Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Both Mur. [Exeunt Murderers. It is concluded :-Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [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 For a few words. Serc. Lady M. Where Madam, I will. [Exit. Naught's had, all's spent, our desire is got without content: Tis safer to be that which we destroy, Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy. Enter MACBETH. How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, Macb. We have scotch'd(58) 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, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly better be with the dead, In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Can touch him further. Lady M. Come on; gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Macb. Disguising what they are. Lady M. You must leave this. Lady M. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. A deed of dreadful note. Lady M. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale!—Light thickens; and the crow Good things of day begin to droop and drowse ; [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A park, with a gate leading Enter three Murderers. First Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? Third Mur. Macbeth. Sec. Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. First Mur. Then stand with us. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: spurs the lated traveller apace Now spurs To gain the timely inn; and near approaches The subject of our watch. Third Mur. Ban. [within] Give us a light there, ho! Sec. Mur. Hark! I hear horses. Then 'tis he: the rest His horses go about. That are within the note of expectation Already are i' the court. First Mur. Third Mur. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace-gate Make it their walk. Sec. Mur. A light, a light! Third Mur. First Mur. Stand to't. 'Tis he. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch.(61) Ban. O, treachery!-Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Ban. It will be rain to-night. First Mur. Let it come down. [They assault Banquo. [Dies. Fleance escapes. Was't not the way? Thou mayst revenge.—O slave! Third Mur. Who did strike out the light? First Mur. Third Mur. There's but one down; the son is fled. Best half of our affair. We've lost First Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The same. A room of state in the palace. A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, Lady MACBETH, ROSS, Macb. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first Lords. Thanks to your majesty. Macb. Ourself will mingle with society, 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. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: Enter first Murderer to the door. Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure Mach. "Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatch'd? Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. Thou art the nonpareil. Mur. Fleance is scap'd. Most royal sir, Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock; As broad and general as the casing air: But now I'm cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in Το saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe? Mur. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head; The least a death to nature. Macb. Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies; the worm, that's fled, No teeth for the present.-Get thee gone: to-morrow Lady M. [Exit Murderer. That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, Meeting were bare without it. Macb. Sweet remembrancer! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both! Len. May't please your highness sit. Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Than pity for mischance! Ross. His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please 't your highness |