãîìó
                      Ñâîþ ñóäüáó óñòðàèâàòü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                               Óâû,
                      Äîáðåéøèé Êàññèî, ÿ çàñòóïàëàñü,
                      Íî âûøëî êîìîì. Ìóæà íå óçíàòü,
                      Òàê íàñòðîåíüå â íåì ïåðåìåíèëîñü.
                      Ñâèäåòåëåì ñâÿòûå íåáåñà,
                      ×òî âñåìè ñèëàìè ÿ óáåæäàëà,
                      Ðèñêóÿ ìóæà êðóïíî ðàññåðäèòü.
                      Âàì íàäî ïîäîæäàòü. ×òî ÿ ñóìåþ,
                      Âñå ñäåëàþ. Íà áîëüøåå ðèñêíó,
                      ×åì äëÿ ñåáÿ ïîñìåëà áû, ïîâåðüòå
                      È ïîòåðïèòå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    Ãåíåðàë ñåðäèò?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Óøåë ñåé÷àñ îí â ñòðàííîì ðàçäðàæåíüå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñåðäèò? ß âèäåë, âðàæåñêèå ÿäðà
                      Âçìåòíóëè â âîçäóõ öåëûé ñòðîé áîéöîâ
                      È âûõâàòèëè äðàâøåãîñÿ ðÿäîì
                      Åãî ðîäíîãî áðàòà - èç-ïîä ðóê,
                      Êàê äóøó ãðåøíóþ õâàòàþò ÷åðòè, -
                      È îñòàâàëñÿ îí íåâîçìóòèì.
                      Ñëó÷èëîñü ÷òî-òî âàæíîå. Ïîéäó-êà
                      Ê íåìó ÿ. Ïàõíåò òóò íå ïóñòÿêîì.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Èäèòå. - Âåñêèå äåëà äåðæàâû,
                      Õóäàÿ âåñòü èëü òàéíûå ïîäêîïû,
                      Êîòîðûå îí òóò ëèøü ðàçãëÿäåë,
                      Âçìóòèëè ÷èñòûé äóõ åãî. Ñïîñîáíà
                       òàêîå âðåìÿ ìåëî÷ü ðàññåðäèòü,
                      Êàê ðàíêà ïàëüöà ìîæåò âûçâàòü áîëü
                      Âî âñåì ïëå÷å. Ìóæ÷èíû âåäü íå áîãè,
                      È íîâîáðà÷íûõ íåæíîñòåé íåëüçÿ
                      Íàì îæèäàòü îò âîèíà â ïîõîäå.
                      Ïëîõîé ñîëäàò ÿ. Îòðóãàé ìåíÿ,
                      Ýìèëèÿ. Ñâÿçàëà ÿ íàïðàñíî
                      Åãî íàõìóðåííîñòü ñ ìîåé îñîáîé,
                      Íåñïðàâåäëèâî ìóæà îáâèíèâ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Äàé Áîã, ÷òîá òàê è áûëî, à íå ðåâíîñòü,
                      Íå áëàæü, íå áðåä.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                          Î áîæå, áîæå ìîé!
                      ß æ íèêàêîé ïðè÷èíû íå äàâàëà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ðåâíèâîìó ïðè÷èíà íå íóæíà.
                      Îí ïîòîìó ðåâíèâ, ÷òî òàê óñòðîåí.
                      Ðîæäàåò ðåâíîñòü ñàìîå ñåáÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñïàñè Ãîñïîäü Îòåëëî îò íàïàñòè!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Àìèíü!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                              Ïîéäó ÿ, ðàçûùó åãî.
                      À âû ïîáëèçîñòè ïîáóäüòå, Êàññèî.
                      È åñëè ðàçäðàæåíèå ïðîøëî,
                      Ïîõëîïî÷ó çà âàñ ñî âñåì óñåðäüåì.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ß âàñ ïîêîðíåéøå áëàãîäàðþ.
                        (Äåçäåìîíà è Ýìèëèÿ óõîäÿò.)
 
                               Âõîäèò Áèàíêà.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Çäðàâñòâóé, äðóæîê!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                          Òû ïî÷åìó íå äîìà?
                      Êðàñàâèöà Áèàíêà, êàê äåëà?
                      À ÿ ê òåáå êàê ðàç íàìåðåâàëñÿ.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      À ÿ ê òåáå øëà, Êàññèî ðîäíîé.
                      Ãëàç íå êàçàë òû öåëóþ íåäåëþ -
                      Ñåìü äíåé è ñåìü íî÷åé. Íó, ìîæíî ëü òàê?
                      Áåç äâóõ - ñòî ñåìüäåñÿò ÷àñîâ ðàçëóêè,
                      Òûñÿ÷åêðàòíî òÿãîñòíûõ ÷àñîâ.
                      Òîñêëèâûé ñ÷åò...
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                         Ïðîñòè. Âñå ýòî âðåìÿ
                      Ñâèíöîâîé äóìîé áûë ÿ óãíåòåí.
                      Íî îáÿçóþñü óïëàòèòü ïî ñ÷åòó.
                      Âèäèøü ïëàòîê? Ñíèìè-êà ìíå óçîð.
                             (Äàåò åé ïëàòîê.)
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Îòêóäà ýòî ó òåáÿ? Íà ïàìÿòü
                      Ïîäðóæêà íîâàÿ, íåáîñü, äàëà?
                      Òåïåðü òâîå îòñóòñòâèå ïîíÿòíî.
                      Âîò äî ÷åãî äîøëî óæ!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                            Ïåðåñòàíü.
                      Ê ÷åðòÿì îòáðîñü ðåâíèâûå äîãàäêè,
                      Íàøåïòàííûå ÷åðòîì.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                                           ×åé æå îí?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íå çíàþ. Îí âàëÿëñÿ ó ìåíÿ,
                      Êåì-òî çàáûò. Ïîêóäà íå õâàòèëèñü,
                      Ñíèìè óçîð. Ìíå íðàâèòñÿ óçîð.
                      Òåïåðü ïðîùàé.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                                      À ïî÷åìó "ïðîùàé"?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ß ãåíåðàëà æäó. Íåëîâêî áóäåò,
                      Óâèäèò åñëè ñ æåíùèíîé ìåíÿ.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Äà ïî÷åìó?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                 Ïîâåðü ìíå, äîðîãàÿ,
                      ×òî ýòî íå îò íåëþáâè ìîåé.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Íî è íå îò ëþáâè... Òû ïðîâîäè
                      Ìåíÿ õîòÿ áû. Âå÷åðîì ïðèäåøü ëè?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ß ïðîâîæó, íî ëèøü íåäàëåêî.
                      Íåëüçÿ óéòè ìíå. Âå÷åðîì ïðèäó.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      ×òî æ, è íà òîì ñïàñèáî.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 

ÀÊÒ IV

 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 1
 
                     Ïåðåä çàìêîì. Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî è ßãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Çà÷åì òàê äóìàòü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                         Äóìàòü êàê?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                      Äîïóñòèì,
                      Ïîöåëîâàëèñü òàéíî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Òàê íåëüçÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåëüçÿ ðàçäåòîé ÷àñ-äðóãîé â ïîñòåëè
                      Ñ ïðèÿòåëåì íåâèííî ïîëåæàòü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåâèííî? Äüÿâîëà äðàçíèòü îïàñíî.
                      Îí ñîáëàçíèò, è íåáî íå ñïàñåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×òî çäåñü òàêîãî? Ïðîñòî ïîëåæàëè.
                      Äîïóñòèì, ÿ äàþ æåíå ïëàòîê...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äîïóñòèì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                 ×òî äàíî åé âî âëàäåíüå,
                      Îíà âîëüíà ëþáîìó ïîäàðèòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Îíà è ÷åñòèþ ñâîåé âëàäååò -
                      È, çíà÷èò, ðàñïðîñòèòüñÿ ñ íåé âîëüíà?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×åñòü æåíñêàÿ íåâèäèìà äëÿ ãëàç.
                      ×àñòåíüêî íåò åå óæå â ïîìèíå,
                      À êàæåòñÿ, ÷òî åñòü. À âîò ïëàòîê...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ß ðàä áû ïîçàáûòü... Òåïåðü ïëàòîê
                      Îïÿòü çëîâåùå â ïàìÿòè, êàê âîðîí
                      Íàä çà÷óìëåííûì äîìîì. Ãîâîðèøü,
                      Ïëàòîê ìîé ó íåãî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                         È ÷òî æ òàêîãî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà ìàëî â òîì õîðîøåãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                              ×òî, åñëè
                      ß âèäåë, êàê îí õóäî ïîñòóïàë
                      Ïî îòíîøåíüþ ê âàì? ×òî, åñëè ñëûøàë,
                      Êàê îí áîëòàë? Áûâàþò ìîëîäöû,
                      ×òî, ñâîåãî äîáèâøèñü ëè íàõðàïîì,
                      Æåëàíüå ëü äàìû óäîâëåòâîðèâ,
                      Íî íåïðåìåííî âûáîëòàòü äîëæíû...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðèçíàëñÿ îí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     Íî âû íå ñîìíåâàéòåñü,
                      ×òî îòîïðåòñÿ îí îòî âñåãî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×òî æå ñêàçàë îí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        ×òî... ß óæ íå ïîìíþ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà ÷òî æå?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                  ×òî ëåæàë...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                Ëåæàë îí ñ íåé?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñ íåé ëè, íà íåé ëè.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Íà  íåé ëåæàëè... íàëåãëè... íàëãàëè... Ëîæü ëîæà áðà÷íîãî... Î, ÷òî çà
ãàäîñòü!..  Ïëàòîê...  ïðèçíàëñÿ...  ïëàòîê...  Ðàçîáëà÷èòü, ïîâåñèòü åãî...
Ïðåæäå  îòïóùåíèÿ ãðåõîâ ïîâåñèòü... Îò ñðàìà áüåò îçíîá. Â ãëàçàõ íåäàðîì ó
ìåíÿ   òåìíååò.  ß  íå  îò  ñëîâ  äðîæó...  Áðð!  Íîñû,  óøè,  ãóáû...  Íåò,
íåâîçìîæíî!..  Ñàì  ïðèçíàë...  Ïëàòîê...  Î,  äüÿâîë!..  (Òåðÿåò  ñîçíàíèå,
ïàäàåò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìîÿ îòðàâà, äåéñòâóé! Äóðàêîâ
                      Äîâåð÷èâûõ âîò òàê è óëîâëÿþò.
                      È íåçàïÿòíàííûõ, äîñòîéíûõ æåíùèí
                      Âîò òàê êëåéìÿò ïîçîðîì áåç âèíû. -
                      Î÷íèòåñü, ãåíåðàë! Àó, Îòåëëî!
                      Âû ñëûøèòå? - À âîò è Êàññèî!
 
                               Âõîäèò Êàññèî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                                   ×òî ñ íèì?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïàäó÷àÿ. Íàø ãåíåðàë â ïðèïàäêå.
                      Â÷åðà óæ áûë îäèí. Òåïåðü - âòîðîé.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Âèñêè ïîòðèòå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Íåò, íå íàäî òðîãàòü.
                      Îöåïåíåíèå ñàìî ïðîéäåò.
                      Èíà÷å - ïåíà èçî ðòà, à ïîñëå -
                      Íåèñòîâîãî áåøåíñòâà ïðèëèâ.
                      Âîò âîçâðàùàåòñÿ óæå ñîçíàíüå.
                      Íà âðåìÿ óäàëèòåñü. Îí ñåé÷àñ
                      Îïîìíèòñÿ. Êîãäà óéäåò, ÿ ñ âàìè
                      Êîé î ÷åì âàæíîì ïåðåãîâîðþ.
                              (Êàññèî óõîäèò.)
                      ×òî, ãåíåðàë ìîé? Ëáà âû íå óøèáëè?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òû íàñìåõàåøüñÿ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                        Ïîáîéòåñü Áîãà!
                      Âåäèòå âû ñåáÿ, êàê ÷åëîâåê.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåò, ÿ íå ÷åëîâåê. ß çâåðü ðîãàòûé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåìàëî â ãîðîäàõ òàêèõ çâåðåé
                      Ñðåäè ñîãðàæäàí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Ñàì ïðèçíàâàëñÿ îí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ìóæàéòåñü. Âñïîìíèòå, íà êàæäîì ìóæå
                      Òàêîå æå, êàê è íà âàñ, ÿðìî.
                      Âû õîòü îñîçíàåòå ïîëîæåíüå,
                      À ìèëëèîíû íå îñîçíàþò
                      È ñïÿò â ïîñòåëÿõ ãðÿçíûõ, è öåëóþò
                      Íåâåðíûõ, ñâÿòî âåðÿ â ÷èñòîòó.
                      Î, â ýòîì ñàòàíèíñêàÿ íàñìåøêà!
                      Íåò, ëó÷øå çíàòü è, çíàÿ, îòîìñòèòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òû ìóäðî, î÷åíü ìóäðî ãîâîðèøü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âû ñòàíüòå-êà â ñòîðîíêå. Íàáåðèòåñü
                      Òåðïåíèÿ. Òóò Êàññèî ïðèõîäèë,
                      Ïîêà âû áûëè íå â ñåáå. Ñêàçàë ÿ,
                      ×òî âû ëèøü íà ìèíóòó ïðèëåãëè
                      È ÷òî ïîãîâîðèòü ÿ ñ íèì æåëàþ.
                      Îí îáåùàë âåðíóòüñÿ. Èç óêðûòüÿ
                      Ñëåäèòå çà óæèìêàìè åãî,
                      Íàñìåøêàìè, ãëóìëèâûìè ñìåøêàìè.
                      Ïîäñòðîþ òàê, ÷òîá îí ïåðåñêàçàë,
                      Êîãäà, êàê ÷àñòî, ãäå ñ æåíîþ âàøåé
                      Âñòðå÷àëñÿ îí è âñòðåòèòñÿ îïÿòü.
                      Íî âû ñâîè ïðèïàäêè îáóçäàéòå,
                      Äåðæèòåñü êàê ìóæ÷èíà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Ñëûøèøü, ßãî, -
                      ß áóäó õèòðîóìíî òåðïåëèâ,
                      Íî îòîìùó êðîâàâåéøå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                            Âñå òàê,
                      Íî íåðàñ÷åòëèâåé. Òåïåðü óêðîéòåñü.
                        (Îòåëëî îòõîäèò â ñòîðîíó.)
                      À ñ Êàññèî çàãîâîðþ î øëþõå
                      Áèàíêå, ÷òî çà òðÿïêè è çà õëåá
                      Ñîáîþ ïëàòèò. Âîò è êàðà øëþõàì:
                      Íå îäíîãî ëèøèâøàÿ óìà,
                      Îò îäíîãî áåçóìååò ñàìà.
                      À îí áåç ñìåõà ñëûøàòü î Áèàíêå
                      Óæå íå ìîæåò. Âîò îí ñàì èäåò.
 
