<?xml version="1.0"?> <!DOCTYPE PLAY SYSTEM "play.dtd"> <PLAY> <TITLE>The Tragedy of Macbeth</TITLE> <FM> <P>ASCII text placed in the public domain by Moby Lexical Tools, 1992.</P> <P>SGML markup by Jon Bosak, 1992-1994.</P> <P>XML version by Jon Bosak, 1996-1999.</P> <P>The XML markup in this version is Copyright © 1999 Jon Bosak. This work may freely be distributed on condition that it not be modified or altered in any way.</P> </FM> <PERSONAE> <TITLE>Dramatis Personae</TITLE> <PERSONA>DUNCAN, king of Scotland.</PERSONA> <PGROUP> <PERSONA>MALCOLM</PERSONA> <PERSONA>DONALBAIN</PERSONA> <GRPDESCR>his sons.</GRPDESCR> </PGROUP> <PGROUP> <PERSONA>MACBETH</PERSONA> <PERSONA>BANQUO</PERSONA> <GRPDESCR>generals of the king's army.</GRPDESCR> </PGROUP> <PGROUP> <PERSONA>MACDUFF</PERSONA> <PERSONA>LENNOX</PERSONA> <PERSONA>ROSS</PERSONA> <PERSONA>MENTEITH</PERSONA> <PERSONA>ANGUS</PERSONA> <PERSONA>CAITHNESS</PERSONA> <GRPDESCR>noblemen of Scotland.</GRPDESCR> </PGROUP> <PERSONA>FLEANCE, son to Banquo.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>YOUNG SIWARD, his son.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>SEYTON, an officer attending on Macbeth.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>Boy, son to Macduff. </PERSONA> <PERSONA>An English Doctor. </PERSONA> <PERSONA>A Scotch Doctor. </PERSONA> <PERSONA>A Soldier.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>A Porter.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>An Old Man.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>LADY MACBETH</PERSONA> <PERSONA>LADY MACDUFF</PERSONA> <PERSONA>Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth. </PERSONA> <PERSONA>HECATE</PERSONA> <PERSONA>Three Witches.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>Apparitions.</PERSONA> <PERSONA>Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers. </PERSONA> </PERSONAE> <SCNDESCR>SCENE Scotland: England.</SCNDESCR> <PLAYSUBT>MACBETH</PLAYSUBT> <ACT><TITLE>ACT I</TITLE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. A desert place.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>When shall we three meet again</LINE> <LINE>In thunder, lightning, or in rain?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>When the hurlyburly's done,</LINE> <LINE>When the battle's lost and won.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>That will be ere the set of sun.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where the place?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Upon the heath.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>There to meet with Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>I come, Graymalkin!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Paddock calls.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Anon.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fair is foul, and foul is fair:</LINE> <LINE>Hover through the fog and filthy air.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II. A camp near Forres.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Alarum within. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Sergeant</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>What bloody man is that? He can report,</LINE> <LINE>As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt</LINE> <LINE>The newest state.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>This is the sergeant</LINE> <LINE>Who like a good and hardy soldier fought</LINE> <LINE>'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend!</LINE> <LINE>Say to the king the knowledge of the broil</LINE> <LINE>As thou didst leave it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Sergeant</SPEAKER> <LINE>Doubtful it stood;</LINE> <LINE>As two spent swimmers, that do cling together</LINE> <LINE>And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald--</LINE> <LINE>Worthy to be a rebel, for to that</LINE> <LINE>The multiplying villanies of nature</LINE> <LINE>Do swarm upon him--from the western isles</LINE> <LINE>Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;</LINE> <LINE>And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,</LINE> <LINE>Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:</LINE> <LINE>For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--</LINE> <LINE>Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,</LINE> <LINE>Which smoked with bloody execution,</LINE> <LINE>Like valour's minion carved out his passage</LINE> <LINE>Till he faced the slave;</LINE> <LINE>Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,</LINE> <LINE>Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,</LINE> <LINE>And fix'd his head upon our battlements.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Sergeant</SPEAKER> <LINE>As whence the sun 'gins his reflection</LINE> <LINE>Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,</LINE> <LINE>So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come</LINE> <LINE>Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark:</LINE> <LINE>No sooner justice had with valour arm'd</LINE> <LINE>Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels,</LINE> <LINE>But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage,</LINE> <LINE>With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men</LINE> <LINE>Began a fresh assault.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Dismay'd not this</LINE> <LINE>Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Sergeant</SPEAKER> <LINE>Yes;</LINE> <LINE>As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.</LINE> <LINE>If I say sooth, I must report they were</LINE> <LINE>As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they</LINE> <LINE>Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:</LINE> <LINE>Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,</LINE> <LINE>Or memorise another Golgotha,</LINE> <LINE>I cannot tell.</LINE> <LINE>But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>So well thy words become thee as thy wounds;</LINE> <LINE>They smack of honour both. Go get him surgeons.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Sergeant, attended</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Who comes here?</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter ROSS</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>The worthy thane of Ross.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look</LINE> <LINE>That seems to speak things strange.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>God save the king!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Whence camest thou, worthy thane?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>From Fife, great king;</LINE> <LINE>Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky</LINE> <LINE>And fan our people cold. Norway himself,</LINE> <LINE>With terrible numbers,</LINE> <LINE>Assisted by that most disloyal traitor</LINE> <LINE>The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict;</LINE> <LINE>Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,</LINE> <LINE>Confronted him with self-comparisons,</LINE> <LINE>Point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm.</LINE> <LINE>Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude,</LINE> <LINE>The victory fell on us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Great happiness!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>That now</LINE> <LINE>Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition:</LINE> <LINE>Nor would we deign him burial of his men</LINE> <LINE>Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's inch</LINE> <LINE>Ten thousand dollars to our general use.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive</LINE> <LINE>Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death,</LINE> <LINE>And with his former title greet Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll see it done.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III. A heath near Forres.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. Enter the three Witches</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where hast thou been, sister?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Killing swine.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sister, where thou?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap,</LINE> <LINE>And munch'd, and munch'd, and munch'd:--</LINE> <LINE>'Give me,' quoth I:</LINE> <LINE>'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries.</LINE> <LINE>Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tiger:</LINE> <LINE>But in a sieve I'll thither sail,</LINE> <LINE>And, like a rat without a tail,</LINE> <LINE>I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll give thee a wind.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou'rt kind.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>And I another.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>I myself have all the other,</LINE> <LINE>And the very ports they blow,</LINE> <LINE>All the quarters that they know</LINE> <LINE>I' the shipman's card.</LINE> <LINE>I will drain him dry as hay:</LINE> <LINE>Sleep shall neither night nor day</LINE> <LINE>Hang upon his pent-house lid;</LINE> <LINE>He shall live a man forbid:</LINE> <LINE>Weary se'nnights nine times nine</LINE> <LINE>Shall he dwindle, peak and pine:</LINE> <LINE>Though his bark cannot be lost,</LINE> <LINE>Yet it shall be tempest-tost.</LINE> <LINE>Look what I have.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Show me, show me.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here I have a pilot's thumb,</LINE> <LINE>Wreck'd as homeward he did come.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Drum within</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>A drum, a drum!</LINE> <LINE>Macbeth doth come.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>The weird sisters, hand in hand,</LINE> <LINE>Posters of the sea and land,</LINE> <LINE>Thus do go about, about:</LINE> <LINE>Thrice to thine and thrice to mine</LINE> <LINE>And thrice again, to make up nine.</LINE> <LINE>Peace! the charm's wound up.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH and BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>So foul and fair a day I have not seen.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>How far is't call'd to Forres? What are these</LINE> <LINE>So wither'd and so wild in their attire,</LINE> <LINE>That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth,</LINE> <LINE>And yet are on't? Live you? or are you aught</LINE> <LINE>That man may question? You seem to understand me,</LINE> <LINE>By each at once her chappy finger laying</LINE> <LINE>Upon her skinny lips: you should be women,</LINE> <LINE>And yet your beards forbid me to interpret</LINE> <LINE>That you are so.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Speak, if you can: what are you?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear</LINE> <LINE>Things that do sound so fair? I' the name of truth,</LINE> <LINE>Are ye fantastical, or that indeed</LINE> <LINE>Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner</LINE> <LINE>You greet with present grace and great prediction</LINE> <LINE>Of noble having and of royal hope,</LINE> <LINE>That he seems rapt withal: to me you speak not.</LINE> <LINE>If you can look into the seeds of time,</LINE> <LINE>And say which grain will grow and which will not,</LINE> <LINE>Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear</LINE> <LINE>Your favours nor your hate.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hail!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hail!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hail!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Not so happy, yet much happier.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:</LINE> <LINE>So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:</LINE> <LINE>By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis;</LINE> <LINE>But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives,</LINE> <LINE>A prosperous gentleman; and to be king</LINE> <LINE>Stands not within the prospect of belief,</LINE> <LINE>No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence</LINE> <LINE>You owe this strange intelligence? or why</LINE> <LINE>Upon this blasted heath you stop our way</LINE> <LINE>With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Witches vanish</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,</LINE> <LINE>And these are of them. Whither are they vanish'd?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted</LINE> <LINE>As breath into the wind. Would they had stay'd!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Were such things here as we do speak about?</LINE> <LINE>Or have we eaten on the insane root</LINE> <LINE>That takes the reason prisoner?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your children shall be kings.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>You shall be king.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>To the selfsame tune and words. Who's here?</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter ROSS and ANGUS</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>The king hath happily received, Macbeth,</LINE> <LINE>The news of thy success; and when he reads</LINE> <LINE>Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight,</LINE> <LINE>His wonders and his praises do contend</LINE> <LINE>Which should be thine or his: silenced with that,</LINE> <LINE>In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day,</LINE> <LINE>He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks,</LINE> <LINE>Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make,</LINE> <LINE>Strange images of death. As thick as hail</LINE> <LINE>Came post with post; and every one did bear</LINE> <LINE>Thy praises in his kingdom's great defence,</LINE> <LINE>And pour'd them down before him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ANGUS</SPEAKER> <LINE>We are sent</LINE> <LINE>To give thee from our royal master thanks;</LINE> <LINE>Only to herald thee into his sight,</LINE> <LINE>Not pay thee.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>And, for an earnest of a greater honour,</LINE> <LINE>He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor:</LINE> <LINE>In which addition, hail, most worthy thane!</LINE> <LINE>For it is thine.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, can the devil speak true?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me</LINE> <LINE>In borrow'd robes?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ANGUS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who was the thane lives yet;</LINE> <LINE>But under heavy judgment bears that life</LINE> <LINE>Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined</LINE> <LINE>With those of Norway, or did line the rebel</LINE> <LINE>With hidden help and vantage, or that with both</LINE> <LINE>He labour'd in his country's wreck, I know not;</LINE> <LINE>But treasons capital, confess'd and proved,</LINE> <LINE>Have overthrown him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!</LINE> <LINE>The greatest is behind.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>To ROSS and ANGUS</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Thanks for your pains.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>To BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Do you not hope your children shall be kings,</LINE> <LINE>When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me</LINE> <LINE>Promised no less to them?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>That trusted home</LINE> <LINE>Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,</LINE> <LINE>Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange:</LINE> <LINE>And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,</LINE> <LINE>The instruments of darkness tell us truths,</LINE> <LINE>Win us with honest trifles, to betray's</LINE> <LINE>In deepest consequence.