Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies Published according to the true originall copies.

Scena Prima.

Enter Cassio, Musitians, and Clowne.

Cassio.

Masters, play heere, I wil content your paines, Something that's briefe: and bid, goodmorrow General.

Clo.

Why Masters, haue your Instruments bin in Na∣ples, that they speake i' th' Nose thus?

Mus.

How Sir? how?

Clo.

Are these I pray you, winde Instruments?

Mus.

I marry are they sir.

Clo.

Oh, thereby hangs a tale.

Mus.

Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

Clow.

Marry sir, by many a winde Instrument that I know. But Masters, heere's money for you: and the Ge∣nerall so likes your Musick, that he desires you for loues sake to make no more noise with it.

Mus.

Well Sir, we will not.

Clo.

If you haue any Musicke that may not be heard, too't againe. But (as they say) to heare Musicke, the Ge∣nerall do's not greatly care.

Mus.

We haue none such, sir.

Clow.

Then put vp your Pipes in your bagge, for Ile away. Go, vanish into ayre, away.

Exit Mu.

Cassio

Dost thou heare me, mine honest Friend?

Clo.

No, I heare not your honest Friend: I heare you.

Cassio.

Prythee keepe vp thy Quillets, ther's a poore peece of Gold for thee: if the Gentlewoman that attends the Generall be stirring, tell her, there's one Cassio en∣treats her a little fauour of Speech. Wilt thou do this?

Clo.

She is stirring sir: if she will stirre hither, I shall seeme to notifie vnto her.

Exit Clo.

Enter. Iago.

In happy time, Iago.

Iago.

You haue not bin a-bed then?

Cassio.

Why no: the day had broke before we parted. I haue made bold (Iago) to send in to your wife: My suite to her is, that she will to vertuous Desdemona Procure me some accesse.

Iago.

Ile send her to you presently: And Ile deuise a meane to draw the Moore Out of the way, that your conuerse and businesse May be more free.

Exit

Cassio.

I humbly thanke you for't. I neuer knew A Flo••ntine more kinde, and honest.

Enter Aemilia.

Aemil.

Goodmorrow (good Lieutenant) I am sorrie For your displeasure: but all will sure be well. The Generall and his wife are talking of it, And she speakes for you stoutly. The Moore replies, That he you hurt is of great Fame in Cyprus, And great Affinitie: and that in wholsome Wisedome He might not but refuse you. But he protests he loues you And needs no other Suitor, but his likings To bring you in againe.

Cassio.

Yet I beseech you, If you thinke fit, or that it may be done, Giue me aduantage of some breefe Discourse With Desdemon alone.

Aemil.

Pray you come in: I will bestow you where you shall haue time To speake your bosome freely.

Cassio.

I am much bound to you.