                               Âõîäèò Êàññèî.
 
                      Åãî óëûáêè, õîõîòîê è æåñòû
                      Âçáåñÿò Îòåëëî. Â ðåâíîñòè òóïîé
                      Îòåëëî îòíåñåò èõ ê Äåçäåìîíå.
                      Êàê ïîæèâàåò ñèíüîð çàìåñòèòåëü?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ïðåñêâåðíî - ñ òîé ìèíóòû, êàê ñìåùåí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïðîñèòå íåîòñòóïíî ãåíåðàëüøó.
                      Îíà ñïàñåò. Âîò åñëè áû èñõîä
                      Çàâèñåë îò Áèàíêè, ìèãîì äåëî
                      Ðåøèëîñü áû, íå òàê ëè?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                              Õà-õà-õà!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                                 (ïîîäàëü)
 
                      Ðàíî ñìååøüñÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Íå âèäàë âëþáëåííåé
                      ß æåíùèí.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                 Îõ, áåäíÿæêå, ÷òî ñêðûâàòü,
                      ß ïî ñåðäöó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Îí îòðèöàåò ñëàáî,
                      Ïîñìåèâàÿñü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    Êàññèî, ñêàæèòå...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      À ßãî ìîëîäåö, íå îòñòàåò,
                      Åãî íà îòêðîâåííîñòü âûçûâàåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îíà òâåðäèò, ÷òî æåíèòåñü íà íåé.
                      Íåóæòî â ñàìîì äåëå?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                            Õà-õà-õà!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ðàíî ëèêóåøü, ðèìñêèé òðèóìôàòîð.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      ×òî? ß íà íåé æåíþñü? Íà ïîòàñêóõå?
                      Äà íåóæåëè æå ÿ âàì êàæóñü
                      Íàñòîëüêî äóðàëååì? Õà-õà-õà!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ñìååòñÿ òîò, ñìååòñÿ êòî ïîñëåäíèì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      À ñëóõ èäåò, ÷òî æåíèòåñü íà íåé.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Âû øóòèòå!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                  Äà íåò, áóäü ÿ ïîäëåö.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òàê, òàê. Ìåíÿ óæå è ñî ñ÷åòîâ ñïèñàëè.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ýòîò  ñëóõ  ñàìà  îíà  è  ðàñïóñêàåò.  Óáåæäåíà  ìàðòûøêà, ÷òî ÿ íà íåé
æåíþñü; òóò íåò ìîåãî îáåùàíüÿ, à åñòü åå ïðåóâåëè÷åííîå ñàìîìíåíèå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     ßãî ïîäàåò ìíå çíàê - õàõàëü íà÷èíàåò ñâîé ðàññêàç.
 
                   Îòåëëî ïîäêðàäûâàåòñÿ áëèæå è ñëóøàåò.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Îíà  áûëà  çäåñü  ÷óòü  ðàíüøå,  îíà ìåíÿ ïðåñëåäóåò ïîâñþäó. Íà äíÿõ ÿ
ðàçãîâàðèâàë  ñ  âåíåöèàíöàìè  íà  âçìîðüå,  òàê è òóäà ïðèïåðëàñü ýòà öàöà.
Êëÿíóñü, ïîâèñëà ìíå íà øåþ...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Ïîêàçûâàåò, êàê îíà ëàñòèòñÿ ê íåìó.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Îáíÿëà, âèñèò è ïëà÷åò - è òÿíåò, è òàùèò ìåíÿ, õà-õà-õà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Â ìîþ ñïàëüíþ åãî òàùèò. Âèæó ÿ òâîé íîñ ðàñïóòíûé, íî åùå íå âèæó ïñà,
êîòîðîìó òîò íîñ îòðåçàííûé äîñòàíåòñÿ.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Íåò, ìíå íàäî ñ íåþ ðâàòü.
 
                               Âõîäèò Áèàíêà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ãëÿäè òû! Âîò èäåò!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Íàñòîÿùèé  õîðåê íåíàñûòíûé, äà åùå è äóõàìè ñìåðäÿùèé. Òû ÷òî ýòî ìåíÿ
ïðåñëåäóåøü?
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
     Ïóñòü  òåáÿ  äüÿâîë  ñ åãî ìàòåðüþ ïðåñëåäóåò. Òû ÷òî ýòî çà ïëàòîê ìíå
íûí÷å  ñóíóë? À ÿ, äóðà, áåðó. È äîëæíà ïåðåñíÿòü âåñü óçîð. Òàê è ïîâåðèëà,
÷òî  òû  åãî  íàøåë ó ñåáÿ â êîìíàòå è íå çíàåøü, ÷åé îí. Êàêàÿ-íèáóäü øëþõà
ïîäàðèëà,  à  ÿ  óçîð  ñíèìàé.  Âîò, îòäàé åãî ñâîåé ïîäñòèëêå, à ÿ ê íåìó è
ïàëüöåì íå ïðèòðîíóñü.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Íó ÷òî òû, ìèëàÿ Áèàíêà, ÷òî òû, ÷òî òû!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     À âåäü ýòî ìîé ïëàòîê!
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
     Õî÷åøü  ïðèéòè  ñåãîäíÿ  â  óæèí,  ïðèõîäè,  à  íå  õî÷åøü, òàê äðóãîãî
ïðèãëàøåíüÿ íå äîæäåøüñÿ. (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Çà íåé, çà íåé èäèòå!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ïîæàëóé, íàäî, à íå òî íà âñþ óëèöó ðàñïðè÷èòàåòñÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     È óæèíàòü ó íåå áóäåòå?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ïîæàëóé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     ß, âîçìîæíî, ê âàì íàâåäàþñü òóäà, îáñóäèòü õî÷ó êîå-÷òî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
     Ìèëîñòè ïðîøó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ïðèäó, è ïðîñüá íå íàäî. (Êàññèî óõîäèò.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                                 (ïîäîéäÿ)
 
     Êàêîé ñìåðòè ïðåäàòü åãî, ßãî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ñëûøàëè, êàê áàõâàëèëñÿ ñâîèì áåñïóòñòâîì?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Î, ßãî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À ïëàòîê âèäåëè?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Ýòî âåäü ìîé?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ðóêó  íà  îòñå÷åíèå,  ÷òî âàø. È âèäåëè, êàê óâàæàåò îí íåðàçóìíóþ âàøó
ñóïðóãó. Îíà ïîäàðèëà åìó, à îí ñâîåé øëþõå îòäàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Î,  êàçíèòü  áû  åãî  êàçíüþ, äëÿùåþñÿ äåâÿòü ëåò!.. À êðàñàâèöà êàêàÿ,
ìèëàÿ, ïðåëåñòíàÿ...
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Çàáóäüòå, ïëþíüòå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Ïóñòü  ñãíèåò, ïîãèáíåò íàâåê ïð_î_êëÿòàÿ - è íå ïîçæå ÷åì ñåãîäíÿ. Ìîå
ñåðäöå  îáðàòèëîñü  â  êàìåíü. Ñòó÷ó â ãðóäü, è ðóêå áîëüíî... Î, íåò â ìèðå
ìèëåå  ñîçäàíèÿ.  Îíà  ìîãëà  áû âîçëåæàòü ïðè èìïåðàòîðå è äàâàòü ïîâåëåíüÿ
åìó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ýòàê âû ñáèâàåòåñü íà ïîõâàëó åé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Áóäü ïðîêëÿòà! ß òîëüêî âñïîìèíàþ, êàêàÿ îíà åñòü - êàêàÿ ðóêîäåëüíèöà,
êàêàÿ  ìóçûêàíòøà  óäèâèòåëüíàÿ!  À  ïåíèåì ñâîèì ñâèðåïîãî ìåäâåäÿ óêðîòèòü
ñïîñîáíà. À êàêîé âûñîêèé óì áîãàòûé, ñêîëüêî âîîáðàæåíüÿ!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òåì õóæå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Â òûñÿ÷ó òûñÿ÷ ðàç õóæå!.. À êàêîå áëàãîðîäñòâî ïðèðîæäåííîå è ùåäðîå!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ñëèøêîì äàæå ùåäðîå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Äà, ýòî òàê. Íî æàëü âåäü, ßãî, æàëü âåäü, ßãî, æàëü âåäü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Êîëè âàì åå òàê æàëü, òî äàéòå åé ïîëíóþ âîëþ ðàñïóòíè÷àòü. Åñëè âàñ íå
çàäåâàåò, òî äðóãèõ òåì áîëåå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     ß åå íà ìåëêèå êóñî÷êè èçðóáëþ... Ìíå - íàñòàâëÿòü ðîãà!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà, ýòî ìåðçîñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     È ñ ìîèì îôèöåðîì!
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À ýòî ñóãóáàÿ ìåðçîñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Äîáóäü  ìíå  ÿäó  ê  âå÷åðó  ñåãîäíÿ.  ß ñ íåé âñòóïàòü â îáúÿñíåíüÿ íå
ñòàíó, íå òî îïÿòü ðàçäóìàþ ïîä îáàÿíüåì òåëà è êðàñû. Ñåãîäíÿ æå, ßãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âû íå ÿäîì. Óäóøèòå åå â ïîñòåëè, òîé ñàìîé, êàêóþ îíà îïîãàíèëà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Âåðíî, âåðíî. Ýòî áóäåò ñïðàâåäëèâî. Î÷åíü õîðîøî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À Êàññèî âû ïðåäîñòàâüòå ìíå. Ê ïîëóíî÷è óñëûøèòå î íåì.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
     Îòìåííî õîðîøî. (Ñëûøíà òðóáà.) ×òî òàì çà òðóáû?
 
                Âõîäÿò Ëîäîâèêî, Äåçäåìîíà è ñîïðîâîæäàþùèå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïîñëàíöû èç Âåíåöèè, äîëæíî áûòü.
                      Äà. Ëîäîâèêî. Ñ íèì âàøà æåíà.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ïðèâåò âàì, ãåíåðàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Ñåðäå÷íî ðàä âàì.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Äîæ è ñåíàòîðû âàì øëþò ïîêëîí.
                               (Äàåò ïèñüìî.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïîñëàíèå ñ ïî÷òåíüåì ïðèíèìàþ.
           (Öåðåìîííî öåëóåò ïå÷àòü, âñêðûâàåò, ïèñüìî, ÷èòàåò.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñ êàêèìè íîâîñòÿìè, ìîé êóçåí?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ðàä âèäåòü âàñ, ñèíüîð. Ìèëîñòè ïðîñèì.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ. Êàê ïîæèâàåò Êàññèî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íåâàæíî, ñóäàðü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                        Ìåæäó íèì è ìóæåì
                      Ðàçëàä. Íî âàø ïðèåçä èõ ïðèìèðèò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Óâåðåíû?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               ×òî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                                 (÷èòàåò.)
 
