The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
ACT III

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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