Othello

ACT III
Scene 1

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."

Music.

Enter Clown.

CLOWN
Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that
they speak i' the nose thus?

FIRST MUSICIAN
How, sir, how?

CLOWN
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

FIRST MUSICIAN
Ay, marry, are they, sir.

CLOWN
O, thereby hangs a tail.

FIRST MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

CLOWN
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, for love's sake, to make no more
noise with it.

FIRST MUSICIAN
Well, sir, we will not.

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.

FIRST 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.

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 favor
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.

IAGO
You have not been abed, 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.

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.

CASSIO
Yet, I beseech you,
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.

EMILIA
Pray you, come in.
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.

CASSIO
I am much bound to you.

Exeunt.