Iago. You have not been a-bed, then ? [parted. Cas. Why, no; the day had broke before we I have made bold to send into your wife;

My suit is, that she will to Desdemona
Procure me some access.

Iago. I'll send her 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.

To him, enter ŒMILIA.

Emil. 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 wisdom

He might not but refuse you. But he protests he

loves you;

And needs no other suitor but his likings

To bring you in again.

Cas. Yet I beseech you,

If 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
Tospeak your bosom freely.

Cas. I am much bound to you.

[Exeunt.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Gentlemen.
Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot,
And by him do my duties to the senate;
That done, I will be walking on the works;
Repair there to me.

Iago. My good lord, I'll do't.

Oth. This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see't? Gent. We'll wait upon your Lordship.

[Exeunt.

SCENE changes to an Apartment in the Palace.

Enter DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and EMILIA.

Des. Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do All my abilities in thy behalf.

Emil. Good Madam, do: I know it grieves my As if the cause were his. [husband, Des. Oh, that's an honest fellow; doubt not, But I will have my lord and you again

As friendly as you were.

Cas. Most bounteous Madam,

[Cassio,

Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He is never any thing but your true servant.

Des. I know't, I thank you; you do love my

lord,

[sured, You have known him long; and, be you well asHe shall in strangeness stand no further off Than in a politic distance.

Cas. Ay, but, lady,

That policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstances,
That I being absent, and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.

Des. Do not doubt that; before Æmilia here, I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it

To the last article. My lord shall never rest;
I'll watch him tame, and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does

With Cassio's suit: therefore be merry, Cassio;

For thy solicitor shall rather die,

Than give thy cause away.

Enter OTHELLO, and IAGO, at a distance.
Emil. Madam, here comes my lord.

Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave.

Des. Why, stay, and hear me speak.

Cas. Madam, not now: I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes.

Des. Well, do your discretion. [Exit Cassio.

Iago. Hah! I like not that.--
Oth. What dost thou say?

Fago. Nothing, my Lord; or if-I know not what.
wife?

Oth. Was not that Cassio, parted from my Fago. Cassio, my lord? no, sure, I cannot think That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming.

Oth. I believe 'twas he.

Des. How now, my lord?

I have been talking with a suitor here,
A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Oth. Who is't you mean?

[it,

[my lord,

Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good

If I have any grace, or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take.

For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face.
I pr'ythee call him back.

Oth. Went he hence now?

Des. Ay, sooth, so humbled,

That he hath left part of his grief with me, (56) To suffer with him. Good love, call him back. Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other Des. But shall't be shortly?

.[time.

(56) The streaks of light on Cassio's face and person (which may be taken to represent tears) terminate upon the prototype of Desdemona's face.

Oth. The sooner, sweet, for you.
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?
Oth. Not to-night.

Des. To-morrow dinner then?

Oth. I shall not dine at home;

I meet the captains at the citadel.

Des. Why then to-morrow night, or Tuesday

morn,

Or Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday morn:
I pr'ythee name the time; but let it not
Exceed three days; in faith, he's penitent:
And yet his trespass, in our common reason,
(Save that, they say, the wars must take examples
Out of their best,) is not almost a fault
T'incur a private check. When shall he come ?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I would deny,
Orstand so mutt'ring on? what? Michael Cassio!--
Thai came a-wooing with you, and many a time
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part, to have so much to do
To bring him in? trust me I could do much

Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he I will deny thee nothing.

Des. Why, this is not a boon:

[will,

'Tis as I should intreat you wear your gloves, Or feed on nourishing meats, or keep you warm; Or sue to you, to do peculiar profit