Shakespeare's First Folio Part 626

Iago. I protest in the sinceritie of Loue, and honest kindnesse

Ca.s.sio. I thinke it freely: and betimes in the morning, I will beseech the vertuous Desdemona to vndertake for me: I am desperate of my Fortunes if they check me

Iago. You are in the right: good night Lieutenant, I must to the Watch

Ca.s.sio. Good night, honest Iago.

Exit Ca.s.sio.

Iago. And what's he then, That saies I play the Villaine?

When this aduise is free I giue, and honest, Proball to thinking, and indeed the course To win the Moore againe.

For 'tis most easie Th' inclyning Desdemona to subdue In any honest Suite. She's fram'd as fruitefull As the free Elements. And then for her To win the Moore, were to renownce his Baptisme, All Seales, and Simbols of redeemed sin: His Soule is so enfetter'd to her Loue, That she may make, vnmake, do what she list, Euen as her Appet.i.te shall play the G.o.d, With his weake Function. How am I then a Villaine, To Counsell Ca.s.sio to this paralell course, Directly to his good? Diuinitie of h.e.l.l, When diuels will the blackest sinnes put on, They do suggest at first with heauenly shewes, As I do now. For whiles this honest Foole Plies Desdemona, to repaire his Fortune, And she for him, pleades strongly to the Moore, Ile powre this pestilence into his eare: That she repeales him, for her bodies l.u.s.t, And by how much she striues to do him good, She shall vndo her Credite with the Moore.

So will I turne her vertue into pitch.

And out of her owne goodnesse make the Net, That shall en-mash them all.

How now Rodorigo?

Enter Rodorigo.

Rodorigo. I do follow heere in the Chace, not like a Hound that hunts, but one that filles vp the Crie. My Money is almost spent; I haue bin to night exceedingly well Cudgell'd: And I thinke the issue will bee, I shall haue so much experience for my paines; And so, with no money at all, and a little more Wit, returne againe to Venice

Iago. How poore are they that haue not Patience?

What wound did euer heale but by degrees?

Thou know'st we worke by Wit, and not by Witchcraft And Wit depends on dilatory time: Dos't not go well? Ca.s.sio hath beaten thee, And thou by that small hurt hath casheer'd Ca.s.sio: Though other things grow faire against the Sun, Yet Fruites that blossome first, will first be ripe: Content thy selfe, a-while. Introth 'tis Morning; Pleasure, and Action, make the houres seeme short.

Retire thee, go where thou art Billited: Away, I say, thou shalt know more heereafter: Nay get thee gone.

Exit Roderigo.

Two things are to be done: My Wife must moue for Ca.s.sio to her Mistris: Ile set her on my selfe, a while, to draw the Moor apart, And bring him iumpe, when he may Ca.s.sio finde Soliciting his wife: I, that's the way: Dull not Deuice, by coldnesse, and delay.

Enter.

Actus Tertius. Scena Prima.

Enter Ca.s.sio, Musitians, and Clowne.

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

Clo. Why Masters, haue your Instruments bin in Naples, 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 Generall 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 Generall 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.

Ca.s.sio. Dost thou heare me, mine honest Friend?

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

Ca.s.sio. 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 Ca.s.sio entreats 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?

Ca.s.sio. 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

Ca.s.sio. I humbly thanke you for't. I neuer knew A Florentine 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

Ca.s.sio. 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

Ca.s.sio. I am much bound to you.

Scoena Secunda.

Enter Oth.e.l.lo, Iago, and Gentlemen.

Othe. These Letters giue (Iago) to the Pylot, And by him do my duties to the Senate: That done, I will be walking on the Workes, Repaire there to mee

Iago. Well, my good Lord, Ile doo't

Oth. This Fortification (Gentlemen) shall we see't?

Gent. Well waite vpon your Lordship.