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Enter CASSIO and MUSICIANS |
CASSIO enters with MUSICIANS. |
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CASSIO
Masters, play here, I will content your pains. Something that’s brief, and bid “Good morrow, general.” |
CASSIO
Musicians, start playing here. I’ll pay you for your trouble. Play something short that will put the general in a good mood. |
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They play. Enter CLOWN |
The MUSICIANS play. The CLOWN enters. |
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CLOWN
Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i’ th’ nose thus? |
CLOWN
Your instruments all have a nasal twang. Have they been to Naples? |
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MUSICIAN
How, sir? How? |
MUSICIAN
Excuse me? |
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CLOWN
Are these, I pray you, wind instruments? |
CLOWN
Are these wind instruments? |
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MUSICIAN
Ay, marry, are they, sir. |
MUSICIAN
Yes, they are. |
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CLOWN
Oh, thereby hangs a tail. |
CLOWN
Oh, there’s the problem. |
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MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale, sir? |
MUSICIAN
What’s the problem? |
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CLOWN
Marry sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here’s money for you, and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love’s sake, to make no more noise with it. |
CLOWN
Anyone full of hot air is a problem. But here’s some money. The general likes your music a lot, but he asks you to stop playing now. |
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MUSICIAN
Well, sir, we will not. |
MUSICIAN
Well, we’ll stop, then. |
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CLOWN
If you have any music that may not be heard, to ’t again. But, as they say, to hear music the general does not greatly care. |
CLOWN
If you’ve got any music that can’t be heard, then play that. But as I said, the general isn’t really in the mood to hear music now. |
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MUSICIAN
We have none such, sir. |
MUSICIAN
We don’t have any music that can’t be heard. |
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CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, vanish into air, away! |
CLOWN
Then pack up your instruments and go away. Go! |
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Exeunt MUSICIANS |
The MUSICIANS exit. |
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CASSIO
Dost thou hear, my honest friend? |
CASSIO
Do you hear, my friend? |
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CLOWN
No, I hear not your honest friend, I hear you. |
CLOWN
No, I don’t hear your friend. I hear you. |
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CASSIO
Prithee, 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? |
CASSIO
Please don’t play games. (CASSIO gives CLOWN money). There’s a bit of gold for you. When the woman taking care of the general’s wife wakes up, could you please tell her that Cassio asks to speak with her? |
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CLOWN
She is stirring, sir. If she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her. |
CLOWN
She’s awake, sir. If she feels like coming over here, I’ll give her your message. |
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Exit CLOWN |
The CLOWN exits. |
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Enter IAGO |
IAGO enters. |
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In happy time, Iago. |
Good to see you, Iago. |
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IAGO
You have not been abed, then? |
IAGO
You didn’t go to sleep, then? |
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CASSIO
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. |
CASSIO
No. When I left you it was already morning. I’ve been bold, Iago. I’ve asked to talk to your wife. I’m going to ask her to let me talk to Desdemona. |
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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. |
IAGO
I’ll send her out to you now. I’ll think of a plan to get the Moor out of the way, so you can speak more openly. |
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CASSIO
I humbly thank you for’t. |
CASSIO
I humbly thank you. |
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Exit IAGO |
IAGO exits. |
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I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest. |
Even for a Florentine, I never knew someone so kind and honest. |
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Enter EMILIA |
EMILIA enters. |
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EMILIA
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 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. |
EMILIA
Good morning, lieutenant. I’m sorry about what happened, but I’m sure everything will turn out all right. The general and his wife are talking about it now, and she’s defending you strongly. The Moor says the man you hurt is very important in Cyprus, and that under the circumstances he has no choice but to refuse to reinstate you. But he says he still loves and respects you, and based on his own feelings alone he’s looking for an opportunity to safely take you back. |
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CASSIO
Yet I beseech you, If you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone. |
CASSIO
Please find a way to give me some time alone with Desdemona, if you think that’s all right. |
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EMILIA
Pray you come in. I will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely. |
EMILIA
Please come in. I’ll take you to a place where you can speak freely. |
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CASSIO
I am much bound to you. |
CASSIO
Thank you very much. |
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Exeunt |
They exit. |