Act 3 — Scene I. Before the castle.
Reading edition
Enter Cassio and some Musicians.[5749]
Cas. Masters, play here; I will content your pains;[5750] Something that's brief; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' [Music.
Enter Clown.[5751]
Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been in[5752] Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus?[5753] First Mus. How, sir, how![5754] 5 Clo. Are these, I pray you, wind-instruments?[5755] First Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir.[5754] Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail.[5756] First Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir?[5757] Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind-instrument that I know. 10 But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so[5758] likes your music, that he desires you, for love's sake, to[5759] make no more noise with it.[5760] First Mus. Well, sir, we will not. Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard, 15 to 't again: but, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care. First Mus. We have none such, sir.[5761] Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away:[5762] go; vanish into air; away! [Exeunt Musicians.[5763] 20 Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend?[5764] Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.[5765] Cas. 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[5766] 25 her a little favour of speech: wilt thou do this?[5767] Clo. She is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.[5768] Cas. Do, good my friend. [Exit Clown.[5769]
Enter Iago.[5770]
In happy time, Iago. Iago. You have not been a-bed, then?[5771][5772] 30 Cas. Why, no; the day had broke[5773] Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,[5772][5773][5774] To send in to your wife: my suit to her[5773][5775] Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona[5773][5776] Procure me some access. Iago. I'll send her to you presently;[5777] 35 And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor Out of the way, that your converse and business May be more free. Cas. I humbly thank you for't. [Exit Iago.] I never knew[5778][5779] A Florentine more kind and honest.[5779][5780] 40
Enter Emilia.
Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry For your displeasure; but all will sure be well.[5781] 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 45 And great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom[5782] He might not but refuse you; but he protests he loves you,[5783] And needs no other suitor but his likings[5784] To take the safest occasion by the front[5785] To bring you in again. Cas. Yet, I beseech you, 50 If you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone. Emil. Pray you, come in:[5786] I will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely. Cas. I am much bound to you. [Exeunt.[5787]55