ACT III
SCENE I 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 favour 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]

 In happy time, Iago.

IAGO You have not been a-bed, 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]




 OTHELLO


ACT III