1

She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch;

And out of her own goodness make the net,
That shall enmesh them all. How now, Ro-

derigo?

Enter RODERIGO.

Rod. I do follow here in the chace, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgell'd; and, I think, the is sue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains: and so, with no money at all, and a little more wit, return to Venice.

Iago. How poor are they, that have not pa

What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? Thou know'st, we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;

And wit depends on dilatory time.

Does't not go well? Cassio hath, beaten thee, And thou, by that small hurt, hast cashier'd Cassio:

Though other things grow fair against the sun, Yet fruits, that blossom first, will first be ripe: Content thyself a while. By the mafs, 'tis

morning;

Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem short.

Retire thee; go where thon art billeted:
Away, I say, thou shalt know more hereafter:
Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Rod.] Two things are
to be done,

My wife must move for Cassio to her mistrefs;

I'll set her on;

Myself, the while, to drow the Moor apart, And bring him jump when he may Cassio

find

Soliciting his wife: Ay, that's the way;
Dull not device by coldness and delay.

1

[Exit.

Enter CASSIO, and some Musicians,

Cas. Masters, play here, I will content your

pains,

Something that's brief; and bid

general,

Enter Clown,

good-morrow, [Musick

Clown, Why, masters, have your instruments been at Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus? 1. Mus. How, sir, how!

Clown. Are these, I pray you, call'd wind instruments?

1. Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir. Clown. O, thereby hangs a tail,

1. Mus. 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 musick, that he desires you, of all loves, to make no more noise with it.

1. Mus. Well, sir, we will not,

Clown. If you have any musick that may not be heard, to't again: but, as they say, to hear musick, the general does not greatly care.

1. Mus. 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.

Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clown. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

Cas. Pr'ythee, 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,

Enter IAGO.

Cas, Do, good my friend.

Iago,

[Exit.

Jago. You have not been a-bed then?
Cas. Why, no; the day had broke

Before we parted. I have made bold, Tago,
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 businefs

May be more free.

[Exit./

Cas. I humbly thank you for't. 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 soon 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.

If

Cas. Yet, I beseech you,

you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona 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.