King. Whence earnest thou, worthy Thane] Macd. From Fife, great King, King. Great happiness! Macd. That now Sweno, the Norway's king, craves composition; King. No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest;—Go, pronounce his present death, And with his former titles greet Macbeth. Macd. I'll see it done. [Exeunt Macd uff and Lenox, K. King. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. [Flourish of Trumpets amd Drums—Exeunt, L. Scene III.—A Heath.— Bridge in the background, over the Mountains.—Thunder and Lightning. Enter the Three Witches, meeting. 1st Witch. Where hast thou been, sister? 2d Witch. Killing swine. 3d Witch. Sister, where thou? 1st Witch. A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, And mounched, and mounched, and mounched :—" Give me," quoth I. "Aroint thee.† witch!" the rump-fed ronyon‡ cries. 2d Witch. I'll give thee a wind. * Inclosed in armour of proof. † Begone. ‡ Fat, bulky woman. 1st Witch. Thou art kind. 3d Witch, And I another. 1st Witch. I myself have all the other; 2d Witch. Show me, show me. 1st Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb, Wrecked as homeward he did come. [A March at a distance, over the Bridge. 3d Witch. A drum, a drum; Macbeth doth come. All. The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about. [Join hands, and turn. 2d Witch. Thrice to thine,— 3d Witch, And thrice to mine,— 1st Witch. And thrice again,— All. To make up nine. 1st Witch. Peace :—the charm's wound up. [They retire, R. Enter Macbeth, Banquo, and part of the Army, L. U. E. The remainder halt on the Bridge. Macb. Command they make a halt upon the heath. [ Within.] Halt,—halt,—halt. Macb. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. Ban. How far is't called to Fores ?—[ Observing the Witches.] What are these, * Sea-chart. That man may question? You seem to understand me, Macb. Speak, if ye can :—What are you? 1st Witch. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! 2d Witch. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! 3d Witch. All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter. [Macbeth starts, confused. Ban. Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?—[To Witches.] I'the name of truth, Are ye fantastical, or that, indeed, 1st Witch. Hail! 2d Witch. Hail! 3d Witch. Hail! 1st Witch. Lesser than Macbeth, though greater. 2d Witch. Not so happy, yet much happier. 3d Witch Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. All. So, all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! [Going. Macb. [ Crossing toward Witches. I Stay, you imperfect speakers,—tell me more; By Sinel's death, I know I am Thane of Glamis; [Thunder and Lightning— Witches vanish, R. Speak, I charge you. Ban. The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them :—Whither are they vanished? Macb, Into the air; and what seemed corporal, melted As breath into the wind.—'Would they had staid! Ban. Were such things here, as we do speak about ? Or have we eaten of the insane root, That takes the reason prisoner ? Macb. Your children shall be kings. Ban. You shall be king. Macb. And Thane of Cawdor, too; went it not so? Ban. To the self-same tune and words.—[Flourish, R.] Who's here? Enter Macduff and Lenox, R. Macd. The King hath happily received, Macbeth, Len. We are sent To give thee, from our royal master, thanks; Macd. And, for an earnest of a greater honour, Ban. [Aside.] What! can the devil speak true? Macb. The Thane of Cawdor lives; why do you dress me In borrowed robes? Macd. Who was the Thane, lives yet; But under heavy judgment bears that life, Which he deserves to lose; For treasons capital, confessed, and proved, Have overthrown him. , Macb. Glatnis, and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind.—Thanks for your pains.— [To Ban.] Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me, Promised no less to them? Ban. That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But, 'tis strange: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths; Win us with honest trifles, to betray us In deepest consequences.—Cousin, a word, I pray you. f They retire up the Stage. Macb. [In front.] Two truths are told, Ban. f To Macditff and Lenox.] Look, how our partner's rapt. Macb. If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. Ban. New honours come upon him, Macb. Come what, come may, |