</LINE> <LINE>Cousins, a word, I pray you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> Two truths are told,</LINE> <LINE>As happy prologues to the swelling act</LINE> <LINE>Of the imperial theme.--I thank you, gentlemen.</LINE> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> This supernatural soliciting</LINE> <LINE>Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill,</LINE> <LINE>Why hath it given me earnest of success,</LINE> <LINE>Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor:</LINE> <LINE>If good, why do I yield to that suggestion</LINE> <LINE>Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair</LINE> <LINE>And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,</LINE> <LINE>Against the use of nature? Present fears</LINE> <LINE>Are less than horrible imaginings:</LINE> <LINE>My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,</LINE> <LINE>Shakes so my single state of man that function</LINE> <LINE>Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is</LINE> <LINE>But what is not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Look, how our partner's rapt.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,</LINE> <LINE>Without my stir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>New horrors come upon him,</LINE> <LINE>Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould</LINE> <LINE>But with the aid of use.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> Come what come may,</LINE> <LINE>Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Give me your favour: my dull brain was wrought</LINE> <LINE>With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains</LINE> <LINE>Are register'd where every day I turn</LINE> <LINE>The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king.</LINE> <LINE>Think upon what hath chanced, and, at more time,</LINE> <LINE>The interim having weigh'd it, let us speak</LINE> <LINE>Our free hearts each to other.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Very gladly.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Till then, enough. Come, friends.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV. Forres. The palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Flourish. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, and Attendants</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not</LINE> <LINE>Those in commission yet return'd?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>My liege,</LINE> <LINE>They are not yet come back. But I have spoke</LINE> <LINE>With one that saw him die: who did report</LINE> <LINE>That very frankly he confess'd his treasons,</LINE> <LINE>Implored your highness' pardon and set forth</LINE> <LINE>A deep repentance: nothing in his life</LINE> <LINE>Became him like the leaving it; he died</LINE> <LINE>As one that had been studied in his death</LINE> <LINE>To throw away the dearest thing he owed,</LINE> <LINE>As 'twere a careless trifle.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>There's no art</LINE> <LINE>To find the mind's construction in the face:</LINE> <LINE>He was a gentleman on whom I built</LINE> <LINE>An absolute trust.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS</STAGEDIR> <LINE>O worthiest cousin!</LINE> <LINE>The sin of my ingratitude even now</LINE> <LINE>Was heavy on me: thou art so far before</LINE> <LINE>That swiftest wing of recompense is slow</LINE> <LINE>To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,</LINE> <LINE>That the proportion both of thanks and payment</LINE> <LINE>Might have been mine! only I have left to say,</LINE> <LINE>More is thy due than more than all can pay.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The service and the loyalty I owe,</LINE> <LINE>In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part</LINE> <LINE>Is to receive our duties; and our duties</LINE> <LINE>Are to your throne and state children and servants,</LINE> <LINE>Which do but what they should, by doing every thing</LINE> <LINE>Safe toward your love and honour.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Welcome hither:</LINE> <LINE>I have begun to plant thee, and will labour</LINE> <LINE>To make thee full of growing. Noble Banquo,</LINE> <LINE>That hast no less deserved, nor must be known</LINE> <LINE>No less to have done so, let me enfold thee</LINE> <LINE>And hold thee to my heart.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>There if I grow,</LINE> <LINE>The harvest is your own.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>My plenteous joys,</LINE> <LINE>Wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves</LINE> <LINE>In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes,</LINE> <LINE>And you whose places are the nearest, know</LINE> <LINE>We will establish our estate upon</LINE> <LINE>Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter</LINE> <LINE>The Prince of Cumberland; which honour must</LINE> <LINE>Not unaccompanied invest him only,</LINE> <LINE>But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine</LINE> <LINE>On all deservers. From hence to Inverness,</LINE> <LINE>And bind us further to you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The rest is labour, which is not used for you:</LINE> <LINE>I'll be myself the harbinger and make joyful</LINE> <LINE>The hearing of my wife with your approach;</LINE> <LINE>So humbly take my leave.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>My worthy Cawdor!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step</LINE> <LINE>On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,</LINE> <LINE>For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;</LINE> <LINE>Let not light see my black and deep desires:</LINE> <LINE>The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,</LINE> <LINE>Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>True, worthy Banquo; he is full so valiant,</LINE> <LINE>And in his commendations I am fed;</LINE> <LINE>It is a banquet to me. Let's after him,</LINE> <LINE>Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome:</LINE> <LINE>It is a peerless kinsman.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Flourish. Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V. Inverness. Macbeth's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>'They met me in the day of success: and I have</LINE> <LINE>learned by the perfectest report, they have more in</LINE> <LINE>them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire</LINE> <LINE>to question them further, they made themselves air,</LINE> <LINE>into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in</LINE> <LINE>the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who</LINE> <LINE>all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title,</LINE> <LINE>before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred</LINE> <LINE>me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that</LINE> <LINE>shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver</LINE> <LINE>thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou</LINE> <LINE>mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being</LINE> <LINE>ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it</LINE> <LINE>to thy heart, and farewell.'</LINE> <LINE>Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be</LINE> <LINE>What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;</LINE> <LINE>It is too full o' the milk of human kindness</LINE> <LINE>To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;</LINE> <LINE>Art not without ambition, but without</LINE> <LINE>The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,</LINE> <LINE>That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,</LINE> <LINE>And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis,</LINE> <LINE>That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;</LINE> <LINE>And that which rather thou dost fear to do</LINE> <LINE>Than wishest should be undone.' Hie thee hither,</LINE> <LINE>That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;</LINE> <LINE>And chastise with the valour of my tongue</LINE> <LINE>All that impedes thee from the golden round,</LINE> <LINE>Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem</LINE> <LINE>To have thee crown'd withal.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR> <LINE>What is your tidings?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>The king comes here to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou'rt mad to say it:</LINE> <LINE>Is not thy master with him? who, were't so,</LINE> <LINE>Would have inform'd for preparation.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>So please you, it is true: our thane is coming:</LINE> <LINE>One of my fellows had the speed of him,</LINE> <LINE>Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more</LINE> <LINE>Than would make up his message.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Give him tending;</LINE> <LINE>He brings great news.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Messenger</STAGEDIR> <LINE>The raven himself is hoarse</LINE> <LINE>That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan</LINE> <LINE>Under my battlements. Come, you spirits</LINE> <LINE>That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,</LINE> <LINE>And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full</LINE> <LINE>Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;</LINE> <LINE>Stop up the access and passage to remorse,</LINE> <LINE>That no compunctious visitings of nature</LINE> <LINE>Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between</LINE> <LINE>The effect and it! Come to my woman's breasts,</LINE> <LINE>And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,</LINE> <LINE>Wherever in your sightless substances</LINE> <LINE>You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night,</LINE> <LINE>And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,</LINE> <LINE>That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,</LINE> <LINE>Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,</LINE> <LINE>To cry 'Hold, hold!'</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor!</LINE> <LINE>Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!</LINE> <LINE>Thy letters have transported me beyond</LINE> <LINE>This ignorant present, and I feel now</LINE> <LINE>The future in the instant.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>My dearest love,</LINE> <LINE>Duncan comes here to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>And when goes hence?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>To-morrow, as he purposes.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, never</LINE> <LINE>Shall sun that morrow see!</LINE> <LINE>Your face, my thane, is as a book where men</LINE> <LINE>May read strange matters. To beguile the time,</LINE> <LINE>Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,</LINE> <LINE>Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower,</LINE> <LINE>But be the serpent under't. He that's coming</LINE> <LINE>Must be provided for: and you shall put</LINE> <LINE>This night's great business into my dispatch;</LINE> <LINE>Which shall to all our nights and days to come</LINE> <LINE>Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We will speak further.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Only look up clear;</LINE> <LINE>To alter favour ever is to fear:</LINE> <LINE>Leave all the rest to me.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI. Before Macbeth's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Hautboys and torches. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and Attendants</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air</LINE> <LINE>Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself</LINE> <LINE>Unto our gentle senses.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>This guest of summer,</LINE> <LINE>The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,</LINE> <LINE>By his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath</LINE> <LINE>Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze,</LINE> <LINE>Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird</LINE> <LINE>Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle:</LINE> <LINE>Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed,</LINE> <LINE>The air is delicate.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>See, see, our honour'd hostess!</LINE> <LINE>The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,</LINE> <LINE>Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you</LINE> <LINE>How you shall bid God 'ild us for your pains,</LINE> <LINE>And thank us for your trouble.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>All our service</LINE> <LINE>In every point twice done and then done double</LINE> <LINE>Were poor and single business to contend</LINE> <LINE>Against those honours deep and broad wherewith</LINE> <LINE>Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,</LINE> <LINE>And the late dignities heap'd up to them,</LINE> <LINE>We rest your hermits.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where's the thane of Cawdor?</LINE> <LINE>We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose</LINE> <LINE>To be his purveyor: but he rides well;</LINE> <LINE>And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him</LINE> <LINE>To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,</LINE> <LINE>We are your guest to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your servants ever</LINE> <LINE>Have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in compt,</LINE> <LINE>To make their audit at your highness' pleasure,</LINE> <LINE>Still to return your own.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DUNCAN</SPEAKER> <LINE>Give me your hand;</LINE> <LINE>Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly,</LINE> <LINE>And shall continue our graces towards him.</LINE> <LINE>By your leave, hostess.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VII. Macbeth's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. Then enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well</LINE> <LINE>It were done quickly: if the assassination</LINE> <LINE>Could trammel up the consequence, and catch</LINE> <LINE>With his surcease success; that but this blow</LINE> <LINE>Might be the be-all and the end-all here,</LINE> <LINE>But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,</LINE> <LINE>We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases</LINE> <LINE>We still have judgment here; that we but teach</LINE> <LINE>Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return</LINE> <LINE>To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice</LINE> <LINE>Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice</LINE> <LINE>To our own lips. He's here in double trust;</LINE> <LINE>First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,</LINE> <LINE>Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,</LINE> <LINE>Who should against his murderer shut the door,</LINE> <LINE>Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan</LINE> <LINE>Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been</LINE> <LINE>So clear in his great office, that his virtues</LINE> <LINE>Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against</LINE> <LINE>The deep damnation of his taking-off;</LINE> <LINE>And pity, like a naked new-born babe,</LINE> <LINE>Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed</LINE> <LINE>Upon the sightless couriers of the air,</LINE> <LINE>Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,</LINE> <LINE>That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur</LINE> <LINE>To prick the sides of my intent, but only</LINE> <LINE>Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself</LINE> <LINE>And falls on the other.