Othello, Act 3, Scene 1

Masters, play here, I will content your pains, Something that’s brief; and bid “Good morrow, general.”

Gentlemen, play here; I'll pay you for your trouble. Something short, and say, "Good morning, general."

Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i’ the nose thus?

Tell me, gentlemen, have your instruments been to Naples, that they talk through the nose like this?

How, sir, how?

What do you mean, sir? What?

Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?

Tell me, please, are these wind instruments?

Ay, marry, are they, sir.

Yes indeed, they are, sir.

O, thereby hangs a tail.

Oh, there's a tail hanging on that.

Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

What has a tale hanging on it, sir?

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.

Why, sir, many a wind instrument I know of. But, gentlemen, here's money for you. The general likes your music so much that he asks you, for the love of heaven, to stop making any more noise with it.

Well, sir, we will not.

All right, sir, we won't.

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.

If you have any music that can't be heard, play again. But, as they say, the general doesn't much care to hear music.

We have none such, sir.

We have nothing like that, sir.

Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go, vanish into air, away!

Then pack your pipes into your bag, because I'm leaving. Go on, disappear into thin air, off with you!

Dost thou hear, mine honest friend?

Do you hear me, my honest friend?

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

No, I don't hear your honest friend. I hear you.

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?

Please, put away your quibbles. Here's a small gold coin for you. If the lady who waits on the general's wife is up and about, tell her that a man called Cassio begs the small favour of a word with her. Will you do that?

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

She is up and about, sir; if she'll move herself this way, I'll do my best to let her know.

Do, good my friend.

Do that, my good friend.

In happy time, Iago.

You've come at just the right moment, Iago.

You have not been a-bed, then?

You haven't been to bed, then?

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.

No, of course not. Day had already broken before we separated. I've taken the liberty, Iago, of sending a message in to your wife. What I'm asking her is that she get me some access to the virtuous Desdemona.

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.

I'll send her out to you at once, and I'll think of a way to draw the Moor out of the way, so your talk and your business can be freer.

I humbly thank you for’t.

I thank you humbly for that.

I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest.

I never knew even a Florentine who was kinder or more honest.

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.

Good morning, good lieutenant. I'm sorry you're out of favour, but everything will surely turn out well. The general and his wife are discussing it, and she is pleading for you vigorously. The Moor answers that the man you wounded has a great reputation in Cyprus and powerful connections, and that sound good sense left him no choice but to dismiss you. But he insists that he loves you, and needs no one to plead for you except his own affection, which will seize the first safe chance by the forelock to bring you back.

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

Still, I beg you, if you think it suitable, or that it can be managed, get me the chance of a short conversation with Desdemona alone.

Pray you, come in. I will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely.

Please, come inside. I'll place you somewhere you'll have time to speak your heart freely.

I am much bound to you.

I'm deeply grateful to you.