The following remembrance of Henry Irving is given by his friend and
associate Ellen Terry:
My greatest triumph as Desdemona was not gained with the
audience, but with Henry Irving! He found my endeavors to accept
comfort from Iago so pathetic that they brought the tears to his
eyes. It was the oddest sensation, when I said, “Oh, good Iago,
what shall I do to win my lord again?” to look up--my own eyes
dry, for Desdemona is past crying then--and see Henry’s eyes at
their biggest, luminous, soft, and full of tears! He was, in
spite of Iago and in spite of his power of identifying himself
with the part, very deeply moved by my acting.
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