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <LINE>How now! what news?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hath he ask'd for me?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Know you not he has?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We will proceed no further in this business:</LINE> <LINE>He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought</LINE> <LINE>Golden opinions from all sorts of people,</LINE> <LINE>Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,</LINE> <LINE>Not cast aside so soon.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Was the hope drunk</LINE> <LINE>Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since?</LINE> <LINE>And wakes it now, to look so green and pale</LINE> <LINE>At what it did so freely? From this time</LINE> <LINE>Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard</LINE> <LINE>To be the same in thine own act and valour</LINE> <LINE>As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that</LINE> <LINE>Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,</LINE> <LINE>And live a coward in thine own esteem,</LINE> <LINE>Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'</LINE> <LINE>Like the poor cat i' the adage?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Prithee, peace:</LINE> <LINE>I dare do all that may become a man;</LINE> <LINE>Who dares do more is none.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What beast was't, then,</LINE> <LINE>That made you break this enterprise to me?</LINE> <LINE>When you durst do it, then you were a man;</LINE> <LINE>And, to be more than what you were, you would</LINE> <LINE>Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place</LINE> <LINE>Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:</LINE> <LINE>They have made themselves, and that their fitness now</LINE> <LINE>Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know</LINE> <LINE>How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:</LINE> <LINE>I would, while it was smiling in my face,</LINE> <LINE>Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,</LINE> <LINE>And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you</LINE> <LINE>Have done to this.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If we should fail?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We fail!</LINE> <LINE>But screw your courage to the sticking-place,</LINE> <LINE>And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep--</LINE> <LINE>Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey</LINE> <LINE>Soundly invite him--his two chamberlains</LINE> <LINE>Will I with wine and wassail so convince</LINE> <LINE>That memory, the warder of the brain,</LINE> <LINE>Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason</LINE> <LINE>A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep</LINE> <LINE>Their drenched natures lie as in a death,</LINE> <LINE>What cannot you and I perform upon</LINE> <LINE>The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon</LINE> <LINE>His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt</LINE> <LINE>Of our great quell?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bring forth men-children only;</LINE> <LINE>For thy undaunted mettle should compose</LINE> <LINE>Nothing but males. Will it not be received,</LINE> <LINE>When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two</LINE> <LINE>Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,</LINE> <LINE>That they have done't?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who dares receive it other,</LINE> <LINE>As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar</LINE> <LINE>Upon his death?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I am settled, and bend up</LINE> <LINE>Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.</LINE> <LINE>Away, and mock the time with fairest show:</LINE> <LINE>False face must hide what the false heart doth know.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> </ACT> <ACT><TITLE>ACT II</TITLE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. Court of Macbeth's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE bearing a torch before him</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>How goes the night, boy?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>FLEANCE</SPEAKER> <LINE>The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>And she goes down at twelve.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>FLEANCE</SPEAKER> <LINE>I take't, 'tis later, sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;</LINE> <LINE>Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.</LINE> <LINE>A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,</LINE> <LINE>And yet I would not sleep: merciful powers,</LINE> <LINE>Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature</LINE> <LINE>Gives way to in repose!</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH, and a Servant with a torch</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Give me my sword.</LINE> <LINE>Who's there?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>A friend.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed:</LINE> <LINE>He hath been in unusual pleasure, and</LINE> <LINE>Sent forth great largess to your offices.</LINE> <LINE>This diamond he greets your wife withal,</LINE> <LINE>By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up</LINE> <LINE>In measureless content.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Being unprepared,</LINE> <LINE>Our will became the servant to defect;</LINE> <LINE>Which else should free have wrought.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>All's well.</LINE> <LINE>I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters:</LINE> <LINE>To you they have show'd some truth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I think not of them:</LINE> <LINE>Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,</LINE> <LINE>We would spend it in some words upon that business,</LINE> <LINE>If you would grant the time.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>At your kind'st leisure.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis,</LINE> <LINE>It shall make honour for you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>So I lose none</LINE> <LINE>In seeking to augment it, but still keep</LINE> <LINE>My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,</LINE> <LINE>I shall be counsell'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good repose the while!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thanks, sir: the like to you!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt BANQUO and FLEANCE</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready,</LINE> <LINE>She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Servant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Is this a dagger which I see before me,</LINE> <LINE>The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.</LINE> <LINE>I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.</LINE> <LINE>Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible</LINE> <LINE>To feeling as to sight? or art thou but</LINE> <LINE>A dagger of the mind, a false creation,</LINE> <LINE>Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?</LINE> <LINE>I see thee yet, in form as palpable</LINE> <LINE>As this which now I draw.</LINE> <LINE>Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going;</LINE> <LINE>And such an instrument I was to use.</LINE> <LINE>Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,</LINE> <LINE>Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still,</LINE> <LINE>And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,</LINE> <LINE>Which was not so before. There's no such thing:</LINE> <LINE>It is the bloody business which informs</LINE> <LINE>Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld</LINE> <LINE>Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse</LINE> <LINE>The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates</LINE> <LINE>Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder,</LINE> <LINE>Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,</LINE> <LINE>Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace.</LINE> <LINE>With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design</LINE> <LINE>Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth,</LINE> <LINE>Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear</LINE> <LINE>Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,</LINE> <LINE>And take the present horror from the time,</LINE> <LINE>Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives:</LINE> <LINE>Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>A bell rings</STAGEDIR> <LINE>I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.</LINE> <LINE>Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell</LINE> <LINE>That summons thee to heaven or to hell.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II. The same.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold;</LINE> <LINE>What hath quench'd them hath given me fire.</LINE> <LINE>Hark! Peace!</LINE> <LINE>It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman,</LINE> <LINE>Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it:</LINE> <LINE>The doors are open; and the surfeited grooms</LINE> <LINE>Do mock their charge with snores: I have drugg'd</LINE> <LINE>their possets,</LINE> <LINE>That death and nature do contend about them,</LINE> <LINE>Whether they live or die.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Within</STAGEDIR> Who's there? what, ho!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Alack, I am afraid they have awaked,</LINE> <LINE>And 'tis not done. The attempt and not the deed</LINE> <LINE>Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready;</LINE> <LINE>He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled</LINE> <LINE>My father as he slept, I had done't.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <LINE>My husband!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.</LINE> <LINE>Did not you speak?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>When?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Now.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>As I descended?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hark!</LINE> <LINE>Who lies i' the second chamber?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Donalbain.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>This is a sorry sight.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Looking on his hands</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried</LINE> <LINE>'Murder!'</LINE> <LINE>That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them:</LINE> <LINE>But they did say their prayers, and address'd them</LINE> <LINE>Again to sleep.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>There are two lodged together.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other;</LINE> <LINE>As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.</LINE> <LINE>Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,'</LINE> <LINE>When they did say 'God bless us!'</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Consider it not so deeply.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'?</LINE> <LINE>I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen'</LINE> <LINE>Stuck in my throat.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>These deeds must not be thought</LINE> <LINE>After these ways; so, it will make us mad.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!</LINE> <LINE>Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,</LINE> <LINE>Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,</LINE> <LINE>The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,</LINE> <LINE>Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,</LINE> <LINE>Chief nourisher in life's feast,--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What do you mean?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house:</LINE> <LINE>'Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor</LINE> <LINE>Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.'</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,</LINE> <LINE>You do unbend your noble strength, to think</LINE> <LINE>So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,</LINE> <LINE>And wash this filthy witness from your hand.</LINE> <LINE>Why did you bring these daggers from the place?</LINE> <LINE>They must lie there: go carry them; and smear</LINE> <LINE>The sleepy grooms with blood.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll go no more:</LINE> <LINE>I am afraid to think what I have done;</LINE> <LINE>Look on't again I dare not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Infirm of purpose!</LINE> <LINE>Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead</LINE> <LINE>Are but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhood</LINE> <LINE>That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,</LINE> <LINE>I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal;</LINE> <LINE>For it must seem their guilt.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit. Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Whence is that knocking?</LINE> <LINE>How is't with me, when every noise appals me?</LINE> <LINE>What hands are here? ha! they pluck out mine eyes.</LINE> <LINE>Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood</LINE> <LINE>Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather</LINE> <LINE>The multitudinous seas in incarnadine,</LINE> <LINE>Making the green one red.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>My hands are of your colour; but I shame</LINE> <LINE>To wear a heart so white.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>I hear a knocking</LINE> <LINE>At the south entry: retire we to our chamber;</LINE> <LINE>A little water clears us of this deed:</LINE> <LINE>How easy is it, then! Your constancy</LINE> <LINE>Hath left you unattended.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Hark! more knocking.</LINE> <LINE>Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us,</LINE> <LINE>And show us to be watchers. Be not lost</LINE> <LINE>So poorly in your thoughts.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III. The same.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within. Enter a Porter</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Porter</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here's a knocking indeed! If a</LINE> <LINE>man were porter of hell-gate, he should have</LINE> <LINE>old turning the key.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Knock,</LINE> <LINE>knock, knock! Who's there, i' the name of</LINE> <LINE>Beelzebub? Here's a farmer, that hanged</LINE> <LINE>himself on the expectation of plenty: come in</LINE> <LINE>time; have napkins enow about you; here</LINE> <LINE>you'll sweat for't.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Knock,</LINE> <LINE>knock! Who's there, in the other devil's</LINE> <LINE>name? Faith, here's an equivocator, that could</LINE> <LINE>swear in both the scales against either scale;</LINE> <LINE>who committed treason enough for God's sake,</LINE> <LINE>yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come</LINE> <LINE>in, equivocator.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Knock,</LINE> <LINE>knock, knock! Who's there? Faith, here's an</LINE> <LINE>English tailor come hither, for stealing out of</LINE> <LINE>a French hose: come in, tailor; here you may</LINE> <LINE>roast your goose.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Knock,</LINE> <LINE>knock; never at quiet! What are you? But</LINE> <LINE>this place is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter</LINE> <LINE>it no further: I had thought to have let in</LINE> <LINE>some of all professions that go the primrose</LINE> <LINE>way to the everlasting bonfire.