                                     "Ñëåäóåò èñïîëíèòü..."
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Íå âàì îí. Â÷èòûâàåòñÿ â ïèñüìî.
                      Âû ãîâîðèòå, ÷òî ðàçëàä ìåæ íèìè?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ê íåñ÷àñòüþ. ß áû ìíîãîå äàëà,
                      ×òîá ïîìèðèòü èõ. Êàññèî ìíå äîðîã.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðîêëÿòüå!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                  ×òî òû?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Âû óìà ëèøèëèñü?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî åãî ñåðäèò?
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                       Ìîæåò áûòü, ïèñüìî.
                      Åìó, ìíå êàæåòñÿ, âåëÿò âåðíóòüñÿ
                      È ñòàâÿò Êàññèî âìåñòî íåãî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ß, ïðàâî, ðàäà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Âîò êàê?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                                ×òî, ñóïðóã ìîé?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ß ðàä, ÷òî âû ñîâñåì ñ óìà ñîøëè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî, äîðîãîé Îòåëëî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Ëæèâûé äüÿâîë!
                                (Óäàðèë åå.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íå çàñëóæèëà ÿ.
                                 (Ïëà÷åò.)
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                       Ìîé ãåíåðàë,
                      Â Âåíåöèè òàêîìó íå ïîâåðÿò,
                      Õîòü áóäó êëÿñòüñÿ. Ýòî ÷åðåñ÷óð.
                      Óòåøüòå ïëà÷óùóþ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                         Äüÿâîë, äüÿâîë!
                      À ýòè ñëåçû - êðîêîäèëüè ñëåçû.
                      Ïðî÷ü ñ ãëàç ìîèõ!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                         Óéäó, ÷òîá íå ñåðäèòü.
                           (Ïîâåðíóëàñü óõîäèòü.)
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ïîñëóøíàÿ, ïîêîðíàÿ ñóïðóãà.
                      Âåðíèòå æå åå!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                      Ñóäàðûíÿ!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî, ãîñïîäèí ìîé?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          Âàì íóæíà îíà?
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ìíå?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                           Âû æåëàëè, ÷òîá îíà âåðíóëàñü.
                      Âåðíóòüñÿ îíà ìîæåò, è âåðòåòüñÿ,
                      È èçâîðà÷èâàòüñÿ íà õîäó,
                      È âìåñòå ñ ýòèì ïðîäâèãàòüñÿ ê öåëè,
                      È ïëàêàòü, ïëàêàòü. È ïîêîðíîé áûòü,
                      Êàê âû çàìåòèëè, - âåñüìà ïîêîðíîé.
                      Äà, ïðîäîëæàéòå ïëàêàòü. À â ïèñüìå
                      Âîò ýòîì... Îõ, óìåëîå ïðèòâîðñòâî!..
                      Ïðèêàçàíî ìíå... Óõîäèòå ïðî÷ü,
                      ß ïîçîâó âàñ ïîñëå... âîçâðàòèòüñÿ
                      Â Âåíåöèþ. ß âûïîëíþ ïðèêàç...
                      Ñãèíü ñ ãëàç ìîèõ!
                            (Äåçäåìîíà óõîäèò.)
                                         Êîìàíäîâàíüå çäåñü
                      Ïîëó÷èò Êàññèî. Ïîïîçæå íûí÷å
                      Ïðîøó êî ìíå îòóæèíàòü. Äîáðî
                      Ïîæàëîâàòü. - Õîðüêè è îáåçüÿíû!
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      È ýòî áëàãîðîäíûé ìàâð, êîãî
                      Âåñü íàø ñåíàò ñ÷èòàåò áåçóïðå÷íûì?
                      Êîãî ñîãíóòü áûëà áåññèëüíà ñòðàñòü?
                      ×åé ìîùíûé äóõ íåçûáëåì îñòàâàëñÿ,
                      Íåïðîáèâàåì ñòðåëàìè ñóäüáû?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îí ñèëüíî èçìåíèëñÿ.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                            Îí íå áîëåí
                      Äóøåâíî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                Îí òàêîâ, êàêîâ îí åñòü.
                      À áîëåí ëè? Óæ ëó÷øå áûë áû áîëåí.
                      Îò ìíåíèÿ, îäíàêî, âîçäåðæóñü.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Æåíó óäàðèòü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    È ïîõóæå âåùè
                      Çà íèì ÿ çíàþ.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                      Òàê ñåáÿ âåäåò
                      Âñåãäà îí ñ íåþ? Èëü ïðèêàçîì ýòèì
                      Ðàññåðæåí íåáûâàëî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           Îõî-õî.
                      Ìíå ïîäîáàåò ïîìîë÷àòü. Âû ñàìè
                      Óâèäèòå, êàê îí ñåáÿ âåäåò.
                      Ïîíàáëþäàéòå-êà.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ìíå î÷åíü æàëü, ÷òî ÿ â íåì îáìàíóëñÿ.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 2
 
                  Êîìíàòà â çàìêå. Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî è Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå âèäåëà òû, çíà÷èò, íè÷åãî?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      È íå ñëûõàëà, è íå ïðèìå÷àëà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òû âèäåëà æå Êàññèî ñ íåé âäâîåì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íî íè÷åãî çàçîðíîãî. À ÿ âåäü
                      Âñå ñëûøàëà ñëîâà èõ, êàæäûé ñëîã.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      È íå øåïòàëèñü òàéíî?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                             Íè-íè-íè.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òåáÿ íå îòñûëàëè ïðî÷ü?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                              Íè ðàçó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïåð÷àòêè, âååð, ìàñêó ïðèíåñòè
                      Èëè åùå çà ÷åì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                       Íè ðàçó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                  Ñòðàííî.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ïîâåðüòå, ãåíåðàë, îíà ÷åñòíà.
                      Êëÿíóñü äóøîé áåññìåðòíîþ. Îòáðîñüòå
                      Âñå ïîäîçðåíüÿ. Åñëè íåãîäÿé
                      Êàêîé-íèáóäü âëîæèë èõ â ñåðäöå âàøå,
                      Ïóñòü ïîêàðàåò ïîäëåöà Ãîñïîäü,
                      Êàê çìåÿ ïîêàðàë â ðàþ êîãäà-òî.
                      Èëè îíà ÷èñòà, ÷åñòíà, âåðíà,
                      Èëü öåëîìóäðåííåéøèå èç æåíùèí
                      Ãðÿçíû, êàê êëåâåòà, - è âñå ìóæüÿ
                      Íåñ÷àñòíû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                  Ïîçîâè åå ñþäà
                              (Ýìèëèÿ óõîäèò.)
                      Îíà êëÿíåòñÿ. Íî íà òî è ñâîäíè,
                      ×òîáû áîæèòüñÿ, êëÿñòüñÿ, çàâåðÿòü.
                      Î, ýòî õèòðîñòíàÿ ïîòàñêóõà,
                      Õðàíÿùàÿ êëþ÷è ìåðçåéøèõ òàéí.
                      À ìåæäó òåì ÿ âèäåë, êàê îíà
                      Êîëåíîïðåêëîíåííàÿ ìîëèëàñü.
 
                         Âõîäÿò Äåçäåìîíà è Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ìîé ãîñïîäèí?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Ãîëóáóøêà, ïîáëèæå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî òåáå, ìèëûé?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                        Ïîãëÿäè â ëèöî,
                      Ïðÿìî â ãëàçà ìíå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                          Òû ìåíÿ ïóãàåøü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                                  (Ýìèëèè)
 
                      À òû äàâàé ïîñòîðîæè çà äâåðüþ.
                      È, åñëè êòî èäåò, ïîäàé íàì çíàê -
                      Ïîêàøëÿé, ïîêðÿõòè, ÷òîá íå çàñòèãëè
                      Ñîâîêóïëÿþùèõñÿ. Ðåìåñëèøêî
                      Ñâîå ñïðàâëÿé áîðäåëüíîå. Ñòóïàé!
                              (Ýìèëèÿ óõîäèò.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
                             (ïàäàÿ íà êîëåíè)
 
                      Ìîëþ, ñêàæè - ÷òî ýòè ðå÷è çíà÷àò?
                      ß îùóùàþ ÿðîñòü ñëîâ òâîèõ,
                      Íî èõ ïîíÿòü íåëüçÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                            Òû êòî òàêàÿ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Æåíà ÿ, âåðíàÿ òâîÿ æåíà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äàâàé, êëÿíèñü - è ïðåñòóïëåíüå ýòèì
                      Óñóãóáè, - à èíà÷å òåáÿ
                      Ñàì äüÿâîë íå ðåøèòñÿ â àä íèçâåðãíóòü:
                      Åãî òâîé ëèê íåáåñíûé îòïóãíåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Áîã ìîþ ïðàâäó çíàåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                             Çíàåò, çíàåò,
                      ×òî èçìåíèëà òû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                        Êîìó? È êàê?
                      È ñ êåì?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Î Äåçäåìîíà, Äåçäåìîíà!
                      Óéäè...
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Î ãîðå! Ïëà÷åøü ïî÷åìó?
                      Èç-çà ìåíÿ? Ñ÷èòàåøü, ÷òî îòåö
                      Âèíîé òîìó, ÷òî òû òåïåðü îòîçâàí?
                      Íî ÿ æ íå âèíîâàòà. È ñî ìíîþ,
                      Êàê è ñ òîáîþ, ìîé îòåö ïîðâàë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Åñëè ðåøèë Áîã èñïûòàòü ìåíÿ,
                      Ïóñòü áû ñ íåáåñ íà ãîëîâó íàãóþ
                      Âàëèëèñü ÿçâû, ñòðóïüÿ, íèùåòà
                      È ðàáñòâî áåçíàäåæíîå - ïóñêàé!
                      Â äóøå áû êàïëÿ âñå æ íàøëàñü òåðïåíüÿ.
                      Íî íà ñìåõ ìèðó âûñòàâèòü ìåíÿ,
                      Íàöåëèâøè íåäâèæíûé ïåðñò ïîçîðà...
                      Ïóñòü. ß á è ýòî ñìîã ïåðåíåñòè.
                      Ñìîã áû. Íî âçÿòü ñâÿòèëèùå ìîå,
                      Ãäå ñåðäöå ÿ õðàíþ, ãäå ìîé èñòî÷íèê,
                      Áåç êîåãî èññÿêíåò æèçíü ìîÿ, -
                      È îáðàòèòü â çëîâîííûé ÷àí, ãäå æàáû
                      Ñïëåòàþòñÿ, åëîçÿ è ïëîäÿñü...
                      Ïîìåðêíè, ëèêîì ïîìðà÷èñü íàâåê,
                      Ðîçîâîãóáûé àíãåëîê Òåðïåíüå!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñóïðóã ìîé, çíàåøü òû, ÷òî ÿ ÷èñòà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà, êàê íà òðåáóõå ìÿñíûå ìóõè.
                      Çà÷åì òû òàê ïðåêðàñíà, çëîé ñîðíÿê,
                      È òàê äî áîëè ñëàäêî-àðîìàòíà?
                      Óæ ëó÷øå íå ðîäèòüñÿ áû òåáå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î, â ÷åì æå ÿ áåçâèííî ñîãðåøèëà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íà òî ëü ïðåäíàçíà÷àëñÿ ýòîò ëèñò
                      Áåëåéøåé è ïðåêðàñíåéøåé áóìàãè,
                      ×òîá ñëîâà "øëþõà" íà÷åðòàòü íà íåì?
                      Áåçâèííî? Àõ òû, äåâêà ïëîùàäíàÿ!
                       ÷åì ñîãðåøèëà? Âñëóõ î òîì ñêàçàòü -
                      Äî òëà ñïàëèòü áû îçíà÷àëî ñêðîìíîñòü,
                      Â ãîðí ðàñêàëåííûé ïðåâðàòèâ óñòà.
                      Ëóíà ãëÿäåòü íå ìîæåò; íåáî íîçäðè
                      Ñâîè çàòêíóëî; äàæå äåðçêèé âåòåð,
                      Öåëóþùèé âñå âñòðå÷íîå - è òîò
                      Óòèõ, óêðûëñÿ â ãëóáèíó ïîäçåìèé,
                      Óøåë îò ñðàìà... Ñîãðåøèëà â ÷åì?
                      Áåññòûæàÿ!..
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Íåò. Ìíå Ãîñïîäü ñâèäåòåëü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå ïîòàñêóõà?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                     Õðèñòèàíêà ÿ,
                      È äëÿ ñóïðóãà ÿ îò áåççàêîííûõ
                      ×óæèõ ïðèêîñíîâåíèé áåðåãóñü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå øëþõà òû?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Êëÿíóñü äóøè ñïàñåíüåì.
 
                               Âõîäèò Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òàê è ïîâåðèë.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      Ñìèëóéñÿ, î Áîæå,
                      Íàä íèì!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                Ïðîøó ïðîùåíüÿ, ãîñïîæà.
                      ß çà æåíó Îòåëëî ïðèíÿë âàñ,
                      Çà õèòðîóìíóþ âåíåöèàíêó,
                      Çà øëþõó ëîâêóþ. - Ýé òû, òû, òû!
                      Ïðèâðàòíèöà êàëèòêè ïðåèñïîäíåé!
                      Ìû êîí÷èëè. Âîò äåíüãè çà òðóäû.
                      Çàêðîé çà ìíîé - è ñîõðàíè â ñåêðåòå.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Î Áîæå, ÷òî ìåðåùèòñÿ åìó?
                      Î ãîñïîæà ìîÿ!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      ß êàê âî ñíå.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      ×òî ýòî ñ íèì?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      Ñ êåì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                              ß ïðî ãîñïîäèíà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Êàêîãî?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                               Âàøåãî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                        Îí óæ íå ìîé.
                      Íå ñïðàøèâàé, Ýìèëèÿ, ìåíÿ òû.
                      È ïëàêàòü íå ìîãó, à êðîìå ñëåç
                      Îòâåòèòü íå÷åì. Çàñòåëè ïîñòåëü
                      Ñåãîäíÿ ñâàäåáíûìè ïðîñòûíÿìè.
                      Íå ïîçàáóäü. È ìóæà ñâîåãî
                      Ïîêëè÷ü ñþäà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                     Êàê âñå ïåðåìåíèëîñü!
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Óæ, âèäíî, ïîäåëîì. Äà, íî çà ÷òî?
                      ×åì çàñëóæèëà ÿ óïðåê ìàëåéøèé?
 
