Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act, Old M. 'Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last, A falcon, towering in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. Ross. And Duncan's horse', (51)-a thing most strange and certain, Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Old M. 'Tis said they eat each other. Ross. They did so,-to th' amazement of mine eyes, That look'd upon't.-Here comes the good Macduff. Enter MACDUff. Why, see you not? How goes the world, sir, now? Macd. Ross. Is't known who did this more than bloody deed? Ross. What good could they pretend? Macd. Alas, the day! They were suborn'd: Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them Ross. 'Gainst nature still : Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up Thine own life's means!-Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth, (52) Macd. He is already nam'd; and gone to Scone To be invested. Ross. Where is Duncan's body? Macd. Carried to Colme-kill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, Macd. Well, may you see things well done there,— adieu, Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! Ross. Farewell, father. Old M. God's benison go with you; and with those ACT III. SCENE I. Forres. A room in the palace. Enter BANQUo. Ban. Thou hast it now,-king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them,— As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine,— Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more. Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king; Lady MACBETH, as queen; Macb. Here's our chief guest. Lady M. If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. Ban. Let your highness Command upon me ;(53) to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Macb. Ride you this afternoon? Ban. Ay, my good lord. Macb. We should have else desir'd your good adviceWhich still hath been both grave and prosperousIn this day's council; but we'll take(54) 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 For a dark hour or twain. Macb. Fail not our feast. Ban. My lord, I will not. Macb. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd Farewell. Let every man be master of his time [Exit Banquo. Till seven at night; to make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself Till supper-time alone: while then, God b' wi' you a! [Exeunt all except Macbeth and an Attendant. Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men Our pleasure? Atten. They are, my lord, without the palace-gate. [Exit Attendant. To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus.-Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour Whose being I do fear: and, under him, Mark Antony's was by Caesar's. (54) He chid the sisters, And bade them speak to him; then, prophet-like, To make them kings, the seed(55) of Banquo kings! And champion me to th' utterance!-Who's there? Now Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. go to the door, and stay there till we call. [Exit Attendant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? Macb. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know 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 Say "Thus did Banquo." First Mur. You made it known to us. Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find patience so predominant in your nature, Your patience VOL. VII. D That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd, First Mur. We are men, my liege. Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are clept All by the name of dogs: the valu'd file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The housekeeper, the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him clos'd; whereby he does receive. Particular addition, from the bill That writes them all alike: and so of men. Now, if you have a station in the file, And(56) not i' the worst rank of manhood, say't; And I will put that business in your bosoms, Sec. Mur. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Have so incens'd, that I am reckless what I do to spite the world. So weary(57) with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, To mend it, or be rid on't. Macb. Both of you True, my lord. Know Banquo was your enemy. Both Mur. Macb. So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life: and though I could |