That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god

With his weak function. How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now for whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,—
That she repeals him for her body's lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,

And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.--

Enter RODERIGO.

How now, Roderigo!

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338

Roderigo. I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and I think the issue will be, I shall have so much experience for my pains, and so, with no money at all and a little more wit, return again to Venice.

Iago. How poor are they that have not patience!

What wound did ever heal but by degrees?

Thou know'st we work by wit and not by witchcraft,
And wit depends on dilatory time.

Does 't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,

And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio.
Though other things grow fair against the sun,
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe;
Content thyself awhile.-By the mass, 't is morning;
F

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Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted.

Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter :

Nay, get thee gone.--[Exit Roderigo.] Two things are to be done :

My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on :

Myself the while to draw the Moor apart,

And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife.-Ay, that 's the way;
Dull not device by coldness and delay.

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[Exit.

MELPOMENE, THE MUSE OF TRAGEDY.

SCENE I. Before the Castle.

Enter CASSIO and some Musicians.

Cassio. Masters, play here; I will content your pains; Something that 's brief; and bid good morrow, general.

Enter Clown.

[Music.

Clown. Why, masters, have your instruments been in Na

ples, that they speak i' the nose thus?

I Musician. How, sir, how!

Clown. Are these, I pray you, wind instruments? 1 Musician. Ay, marry, are they, sir.

Clown. O, thereby hangs a tale. But, masters, here 's money for you; and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it. I Musician. Well, sir, we will not.

II

Clown. If you have any music that may not be heard, to 't again; but, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care.

I Musician. We have none such, sir.

Clown. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I 'll away. Go; vanish into air; away! [Exeunt Musicians.

Cassio. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?

Clown. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you. 19 Cassio. Prithee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece of gold for thee. If the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife be stirring, tell her there's one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech; wilt thou do this? Clown. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.

Cassio. Do, good my friend.

[Exit Clown.

Enter IAGO.

In happy time, Iago.

Iago. You have not been a-bed, then?
Cassio. Why, no; the day had broke
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
To send in to your wife; my suit to her
Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access.

Iago.

I'll send her to you presently;

And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.

30

Cassio. I humbly thank you for 't.—[Exit Iago.] I never

knew

A Florentine more kind and honest.

Enter EMILIA.

Emilia. Good morrow, good lieutenant; I am sorry
For your displeasure, but all will sure be well.
The general and his wife are talking of it;

And she speaks for you stoutly: the Moor replies,
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus

And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom

He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you, And needs no other suitor but his likings

To take the safest occasion by the front

To bring you in again.

If

Cassio.

Yet, I beseech you,

you think fit, or that it may be done,

Give me advantage of some brief discourse

With Desdemona alone.

Emilia.

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I will bestow you where you shall have time

To speak your bosom freely.

Cassio.

I am much bound to you.

SCENE II. A Room in the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Gentlemen.

Othello. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot; And by him do my duties to the senate.

That done, I will be walking on the works;

Repair there to me.

Iago.

Well, my good lord, I'll do 't.

[Exeunt.

Othello. This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see 't?
Gentlemen. We 'll wait upon your lordship.

[Exeunt.