                            Âõîäÿò ßãî è Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ê óñëóãàì âàøèì, ãîñïîæà ìîÿ.
                      Êàê ïîæèâàåòå?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      ß íå ïîéìó.
                      Äåòèøåê ó÷àò ëàñêîé, à íå áðàíüþ.
                      À â ýòîì ÿ, êàê ìàëîå äèòÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×òî ñ âàìè?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                   Ìóæ åå òàê ðàçáðàíèë,
                      Ðàñïîòàñêóøèë òÿæêî è ïîçîðíî,
                      ×òî íå ñíåñòè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      Íåóæòî ÿ òàêàÿ?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êàêàÿ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                             Êàê îíà âîò ãîâîðèò,
                      ×òî îí íàçâàë ìåíÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                           Îíà, ìîë, øëþõà.
                      Õìåëüíîé ãîëÿê ïîäðóæêó-ïîáèðóøêó
                      Íå îáîçâàë áû òàê.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                          ×òî ýòî îí?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íå çíàþ. Çíàþ ëèøü, ÿ íå òàêàÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå ïëà÷üòå, àõ, íå ïëà÷üòå. Áîæå ïðàâûé!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Îòâåðãíóòü ñòîëüêèõ çíàòíûõ æåíèõîâ,
                      Îòöà, îò÷èçíó, áëèçêèõ âñåõ ïîêèíóòü -
                      È "Øëþõà!" óñëûõàòü. Êàê æå íå ïëàêàòü?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Óæ òàêîâà çëîñ÷àñòíàÿ ñóäüáà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà ÷òî ñëó÷èëîñü ñ íèì, áóäü îí íåëàäåí?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Èçâåñòíî ýòî Áîãó îäíîìó.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Âîò ïðîâàëèñü ÿ, åñëè òóò íå êîçíè
                      Êàêîãî-òî ïðîíûðû, ïîäëåöà,
                      ×òî õî÷åò âûñëóæèòüñÿ íàãëîé ëîæüþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà íó, òàêîãî ãàäà â ìèðå íåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      À åñëè åñòü, ïðîñòè åãî Âñåâûøíèé.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ñäàâè åãî ïåòëÿ, ãîðè îí â ïåêëå!
                      Øëþõîé ÷åñòèòü! Äà ñ êåì îíà ìîãëà á?
                      Êîãäà? È ãäå? Äà ìûñëèìîå ëü äåëî?
                      Òóò ÿâíàÿ ðàáîòà íåãîäÿÿ,
                      ×òî îáìîðî÷èë ìàâðà êëåâåòîé.
                      Ðàçîáëà÷è, î Ãîñïîäè, ìåðçàâöà
                      È ÷åñòíûé ëþä âîîðóæè ïëåòüìè,
                      ×òîá ãîëîãî õëåñòàëè ïðîùåëûãó,
                      Ãîíÿ ñêâîçü âåñü øèðîêèé áåëûé ñâåò.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïîòèøå òû!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                  Áóäü ïðîêëÿò îí! Òàêîé æå
                      Ïîäîíîê íàøåïòàë òåáå íà ìàâðà
                      È íàèçíàíêó âûâåðíóë ìîçãè,
                      È òû ïðèðåâíîâàë ìåíÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                              Òû, äóðà,
                      Ìîë÷è.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                              Î äîáðûé ßãî, ÷òî ìíå äåëàòü?
                      Êàê ìóæà ìíå âåðíóòü? Ïîéäè ê íåìó.
                      Êàê ïîòåðÿëà ÿ åãî, íå çíàþ.
                      Íî, íà êîëåíÿõ ñòîÿ, ïîêëÿíóñü:
                      Êîãäà ÿ äåëîì èëè äàæå ìûñëüþ
                      Õîòü êàê-òî ïðåäàëà åãî ëþáîâü
                      È ñëóõ ìîé, çðåíüå èëè îñÿçàíüå
                      Êòî-òî äðóãîé óâëåê èëè ïðèâëåê,
                      È åñëè ìóæà íå ëþáëþ âñåì ñåðäöåì
                      Ñåé÷àñ è ïðåæäå è íàâåê, íàâåê
                      (Õîòü îáðåêè ìåíÿ îí íà ðàçëóêó
                      È íèùåòó), - òî ïóñòü îñëåïíó ÿ.
                      Íåìèëîñòü ìîæåò æèçíü ìîþ ïðåñå÷ü,
                      Íî íå ìîþ ëþáîâü. Ìíå ñëîâî "øëþõà"
                      Ìåðçèò, - è âûãîâîðèòü íå ìîãó.
                      À ñäåëàòüñÿ òàêîþ íå ñìîãëà á
                      Çà âñå ñîáëàçíû ìèðà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                             Óñïîêîéòåñü.
                      Åãî ðàçãíåâàëî ïèñüìî ñåíàòà,
                      Îí è ñðûâàåò çëî. Íî ãíåâ ïðîéäåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î, åñëè âñå ëèøü â ýòîì...
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                                 Óâåðÿþ.
                              (Ñëûøíû òðóáû.)
                      Âû ñëûøèòå - âàñ ê óæèíó çîâóò.
                      Âûñîêèå òàì ãîñòè èç Âåíåöèè.
                      Íå ïëà÷üòå æå. Âñå áóäåò õîðîøî.
                      Èäèòå ê íèì.
                        (Äåçäåìîíà è Ýìèëèÿ óõîäÿò.)
 
                              Âõîäèò Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                    Íó êàê äåëà, Ðîäðèãî?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Òû ìåíÿ âîäèøü çà íîñ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ýòî ïî÷åìó æå?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Êàæäûé  äåíü  òû  îò  ìåíÿ  îòäåëûâàåøüñÿ  êàêîé-íèáóäü  óëîâêîé  è  íå
ïðèáëèæàåøü,  à  ñêîðåå  ãàñèøü  âñÿêóþ  íàäåæäó. Âïðåäü ÿ òàêîãî òåðïåòü íå
íàìåðåí, äà âðÿä ëè ïðèìèðþñü è ñ òåì, ÷òî óæå òàê ãëóïî ïðåòåðïåë.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ìîæåøü òû ìåíÿ âûñëóøàòü?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ß óæå òåáÿ ñëóøàë äîñòàòî÷íî. Ñëîâà òâîè îò äåëà äàëåêè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òâîè îáâèíåíèÿ íåñïðàâåäëèâû.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
       íèõ ãîëàÿ ïðàâäà. ß ðàçîðåí â÷èñòóþ. Ìîèìè äðàãîöåííûìè êàìíÿìè, ÷òî
òû âçÿë äëÿ ïåðåäà÷è Äåçäåìîíå, ìîæíî áû äâóõ ìîíàõèíü ñîâðàòèòü. Òû ñêàçàë,
îíà èõ ïðèíÿëà è âçàìåí îáíàäåæèëà áëèçêèìè ðàäîñòÿìè, íî ÿ èõ íå âèæó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òàê, òàê, äàâàé, äàâàé, ïðåêðàñíî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Äàâàòü-äàâàòü ÿ áîëüøå íå ìîãó, è íè÷åãî òóò ïðåêðàñíîãî, à âñå îáñòîèò
ïðåïàñêóäíî, è ÿ íà÷èíàþ ïîíèìàòü, ÷òî îäóðà÷åí.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òàê, òàê, ïðåêðàñíî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Îïÿòü ãîâîðþ, íè÷åãî òóò ïðåêðàñíîãî. ß ðåøèë îáúÿñíèòüñÿ ñ Äåçäåìîíîé.
Åñëè  îíà  âåðíåò  ìíå  äðàãîöåííîñòè,  òî ÿ íà ýòîì êîí÷ó ñâîå âîëîêèòñòâî,
ïðèíåñÿ åé èçâèíåíèÿ. À íå âåðíåò, òàê áóäü óâåðåí, ïðèçîâó òåáÿ ê îòâåòó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âîò ýòî òû ïðàâèëüíî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     È çíàé, ìîè ñëîâà íå ðàçîéäóòñÿ ñ äåëîì.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Âîò òåïåðü â òåáå áîåö çàãîâîðèë, - è ÿ åùå âûøå òåáÿ áóäó ñòàâèòü, ÷åì
ðàíüøå. Ðóêó, Ðîäðèãî! Òâîè óïðåêè äîíåëüçÿ âåñîìû. Íî çàâåðÿþ òåáÿ, ÷òî ÿ â
òâîèõ äåëàõ áûë ïðÿì è ÷åñòåí.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     ×òî-òî íå çàìåòíî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Ñîãëàñåí, è òâîè ïîäîçðåíüÿ ðàçóìíû è ðåçîííû. Íî åñëè, Ðîäðèãî, åñòü â
òåáå  íàïîð, îòâàãà, ìóæåñòâî, - à òåïåðü ÿ â ýòîì óáåæäåí êàê íèêîãäà, - òî
íûí÷å íî÷üþ òû ïðîÿâèøü èõ È åñëè çàâòðà íî÷üþ íå íàñëàäèøüñÿ Äåçäåìîíîé, òî
çàðåæü ìåíÿ, ëèøè ìåíÿ æèçíè ëþáûì óõèùðåíüåì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Ñíîâà ñëûøó íåñóðàçíûå ïîñóëû.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Çíàé, ÷òî ïîëó÷åí èç Âåíåöèè ïðèêàç, Êàññèî íàçíà÷åí íà ìåñòî Îòåëëî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Â ñàìîì äåëå? Íî òîãäà Îòåëëî ñ Äåçäåìîíîé âîçâðàùàþòñÿ â Âåíåöèþ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Π íåò,  îí óåäåò â Ìàâðèòàíèþ è óâåçåò ïðåêðàñíóþ Äåçäåìîíó, ðàçâå ÷òî
ïðåïÿòñòâèå  ñëó÷èòñÿ,  à  íè÷òî òàê âîñïðåïÿòñòâîâàòü è çàäåðæàòü íå ìîæåò,
êàê åñëè Êàññèî óñòðàíèòü.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Êàê ýòî - óñòðàíèòü?
 
                                    ßãî
 
     À òàê, ÷òîáû íå ñìîã çàíÿòü âåðõîâíûé ïîñò, - êàðà÷óí ñîòâîðèòü åìó.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     È ýòî, ïî-òâîåìó, äîëæåí ÿ ñäåëàòü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Äà,  åñëè îñìåëèøüñÿ íà ñåé ñïðàâåäëèâûé è âûãîäíûé øàã. Êàññèî ñåãîäíÿ
óæèíàåò  ó  ïîòàñêóøêè,  ÿ  èäó òóäà ê íåìó. Îí åùå íå çíàåò î ñâîåì âûñîêîì
íàçíà÷åíèè.  ß  óñòðîþ  òàê,  ÷òî  îí ïîéäåò îòòóäà â ïåðâîì ÷àñó íî÷è, à òû
íàïàäè  èç  çàñàäû - ïîëó÷èøü åãî ïðÿìî â ðóêè. ß áóäó ïîáëèçîñòè è ïîäñîáëþ
òåáå,  âäâîåì  ìû óëîæèì åãî íåïðåìåííî. Äà òû áðîñü óäèâëÿòüñÿ, ïîéäåì, - ÿ
òåáå  îáúÿñíþ, ïî÷åìó íåîáõîäèìî ñ íèì ïîêîí÷èòü, è òû ïîéìåøü, ÷òî ýòî äîëã
òâîé. Óæå ïîðà óæèíà, íåëüçÿ òåðÿòü âðåìÿ. Èäåì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
     Ìíå íóæíû îáúÿñíåíèÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
     Òû èõ ïîëó÷èøü.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 3
 
    Äðóãàÿ êîìíàòà â çàìêå. Âõîäÿò Îòåëëî, Ëîäîâèêî, Äåçäåìîíà, Ýìèëèÿ è
                              ñîïðîâîæäàþùèå.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Áëàãîäàðþ. Íå óòðóæäàéòåñü äàëüøå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Î, ïóñòÿêè. Ìíå õî÷åòñÿ ïðîéòèñü.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ñóäàðûíÿ, áëàãîäàðþ. Ñïîêîéíîé
                      Âàì íî÷è.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                 Âû âñåãäà æåëàííûé ãîñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Èäåìòå... Äåçäåìîíà!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                            Äîðîãîé?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Èäè â ïîñòåëü, ÿ òóò æå âîðî÷óñü.
                      À êàìåðèñòêó îòïóñòè.
                      Èñïîëíè ýòî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Èñïîëíþ, ãîñïîäèí ìîé.
 