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Knocking within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Opens the gate</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed,</LINE> <LINE>That you do lie so late?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Porter</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Faith sir, we were carousing till the</LINE> <LINE>second cock: and drink, sir, is a great</LINE> <LINE>provoker of three things.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What three things does drink especially provoke?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Porter</SPEAKER> <LINE>Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and</LINE> <LINE>urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes;</LINE> <LINE>it provokes the desire, but it takes</LINE> <LINE>away the performance: therefore, much drink</LINE> <LINE>may be said to be an equivocator with lechery:</LINE> <LINE>it makes him, and it mars him; it sets</LINE> <LINE>him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him,</LINE> <LINE>and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and</LINE> <LINE>not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him</LINE> <LINE>in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Porter</SPEAKER> <LINE>That it did, sir, i' the very throat on</LINE> <LINE>me: but I requited him for his lie; and, I</LINE> <LINE>think, being too strong for him, though he took</LINE> <LINE>up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast</LINE> <LINE>him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Is thy master stirring?</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Our knocking has awaked him; here he comes.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good morrow, noble sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good morrow, both.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Is the king stirring, worthy thane?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Not yet.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>He did command me to call timely on him:</LINE> <LINE>I have almost slipp'd the hour.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll bring you to him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I know this is a joyful trouble to you;</LINE> <LINE>But yet 'tis one.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The labour we delight in physics pain.</LINE> <LINE>This is the door.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll make so bold to call,</LINE> <LINE>For 'tis my limited service.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Goes the king hence to-day?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>He does: he did appoint so.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>The night has been unruly: where we lay,</LINE> <LINE>Our chimneys were blown down; and, as they say,</LINE> <LINE>Lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death,</LINE> <LINE>And prophesying with accents terrible</LINE> <LINE>Of dire combustion and confused events</LINE> <LINE>New hatch'd to the woeful time: the obscure bird</LINE> <LINE>Clamour'd the livelong night: some say, the earth</LINE> <LINE>Was feverous and did shake.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Twas a rough night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>My young remembrance cannot parallel</LINE> <LINE>A fellow to it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter MACDUFF</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart</LINE> <LINE>Cannot conceive nor name thee!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's the matter.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Confusion now hath made his masterpiece!</LINE> <LINE>Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope</LINE> <LINE>The Lord's anointed temple, and stole thence</LINE> <LINE>The life o' the building!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is 't you say? the life?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Mean you his majesty?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight</LINE> <LINE>With a new Gorgon: do not bid me speak;</LINE> <LINE>See, and then speak yourselves.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt MACBETH and LENNOX</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Awake, awake!</LINE> <LINE>Ring the alarum-bell. Murder and treason!</LINE> <LINE>Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! awake!</LINE> <LINE>Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,</LINE> <LINE>And look on death itself! up, up, and see</LINE> <LINE>The great doom's image! Malcolm! Banquo!</LINE> <LINE>As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites,</LINE> <LINE>To countenance this horror! Ring the bell.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Bell rings</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's the business,</LINE> <LINE>That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley</LINE> <LINE>The sleepers of the house? speak, speak!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>O gentle lady,</LINE> <LINE>'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:</LINE> <LINE>The repetition, in a woman's ear,</LINE> <LINE>Would murder as it fell.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <LINE>O Banquo, Banquo,</LINE> <LINE>Our royal master 's murder'd!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Woe, alas!</LINE> <LINE>What, in our house?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Too cruel any where.</LINE> <LINE>Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself,</LINE> <LINE>And say it is not so.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter MACBETH and LENNOX, with ROSS</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Had I but died an hour before this chance,</LINE> <LINE>I had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,</LINE> <LINE>There 's nothing serious in mortality:</LINE> <LINE>All is but toys: renown and grace is dead;</LINE> <LINE>The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees</LINE> <LINE>Is left this vault to brag of.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter MALCOLM and DONALBAIN</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DONALBAIN</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is amiss?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>You are, and do not know't:</LINE> <LINE>The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood</LINE> <LINE>Is stopp'd; the very source of it is stopp'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your royal father 's murder'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, by whom?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't:</LINE> <LINE>Their hands and faces were an badged with blood;</LINE> <LINE>So were their daggers, which unwiped we found</LINE> <LINE>Upon their pillows:</LINE> <LINE>They stared, and were distracted; no man's life</LINE> <LINE>Was to be trusted with them.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, yet I do repent me of my fury,</LINE> <LINE>That I did kill them.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Wherefore did you so?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious,</LINE> <LINE>Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man:</LINE> <LINE>The expedition my violent love</LINE> <LINE>Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,</LINE> <LINE>His silver skin laced with his golden blood;</LINE> <LINE>And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature</LINE> <LINE>For ruin's wasteful entrance: there, the murderers,</LINE> <LINE>Steep'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers</LINE> <LINE>Unmannerly breech'd with gore: who could refrain,</LINE> <LINE>That had a heart to love, and in that heart</LINE> <LINE>Courage to make 's love known?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Help me hence, ho!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Look to the lady.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DONALBAIN</STAGEDIR> Why do we hold our tongues,</LINE> <LINE>That most may claim this argument for ours?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DONALBAIN</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to MALCOLM</STAGEDIR> What should be spoken here,</LINE> <LINE>where our fate,</LINE> <LINE>Hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us?</LINE> <LINE>Let 's away;</LINE> <LINE>Our tears are not yet brew'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DONALBAIN</STAGEDIR> Nor our strong sorrow</LINE> <LINE>Upon the foot of motion.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Look to the lady:</LINE> <STAGEDIR>LADY MACBETH is carried out</STAGEDIR> <LINE>And when we have our naked frailties hid,</LINE> <LINE>That suffer in exposure, let us meet,</LINE> <LINE>And question this most bloody piece of work,</LINE> <LINE>To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us:</LINE> <LINE>In the great hand of God I stand; and thence</LINE> <LINE>Against the undivulged pretence I fight</LINE> <LINE>Of treasonous malice.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>And so do I.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>So all.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let's briefly put on manly readiness,</LINE> <LINE>And meet i' the hall together.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well contented.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>What will you do? Let's not consort with them:</LINE> <LINE>To show an unfelt sorrow is an office</LINE> <LINE>Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>DONALBAIN</SPEAKER> <LINE>To Ireland, I; our separated fortune</LINE> <LINE>Shall keep us both the safer: where we are,</LINE> <LINE>There's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood,</LINE> <LINE>The nearer bloody.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>This murderous shaft that's shot</LINE> <LINE>Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way</LINE> <LINE>Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse;</LINE> <LINE>And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,</LINE> <LINE>But shift away: there's warrant in that theft</LINE> <LINE>Which steals itself, when there's no mercy left.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter ROSS and an old Man</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Old Man</SPEAKER> <LINE>Threescore and ten I can remember well:</LINE> <LINE>Within the volume of which time I have seen</LINE> <LINE>Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night</LINE> <LINE>Hath trifled former knowings.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ah, good father,</LINE> <LINE>Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,</LINE> <LINE>Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,</LINE> <LINE>And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:</LINE> <LINE>Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,</LINE> <LINE>That darkness does the face of earth entomb,</LINE> <LINE>When living light should kiss it?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Old Man</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis unnatural,</LINE> <LINE>Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,</LINE> <LINE>A falcon, towering in her pride of place,</LINE> <LINE>Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--</LINE> <LINE>Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,</LINE> <LINE>Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,</LINE> <LINE>Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make</LINE> <LINE>War with mankind.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Old Man</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis said they eat each other.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes</LINE> <LINE>That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACDUFF</STAGEDIR> <LINE>How goes the world, sir, now?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, see you not?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Those that Macbeth hath slain.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Alas, the day!</LINE> <LINE>What good could they pretend?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>They were suborn'd:</LINE> <LINE>Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,</LINE> <LINE>Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them</LINE> <LINE>Suspicion of the deed.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Gainst nature still!</LINE> <LINE>Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up</LINE> <LINE>Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like</LINE> <LINE>The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>He is already named, and gone to Scone</LINE> <LINE>To be invested.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where is Duncan's body?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Carried to Colmekill,</LINE> <LINE>The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,</LINE> <LINE>And guardian of their bones.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Will you to Scone?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>No, cousin, I'll to Fife.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, I will thither.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, may you see things well done there: adieu!</LINE> <LINE>Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Farewell, father.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Old Man</SPEAKER> <LINE>God's benison go with you; and with those</LINE> <LINE>That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> </ACT> <ACT><TITLE>ACT III</TITLE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. Forres. The palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,</LINE> <LINE>As the weird women promised, and, I fear,</LINE> <LINE>Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said</LINE> <LINE>It should not stand in thy posterity,</LINE> <LINE>But that myself should be the root and father</LINE> <LINE>Of many kings. If there come truth from them--</LINE> <LINE>As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine--</LINE> <LINE>Why, by the verities on thee made good,</LINE> <LINE>May they not be my oracles as well,</LINE> <LINE>And set me up in hope? But hush! no more.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king, LADY MACBETH, as queen, LENNOX, ROSS, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here's our chief guest.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If he had been forgotten,</LINE> <LINE>It had been as a gap in our great feast,</LINE> <LINE>And all-thing unbecoming.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>To-night we hold a solemn supper sir,</LINE> <LINE>And I'll request your presence.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let your highness</LINE> <LINE>Command upon me; to the which my duties</LINE> <LINE>Are with a most indissoluble tie</LINE> <LINE>For ever knit.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ride you this afternoon?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, my good lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We should have else desired your good advice,</LINE> <LINE>Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,</LINE> <LINE>In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow.</LINE> <LINE>Is't far you ride?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>As far, my lord, as will fill up the time</LINE> <LINE>'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better,</LINE> <LINE>I must become a borrower of the night</LINE> <LINE>For a dark hour or twain.