A Park or Lawn, with a gate leading to the Palace. SCENE III.-The same. Enter three Murderers. 1 Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? 3 Mur. Macbeth. 2 Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. 1 Mur. Then stand with us. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: To gain the timely inn; and near approaches 3 Mur. Hark! I hear horses. Ban. [within.] Give us a light there, ho! 2 Mur. Then 'tis he; the rest That are within the note of expectation 1 Mur. 2 Mur. 3 Mur. 1 Mur. Stand to 't. A light, a light! 'Tis he. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch. Ban. It will be rain to-night. 1 Mur. Let it come down. [Assaults BANQUO. Ban. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge.-O slave! [Dies. FLEANCE escapes. 3 Mur. Who did strike out the light? 1 Mur. Was't not the way? 3 Mur. There's but one down: the son is fled. 2 Mur. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 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, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants. Macb. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first And last the hearty welcome. 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 Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he despatch'd? 1 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, 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 am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe? Thanks for that: Macb. Lady M. [Exit Murderer. That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, 'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home; From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it. Macb. Sweet remembrancer!— Now, good digestion wait on appetite, Len. May't please your highness sit? [The Ghost of BANQUO rises, and sits in MACBETH'S place. Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present; Who may I rather challenge for unkindness your highness? What, my good lord? Macb. Which of you have done this? Macb. Thou canst not say I did it: never shake Ross. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady M. Sit, worthy friends:--my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well: if much you note him You shall offend him, and extend his passion: Lady M. proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear: This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all's done, [you?Macb. Pr'ythee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.— If charnel-houses and our graves must send Those that we bury back, our monuments [Ghost disappears. What, quite unmann'd in folly? Fie, for shame! Macb. If I stand here, I saw him. Lady M. Lady M. Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd That, when the brains were out, the man would die, Than such a murder is. Lady M. My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. I do forget: Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health to all; I drink to the general joy o' the whole table, Our duties, and the pledge. Ghost rises again. 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; Macb. What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, [Ghost disappears. Why, so;-being gone, 1 am a man again.-Pray you, sit still. Lady M. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admir'd disorder. Macb. Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, When mine are blanch'd with fear. Ross. What sights, my lord? [worse; Lady M. I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and Question enrages him: at once, good-night: Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once. Len. Good-night; and better health A kind good-night to all! [Exeunt Lords and Attendants. Macb. It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood: Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak; By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth Lady M. Almost at odds with morning, which is which. Macb. How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person At our great bidding? Lady M. 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, Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. Lady M. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Macb. Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use:- We are yet but young in deed. SCENE V.-The Heath. [Exeunt. Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting HECATE. 1 Witch. Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, |