                      Îòåëëî, Ëîäîâèêî è ñâèòà óõîäÿò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íó ÷òî? Îí, êàæåòñÿ, óæå ñìÿã÷èëñÿ?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñêàçàë îí, ÷òî âîðîòèòñÿ ñåé÷àñ.
                      Âåëåë â ïîñòåëü. Òåáÿ ÷òîá îòïóñòèëà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      ×òîá îòïóñòèëè?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      ×òî æ, êîëè âåëåë.
                      Ñîðî÷êó ïðèãîòîâü ìîþ íî÷íóþ
                      È óõîäè. Íå áóäåì çëèòü åãî.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Óæ ëó÷øå á âàì åãî íå âñòðåòèòü â æèçíè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íåò, íå ñêàæè. È â æåñòêîñòè åãî...
                      Çäåñü îòñòåãíè... Â óïðåêàõ äàæå õìóðûõ
                      Åñòü îáàÿíüå äëÿ ìîåé ëþáâè.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      ß ñâàäåáíûå ïðîñòûíè ïîñòëàëà,
                      Êàê âû âåëåëè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      Ëàäíî, âñå ðàâíî.
                      Âçáðåäåò æå âñÿ÷èíà... Åñëè óìðó ÿ
                      Ðàíüøå òåáÿ, òî îáðÿäèøü ìåíÿ
                      Â îäíó èç ýòèõ ñâàäåáíûõ, êàê â ñàâàí.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Äà ïîëíî âàì...
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       Ó ìàòåðè ìîåé
                      Áûëà ñëóæàíêà Áàðáàðà. Âëþáèëàñü,
                      À îí âîçüìè äà è ñîéäè ñ óìà -
                      È áðîñèë Áàðáàðó. Îíà âñå ïåëà
                      Ïðî èâóøêó. Õîòü ïåñíÿ òà ñòàðà,
                      Íî ñëîâíî ïðî åå ñóäüáó â íåé ïåëîñü.
                      Òàê ñ ïåñíåþ è óìåðëà îíà.
                      È íûí÷å âñå ïðåñëåäóåò ìåíÿ
                      Òà ïåñíÿ. Òàê è õî÷åòñÿ ñêëîíèòüñÿ,
                      Ïîíèêíóòü ãîëîâîþ è çàïåòü,
                      Êàê ïåëà áðîøåííàÿ. Íó, êîí÷àé æå.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Õàëàò âàø ïðèíåñòè?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                           Íåò. Ðàññòåãíè.
                      À Ëîäîâèêî ñàíîâèò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                           Êðàñàâåö.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Óìååò ãîâîðèòü.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                       ß çíàþ äàìó-âåíåöèàíêó,
                      ×òî çà åãî ïîëïîöåëóÿ äàæå
                      Ïîøëà áû â Ïàëåñòèíó áîñèêîì.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
                                  (ïîåò.)
 
                         Ïîä äåðåâîì ñåâ, ðóêó ê ñåðäöó ïðèæàëà.
                         Âñå ïîéòå: Îõ, èâóøêà-èâà.
                         Ñêëîíÿñü ãîëîâîþ, áåäíÿæêà âçäûõàëà -
                         Îõ, èâóøêà, èâóøêà-èâà.
                         È ñòðóè ðå÷íûå ïå÷àëüíî øóìåëè.
                         Îõ, èâóøêà, èâóøêà-èâà.
                         È êàìíè îò ñëåç îò ñîëåíûõ ìÿã÷åëè. -
                      À ýòè óáåðè...
                      Âñå ïîéòå: Îõ, èâóøêà-èâà.
                      Ïîòîðîïèñü. Âåðíåòñÿ îí ñåé÷àñ.
                         Åãî íå âèíèòå, åìó ÿ íå ðîâíÿ.
                         Èç ëèñòüåâ ñïëåòó ÿ çåëåíûé âåíîê.
                      Íåò, ïðîïóñòèëà. Êòî ñòó÷èò òàì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                                        Ýòî âåòåð.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                         È ÷åì æå óòåøèë íåâåðíûé ëþáèìûé?
                         Îõ, èâóøêà, èâóøêà-èâà.
                         "Ãóëÿþ ñ äðóãîþ - è òû ñïè ñ äðóãèìè".
                      Èäè. Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è. Ïî÷åìó-òî
                      Ãëàçà çóäÿò. ×òî, ýòî íå ê ñëåçàì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íåò, âîâñå íåò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       À âðîäå áû ïðèìåòà.
                      Îõ, ýòè ìíå íåâåðíûå ìóæ÷èíû!
                      Ñêàæè ìíå ÷åñòíî, íåóæåëè åñòü
                      È æåíùèíû, ÷òî èçìåíÿþò ìóæó?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Êîíå÷íî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                À ñàìà áû ñîãëàñèëàñü -
                      Çà âñå áîãàòñòâà ìèðà - èçìåíèòü?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      À âû áû íåò?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                    Íåáåñíûé ñâåò - ñâèäåòåëü,
                      ×òî äàé ìíå öåëûé ìèð, íå ñîãëàøóñü.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      È ÿ á íå ñòàëà ïðè íåáåñíîì ñâåòå.
                      Äîæäàëàñü íî÷è áû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                          Íåò, øóòèøü òû.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ìèð - ýòî âåäü îãðîìíàÿ íàãðàäà
                      Çà íåáîëüøîé ãðåøîê.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                            Òû ÷òî, âñåðüåç?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
     Âïîëíå  âñåðüåç.  Íå  ñîãðåøèøü,  íå  ïîêàåøüñÿ.  Íó,  íå çà ïåðñòåíåê,
êîíå÷íî,  íå  çà øòóêó ëüíÿíîãî áàòèñòà, íå çà ïëàòüÿ-þáêè èëè òàì ÷åïöû. Íî
çà  öåëûé  ìèð?  Äà  êàêàÿ áû èç íàñ íå çàõîòåëà ñäåëàòü ìóæà âëàäûêîþ ìèðà,
õîòÿ á è ðîãàòûì? À óæ ïîñëå, òàê è áûòü, - èäè, äóøà ìîÿ, â ÷èñòèëèùå.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ß íå ñìîãëà áû òàê îáèäåòü ìóæà,
                      Õîòü äàé ìíå öåëûé ìèð. Íåò, íå ñìîãëà á.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
     Íó,  ñòàíü  ÿ âñåìîãóùåþ âëàäû÷èöåþ ìèðà, óæ ýòó áû îáèäó áûñòðî ñóìåëà
çàãëàäèòü. Ñâîé ìèð - ñâîè ëþäè ñî÷ëèñü áû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ß äóìàþ, òàêèõ îáèä÷èö íåò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
     Ñ  äåñÿòîê  ìîãó  íàñ÷èòàòü,  äà åùå è ñâåðõ òîãî íàéäåòñÿ ñòîëüêî, ÷òî
õâàòèëî á íàñåëèòü âåñü äîáûòûé èìè â íàãðàäó ìèð.
                      Íî âèíîâàòû, äóìàþ, ìóæüÿ
                      Â ïàäåíüÿõ æåí. Òî ëü õóäî èñïîëíÿþò
                      Ìóæñêîé ñâîé äîëã, â ÷óæîå ñûïëþò ëîíî
                      Ñîêðîâèùà, íàçíà÷åííûå íàì;
                      Òî ëü íå äàþò äîõíóòü, ðåâíóÿ ñëåïî,
                      È ñêàðåäíè÷àþò, è äàæå áüþò.
                      Ó íàñ åñòü íîðîâ. Ìîæåì áûòü ìèëû,
                      Íî ìîæåì áûòü è ìñòèòåëüíû. Ìû òîæå
                      Èìååì çðåíüå, îáîíÿíüå, âêóñ,
                      Ñëàäêîå ëþáèì, ãîðüêîãî íå ëþáèì.
                      Ìóæ÷èí ãðåøèòü òîëêàåò ñëàáîäóøüå?
                      Æåëàíèå óòåõ? Ñëåïàÿ ñòðàñòü?
                      Ìû òîæå çíàåì ñòðàñòè, âîæäåëååì,
                      È ñëàáû ìû íå ìåíåå ìóæ÷èí.
                      Òàê ÷òî îíè ñàìèõ ñåáÿ âèíè,
                      Êîãäà ìû ïîñòóïàåì, êàê îíè.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Áîã ïîìîãè ìíå çëîì íå çàðàæàòüñÿ,
                      À òåì óïîðíåå äîáðà äåðæàòüñÿ.
                      Ñïîêîéíîé íî÷è.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 

ÀÊÒ V

 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 1
 
                        Óëèöà. Âõîäÿò ßãî è Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñòàíü çà óãëîì. Êàññèî ñåé÷àñ ïðîéäåò.
                      Ðàïèðó âûíü. Âîíçàé åå ñìåëåå
                      Äà ïîáûñòðåé. ß - òóò æå, ïîä ðóêîé.
                      È ïîìíè: ëèáî ïàí - ëèáî ïðîïàë,
                      Åñëè íå áûòü ðåøèòåëüíûì è òâåðäûì.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Íà ñëó÷àé íåóäà÷è ðÿäîì áóäü.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íå ñîìíåâàéñÿ. Äåéñòâóé áåç îïàñêè.
                            (Îòõîäèò â ñòîðîíó.)
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Îõîòû íåò îñîáîé ó ìåíÿ.
                      Íî ßãî âåñêèå ïðèâåë ïðè÷èíû.
                      Îäíèì êðàñàâöåì ìåíüøå - íå áåäà.
                      Ðàïèðà âûíóòà. Ñìåðòü íàãîòîâå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñåé þíûé ïðûù ðàñ÷åñàí äîêðàñíà,
                      Äî îçëîáëåíüÿ. Îí óáüåò ëè Êàññèî,
                      Èëü Êàññèî - åãî, èëü îáà ëÿãóò, -
                      È òàê è ýòàê â âûèãðûøå ÿ.
                      Îñòàíüñÿ æèòü Ðîäðèãî - ìíå ïðèäåòñÿ
                      Çîëîòî, êàìíè âçÿòûå âåðíóòü.
                      Íó íåò, øàëèøü. À Êàññèî, æèòü îñòàâøèñü,
                      Âñåãäàøíåþ ïðèãîæåñòüþ ñâîåé
                      Ìåíÿ îáåçîáðàçèò. À ê òîìó æå
                      Äîçíàåòñÿ ó ìàâðà, êòî âèíîâíèê
                      Âñåõ áåä - è ïîä óãðîçîé îêàæóñü.
                      Íåò, óìåðåòü îí äîëæåí. Âîò èäåò îí.
 
                               Âõîäèò Êàññèî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      ß óçíàþ ïîõîäêó. Ñìåðòü ìåðçàâöó!
                              (Äåëàåò âûïàä.)
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Áóäü áåç ïîäñòåæêè ÿ, áûëà áû ñìåðòü.
                      À òû-òî ñàì â êîëü÷óãå?
                              (Ðàíèò Ðîäðèãî.)
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                              Óìèðàþ...
 
             ßãî, ïîäîéäÿ ñçàäè, ðàíèò Êàññèî â íîãó è óáåãàåò.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Êî ìíå! Íà ïîìîùü! Èñêàëå÷åí ÿ.
                                 (Ïàäàåò.)
 
                           Ïîîäàëü âõîäèò Îòåëëî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×ó, ãîëîñ Êàññèî. ßãî äåðæèò ñëîâî.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Î, ÿ ïîäëåö!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Äà, äà, èìåííî òàê.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Îãíÿ! Íà ïîìîùü! Ëåêàðÿ ñêîðåå!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Î õðàáðûé ßãî! ×åñòíûé, ñïðàâåäëèâûé,
                      Òàê áëàãîðîäíî âñòàâøèé çà ìåíÿ!
                      Ïîñëåäóþ äîñòîéíîìó ïðèìåðó.
                      Õàõàëü óáèò. Íàñòàë è øëþõèí ÷àñ.
                      Èäó, ãóëÿùàÿ. Î÷åé òâîèõ
                      Óæ âåäüìîâñêèå ÷àðû ïîòóñêíåëè.
                      Óìðåøü â ñâîåé çàïÿòíàííîé ïîñòåëè.
                                 (Óõîäèò.)
 
                        Âõîäÿò Ëîäîâèêî è Ãðàöèàíî.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ñïàñèòå!.. Îõ... Íè ñòðàæè, íè ïðîõîæèõ.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                      Íåñ÷àñòüå ñ êåì-òî.  êðèêå çëàÿ áîëü.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íà ïîìîùü!..
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                     Ñëûøèøü?
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                               Î, ÿ æàëêèé ñêîò...
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Âî ìðàêå ñòîíóò äâîå èëè òðîå.
                      À ìîæåò áûòü, ïîäìàíèâàþò íàñ.
                      Îñòåðåæåìñÿ. Ïîäîæäåì ïîäìîãè.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Íèêòî íåéäåò. ß êðîâüþ èñòåêó.
 
                           Âõîäèò ßãî ñ ôàêåëîì.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ñìîòðè!
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                               Â ðóáàøêå êòî-òî, ïðè îðóæüå
                      È ñ ôàêåëîì...
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     Êòî çäåñü? Êòî çâàë íà ïîìîùü?
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Íå çíàåì ìû.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                    Íî ñëûøàëè âû êðèê?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íà ïîìîùü! Ðàäè Ãîñïîäà! Ñþäà!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×òî ñ âàìè?
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                  Ýòî ßãî, àäúþòàíò Îòåëëî.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Äà. ×ðåçâû÷àéíî õðàáðûé ÷åëîâåê.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Êòî âû? Çà÷åì òàê ãîðåñòíî êðè÷èòå?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Î ßãî! ß ïîãóáëåí. Ïîìîãè.
                      Çëîäåè ðàíèëè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Ìèêåëå! Äðóæå!
                      Äà êòî îíè?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                  Îäèí èç íèõ, äîëæíî áûòü,
                      Ëåæèò, íå ñìîã óéòè.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           Î ïîäëåöû
                      Êîâàðíûå! À âû - êòî âû òàêèå?
                          (Ê Ëîäîâèêî è Ãðàöèàíî.)
                      Äà ïîäîéäèòå, ïîäñîáèòå ìíå.
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                      Îõ, ïîìîãèòå!..
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                        Ýòî îí, çëîäåé.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ðàá! Äóøåãóá!
                            (Ïðîíçàåò Ðîäðèãî.)
 