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fail not our feast.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>My lord, I will not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd</LINE> <LINE>In England and in Ireland, not confessing</LINE> <LINE>Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers</LINE> <LINE>With strange invention: but of that to-morrow,</LINE> <LINE>When therewithal we shall have cause of state</LINE> <LINE>Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu,</LINE> <LINE>Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I wish your horses swift and sure of foot;</LINE> <LINE>And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Let every man be master of his time</LINE> <LINE>Till seven at night: to make society</LINE> <LINE>The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself</LINE> <LINE>Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you!</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but MACBETH, and an attendant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men</LINE> <LINE>Our pleasure?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ATTENDANT</SPEAKER> <LINE>They are, my lord, without the palace gate.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bring them before us.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Attendant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>To be thus is nothing;</LINE> <LINE>But to be safely thus.--Our fears in Banquo</LINE> <LINE>Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature</LINE> <LINE>Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;</LINE> <LINE>And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,</LINE> <LINE>He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour</LINE> <LINE>To act in safety. There is none but he</LINE> <LINE>Whose being I do fear: and, under him,</LINE> <LINE>My Genius is rebuked; as, it is said,</LINE> <LINE>Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters</LINE> <LINE>When first they put the name of king upon me,</LINE> <LINE>And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like</LINE> <LINE>They hail'd him father to a line of kings:</LINE> <LINE>Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,</LINE> <LINE>And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,</LINE> <LINE>Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,</LINE> <LINE>No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,</LINE> <LINE>For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;</LINE> <LINE>For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;</LINE> <LINE>Put rancours in the vessel of my peace</LINE> <LINE>Only for them; and mine eternal jewel</LINE> <LINE>Given to the common enemy of man,</LINE> <LINE>To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!</LINE> <LINE>Rather than so, come fate into the list.</LINE> <LINE>And champion me to the utterance! Who's there!</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Attendant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Was it not yesterday we spoke together?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>It was, so please your highness.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well then, now</LINE> <LINE>Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know</LINE> <LINE>That it was he in the times past which held you</LINE> <LINE>So under fortune, which you thought had been</LINE> <LINE>Our innocent self: this I made good to you</LINE> <LINE>In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,</LINE> <LINE>How you were borne in hand, how cross'd,</LINE> <LINE>the instruments,</LINE> <LINE>Who wrought with them, and all things else that might</LINE> <LINE>To half a soul and to a notion crazed</LINE> <LINE>Say 'Thus did Banquo.'</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>You made it known to us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I did so, and went further, which is now</LINE> <LINE>Our point of second meeting. Do you find</LINE> <LINE>Your patience so predominant in your nature</LINE> <LINE>That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd</LINE> <LINE>To pray for this good man and for his issue,</LINE> <LINE>Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave</LINE> <LINE>And beggar'd yours for ever?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>We are men, my liege.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;</LINE> <LINE>As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,</LINE> <LINE>Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept</LINE> <LINE>All by the name of dogs: the valued file</LINE> <LINE>Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,</LINE> <LINE>The housekeeper, the hunter, every one</LINE> <LINE>According to the gift which bounteous nature</LINE> <LINE>Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive</LINE> <LINE>Particular addition. from the bill</LINE> <LINE>That writes them all alike: and so of men.</LINE> <LINE>Now, if you have a station in the file,</LINE> <LINE>Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say 't;</LINE> <LINE>And I will put that business in your bosoms,</LINE> <LINE>Whose execution takes your enemy off,</LINE> <LINE>Grapples you to the heart and love of us,</LINE> <LINE>Who wear our health but sickly in his life,</LINE> <LINE>Which in his death were perfect.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>I am one, my liege,</LINE> <LINE>Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world</LINE> <LINE>Have so incensed that I am reckless what</LINE> <LINE>I do to spite the world.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>And I another</LINE> <LINE>So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,</LINE> <LINE>That I would set my lie on any chance,</LINE> <LINE>To mend it, or be rid on't.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Both of you</LINE> <LINE>Know Banquo was your enemy.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Both Murderers</SPEAKER> <LINE>True, my lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>So is he mine; and in such bloody distance,</LINE> <LINE>That every minute of his being thrusts</LINE> <LINE>Against my near'st of life: and though I could</LINE> <LINE>With barefaced power sweep him from my sight</LINE> <LINE>And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,</LINE> <LINE>For certain friends that are both his and mine,</LINE> <LINE>Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall</LINE> <LINE>Who I myself struck down; and thence it is,</LINE> <LINE>That I to your assistance do make love,</LINE> <LINE>Masking the business from the common eye</LINE> <LINE>For sundry weighty reasons.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>We shall, my lord,</LINE> <LINE>Perform what you command us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Though our lives--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most</LINE> <LINE>I will advise you where to plant yourselves;</LINE> <LINE>Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,</LINE> <LINE>The moment on't; for't must be done to-night,</LINE> <LINE>And something from the palace; always thought</LINE> <LINE>That I require a clearness: and with him--</LINE> <LINE>To leave no rubs nor botches in the work--</LINE> <LINE>Fleance his son, that keeps him company,</LINE> <LINE>Whose absence is no less material to me</LINE> <LINE>Than is his father's, must embrace the fate</LINE> <LINE>Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:</LINE> <LINE>I'll come to you anon.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Both Murderers</SPEAKER> <LINE>We are resolved, my lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll call upon you straight: abide within.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt Murderers</STAGEDIR> <LINE>It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight,</LINE> <LINE>If it find heaven, must find it out to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II. The palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH and a Servant</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Is Banquo gone from court?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Servant</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Say to the king, I would attend his leisure</LINE> <LINE>For a few words.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Servant</SPEAKER> <LINE>Madam, I will.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Nought's had, all's spent,</LINE> <LINE>Where our desire is got without content:</LINE> <LINE>'Tis safer to be that which we destroy</LINE> <LINE>Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <LINE>How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,</LINE> <LINE>Of sorriest fancies your companions making,</LINE> <LINE>Using those thoughts which should indeed have died</LINE> <LINE>With them they think on? Things without all remedy</LINE> <LINE>Should be without regard: what's done is done.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it:</LINE> <LINE>She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice</LINE> <LINE>Remains in danger of her former tooth.</LINE> <LINE>But let the frame of things disjoint, both the</LINE> <LINE>worlds suffer,</LINE> <LINE>Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep</LINE> <LINE>In the affliction of these terrible dreams</LINE> <LINE>That shake us nightly: better be with the dead,</LINE> <LINE>Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,</LINE> <LINE>Than on the torture of the mind to lie</LINE> <LINE>In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;</LINE> <LINE>After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;</LINE> <LINE>Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,</LINE> <LINE>Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,</LINE> <LINE>Can touch him further.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Come on;</LINE> <LINE>Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;</LINE> <LINE>Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you:</LINE> <LINE>Let your remembrance apply to Banquo;</LINE> <LINE>Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue:</LINE> <LINE>Unsafe the while, that we</LINE> <LINE>Must lave our honours in these flattering streams,</LINE> <LINE>And make our faces vizards to our hearts,</LINE> <LINE>Disguising what they are.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>You must leave this.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!</LINE> <LINE>Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>But in them nature's copy's not eterne.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>There's comfort yet; they are assailable;</LINE> <LINE>Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown</LINE> <LINE>His cloister'd flight, ere to black Hecate's summons</LINE> <LINE>The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums</LINE> <LINE>Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done</LINE> <LINE>A deed of dreadful note.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's to be done?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,</LINE> <LINE>Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,</LINE> <LINE>Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day;</LINE> <LINE>And with thy bloody and invisible hand</LINE> <LINE>Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond</LINE> <LINE>Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the crow</LINE> <LINE>Makes wing to the rooky wood:</LINE> <LINE>Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;</LINE> <LINE>While night's black agents to their preys do rouse.</LINE> <LINE>Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;</LINE> <LINE>Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.</LINE> <LINE>So, prithee, go with me.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III. A park near the palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter three Murderers</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>But who did bid thee join with us?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers</LINE> <LINE>Our offices and what we have to do</LINE> <LINE>To the direction just.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then stand with us.</LINE> <LINE>The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:</LINE> <LINE>Now spurs the lated traveller apace</LINE> <LINE>To gain the timely inn; and near approaches</LINE> <LINE>The subject of our watch.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hark! I hear horses.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Within</STAGEDIR> Give us a light there, ho!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then 'tis he: the rest</LINE> <LINE>That are within the note of expectation</LINE> <LINE>Already are i' the court.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>His horses go about.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Almost a mile: but he does usually,</LINE> <LINE>So all men do, from hence to the palace gate</LINE> <LINE>Make it their walk.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>A light, a light!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis he.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Stand to't.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>It will be rain to-night.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let it come down.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>They set upon BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>BANQUO</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!</LINE> <LINE>Thou mayst revenge. O slave!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Dies. FLEANCE escapes</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who did strike out the light?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Wast not the way?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>There's but one down; the son is fled.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>We have lost</LINE> <LINE>Best half of our affair.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, let's away, and say how much is done.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV. The same. Hall in the palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>You know your own degrees; sit down: at first</LINE> <LINE>And last the hearty welcome.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lords</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thanks to your majesty.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ourself will mingle with society,</LINE> <LINE>And play the humble host.</LINE> <LINE>Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time</LINE> <LINE>We will require her welcome.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends;</LINE> <LINE>For my heart speaks they are welcome.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>First Murderer appears at the door</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.</LINE> <LINE>Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst:</LINE> <LINE>Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure</LINE> <LINE>The table round.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Approaching the door</STAGEDIR> <LINE>There's blood on thy face.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis Banquo's then.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis better thee without than he within.</LINE> <LINE>Is he dispatch'd?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good</LINE> <LINE>That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,</LINE> <LINE>Thou art the nonpareil.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Most royal sir,</LINE> <LINE>Fleance is 'scaped.