Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

[1.] MUS. Ay, marry, are they, sir.

CLO. O, thereby hangs a tail.

[1.] MUS. Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

CLO. 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.

[1.] MUS. Well, sir, we will not.

CLO. 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.

[1.] MUS. We have none such, sir.

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

 

Exeunt Musicians.

 

CAS. Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?

CLO. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

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

CLO. She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.

CAS.

[Do, good my friend.]

 

Exit Clown.

 

Enter Iago.

 

In happy time, Iago.

IAGO.

You have not been a-bed then?

CAS.

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.

CAS.

I humbly thank you for't.

 

Exit [Iago].

 

I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.

 

Enter Emilia.

 

EMIL.

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.

CAS.

Yet I beseech you,

If you think fit, or that it may be done,

Give me advantage of some brief discourse

With Desdemon alone.

EMIL.

Pray you come in.

I will bestow you where you shall have time

To speak your bosom freely.

CAS.

I am much bound to you.

 

[Exeunt.]

 

 

Scene II

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.

Well, my good lord, I'll do't.

OTH.

This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't?

GENTLEMEN.

We'll wait upon your lordship.

 

Exeunt.

 

 

Scene III

Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia.

 

DES.

Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do

All my abilities in thy behalf.

EMIL.

Good madam, do.