                                  Ðîäðèãî
 
                                     Î ßãî îêàÿííûé!
                      Î ëþòûé ïåñ!..
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                      Ðàçáîéíè÷àòü âî òüìå!..
                      À ãäå èñêàòü ñîîáùíèêîâ çëîäåÿ?
                      Ãîðîä êàê âûìåð. Ñòðà-àæà!.. Ñòðàæà ãäå?..
                      À âû êòî - äîáðûå èëü çëûå ëþäè?
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Êòî çíàåò íàñ, íå óñîìíèòñÿ â íàñ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Âû Ëîäîâèêî?
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                    Äà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                         Ñèíüîð, ïðîñòèòå.
                      Êàññèî ðàíåí.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                    Êàññèî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                             ×òî, áðàò, ñ íîãîé?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Ðàçðóáëåíà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                  Èçáàâè Áîã! Ñâåòèòå
                      Ìíå ôàêåëîì. Ðóáàøêó ðàçîðâó,
                      Ïåðåâÿæó.
 
                               Âõîäèò Áèàíêà.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                                   ×òî çäåñü ïðîèçîøëî?
                      ×üè áûëè êðèêè çäåñü?
 
                                    ßãî
                              (ïåðåäðàçíèâàÿ)
 
                                            ×üè áûëè êðèêè?
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Î Êàññèî! Êàññèî! Äîðîãîé ìîé Êàññèî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Î äîðîãàÿ øëþõà! - Òû êîãî
                      Ïîäîçðåâàåøü, Êàññèî, â ïîêóøåíüå?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Äà íèêîãî.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
                                 (ê Êàññèî)
 
                                  ß êðàéíå îãîð÷åí.
                      ß âàñ èñêàë êàê ðàç.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                            Ïîäâÿçêó äàéòå.
                      Òàê. Íàäî áû íîñèëêè ðàçäîáûòü.
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Îí â îáìîðîêå. Êàññèî, Êàññèî, Êàññèî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ß ýòó ïîòàñêóõó, ãîñïîäà,
                      Ïîäîçðåâàþ â ñîó÷àñòüå. Êàññèî,
                      Äðóæèùå, ïîòåðïè. Äàéòå-êà ôàêåë.
                      Çíàêîìî ëè ðàçáîéíèêà ëèöî?
                      ×òî? Ýòî äðóã ìîé è çåìëÿê, Ðîäðèãî...
                      Íå ìîæåò áûòü... Äà, îí.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                               Âåíåöèàíåö?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà. Çíàëè âû åãî?
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                        ß çíàë åãî.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ñèíüîð Ãðàöèàíî? ß ïðîøó ïðîùåíüÿ
                      Çà íåó÷òèâîñòü. Ýòîò øóì è êðîâü
                      Âñå âûøèáëè èç ãîëîâû.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                              Ðàä âñòðå÷å.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íó, êàê òû, Êàññèî? - Ïîñêîðåé íîñèëêè.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                      Äà íåóæåëü Ðîäðèãî?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                           Òî÷íî. Îí.
                             (Âíîñÿò íîñèëêè.)
                      Íîñèëêè! Äåëî äîáðîå. Ïîõâàëüíî.
                      Íåñèòå îñòîðîæíî êòî-íèáóäü.
                      ß ñ ãåíåðàëîâûì ïðèäó õèðóðãîì. -
                      À òû, ìèëåéøàÿ, íå õëîïî÷è.
                                (Ê Êàññèî.)
                      Óáèòûé áûë ïðèÿòåëåì ìîèì.
                      Ñóùåñòâîâàëà ëè âðàæäà ìåæ âàìè?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Íåò, íè ìàëåéøåé. ß ñ íèì íå çíàêîì.
 
                                    ßãî
                                 (Áèàíêå.)
 
                      ×òî, ïîáëåäíåëà? - Ïîáûñòðåé åãî
                      Â òåïëî íåñèòå. - Ïîãîäè, êðàñîòêà.
                      Áëåäíååøü? - Ñòðàõ çàìåòèëè â ãëàçàõ? -
                      Íåò, ñòîé. Åùå ñ òîáîþ ïîòîëêóåì.
                      Âíèìàòåëüíåå, ãîñïîäà, ãëÿäèòå.
                      Âèíà ñïîñîáíà ãîâîðèòü áåç ñëîâ.
 
                               Âõîäèò Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Î, ÷òî ñëó÷èëîñü? ×òî ñëó÷èëîñü, ìóæ ìîé?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Íà Êàññèî íàïàëè â òåìíîòå -
                      Ðîäðèãî è äðóãèå. Òå áåæàëè,
                      Ðîäðèãî ìåðòâ. À Êàññèî òÿæêî ðàíåí.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Î ãîðå, ãîðå! Áåäíûé Êàññèî!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà, âîò ê ÷åìó âåäåò ðàçãóë. Ýìèëèÿ,
                      Ãäå Êàññèî óæèíàë, ïîäè óçíàé. -
                      ×òî, çàäðîæàëà?
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                                       Îòóæèíàë îí ó ìåíÿ ñåé÷àñ.
                      À âçäðîãíóëà ñîâñåì íå ïîòîìó ÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Àõ, ó òåáÿ? Òîãäà ïîéäåøü ñî ìíîé.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ïîçîð íà øëþøüþ ãîëîâó òâîþ!
 
                                   Áèàíêà
 
                      Íå øëþõà ÿ, à ÷åñòíàÿ íå ìåíüøå,
                      ×åì âû ñàìà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                    ×åì ÿ?.. Ïîçîð òåáå è ñòûä!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïîéäåìòå ê Êàññèî. Ïåðåâÿçàòü
                      Ïîëó÷øå íàäî. - Ïåñåíêó äðóãóþ
                      Òû çàïîåøü íàì, ñåâøè ïîä àðåñò. -
                      Ýìèëèÿ, òû â êðåïîñòü ïîñïåøè,
                      Ðàññêàæåøü ãåíåðàëó è ñóïðóãå.
                      Ïîéäåìòå, ãîñïîäà. -
                                (Â ñòîðîíó.)
                                            Íî÷ü ýòà ñìîæåò
                      Ìåíÿ âîçâûñèòü - èëè óíè÷òîæèò.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.
 
 
                                  Ñöåíà 2
 
    Ñïàëüíÿ â çàìêå. Äåçäåìîíà ñïèò â ïîñòåëè. Âõîäèò Îòåëëî ñî ñâå÷îé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êðåïèñü, äóøà. Âèíó, âèíó êàðàåøü.
                      Íå áóäó íàçûâàòü åå âèíó
                      Ïðåä âàìè, çâåçäû ÷èñòûå. Êàðàþ,
                      Íî êðîâè íå ïðîëüþ. Íå ïîâðåæó
                      ß êîæè, ÷òî áåëåé ñíåãîâ è ãëàæå,
                      ×åì èçâàÿíüÿ ãëàäü. Íî óìåðåòü
                      Îíà äîëæíà. Èíà÷å è äðóãèõ
                      Ïðåäàñò, íå îäíîãî ìåíÿ. Çàäóþ
                      Îãîíü - è óãàøó äðóãîé îãîíü.
                      Ñâå÷ó-òî âíîâü çàæãó. Íî îæèâèòü,
                      Âîçæå÷ü òåáÿ, èñêóñíûé, äèâíûé ñâåòî÷,
                      Óæ íèêàêîé íå ñìîæåò Ïðîìåòåé.
                      Óæ íå âîñêðåñíåò ñîðâàííàÿ ðîçà.
                      Äàé ïðåæäå çàïàõîì õîòü íàäûøóñü.
                                 (Öåëóåò.)
                      Ïî÷òè ñïîñîáåí ýòîò àðîìàò
                      Îáåçîðóæèòü ðóêó ïðàâîñóäüÿ...
                      Åùå ðàç ïîöåëóþ. Áóäü òàêîþ
                      Óìåðøàÿ òû - è, òåáÿ óáèâ,
                      Òâîèì îñòàíóñü. - Íó, â ïîñëåäíèé ðàç,
                      Ñëàä÷àéøèé è ïðîùàëüíûé ðàç. ß ïëà÷ó,
                      Íî ñòðîãèìè ñëåçàìè. Ýòà ñêîðáü -
                      Êàê ñêîðáü íåáåñíàÿ. Êîãî âîçëþáÿò,
                      Òîãî êàðàþò íåáåñà... Ïðîñíóëàñü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Îòåëëî, òû?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                  Äà, Äåçäåìîíà, ÿ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Òû ëÿæåøü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà, òû ìîëèëàñü
                      Ñåãîäíÿ íà íî÷ü?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       Äà, ìîé ãîñïîäèí.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Åñëè â äóøå îñòàëîñü ïðåñòóïëåíüå
                      Íåçàìîëåííîå, ìîëèñü ñåé÷àñ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î Áîæå ìîé, ÷òî ýòî îçíà÷àåò?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìîëèñü, íî êðàòêî. Ðÿäîì ïîãîæó.
                      Äóõ íåãîòîâûé óáèâàòü íå ñòàíó.
                      Íå äàé Áîã äóøó ïîãóáèòü íàâåê.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Ñêàçàë òû "óáèâàòü"?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Äà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                               Î, ïîìèëóé
                      Ìåíÿ Ãîñïîäü!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                    Àìèíü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                            Ñêàçàë "àìèíü", -
                      È, çíà÷èò, íå óáüåøü ìåíÿ òû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                     Ãì...
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íî ÿ áîþñü. Êîãäà ãëàçàìè òàê
                      Òû âîäèøü, ñòðàøåí òû. Ïðè÷èí íå çíàþ,
                      Íè â ÷åì íå âèíîâàòà, íî áîþñü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïîäóìàé î ãðåõàõ.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                         Òåáÿ ëþáëþ -
                      È òîëüêî â òîì ãðåøíà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Óìðåøü çà ýòî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íî ðàçâå óáèâàþò çà ëþáîâü?
                      Çà÷åì ãóáó ñâîþ êóñàåøü òàê?
                      Êàêîé-òî ÿðîñòüþ òû ñîòðÿñàåì
                      Çëîâåùåþ. Íî íåò, íå ìîæåò áûòü,
                      Íå íà ìåíÿ íàïðàâëåíà òà ÿðîñòü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ìîë÷è.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                              ß çàìîë÷ó, íî ÷òî ñ òîáîé?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ëþáèìûé ìîé ïëàòîê, ÷òî ïîäàðèë ÿ,
                      Äàëà òû Êàññèî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       Íåò, êëÿíóñü äóøîé
                      È æèçíüþ. Ïîçîâè åãî. Ïóñòü ñêàæåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ãîëóáêà, ê ïðåñòóïëåíüþ ñâîåìó
                      Íå äîáàâëÿé òû êëÿòâîïðåñòóïëåíüÿ.
                      Íà ñìåðòíîì ëîæå òû.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                            Íà íåì óìðó,
                      Íî íå ñåé÷àñ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                     Óìðåøü ñèþ ìèíóòó.
                      Ïîýòîìó ïîêàéñÿ. Íå êëÿíèñü,
                      Íå îòðèöàé. Íå ìîæåøü îïðîâåðãíóòü
                      Íè ïóíêòèêà íåçûáëåìûõ óëèê.
                      Ñòîíó ïîä èõ íåâûíîñèìûì ãðóçîì.
                      Óìðåøü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                               Î, ñæàëüñÿ íàäî ìíîþ, Áîæå!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Àìèíü.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                             È ñæàëüñÿ íàäî ìíîþ òû.
                      ß íå ãðåøíà íè â ÷åì ïåðåä òîáîþ.
                      È Êàññèî ëþáëþ ëèøü òîëüêî òàê,
                      Êàê íåáåñà ëþáèòü âåëåëè áëèæíèõ.
                      ß íå äàðèëà íè÷åãî åìó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Â åãî ðóêå ïëàòîê ÿ ýòîò âèäåë.
                      Êëÿòâîïðåñòóïíèöà, òû êàìåíèøü
                      Ìíå ñåðäöå è â óáèéñòâî ïðåâðàùàåøü
                      Òû î÷èñòèòåëüíóþ ýòó ñìåðòü.
                      Ïëàòîê ÿ âèäåë.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                       Çíà÷èò, îí èì íàéäåí.
                      Ïóñòü ñêàæåò ïðàâäó. Ïîçîâè åãî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïðèçíàëñÿ îí.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                     ÷åì?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           ×òî... ñâåðøèë ñ òîáîé...
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      ×òî? Ãðåõ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                 Äà.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                      Íåò. Îí ýòîãî íå ñêàæåò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå ñêàæåò, ïîòîìó ÷òî îíåìåë,
                      Íàâåêè ÷åñòíûì ßãî óñïîêîåí.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î ìîè ñòðàõè âåùèå!.. Îí ìåðòâ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Èìåé îí áîëüøå æèçíåé, ÷åì âîëîñ,
                      Ìîå áû ìùåíüå âñå èõ èñòðåáèëî.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î ãîðå! Îí ïðåäàòåëüñêè óáèò,
                      ß ïîãèáàþ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                  Øëþõà! Ïðåäî ìíîþ
                      Î íåì îòêðûòî ñìååøü ñëåçû ëèòü!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î, ïðîãîíè ìåíÿ, íå óáèâàé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ñìåðòü øëþõå!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                     Ïîäîæäè õîòÿ á äî çàâòðà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òû âûðûâàòüñÿ?..
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                         Ïîë÷àñà õîòÿ á...
                      Õîòÿ á îäíó ìîëèòâó...
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Ñëèøêîì ïîçäíî.
                                (Äóøèò åå.)
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Î Ãîñïîäè... Î Áîæå... Áîæå... ìîé...
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
                                (çà ñöåíîé)
 