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,</LINE> <LINE>Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,</LINE> <LINE>As broad and general as the casing air:</LINE> <LINE>But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in</LINE> <LINE>To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,</LINE> <LINE>With twenty trenched gashes on his head;</LINE> <LINE>The least a death to nature.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thanks for that:</LINE> <LINE>There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled</LINE> <LINE>Hath nature that in time will venom breed,</LINE> <LINE>No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow</LINE> <LINE>We'll hear, ourselves, again.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit Murderer</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>My royal lord,</LINE> <LINE>You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold</LINE> <LINE>That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making,</LINE> <LINE>'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home;</LINE> <LINE>From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;</LINE> <LINE>Meeting were bare without it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sweet remembrancer!</LINE> <LINE>Now, good digestion wait on appetite,</LINE> <LINE>And health on both!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>May't please your highness sit.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH's place</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here had we now our country's honour roof'd,</LINE> <LINE>Were the graced person of our Banquo present;</LINE> <LINE>Who may I rather challenge for unkindness</LINE> <LINE>Than pity for mischance!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>His absence, sir,</LINE> <LINE>Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness</LINE> <LINE>To grace us with your royal company.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The table's full.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here is a place reserved, sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Which of you have done this?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lords</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, my good lord?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou canst not say I did it: never shake</LINE> <LINE>Thy gory locks at me.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,</LINE> <LINE>And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;</LINE> <LINE>The fit is momentary; upon a thought</LINE> <LINE>He will again be well: if much you note him,</LINE> <LINE>You shall offend him and extend his passion:</LINE> <LINE>Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that</LINE> <LINE>Which might appal the devil.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>O proper stuff!</LINE> <LINE>This is the very painting of your fear:</LINE> <LINE>This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,</LINE> <LINE>Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,</LINE> <LINE>Impostors to true fear, would well become</LINE> <LINE>A woman's story at a winter's fire,</LINE> <LINE>Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!</LINE> <LINE>Why do you make such faces? When all's done,</LINE> <LINE>You look but on a stool.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo!</LINE> <LINE>how say you?</LINE> <LINE>Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.</LINE> <LINE>If charnel-houses and our graves must send</LINE> <LINE>Those that we bury back, our monuments</LINE> <LINE>Shall be the maws of kites.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, quite unmann'd in folly?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If I stand here, I saw him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fie, for shame!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time,</LINE> <LINE>Ere human statute purged the gentle weal;</LINE> <LINE>Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd</LINE> <LINE>Too terrible for the ear: the times have been,</LINE> <LINE>That, when the brains were out, the man would die,</LINE> <LINE>And there an end; but now they rise again,</LINE> <LINE>With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,</LINE> <LINE>And push us from our stools: this is more strange</LINE> <LINE>Than such a murder is.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>My worthy lord,</LINE> <LINE>Your noble friends do lack you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I do forget.</LINE> <LINE>Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends,</LINE> <LINE>I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing</LINE> <LINE>To those that know me. Come, love and health to all;</LINE> <LINE>Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full.</LINE> <LINE>I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,</LINE> <LINE>And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;</LINE> <LINE>Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst,</LINE> <LINE>And all to all.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lords</SPEAKER> <LINE>Our duties, and the pledge.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!</LINE> <LINE>Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;</LINE> <LINE>Thou hast no speculation in those eyes</LINE> <LINE>Which thou dost glare with!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Think of this, good peers,</LINE> <LINE>But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;</LINE> <LINE>Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What man dare, I dare:</LINE> <LINE>Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,</LINE> <LINE>The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;</LINE> <LINE>Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves</LINE> <LINE>Shall never tremble: or be alive again,</LINE> <LINE>And dare me to the desert with thy sword;</LINE> <LINE>If trembling I inhabit then, protest me</LINE> <LINE>The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!</LINE> <LINE>Unreal mockery, hence!</LINE> <STAGEDIR>GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Why, so: being gone,</LINE> <LINE>I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,</LINE> <LINE>With most admired disorder.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Can such things be,</LINE> <LINE>And overcome us like a summer's cloud,</LINE> <LINE>Without our special wonder? You make me strange</LINE> <LINE>Even to the disposition that I owe,</LINE> <LINE>When now I think you can behold such sights,</LINE> <LINE>And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,</LINE> <LINE>When mine is blanched with fear.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>What sights, my lord?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;</LINE> <LINE>Question enrages him. At once, good night:</LINE> <LINE>Stand not upon the order of your going,</LINE> <LINE>But go at once.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good night; and better health</LINE> <LINE>Attend his majesty!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>A kind good night to all!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood:</LINE> <LINE>Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;</LINE> <LINE>Augurs and understood relations have</LINE> <LINE>By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth</LINE> <LINE>The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Almost at odds with morning, which is which.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person</LINE> <LINE>At our great bidding?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Did you send to him, sir?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I hear it by the way; but I will send:</LINE> <LINE>There's not a one of them but in his house</LINE> <LINE>I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,</LINE> <LINE>And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:</LINE> <LINE>More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know,</LINE> <LINE>By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good,</LINE> <LINE>All causes shall give way: I am in blood</LINE> <LINE>Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,</LINE> <LINE>Returning were as tedious as go o'er:</LINE> <LINE>Strange things I have in head, that will to hand;</LINE> <LINE>Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>You lack the season of all natures, sleep.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse</LINE> <LINE>Is the initiate fear that wants hard use:</LINE> <LINE>We are yet but young in deed.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V. A Heath.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. Enter the three Witches meeting HECATE</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>HECATE</SPEAKER> <LINE>Have I not reason, beldams as you are,</LINE> <LINE>Saucy and overbold? How did you dare</LINE> <LINE>To trade and traffic with Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>In riddles and affairs of death;</LINE> <LINE>And I, the mistress of your charms,</LINE> <LINE>The close contriver of all harms,</LINE> <LINE>Was never call'd to bear my part,</LINE> <LINE>Or show the glory of our art?</LINE> <LINE>And, which is worse, all you have done</LINE> <LINE>Hath been but for a wayward son,</LINE> <LINE>Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,</LINE> <LINE>Loves for his own ends, not for you.</LINE> <LINE>But make amends now: get you gone,</LINE> <LINE>And at the pit of Acheron</LINE> <LINE>Meet me i' the morning: thither he</LINE> <LINE>Will come to know his destiny:</LINE> <LINE>Your vessels and your spells provide,</LINE> <LINE>Your charms and every thing beside.</LINE> <LINE>I am for the air; this night I'll spend</LINE> <LINE>Unto a dismal and a fatal end:</LINE> <LINE>Great business must be wrought ere noon:</LINE> <LINE>Upon the corner of the moon</LINE> <LINE>There hangs a vaporous drop profound;</LINE> <LINE>I'll catch it ere it come to ground:</LINE> <LINE>And that distill'd by magic sleights</LINE> <LINE>Shall raise such artificial sprites</LINE> <LINE>As by the strength of their illusion</LINE> <LINE>Shall draw him on to his confusion:</LINE> <LINE>He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear</LINE> <LINE>He hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear:</LINE> <LINE>And you all know, security</LINE> <LINE>Is mortals' chiefest enemy.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Music and a song within: 'Come away, come away,' &c</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see,</LINE> <LINE>Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI. Forres. The palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LENNOX and another Lord</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,</LINE> <LINE>Which can interpret further: only, I say,</LINE> <LINE>Things have been strangely borne. The</LINE> <LINE>gracious Duncan</LINE> <LINE>Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:</LINE> <LINE>And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;</LINE> <LINE>Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,</LINE> <LINE>For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.</LINE> <LINE>Who cannot want the thought how monstrous</LINE> <LINE>It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain</LINE> <LINE>To kill their gracious father? damned fact!</LINE> <LINE>How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight</LINE> <LINE>In pious rage the two delinquents tear,</LINE> <LINE>That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?</LINE> <LINE>Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;</LINE> <LINE>For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive</LINE> <LINE>To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,</LINE> <LINE>He has borne all things well: and I do think</LINE> <LINE>That had he Duncan's sons under his key--</LINE> <LINE>As, an't please heaven, he shall not--they</LINE> <LINE>should find</LINE> <LINE>What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.</LINE> <LINE>But, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd</LINE> <LINE>His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear</LINE> <LINE>Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell</LINE> <LINE>Where he bestows himself?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lord</SPEAKER> <LINE>The son of Duncan,</LINE> <LINE>From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth</LINE> <LINE>Lives in the English court, and is received</LINE> <LINE>Of the most pious Edward with such grace</LINE> <LINE>That the malevolence of fortune nothing</LINE> <LINE>Takes from his high respect: thither Macduff</LINE> <LINE>Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid</LINE> <LINE>To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward:</LINE> <LINE>That, by the help of these--with Him above</LINE> <LINE>To ratify the work--we may again</LINE> <LINE>Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,</LINE> <LINE>Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,</LINE> <LINE>Do faithful homage and receive free honours:</LINE> <LINE>All which we pine for now: and this report</LINE> <LINE>Hath so exasperate the king that he</LINE> <LINE>Prepares for some attempt of war.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sent he to Macduff?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lord</SPEAKER> <LINE>He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,'</LINE> <LINE>The cloudy messenger turns me his back,</LINE> <LINE>And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time</LINE> <LINE>That clogs me with this answer.'</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>And that well might</LINE> <LINE>Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance</LINE> <LINE>His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel</LINE> <LINE>Fly to the court of England and unfold</LINE> <LINE>His message ere he come, that a swift blessing</LINE> <LINE>May soon return to this our suffering country</LINE> <LINE>Under a hand accursed!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Lord</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll send my prayers with him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> </ACT> <ACT><TITLE>ACT IV</TITLE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. Enter the three Witches</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Harpier cries 'Tis time, 'tis time.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Round about the cauldron go;</LINE> <LINE>In the poison'd entrails throw.</LINE> <LINE>Toad, that under cold stone</LINE> <LINE>Days and nights has thirty-one</LINE> <LINE>Swelter'd venom sleeping got,</LINE> <LINE>Boil thou first i' the charmed pot.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Double, double toil and trouble;</LINE> <LINE>Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fillet of a fenny snake,</LINE> <LINE>In the cauldron boil and bake;</LINE> <LINE>Eye of newt and toe of frog,</LINE> <LINE>Wool of bat and tongue of dog,</LINE> <LINE>Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,</LINE> <LINE>Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,</LINE> <LINE>For a charm of powerful trouble,</LINE> <LINE>Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Double, double toil and trouble;</LINE> <LINE>Fire burn and cauldron bubble.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,</LINE> <LINE>Witches' mummy, maw and gulf</LINE> <LINE>Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark,</LINE> <LINE>Root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark,</LINE> <LINE>Liver of blaspheming Jew,</LINE> <LINE>Gall of goat, and slips of yew</LINE> <LINE>Silver'd in the moon's eclipse,</LINE> <LINE>Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips,</LINE> <LINE>Finger of birth-strangled babe</LINE> <LINE>Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,</LINE> <LINE>Make the gruel thick and slab:</LINE> <LINE>Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,</LINE> <LINE>For the ingredients of our cauldron.