Cassio.
Masters, play here, I will content your pains,
Something that's brief; and bid, good morrow, General. [Musick plays; and enter Clown from the House.

Clown.

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

Mus.

How, Sir, how?

Clown.

Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?

Mus.

Ay, marry are they, Sir.

Clown.

Oh, thereby hangs a tail.

Mus.

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 musick, that he desires you for loves sake to make no more noise with it.

Mus.

Well, Sir, we will not.

Clown.

If you have any musick that may not be heard, to't again: But, as they say, to hear musick, the General does not greatly care.

Mus.

We have none such, Sir.

Clown.

Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away. Go, vanish into air, away.

Cas.

Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?(31) ^note

Clown.

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 of her a little favour of speech. Wilt thou do this?

Clown.

She is stirring, Sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notifie unto her.

Cas.

Do, my good friend.

Iago.
You have not been a-bed then?

Cas.
Why, no; the day had broke, before we parted.
I have made bold to send in to your wife;
My suit is, that she will to Desdemona
Procure me some access.

Iago.
I'll send her 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. To him, enter Æmilia.

Æmil.
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 wisdom
He might not but refuse you. But he protests, he loves you;
And needs no other suitor, but his likings,
To bring you in again.

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

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

Cas.
I'm much bound to you. [Exeunt. Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.

Oth.
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.
My good lord, I'll do't.

Oth.
This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't?

Gent.
We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.

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