                      Î ãîñïîäèí ìîé! Î ìîé ãîñïîäèí!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ×åé ýòî ãîëîñ?.. ×òî? Òû íå ñêîí÷àëàñü
                      Åùå?.. Ñóðîâ ÿ, íî è ìèëîñåðä.
                      È äëèòü ÿ íå õî÷ó òâîè ñòðàäàíüÿ.
                      Âîò òàê... Òàê... Òàê...
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
                                (çà ñöåíîé)
 
                      Ìîé ãîñïîäèí, îòêðîéòå æå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                 Êòî òàì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
                                (çà ñöåíîé)
 
                      Îòêðîéòå, ñîîáùèòü äîëæíà âàì ÷òî-òî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà, òàì Ýìèëèÿ. Ñåé÷àñ... Ìåðòâà...
                      Îíà ïðèøëà ñêàçàòü î ñìåðòè Êàññèî.
                      Øóìåëè òàì... Íå øåâåëüíåòñÿ áîëüøå -
                      Òèõà ìîãèëüíî... Ñòîèò ëè âïóñêàòü?
                      Ïîøåâåëèëàñü?.. Íåò. Íî êàê æå áûòü?
                      Îíà âîéäåò - çàãîâîðèò ñ æåíîþ.
                      Æåíà... æåíà... Íåò ó ìåíÿ æåíû.
                      Î, íå ñíåñòè! Î òÿæêàÿ ãîäèíà!
                      Ñåé÷àñ çàòìÿòñÿ ñîëíöå è ëóíà,
                      È ñîòðÿñåòñÿ â ñòðàõå øàð çåìíîé,
                      Áåçäîííûå ïðîâàëû ðàçâåðçàÿ!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
                                (çà ñöåíîé)
 
                      Âïóñòèòå æå, ïðîøó, ìîé ãîñïîäèí!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      ß è çàáûë. Ýìèëèÿ, âõîäè.
                      Íåò. Ïîãîäè. Çàäåðíóòü ðàíüøå ïîëîã.
                      Ãäå æ òû?
                             (Îòïèðàåò äâåðü.)
                                Ñ ÷åì íåîòëîæíûì òû ÿâèëàñü?
 
                               Âõîäèò Ýìèëèÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ïðîèçîøëî óáèéñòâî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          Ãäå? Êîãäà?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ñåé÷àñ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Ýòî ëóíà áëóæäàåò â íåáå.
                      Ñëèøêîì îíà ïðèáëèçèëàñü ê çåìëå
                      È îáåçóìèëà ëþäåé.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                          Óáèë
                      Êàññèî - þíîãî âåíåöèàíöà
                      Ïî èìåíè Ðîäðèãî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                         Îí óáèò,
                      È Êàññèî óáèò.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                      Íåò, æèâ îñòàëñÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Æèâ? Çíà÷èò, ïîêàðàëè íå òîãî,
                      È ìùåíèå ôàëüøèâèò.
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                                           Áåñïðè÷èííî,
                      Íåïðàâåäíî óáèòà...
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                           Áîæå ìîé!
                      ×òî ýòî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Òû î ÷åì?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                         Î, ãîðå ìíå!
                      Òî ãîëîñ ãîñïîæè ìîåé.
                            (Îòäåðãèâàåò ïîëîã.)
                                             Íà ïîìîùü!
                      Ñïàñèòå! Äîðîãàÿ ãîñïîæà!
                      Çàãîâîðèòå æå, î Äåçäåìîíà!
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Áåçâèííî ãèáíó.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                       Êòî æ óáèéöà âàø?
 
                                 Äåçäåìîíà
 
                      Íèêòî. Ñàìà. Ïðîùàé. Øëþ ìîåìó
                      Ñóïðóãó äîáðîìó ïîêëîí ïðîùàëüíûé.
                                 (Óìèðàåò.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êòî ìîã åå óáèòü?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                        Íå çíàþ ÿ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Òû ñëûøàëà, îíà ñàìà ñêàçàëà,
                      ×òî ÿ íå óáèâàë.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                        Äà, ýòî òàê,
                      È ïîäòâåðäèòü îáÿçàíà ÿ áóäó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Îíà ñîëãàëà è íèçâåðãëàñü â àä.
                      ß, ÿ óáèë åå.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                    Òåì âû óæàñíåé,
                      È òåì îíà íåáåñíåé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                           Ïðåäàëàñü
                      Îíà ðàñïóòñòâó. Â øëþõó îáðàòèëàñü.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Çà÷åì êëåâåùåøü íà íåå òû, äüÿâîë?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Îíà áûëà íåâåðíîé, êàê âîäà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Òû áåçðàññóäíåé è ëþòåé îãíÿ.
                      Îíà áûëà ÷èñòà, êàê Áîæèé àíãåë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Êàññèî èìåë åå. Ñïðîñè ó ìóæà.
                      Î, ïðîêëÿò áûë áû ÿ è îêàÿí,
                      Êîãäà ïðèáåã áû ê ýòîé êðàéíåé ìåðå
                      Áåç ðîêîâûõ ïðè÷èí. Òâîé çíàåò ìóæ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ìîé ìóæ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Òâîé ìóæ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                          ×òî èçìåíèëà, çíàåò?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà, ñ Êàññèî. À áóäü îíà âåðíà,
                      ß áû íå ïðîìåíÿë åå íà öåëüíûé
                      Àëìàç âåëè÷èíîé â ïîäëóííûé ìèð.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ìîé ìóæ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                               Äà, ýòî îí ðàñêðûë ãëàçà ìíå.
                      Îí ÷åñòíûé ÷åëîâåê è íåíàâèäèò
                      Ñêëèçêóþ ãðÿçü áåñ÷åñòèÿ.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Ìîé ìóæ?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                Äà, ãîâîðÿò òåáå.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                                   Î ãîñïîæà,
                      Êàê ïîãëóìèëèñü íàä òâîåé ëþáîâüþ!
                      Ìîé ìóæ ñêàçàë, ÷òî íåâåðíà?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                   Äà, ìóæ òâîé.
                      Òû ðàçó÷èëàñü ïîíèìàòü ñëîâà?
                      Òâîé ìóæ, ìîé âåðíûé äðóã, ÷åñòíåéøèé ßãî.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Î, åñëè òàê, ïóñòü ïî êóñî÷êó â äåíü
                      Ñãíèåò åãî çëîâðåäíàÿ äóøîíêà.
                      Îí ïîäëî ëæåò. Íåò, ãîñïîæà ìîÿ
                      Ñëèøêîì ëþáèëà òåìíîãî òóïèöó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ãà!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                          Íå áîþñü òåáÿ, õîòü ðàñêàçíè.
                      Òû òàê æå íèçêî ñ íåþ ïîñòóïèë,
                      Êàê íèçîê ñàì â ñðàâíåíüå ñ íåé.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                     Çàìîëêíè!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Êàêóþ ìóêó ìîæåøü ïðè÷èíèòü,
                      ×òîá ãîðøå òîé áûëà, êîòîðîé ìó÷óñü?
                      Ïðîñòàê áåçìîçãëûé, ÷òî òû íàòâîðèë?..
                      ß íå áîþñü ìå÷à. Õîòü äâàäöàòü ðàç
                      Æèçíü îòûìè. Ñþäà! Íà ïîìîùü, ëþäè!
                      Âÿæèòå ìàâðà! Îí óáèë æåíó!
                      Ñþäà! Óáèéñòâî! Êàðàóë! Óáèéñòâî!
 
                  Âõîäÿò Ìîíòàíî, Ãðàöèàíî, ßãî è äðóãèå.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                       ÷åì äåëî? ×òî ñëó÷èëîñü, ãåíåðàë?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      À-à, ßãî! Íó, õîðîø òû, åñëè îí
                      Óáèéñòâî âåøàåò òåáå íà øåþ.
 
                                    Âñå
 
                      ×òî, ÷òî òàêîå?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                      Åñëè òû ìóæ÷èíà,
                      Çëîäåÿ îïðîâåðãíè. Ìîã ëè òû
                      Ñêàçàòü, ÷òî íåâåðíà åìó æåíà?
                      Íåò, îí, ÿ çíàþ, íà òåáÿ êëåâåùåò.
                      Òû íå òàêîé ìåðçàâåö. Ãîâîðè,
                      Ïîêà íå ðàçîðâàëîñü ìîå ñåðäöå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      ×òî äóìàë, òî ñêàçàë. È îí âïîëíå
                      Óäîñòîâåðèëñÿ, ÷òî ýòî ïðàâäà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íî òû åìó ñêàçàë, ÷òî íåâåðíà?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                          Òû ñîëãàë ïîäëåéøå è ãíóñíåéøå.
                      Òû çëîáíî îáîëãàë åå, êëÿíóñü.
                      ×òî èçìåíÿëà ñ Êàññèî, ñêàçàë òû?
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Äà, ñ Êàññèî. Äîâîëüíî, çàìîë÷è.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íó íåò, ìîë÷àòü íåëüçÿ ìíå. Äåçäåìîíà
                      Óáèòàÿ ëåæèò â ïîñòåëè çäåñü.
                      Âñå. Íå ìîæåò òîãî áûòü! Ïîìèëóé Áîã!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Òâîè ñëîâà òîëêíóëè íà óáèéñòâî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íå èçóìëÿéòåñü. Òàê îíî è åñòü.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                      Íåñëûõàííî!
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                                   ×óäîâèùíî!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                               Î ïîäëîñòü!
                      ß ðàçãàäàëà, êàæåòñÿ, åå.
                      Äîäóìàëàñü. ß ÷óÿëà òîãäà.
                      Óáüþ ñåáÿ îò ãîðÿ. Ïîäëîñòü, ãàäîñòü!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Òû ÷òî, ñîøëà ñ óìà? Äîìîé ñòóïàé!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Äîáðûå ëþäè, äàéòå ñëîâî ìîëâèòü.
                      Äîëæíà ÿ áûòü ïîñëóøíîþ æåíîé,
                      Íî íå ñåé÷àñ. Âîçìîæíî, íèêîãäà ÿ
                      Äîìîé óæ, ßãî, íå ïðèäó.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                                Î-î! Î-î!
                            (Ïàäàåò íà ïîñòåëü.)
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Äà, ïîâàëèñü, êàòàéñÿ è âîïè.
                      ×èñòåéøóþ, íåâèííåéøóþ â ìèðå
                      Òû çàãóáèë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                                (ïîäíèìàÿñü)
 
                                   Íåò, íå÷èñòà áûëà. -
                               (Ê Ãðàöèàíî.)
                      ß íå óçíàë âàñ. Âîò îíà ëåæèò,
                      Âàøà ïëåìÿííèöà. È ýòè ðóêè
                      Åå äûõàíüå ïðåñåêëè ñåé÷àñ.
                      ß çíàþ - ìðà÷åí, ñòðàøåí ìîé ïîñòóïîê.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                      Î, Äåçäåìîíà áåäíàÿ. ß ðàä,
                      ×òî óìåð òâîé îòåö è íå óçíàåò.
                      Òâîé áðàê óáèë åþ. Îí óìåð ñ ãîðÿ.
                      À äîæèâè îí äî ìèíóòû ñåé,
                      Îí ïðîêëÿë íåáåñà áû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                             Ãîðå, ãîðå.
                      Íî ñ Êàññèî òûñÿ÷ó ðàç îíà
                      Ïîñòûäíîå ñâåðøèëà. ßãî çíàåò.
                      Êàññèî â òîì ïðèçíàëñÿ. Ïîëó÷èë
                      Çà òå òðóäû îí îò íåå ïîäàðîê -
                      Ïëàòîê, ÷òî ÿ åé äàë â çàëîã ëþáâè.
                      Ñòàðèííûé, ðåäêîñòíûé. Â ðóêå ó Êàññèî
                      Åãî ÿ âèäåë ñàì.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                       Î Áîæå ìîé!
                      Î Áîæå, Áîæå ïðàâûé!
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                            Öûö! Íè çâóêà!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                      Íåò, íå çàæìåøü ìíå ðòà. Èç ãîðëà ðâóòñÿ,
                      Êàê áóðåþ ãîíèìûå, ñëîâà.
                      Ïóñêàé ñðàìÿò ìåíÿ Áîã, ëþäè, ÷åðòè, -
                      Âñå êòî óãîäíî, - âñå ðàâíî ñêàæó.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Îïîìíèñü è óéäè.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                        Î íåò.
                        (ßãî ïûòàåòñÿ çàêîëîòü åå.)
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                                 Ñòûäèòåñü!
                      Ìå÷ ïîäûìàòü íà æåíùèíó?
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                               Ýõ òû,
                      Äóáèíà ìàâðèòàíñêàÿ. Ïëàòîê òâîé
                      Íàøëà è îòäàëà ÿ ìóæåíüêó.
                      Ïóñòàÿ âðîäå âåùü, à áåç êîíöà
                      Îí ïðèñòàâàë, ÷òîá ÿ åãî óêðàëà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïîäëàÿ øëþõà!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                    Êàññèî â ïîäàðîê?
                      Íåò, ÿ íàøëà è ìóæó îòäàëà.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                      Ïàäàëü, òû ëæåøü!
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                        Ïðåä Áîãîì ÿ êëÿíóñü,
                      ×òî ïðàâäó ãîâîðþ. Îõ òû, äóøèòåëü!
                      Âåäü íàäî æå: òàêîìó êîëïàêó. -
                      Òàêîå öåëîìóäðåííîå äèâî!
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Íåóæëè ìîëíèé íå îñòàëîñü â íåáå?
                      Î íåãîäÿé!
                 (Áðîñàåòñÿ ê ßãî, íî Ìîíòàíî îáåçîðóæèâàåò
                  Îòåëëî. ßãî ïðîíçàåò Ýìèëèþ è óáåãàåò.)
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                  ×òî? Ïàäàåò îíà.
                      Äà îí åå óáèë.
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                     ß óìèðàþ.
                      Î, ïîëîæèòå ê ãîñïîæå ìåíÿ.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                      Îí óáåæàë, æåíó ñìåðòåëüíî ðàíèâ.
 
