Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. | Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse; adieu, 30 Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you! Macd. He is already nam'd, and gone to Scone Ban. Ay, my good lord: our time does call To be invested. upon 's. Ross. Where is Duncan's body? Macd. Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors And guardian of their bones. Ross. Will you to Scone? Macd. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. Ross. Well, I will thither. Macd. Well, may you see things well done there adieu! Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! Old Man. God's benison go with you; and Ban. Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promis'd; and, I fear, But that myself should be the root and father And set me up in hope? But, hush! no more. Macb. Here's our chief guest. If he had been forgotten 11 Macb. To night we hold a solemn supper, sir, Macb. Ride you this afternoon? Ay, my good lord. Macb. We should have else desir'd your good advice, 20 Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, In this day's council; but we 'll take to-morrow. Is 't far you ride? Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper; go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night Macb. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. Exeunt all but MACBETH and an Attendant, Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men Our pleasure? Atten. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Macb. Bring them before us. Exit Attendant. But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banque And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, Who's Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. Now go to the door, and stay there till we call Exit Attendant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? First Mur. It was, so please your highness. Macb. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know That it was he in the times past which held you So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, Who wrought with them, and all things else that might To half a soul and to a notion craz'd First Mur. Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are clept That writes them all alike: and so of men. Second Mur. 100 I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Have so incens'd that I am reckless what Know Banquo was your enemy. That every minute of his being thrusts 119 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, Second Mur. I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, The moment on 't; for 't must be done tonight, 130 And something from the palace; always thought It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, 140 Exit. SCENE II-The Same. Another Room in the Palace. Enter Lady MACBETH and a Servant. Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court? Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. Lady M. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure Madam, I will. For a few words. How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, 10 With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what's done is done. Macb. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it: She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time We will require her welcome. Lady M. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks they are welcome. Enter First Murderer, to the door. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: Be large in mirth; anon we 'll drink a measure The table round. Approaching the door. There's blood upon thy face. Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then. Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within, Is he dispatch'd? Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats; yet he's good That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it, Thou art the nonpareil. Mur. Fleance is 'scap'd. Most royal sir, His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please 't your highness To grace us with your royal company. Len. Macb. Where? Here is a place reserv'd, sir. Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness? 71 Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. Ghost vanishes. Fie, for shame! Mach. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal; Lady M. My worthy lord, I do forget. Then, I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full: Our duties, and the pledge. 92 Macb. Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee ! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with. Lady M. Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom : 'tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. Macb. What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100 The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger; Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves At our great bidding? Lady M. 131 Did you send to him, sir? Macb. I hear it by the way; but I will send. There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow, And betimes I will, to the weird sisters: More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good All causes shall give way: I am in blood 141 Macb. Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear that wants hard use : SCENE V.-A Heath. Exeunt. Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting First Witch. Why, how now, Hecate you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, Saucy and overbold? How did you dare Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others do, Meet me i' the morning: thither he Great business must be wrought ere noon : There hangs a vaporous drop profound; As by the strength of their illusion He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear Is mortals' chiefest enemy. Music and a song within: Come away, come away,' etc. Exit. Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see, SCENE VI.-Forres. A Room in the Palace. Enter LENNOX and another Lord. Len. My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret further: only, I say, Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead : And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late; Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd, 10 For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late. Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too; find time That clogs me with this answer.' Len. And that well might Advise him to a caution to hold what distance Fly to the court of England and unfold I'll send my prayers with him. ACT IV. SCENE L-A Cavern. In the middle, a boiling Cauldron. Thunder. Enter the three Witches. First Witch. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd. Second Witch. Thrice and once the hedge-pig whin'd. Third Witch. Harpier cries: 'Tis time, 'tis time. First Witch. Round about the cauldron go; All. Double, double toil and trouble; Third Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, 10 |