SCENE I. Before the Castle. Enter CASSIO and some Musicians. Cas. Masters, play here, I will content your pains. Something that's brief; and bid-good morrow, general, Enter Clown. [Music. Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been at Naples, that they speak i'the nose thus? 1 Mus. How, sir, how? Clo. Are these, I pray you, called wind instruments? 1 Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir. Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail. 1 Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir? Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, of all loves, to make no more noise with it. 1 Mus. Well, sir, we will not. Clo. 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. 1 Mus. We have none such, sir. Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away: Go, vanish into air; away. [Exeunt Musicians. Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you. Cas. Pr'ythee, 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? Clo. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her. Enter IAGO. [Exit. Cas. Do, good, my friend. In happy time, Iago. Procure me some access. 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. [Exit. Cas. I humbly thank you for't. I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest. Enter EMILIA. Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry For your displeasure; but all will soon 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, [you; He might not but refuse you: but, he protests, he loves Cas. Yet, I beseech you, If you think fit, or that it may be done,- Emil. Pray you, come in ; I will bestow you where you shall have time Cas. I am much bound to you. SCENE II. A Room in the Castle. lago. SCENE III. Before the Castle. [Exeunt. Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA. Des. Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do All my abilities in thy behalf. Emil. Good madain, do; I know it grieves my husAs if the case were his. (band, Des. O, that's an honest fellow.-Do not doubt, Cassio, But I will have my lord and you again As friendly as you were. Cas. Bounteous madam, Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio, He's never any thing but your true servant. Des. O, sir, I thank you: You do love my lord: You have known him long: and be you well assur'd, He shall in strangeness stand no further off Than in a politic distance. Cas. Ay, but lady, That policy may either last so long, Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet, Or breed itself so out of circumstance, Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia here, To the last article: my lord shall never rest; With Cassio's suit: Therefore be merry, Cassio; Than give thy cause away. Enter OTHELLO and IAGO, at a distance. And hear me speak. Cas. Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes. Des. Do your discretion. Iago. Well, well, [Exit Cassio. Ha! I like not that. Oth. What dost thou say? Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if I know not what. Oth. Was not that Cassio, parted from my wife? Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming. Oth. I do believe 'twas be. Des. How now, my lord? I have been talking with a suitor here, A man that languishes in your displeasure. Oth. Who is't you mean? Des. Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good, my lord, If I have any grace, or power to move you, His present reconciliation take; For, if he be not one that truly loves you, That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning, Oth. Went he hence now? Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled, That he hath left part of his grief with me; I suffer with him. Good love, call him back. The sooner, sweet, for you. Oth. Des. To-morrow dinner then? No, not to-night. I shall not dine at home; I meet the captains at the citadel. Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday morn; Exceed three days: in faith he's penitent; To incur a private check: When shall he come? What you could ask me, that I should deny, Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do Des. Why, this is not a boon; To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit, It shall be full of poize and difficulty, And fearful to be granted. Oth. I will deny thee nothing: |