                                  Ìîíòàíî
 
                      Ïðîææåííûé íåãîäÿé. Âîçüìèòå ìå÷,
                      ×òî ÿ ó ìàâðà îòíÿë. Ñòåðåãèòå
                      Ïðè âûõîäå. Íå âûïóñêàòü åãî,
                      Õîòÿ á ïðèøëîñü óáèòü. Áåãó âäîãîíêó
                      Çà òåì ïðîêëÿòûì.
                    (Óõîäÿò âñå, êðîìå Îòåëëî è Ýìèëèè.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                         Ìóæåñòâà óæ íåò...
                      Ñîïëÿê ñóìåë ìåíÿ îáåçîðóæèòü.
                      ×åñòü óìåðëà, è äîáëåñòü ïîãèáàé.
                      Âñå ãèáíè...
 
                                   Ýìèëèÿ
 
                                    Âîò ÷òî ïåñíü òâîÿ ñóëèëà.
                      Òû ñëûøèøü ëè, î ãîñïîæà ìîÿ?
                      Êàê ëåáåäü, ñ ïåñíåé, â ìóçûêå èñòàþ,
                      Óìðó.
                                  (Ïîåò.)
                             "Î èâóøêà, èâóøêà-èâà". -
                      Êëÿíóñü äóøè ìîåé áëàæåíñòâîì ãîðíèì,
                      ×òî íåïîðî÷íîþ îíà áûëà.
                      Îíà òåáÿ ëþáèëà, ìàâð æåñòîêèé.
                      ß óìèðàþ ñ ïðàâäîé íà óñòàõ.
                                 (Óìèðàåò.)
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Çäåñü ó ìåíÿ åùå åñòü ìå÷. Èñïàíñêèé.
                      Êëèíîê â ðó÷üå ëåäÿíîì çàêàëåí.
                      Âîò îí. - Ýé, âûïóñòèòå ìåíÿ, äÿäÿ.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
                                (çà ñöåíîé.)
 
                      Íå ïðîáóé âûéòè. Äîðîãî çàïëàòèøü.
                      Òû áåçîðóæåí, áåççàùèòåí òû.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Âîéäèòå. Âûñëóøàéòå. Ïîãëÿäèòå.
                      Èëü ÿ è áåçîðóæíûé íàïàäó.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
                                  (âõîäÿ)
 
                      ×òî íàäî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                 Âèäèòå, ÿ ïðè îðóæüå.
                      Ìå÷ íåñðàâíåííûé. Áûëè âðåìåíà,
                      Êîãäà ñ ìå÷îì ÿ ýòèì ïðîðóáàëñÿ
                      Ñêâîçü äâàäöàòü ýòàêèõ ïðåãðàä. Íî êòî
                      Ñâîåé ñóäüáå ïðîòèâîñòàòü ñïîñîáåí?
                      Íå áîéòåñü. Áûëî äåëî - è ïðîøëî.
                      Çäåñü îêîí÷àíüå ñòðàíñòâèÿ, çäåñü ïðèñòàíü,
                      Çäåñü ÿ ñâîðà÷èâàþ ïàðóñà.
                      Â ñìÿòåíüè âû ïîïÿòèëèñü? Íàïðàñíî.
                      Íàïðàâüòå êàìûøèíêó â ãðóäü ìîþ,
                      È îòñòóïëþ ÿ. Íåêóäà èäòè ìíå. -
                      Î ãîðåñòíàÿ äåâî÷êà ìîÿ!
                      Áëåäíà, êàê áåëàÿ òâîÿ ðóáàøêà.
                       ÷àñ íàøåé âñòðå÷è íà ñóäå íåáåñíîì
                      Îäèí òâîé ýòîò âèä â òàðòàðàðû
                      Äóøó ìîþ øâûðíåò, â äîáû÷ó áåñàì.
                      Î, õîëîäíà ëåæèøü òû, õîëîäíà,
                      Êàê öåëîìóäðèå òâîå ñâÿòîå.
                      ß - ìðàçü. Õëåùèòå, áåñû, è ìå÷èòå
                      Ìåíÿ èç óðàãàíà â óðàãàí!
                      Ïàëèòå ìåíÿ ñåðîé, íèçâåðãàéòå
                      Â îãíåâîðîòû! Äåçäåìîíû íåò,
                      Îíà ìåðòâà. Î-î! Î-î!
 
     Âõîäÿò Ëîäîâèêî, Ìîíòàíî; âíîñÿò Êàññèî; ââîäÿò àðåñòîâàííîãî ßãî.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ãäå ýòîò áåçðàññóäíûé íåñ÷àñòëèâåö?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Áûâøèé Îòåëëî çäåñü.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                             À ãäå ïîäëåö,
                      Ãàäèíà ýòà? Ïîäâåäèòå áëèæå.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
                            (ãëÿäÿ íà íîãè ßãî)
 
                      Êîïûò íå âèæó. Ñêàçêè íåóæåëü?
                      Ìå÷îì íå âçÿòü òåáÿ, åñëè òû äüÿâîë.
                                (Ðàíèò ßãî.)
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ìå÷ îòíèìèòå.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                     ß â êðîâè, íî æèâ.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Æèâè, ïðîêëÿòûé. Óìåðåòü âåäü - ñ÷àñòüå.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Òû âïàë â òåíåòà ýòîãî çëîäåÿ.
                      À ïðåæäå áûë õîðîø è ñïðàâåäëèâ.
                      ×òî î òåáå åùå ñêàçàòü?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                              Óáèéöà
                      Âñåãî çàñëóæèâàåò. Íî ñêàæèòå,
                      ×òî íå èç íåíàâèñòè ÿ óáèë,
                      À îõðàíÿÿ ÷åñòü.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                       Ïîäîíîê ýòîò
                      Îò÷àñòè çëîäåÿíèÿ ïðèçíàë.
                      Âû çàìûøëÿëè ñ íèì óáèéñòâî Êàññèî?
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Äà.
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                           Äîðîãîé ìîé ãåíåðàë, çà ÷òî?
                      ß ïåðåä âàìè ÷èñò.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                          ß âåðþ, âåðþ
                      È ÿ ïðîøó ïðîùåíèÿ ó âàñ.
                      Ñïðîñèòå ïîëóäüÿâîëà, çà÷åì
                      Îí ïîãóáèë ìåíÿ.
 
                                    ßãî
 
                                       Íå çàäàâàéòå
                      Âîïðîñîâ. ×òî ñêàçàë ÿ, òî ñêàçàë.
                      À áîëüøå íå ïðîèçíåñó íè ñëîâà.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      È íå ïîìîëèøüñÿ?
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                       Ðàçâÿæåò ïûòêà
                      Òåáå ÿçûê.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                  ×òî æ, ïðàâèëüíî, ìîë÷è...
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Âåäü âû íå çíàåòå, - íàøëè ïèñüìî
                      Â êàðìàíå ó Ðîäðèãî; ïîäëûé ßãî
                      Åìó çàðåçàòü Êàññèî âåëåë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Î, ãàä ëóêàâûé!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                       Âàðâàð è ïàëà÷!
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      È òàì æå íàéäåíî åùå ïèñüìî,
                      Íåïîñëàííîå. Â íåì áðîñàë Ðîäðèãî
                      Óïðåêè ãàäó ýòîìó. Íî ßãî
                      Åãî óòèõîìèðèòü óäàëîñü.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïîãèáåëüíàÿ, çëîáíàÿ ñêîòèíà!
                      Íî êàê ïîïàë ê âàì, Êàññèî, ïëàòîê
                      Ìîåé æåíû?
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                  ß ó ñåáÿ â æèëüå
                      Íàøåë åãî. Ñåé÷àñ ïðèçíàëñÿ ßãî,
                      ×òî îí åãî ïîäáðîñèë.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                             ß ãëóïåö!
                      Î, ÿ ãëóïåö!
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                                   Â ñâîåì ïèñüìå Ðîäðèãî
                      Çëîäåÿ ýòîãî êîðèò çà òî,
                      ×òî íà ìåíÿ îí íàòðàâèë Ðîäðèãî, -
                      È ïîòîìó-òî áûë ÿ è ñìåùåí.
                      Ïðèäÿ â ñåáÿ, Ðîäðèãî ïåðåä ñìåðòüþ
                      Ñêàçàë, ÷òî ßãî è äîáèë åãî -
                      Ñàì ïîäñòðåêàë è ñàì æå çàêîëîë.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      Ïðèäåòñÿ ñ íàìè âàì ïîéòè îòñþäà.
                      Âëàñòü âàøó Êàññèî ïåðåäàåì.
                      À ýòîãî ðàáà ïîäâåðãíåì ïûòêå
                      Èñêóñíåéøåé, êàêàÿ òîëüêî åñòü,
                      Ïî ïðîäîëæèòåëüíîñòè è ìó÷åíüÿì.
                      Â Âåíåöèþ î âàñ ïîøëåì äîêëàä.
                      Ïîêà æå áóäåòå ïîä ñòðîãîé ñòðàæåé.
                      Ýé, óâåñòè åãî.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                                       Åùå äâà ñëîâà
                      Ïðåä ãîñóäàðñòâîì ÿ íå áåç çàñëóã.
                      Îíè èçâåñòíû äîæó è ñåíàòó,
                      È ìû î íèõ íå áóäåì ãîâîðèòü.
                      Íî âû â äîêëàäå î íåñ÷àñòüå ýòîì,
                      Ïðîøó âàñ, íå ñìÿã÷àÿ, íå ÷åðíÿ,
                      Ïèøèòå âñå êàê åñòü, - î ÷åëîâåêå,
                      ×òî áûë â ëþáâè íåìóäðûì, íî ëþáèë
                      Ãëóá_î_êî. Áûë íå ñêëîíåí ðåâíîâàòü,
                      Íî, îáìîðî÷åí õèòðûì íàãîâîðîì,
                      Óì ïîòåðÿë. Äèêàðü-èíäååö òàê
                      Ïðî÷ü îò ñåáÿ æåì÷óæèíó áðîñàåò
                      Öåííåé, ÷åì îí è ïëåìÿ âñå åãî.
                      Î ÷åëîâåêå ñêîðáíîì íàïèøèòå,
                      ×üè ïëàêàòü íå ïðèâûêøèå ãëàçà
                      Ðîíÿëè ñëåçû ãóñòî, êàê äåðåâüÿ
                      Àðàâèè - öåëåáíóþ ñìîëó.
                      È ê ýòîìó ïðèáàâüòå, ÷òî â Àëåïïî
                      Îäíàæäû òóðêà çëîáíîãî â ÷àëìå,
                      Êîòîðûé èçáèâàë âåíåöèàíöà
                      È ïîíîñèë Âåíåöèþ, çà ãëîòêó
                      Ñõâàòèë ÿ è îáðåçàííîãî ïñà
                      Ïðîíçèë - âîò òàê!
                              (Çàêàëûâàåòñÿ.)
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                                          Êðîâàâóþ ïîñòàâèë
                      Îí òî÷êó.
 
                                  Ãðàöèàíî
 
                                 Áåñïîëåçíû âñå ñëîâà.
 
                                   Îòåëëî
 
                      Ïîöåëîâàâ, óáèë ìîþ ðîäíóþ.
                      Óáèâ ñåáÿ, îïÿòü òåáÿ öåëóþ.
                       (Ïàäàåò íà ïîñòåëü è óìèðàåò.)
 
                                   Êàññèî
 
                      Âåëèêîãî áûë äóõà ÷åëîâåê,
                      È ÿ áîÿëñÿ, ÷òî ñ ñîáîé ïîêîí÷èò,
                      Íî äóìàë, ó íåãî îðóæüÿ íåò.
 
                                  Ëîäîâèêî
 
                      À òû, î áåçãîëîñàÿ ñîáàêà
                      Øòîðìîâ ñâèðåïåé, ãîëîäà ëþòåé!
                      Ãëÿäè íà ñòðàøíûé ãðóç ïîñòåëè ýòîé.
                      Òû çàãóáèë èõ. - Ïîëîãîì çàêðîéòå.
                      Ïóñòü çðåëèùå íå îòðàâëÿåò ãëàç.
                            (Ïîëîã çàäåðãèâàþò.)
                               (Ê Ãðàöèàíî.)
                      Òû êàê íàñëåäíèê îñòàâàéñÿ çäåñü,
                      ×òîáû ïðèíÿòü èìóùåñòâî Îòåëëî. -
                                (Ê Êàññèî.)
                      Âàì ñóä è êàçíü âåðøèòü, ïðàâèòåëü Êèïðà.
                      Íàçíà÷üòå âðåìÿ, ìåñòî. È ïûòàòü
                      Íàèñóðîâåéøå. - Ïëûâó äîìîé
                      Ñ òÿæåëûì ñåðäöåì, ñ âåñòüþ ðîêîâîé.
 
                                  Óõîäÿò.