ARKCODEX
Act III, Scene 1
1Before the castle.
2Enter Cassio and some Musicians.
3CassioMasters, play here; I will content your pains;
Something that’s brief; and bid “Good morrow, general.” Music.
4Enter Clown.
5ClownWhy masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i’ the nose thus?
6First MusicianHow, sir, how!
7ClownAre these, I pray you, wind-instruments?
8First MusicianAy, marry, are they, sir.
9ClownO, thereby hangs a tail.
10First MusicianWhereby hangs a tale, sir?
11ClownMarry, 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.
12First MusicianWell, sir, we will not.
13ClownIf 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.
14First MusicianWe have none such, sir.
15ClownThen put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away: go; vanish into air; away! Exeunt Musicians.
16CassioDost thou hear, my honest friend?
17ClownNo, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.
18CassioPrithee, 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?
19ClownShe is stirring, sir: if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.
20CassioDo, good my friend. Exit Clown.
21Enter Iago.
22In happy time, Iago.
23IagoYou have not been a-bed, then?
24CassioWhy, 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.
25IagoI’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.
26CassioI humbly thank you for’t. Exit Iago.
I never knew
A Florentine more kind and honest.
27Enter Emilia.
28EmiliaGood 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.
29CassioYet, I beseech you,
If you think fit, or that it may be done,
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.
30EmiliaPray you, come in;
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.
31CassioI am much bound to you. Exeunt.