116 The moment on't; for't must be done to-night, We are resolved, my lord. upon you straight: abide [Exeunt Murderers. 140 Banquo, thy soul's flight, 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, Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; 21 Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, · What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, crow Makes wing to the rooky wood: 50 Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse. Thou, marvell'st at my.words: but hold thee still: SCENE III. A park near the palace. Enter three Murderers. Macbeth. First Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? Our offices and what we have to do First Mur. Then stand with us. Third Mur. That are within the note of expectation Third Mur. usually, 10 His horses go about. So all men do, from hence to the palace gate Sec. Mur. A light, a light! Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch. Third Mur. First Mur. Stand to't. Ban. It will be rain to-night. Ban. O, treachery! Thou mayst revenge. 'Tis he. Let it come down. [They set upon Banguo. Fly, good Fleance, fly, O slave! [Dies. Fleance escapes. Third Mur. Who did strike out the light? First Mur. Third Mur. is filed. Sec. Mur. Was't not the way! There's but one down; the son We have lost 20 Best half of our affair. First Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The same. Hall in the palace. A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, Ross, LENNOX, Lords, and Attend ants. Macb. You know your own degrees; sit down: at first And last the hearty welcome. Lords. And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time Lady M. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks they are welcome. First Murderer appears at the door. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: 10 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, Mur. Fleance is 'scaped. Most royal sir, 20 And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary; upon a thought Which might appal the devil. O proper stuff! 60 Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else You look but on a stool. been perfect, Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in With twenty trenched gashes on his head; Macb. Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you? 71 Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. olden time, Ere humane.statute purged the gentle weal; 80 And there an end; but now they rise again, Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full. And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; Our duties, and the pledge. Re-enter Ghost. Macb. Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Macb. What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100 With most admired disorder. Can such things be, 110 strange Even to the disposition that I owe, When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your checks, When mine is blanch'd with fear. Ross. Question enrages him. At once, good night: Len. Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; Augurs and understood relations have By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth At our great bidding? 131 Lady M. All causes shall give way: I am in blood Thunder. Enter the three Witches, First Witch. Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, In riddles and affairs of death; Meet me i' the morning: thither he There hangs a vaporous drop profound; ΤΟ 20 30 [Music and a song within: 'Come away, come away,' &c. Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see, Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [Exit. First Witch. Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Forres. The palace. Enter LENNOX and another Lord. Len. My former speeches have but hit your Which can interpret further: only, I say, 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, For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought how monstrous ΤΟ It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? What'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. 20 But, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear Lord. 30 The son of Duncan, From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, Lives in the English court, and is received Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of fortune nothing Takes from his high respect: thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward: That, by the help of these-with Him above To ratify the work-we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, Do faithful homage and receive free honours: All which we pine for now: and this report Hath so exasperate the king that he Prepares for some attempt of war. Len. Sent he to Macduff? Lord. He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,' The cloudy messenger turns me his back, 40 And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time That clogs me with this answer.' Len. And that well might Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accursed! Third Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witches' mummy, maw and gulf Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark, For the ingredients of our cauldron. Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 30 Macb. How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! What is't you do? All. A deed without a name. Macb. I conjure you, by that which you profess, Howe'er you come to know it, answer me: Though you untie the winds and let them fight SCENE I. A cavern. In the middle, a boiling Against the churches; though the yesty waves cauldron. Confound and swallow navigation up; 50 Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down; Though castles topple on their warders' heads; First Witch. Show! Sec. Witch. Show! Third Witch. Show! All. Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; 110 Come like shadows, so depart! A show of Eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; Banquo's Ghost following. Macb. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo; down! Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. And thy hair, Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. Another yet! A seventh! I'll see no more: First Witch. Ay, sir, all this is so: but why 130 [Music. The Witches dance, and then vanish, with Hecate. Macb. Where are they? Gone? Let this per Macb. Saw you the weird sisters? Len. No, my lord. Macb. Came they not by you? Macduff is fled to England. Fled to England! Macb. Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits: The flighty purpose never is o'ertook 100 Unless the deed go with it: from this moment Seek to know no more. Macb. I will be satisfied: deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know. Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this? [Hautboys. To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: |