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Double, double toil and trouble;</LINE> <LINE>Fire burn and cauldron bubble.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Cool it with a baboon's blood,</LINE> <LINE>Then the charm is firm and good.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter HECATE to the other three Witches</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>HECATE</SPEAKER> <LINE>O well done! I commend your pains;</LINE> <LINE>And every one shall share i' the gains;</LINE> <LINE>And now about the cauldron sing,</LINE> <LINE>Live elves and fairies in a ring,</LINE> <LINE>Enchanting all that you put in.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Music and a song: 'Black spirits,' &c</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>HECATE retires</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>By the pricking of my thumbs,</LINE> <LINE>Something wicked this way comes.</LINE> <LINE>Open, locks,</LINE> <LINE>Whoever knocks!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags!</LINE> <LINE>What is't you do?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>A deed without a name.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I conjure you, by that which you profess,</LINE> <LINE>Howe'er you come to know it, answer me:</LINE> <LINE>Though you untie the winds and let them fight</LINE> <LINE>Against the churches; though the yesty waves</LINE> <LINE>Confound and swallow navigation up;</LINE> <LINE>Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down;</LINE> <LINE>Though castles topple on their warders' heads;</LINE> <LINE>Though palaces and pyramids do slope</LINE> <LINE>Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure</LINE> <LINE>Of nature's germens tumble all together,</LINE> <LINE>Even till destruction sicken; answer me</LINE> <LINE>To what I ask you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Speak.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Demand.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>We'll answer.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Say, if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths,</LINE> <LINE>Or from our masters?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Call 'em; let me see 'em.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten</LINE> <LINE>Her nine farrow; grease that's sweaten</LINE> <LINE>From the murderer's gibbet throw</LINE> <LINE>Into the flame.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Come, high or low;</LINE> <LINE>Thyself and office deftly show!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. First Apparition: an armed Head</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Tell me, thou unknown power,--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>He knows thy thought:</LINE> <LINE>Hear his speech, but say thou nought.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Apparition</SPEAKER> <LINE>Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff;</LINE> <LINE>Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Descends</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Whate'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks;</LINE> <LINE>Thou hast harp'd my fear aright: but one</LINE> <LINE>word more,--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>He will not be commanded: here's another,</LINE> <LINE>More potent than the first.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. Second Apparition: A bloody Child</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Apparition</SPEAKER> <LINE>Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Had I three ears, I'ld hear thee.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Apparition</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn</LINE> <LINE>The power of man, for none of woman born</LINE> <LINE>Shall harm Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Descends</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?</LINE> <LINE>But yet I'll make assurance double sure,</LINE> <LINE>And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live;</LINE> <LINE>That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies,</LINE> <LINE>And sleep in spite of thunder.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Thunder. Third Apparition: a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand</STAGEDIR> <LINE>What is this</LINE> <LINE>That rises like the issue of a king,</LINE> <LINE>And wears upon his baby-brow the round</LINE> <LINE>And top of sovereignty?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Listen, but speak not to't.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Apparition</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care</LINE> <LINE>Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:</LINE> <LINE>Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until</LINE> <LINE>Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill</LINE> <LINE>Shall come against him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Descends</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>That will never be</LINE> <LINE>Who can impress the forest, bid the tree</LINE> <LINE>Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good!</LINE> <LINE>Rebellion's head, rise never till the wood</LINE> <LINE>Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath</LINE> <LINE>To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart</LINE> <LINE>Throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art</LINE> <LINE>Can tell so much: shall Banquo's issue ever</LINE> <LINE>Reign in this kingdom?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Seek to know no more.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I will be satisfied: deny me this,</LINE> <LINE>And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know.</LINE> <LINE>Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this?</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Hautboys</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Show!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Second Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Show!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Third Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Show!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Show his eyes, and grieve his heart;</LINE> <LINE>Come like shadows, so depart!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>A show of Eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; GHOST OF BANQUO following</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo: down!</LINE> <LINE>Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. And thy hair,</LINE> <LINE>Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.</LINE> <LINE>A third is like the former. Filthy hags!</LINE> <LINE>Why do you show me this? A fourth! Start, eyes!</LINE> <LINE>What, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom?</LINE> <LINE>Another yet! A seventh! I'll see no more:</LINE> <LINE>And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass</LINE> <LINE>Which shows me many more; and some I see</LINE> <LINE>That two-fold balls and treble scepters carry:</LINE> <LINE>Horrible sight! Now, I see, 'tis true;</LINE> <LINE>For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me,</LINE> <LINE>And points at them for his.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Apparitions vanish</STAGEDIR> <LINE>What, is this so?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Witch</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, sir, all this is so: but why</LINE> <LINE>Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?</LINE> <LINE>Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites,</LINE> <LINE>And show the best of our delights:</LINE> <LINE>I'll charm the air to give a sound,</LINE> <LINE>While you perform your antic round:</LINE> <LINE>That this great king may kindly say,</LINE> <LINE>Our duties did his welcome pay.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Music. The witches dance and then vanish, with HECATE</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour</LINE> <LINE>Stand aye accursed in the calendar!</LINE> <LINE>Come in, without there!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter LENNOX</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's your grace's will?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Saw you the weird sisters?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>No, my lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Came they not by you?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>No, indeed, my lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Infected be the air whereon they ride;</LINE> <LINE>And damn'd all those that trust them! I did hear</LINE> <LINE>The galloping of horse: who was't came by?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word</LINE> <LINE>Macduff is fled to England.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fled to England!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, my good lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits:</LINE> <LINE>The flighty purpose never is o'ertook</LINE> <LINE>Unless the deed go with it; from this moment</LINE> <LINE>The very firstlings of my heart shall be</LINE> <LINE>The firstlings of my hand. And even now,</LINE> <LINE>To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done:</LINE> <LINE>The castle of Macduff I will surprise;</LINE> <LINE>Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword</LINE> <LINE>His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls</LINE> <LINE>That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;</LINE> <LINE>This deed I'll do before this purpose cool.</LINE> <LINE>But no more sights!--Where are these gentlemen?</LINE> <LINE>Come, bring me where they are.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II. Fife. Macduff's castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACDUFF, her Son, and ROSS</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What had he done, to make him fly the land?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>You must have patience, madam.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>He had none:</LINE> <LINE>His flight was madness: when our actions do not,</LINE> <LINE>Our fears do make us traitors.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>You know not</LINE> <LINE>Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes,</LINE> <LINE>His mansion and his titles in a place</LINE> <LINE>From whence himself does fly? He loves us not;</LINE> <LINE>He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren,</LINE> <LINE>The most diminutive of birds, will fight,</LINE> <LINE>Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.</LINE> <LINE>All is the fear and nothing is the love;</LINE> <LINE>As little is the wisdom, where the flight</LINE> <LINE>So runs against all reason.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>My dearest coz,</LINE> <LINE>I pray you, school yourself: but for your husband,</LINE> <LINE>He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows</LINE> <LINE>The fits o' the season. I dare not speak</LINE> <LINE>much further;</LINE> <LINE>But cruel are the times, when we are traitors</LINE> <LINE>And do not know ourselves, when we hold rumour</LINE> <LINE>From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,</LINE> <LINE>But float upon a wild and violent sea</LINE> <LINE>Each way and move. I take my leave of you:</LINE> <LINE>Shall not be long but I'll be here again:</LINE> <LINE>Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward</LINE> <LINE>To what they were before. My pretty cousin,</LINE> <LINE>Blessing upon you!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>I am so much a fool, should I stay longer,</LINE> <LINE>It would be my disgrace and your discomfort:</LINE> <LINE>I take my leave at once.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sirrah, your father's dead;</LINE> <LINE>And what will you do now? How will you live?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>As birds do, mother.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, with worms and flies?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>With what I get, I mean; and so do they.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Poor bird! thou'ldst never fear the net nor lime,</LINE> <LINE>The pitfall nor the gin.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for.</LINE> <LINE>My father is not dead, for all your saying.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Yes, he is dead; how wilt thou do for a father?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Nay, how will you do for a husband?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then you'll buy 'em to sell again.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou speak'st with all thy wit: and yet, i' faith,</LINE> <LINE>With wit enough for thee.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Was my father a traitor, mother?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, that he was.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is a traitor?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, one that swears and lies.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>And be all traitors that do so?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Every one that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>And must they all be hanged that swear and lie?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Every one.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who must hang them?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, the honest men.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then the liars and swearers are fools,</LINE> <LINE>for there are liars and swearers enow to beat</LINE> <LINE>the honest men and hang up them.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Now, God help thee, poor monkey!</LINE> <LINE>But how wilt thou do for a father?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>If he were dead, you'ld weep for</LINE> <LINE>him: if you would not, it were a good sign</LINE> <LINE>that I should quickly have a new father.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Poor prattler, how thou talk'st!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known,</LINE> <LINE>Though in your state of honour I am perfect.</LINE> <LINE>I doubt some danger does approach you nearly:</LINE> <LINE>If you will take a homely man's advice,</LINE> <LINE>Be not found here; hence, with your little ones.</LINE> <LINE>To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage;</LINE> <LINE>To do worse to you were fell cruelty,</LINE> <LINE>Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you!</LINE> <LINE>I dare abide no longer.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Whither should I fly?</LINE> <LINE>I have done no harm. But I remember now</LINE> <LINE>I am in this earthly world; where to do harm</LINE> <LINE>Is often laudable, to do good sometime</LINE> <LINE>Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas,</LINE> <LINE>Do I put up that womanly defence,</LINE> <LINE>To say I have done no harm?</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter Murderers</STAGEDIR> <LINE>What are these faces?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>Where is your husband?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I hope, in no place so unsanctified</LINE> <LINE>Where such as thou mayst find him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>He's a traitor.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou liest, thou shag-hair'd villain!