Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.
Enter Cassio, Musitians, and Clowne.
Cassio. Masters, play heere, I wil content your paines, Something that's briefe: and bid, goodmorrow General
Clo. Why Masters, haue your Instruments bin in Naples, that they speake i'th' Nose thus? Mus. How Sir? how? Clo. Are these I pray you, winde Instruments? Mus. I marry are they sir
Clo. Oh, thereby hangs a tale
Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir? Clow. Marry sir, by many a winde Instrument that I know. But Masters, heere's money for you: and the Generall so likes your Musick, that he desires you for loues sake to make no more noise with it
Mus. Well Sir, we will not
Clo. If you haue any Musicke that may not be heard, too't againe. But (as they say) to heare Musicke, the Generall do's not greatly care
Mus. We haue none such, sir
Clow. Then put vp your Pipes in your bagge, for Ile away. Go, vanish into ayre, away.
Exit Mu.
Cassio. Dost thou heare me, mine honest Friend? Clo. No, I heare not your honest Friend: I heare you
Cassio. Prythee keepe vp thy Quillets, ther's a poore peece of Gold for thee: if the Gentlewoman that attends the Generall be stirring, tell her, there's one Cassio entreats her a little fauour of Speech. Wilt thou do this? Clo. She is stirring sir: if she will stirre hither, I shall seeme to notifie vnto her.
Exit Clo.
Enter Iago.
In happy time, Iago
Iago. You haue not bin a-bed then? Cassio. Why no: the day had broke before we parted. I haue made bold (Iago) to send in to your wife: My suite to her is, that she will to vertuous Desdemona Procure me some accesse
Iago. Ile send her to you presently: And Ile deuise a meane to draw the Moore Out of the way, that your conuerse and businesse May be more free.
Exit
Cassio. I humbly thanke you for't. I neuer knew A Florentine more kinde, and honest. Enter aemilia.
Aemil. Goodmorrow (good Lieutenant) I am sorrie For your displeasure: but all will sure be well. The Generall and his wife are talking of it, And she speakes for you stoutly. The Moore replies, That he you hurt is of great Fame in Cyprus, And great Affinitie: and that in wholsome Wisedome He might not but refuse you. But he protests he loues you And needs no other Suitor, but his likings To bring you in againe
Cassio. Yet I beseech you, If you thinke fit, or that it may be done, Giue me aduantage of some breefe Discourse With Desdemon alone. Aemil. Pray you come in: I will bestow you where you shall haue time To speake your bosome freely
Cassio. I am much bound to you.
Scoena Secunda.
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.
Othe. These Letters giue (Iago) to the Pylot, And by him do my duties to the Senate: That done, I will be walking on the Workes, Repaire there to mee
Iago. Well, my good Lord, Ile doo't
Oth. This Fortification (Gentlemen) shall we see't? Gent. Well waite vpon your Lordship.
Exeunt.
Scoena Tertia.
Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and aemilia.
Des. Be thou assur'd (good Cassio) I will do All my abilities in thy behalfe. Aemil. Good Madam do: I warrant it greeues my Husband, As if the cause were his
Des. Oh that's an honest Fellow, Do not doubt Cassio But I will haue my Lord, and you againe As friendly as you were