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Cas. I think it freely; and, betimes in the morning, I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: I am desperate of my fortunes, if they check me here.

Iago. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I must to the watch.

Cas. Good night, honest Iago. [Exit CASSIO. Iago. And what 's he then, that says, I play the villain?

-

When this advice is free, I give, and honest,
Probal to thinking, and (indeed) the course
To win the Moor again? For, 'tis most easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue

In any honest suit: she's fram'd as fruitful'
As the free elements. And then for her

To win the Moor, were 't to renounce his baptism,
His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,

That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
With his weak function. How am I then a villain,
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will their blackest sins put on
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: For while this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll
pour this pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her love of him;
And, by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.

So will I turn her virtue into pitch;

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

Enter RODERigo.

Rod. I do follow here in the chace, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My

7 Liberal, bountiful.

8 Even.

• Recalls.

money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and, I think, the issue 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.

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Iago. How poor are they, that have not patience!

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: 'tis almost morn;
Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem short.
Retire thee; go where thou 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 mistress;

I'll set her on;
Myself, the while, to
And bring him jump
Soliciting his wife:
Dull not device by

draw the Moor apart, when he may Cassio find Ay, that's the way; coldness and delay.

Just at the time.

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[Exit.

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE 1.

Before the Castle.

Enter CASSIO, and some Musicians.

Cas. Masters, play bere, I will content your

pains,

Something that 's brief; and bid-good-morrow,

general.

[Musick.

Enter Clown.

Clo. 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.

Clo. 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.

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

Cas. Pr'ý thee, 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?

2 Nice distinctions.

Clo. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her.

Enter IAGO.

[Exit.

Cas. Do, good my friend.

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.

[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 saf'st occasion by the front,
To bring you in again.

Cas.

If you

Yet, I beseech you,

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think fit, or that it may be done,

Give me advantage of some brief discourse

With Desdemona alone.

Emil.

Pray you, come in ; you shall have time

I will bestow you where
To speak your bosom freely.

Cas.

I am much bound to you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Á Room in the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Gentlemen.

Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot;
And, by him, do my duties to the state:
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?

Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.

All

SCENE II.

Before the Castle.

Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA.

Des. Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do my abilities in thy behalf.

Emil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves my husband,

As if the case were his.

Des. O, that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt,

Cassio,

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But I will have my lord and you again

As friendly as you were.

Cas.

Bounteous madam,

Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,

He 's never any thing but your true servant.

Des. O, sir, I thank you: You do love my lord: You have known him long; and be you well assur'd,

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