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>First Murderer</SPEAKER> <LINE>What, you egg!</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Stabbing him</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Young fry of treachery!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Son</SPEAKER> <LINE>He has kill'd me, mother:</LINE> <LINE>Run away, I pray you!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Dies</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Exit LADY MACDUFF, crying 'Murder!' Exeunt Murderers, following her</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III. England. Before the King's palace.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MALCOLM and MACDUFF</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there</LINE> <LINE>Weep our sad bosoms empty.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let us rather</LINE> <LINE>Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men</LINE> <LINE>Bestride our down-fall'n birthdom: each new morn</LINE> <LINE>New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows</LINE> <LINE>Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds</LINE> <LINE>As if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out</LINE> <LINE>Like syllable of dolour.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>What I believe I'll wail,</LINE> <LINE>What know believe, and what I can redress,</LINE> <LINE>As I shall find the time to friend, I will.</LINE> <LINE>What you have spoke, it may be so perchance.</LINE> <LINE>This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues,</LINE> <LINE>Was once thought honest: you have loved him well.</LINE> <LINE>He hath not touch'd you yet. I am young;</LINE> <LINE>but something</LINE> <LINE>You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom</LINE> <LINE>To offer up a weak poor innocent lamb</LINE> <LINE>To appease an angry god.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I am not treacherous.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>But Macbeth is.</LINE> <LINE>A good and virtuous nature may recoil</LINE> <LINE>In an imperial charge. But I shall crave</LINE> <LINE>your pardon;</LINE> <LINE>That which you are my thoughts cannot transpose:</LINE> <LINE>Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell;</LINE> <LINE>Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,</LINE> <LINE>Yet grace must still look so.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have lost my hopes.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Perchance even there where I did find my doubts.</LINE> <LINE>Why in that rawness left you wife and child,</LINE> <LINE>Those precious motives, those strong knots of love,</LINE> <LINE>Without leave-taking? I pray you,</LINE> <LINE>Let not my jealousies be your dishonours,</LINE> <LINE>But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just,</LINE> <LINE>Whatever I shall think.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bleed, bleed, poor country!</LINE> <LINE>Great tyranny! lay thou thy basis sure,</LINE> <LINE>For goodness dare not cheque thee: wear thou</LINE> <LINE>thy wrongs;</LINE> <LINE>The title is affeer'd! Fare thee well, lord:</LINE> <LINE>I would not be the villain that thou think'st</LINE> <LINE>For the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp,</LINE> <LINE>And the rich East to boot.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be not offended:</LINE> <LINE>I speak not as in absolute fear of you.</LINE> <LINE>I think our country sinks beneath the yoke;</LINE> <LINE>It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash</LINE> <LINE>Is added to her wounds: I think withal</LINE> <LINE>There would be hands uplifted in my right;</LINE> <LINE>And here from gracious England have I offer</LINE> <LINE>Of goodly thousands: but, for all this,</LINE> <LINE>When I shall tread upon the tyrant's head,</LINE> <LINE>Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country</LINE> <LINE>Shall have more vices than it had before,</LINE> <LINE>More suffer and more sundry ways than ever,</LINE> <LINE>By him that shall succeed.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What should he be?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>It is myself I mean: in whom I know</LINE> <LINE>All the particulars of vice so grafted</LINE> <LINE>That, when they shall be open'd, black Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state</LINE> <LINE>Esteem him as a lamb, being compared</LINE> <LINE>With my confineless harms.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Not in the legions</LINE> <LINE>Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd</LINE> <LINE>In evils to top Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>I grant him bloody,</LINE> <LINE>Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,</LINE> <LINE>Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin</LINE> <LINE>That has a name: but there's no bottom, none,</LINE> <LINE>In my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters,</LINE> <LINE>Your matrons and your maids, could not fill up</LINE> <LINE>The cistern of my lust, and my desire</LINE> <LINE>All continent impediments would o'erbear</LINE> <LINE>That did oppose my will: better Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>Than such an one to reign.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Boundless intemperance</LINE> <LINE>In nature is a tyranny; it hath been</LINE> <LINE>The untimely emptying of the happy throne</LINE> <LINE>And fall of many kings. But fear not yet</LINE> <LINE>To take upon you what is yours: you may</LINE> <LINE>Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty,</LINE> <LINE>And yet seem cold, the time you may so hoodwink.</LINE> <LINE>We have willing dames enough: there cannot be</LINE> <LINE>That vulture in you, to devour so many</LINE> <LINE>As will to greatness dedicate themselves,</LINE> <LINE>Finding it so inclined.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>With this there grows</LINE> <LINE>In my most ill-composed affection such</LINE> <LINE>A stanchless avarice that, were I king,</LINE> <LINE>I should cut off the nobles for their lands,</LINE> <LINE>Desire his jewels and this other's house:</LINE> <LINE>And my more-having would be as a sauce</LINE> <LINE>To make me hunger more; that I should forge</LINE> <LINE>Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,</LINE> <LINE>Destroying them for wealth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>This avarice</LINE> <LINE>Sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root</LINE> <LINE>Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been</LINE> <LINE>The sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear;</LINE> <LINE>Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will.</LINE> <LINE>Of your mere own: all these are portable,</LINE> <LINE>With other graces weigh'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>But I have none: the king-becoming graces,</LINE> <LINE>As justice, verity, temperance, stableness,</LINE> <LINE>Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,</LINE> <LINE>Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,</LINE> <LINE>I have no relish of them, but abound</LINE> <LINE>In the division of each several crime,</LINE> <LINE>Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should</LINE> <LINE>Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,</LINE> <LINE>Uproar the universal peace, confound</LINE> <LINE>All unity on earth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>O Scotland, Scotland!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>If such a one be fit to govern, speak:</LINE> <LINE>I am as I have spoken.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fit to govern!</LINE> <LINE>No, not to live. O nation miserable,</LINE> <LINE>With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter'd,</LINE> <LINE>When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,</LINE> <LINE>Since that the truest issue of thy throne</LINE> <LINE>By his own interdiction stands accursed,</LINE> <LINE>And does blaspheme his breed? Thy royal father</LINE> <LINE>Was a most sainted king: the queen that bore thee,</LINE> <LINE>Oftener upon her knees than on her feet,</LINE> <LINE>Died every day she lived. Fare thee well!</LINE> <LINE>These evils thou repeat'st upon thyself</LINE> <LINE>Have banish'd me from Scotland. O my breast,</LINE> <LINE>Thy hope ends here!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Macduff, this noble passion,</LINE> <LINE>Child of integrity, hath from my soul</LINE> <LINE>Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts</LINE> <LINE>To thy good truth and honour. Devilish Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>By many of these trains hath sought to win me</LINE> <LINE>Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me</LINE> <LINE>From over-credulous haste: but God above</LINE> <LINE>Deal between thee and me! for even now</LINE> <LINE>I put myself to thy direction, and</LINE> <LINE>Unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure</LINE> <LINE>The taints and blames I laid upon myself,</LINE> <LINE>For strangers to my nature. I am yet</LINE> <LINE>Unknown to woman, never was forsworn,</LINE> <LINE>Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,</LINE> <LINE>At no time broke my faith, would not betray</LINE> <LINE>The devil to his fellow and delight</LINE> <LINE>No less in truth than life: my first false speaking</LINE> <LINE>Was this upon myself: what I am truly,</LINE> <LINE>Is thine and my poor country's to command:</LINE> <LINE>Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,</LINE> <LINE>Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men,</LINE> <LINE>Already at a point, was setting forth.</LINE> <LINE>Now we'll together; and the chance of goodness</LINE> <LINE>Be like our warranted quarrel! Why are you silent?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Such welcome and unwelcome things at once</LINE> <LINE>'Tis hard to reconcile.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Doctor</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well; more anon.--Comes the king forth, I pray you?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, sir; there are a crew of wretched souls</LINE> <LINE>That stay his cure: their malady convinces</LINE> <LINE>The great assay of art; but at his touch--</LINE> <LINE>Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand--</LINE> <LINE>They presently amend.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>I thank you, doctor.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit Doctor</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's the disease he means?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis call'd the evil:</LINE> <LINE>A most miraculous work in this good king;</LINE> <LINE>Which often, since my here-remain in England,</LINE> <LINE>I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven,</LINE> <LINE>Himself best knows: but strangely-visited people,</LINE> <LINE>All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,</LINE> <LINE>The mere despair of surgery, he cures,</LINE> <LINE>Hanging a golden stamp about their necks,</LINE> <LINE>Put on with holy prayers: and 'tis spoken,</LINE> <LINE>To the succeeding royalty he leaves</LINE> <LINE>The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,</LINE> <LINE>He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,</LINE> <LINE>And sundry blessings hang about his throne,</LINE> <LINE>That speak him full of grace.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter ROSS</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>See, who comes here?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>My countryman; but yet I know him not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>I know him now. Good God, betimes remove</LINE> <LINE>The means that makes us strangers!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Sir, amen.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Stands Scotland where it did?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Alas, poor country!</LINE> <LINE>Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot</LINE> <LINE>Be call'd our mother, but our grave; where nothing,</LINE> <LINE>But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile;</LINE> <LINE>Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the air</LINE> <LINE>Are made, not mark'd; where violent sorrow seems</LINE> <LINE>A modern ecstasy; the dead man's knell</LINE> <LINE>Is there scarce ask'd for who; and good men's lives</LINE> <LINE>Expire before the flowers in their caps,</LINE> <LINE>Dying or ere they sicken.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, relation</LINE> <LINE>Too nice, and yet too true!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>What's the newest grief?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker:</LINE> <LINE>Each minute teems a new one.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>How does my wife?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, well.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>And all my children?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well too.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>The tyrant has not batter'd at their peace?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>No; they were well at peace when I did leave 'em.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>But not a niggard of your speech: how goes't?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>When I came hither to transport the tidings,</LINE> <LINE>Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour</LINE> <LINE>Of many worthy fellows that were out;</LINE> <LINE>Which was to my belief witness'd the rather,</LINE> <LINE>For that I saw the tyrant's power a-foot:</LINE> <LINE>Now is the time of help; your eye in Scotland</LINE> <LINE>Would create soldiers, make our women fight,</LINE> <LINE>To doff their dire distresses.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be't their comfort</LINE> <LINE>We are coming thither: gracious England hath</LINE> <LINE>Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men;</LINE> <LINE>An older and a better soldier none</LINE> <LINE>That Christendom gives out.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Would I could answer</LINE> <LINE>This comfort with the like! But I have words</LINE> <LINE>That would be howl'd out in the desert air,</LINE> <LINE>Where hearing should not latch them.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>What concern they?</LINE> <LINE>The general cause? or is it a fee-grief</LINE> <LINE>Due to some single breast?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>No mind that's honest</LINE> <LINE>But in it shares some woe; though the main part</LINE> <LINE>Pertains to you alone.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>If it be mine,</LINE> <LINE>Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever,</LINE> <LINE>Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound</LINE> <LINE>That ever yet they heard.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hum! I guess at it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes</LINE> <LINE>Savagely slaughter'd: to relate the manner,</LINE> <LINE>Were, on the quarry of these murder'd deer,</LINE> <LINE>To add the death of you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Merciful heaven!</LINE> <LINE>What, man! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows;</LINE> <LINE>Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak</LINE> <LINE>Whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>My children too?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Wife, children, servants, all</LINE> <LINE>That could be found.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>And I must be from thence!</LINE> <LINE>My wife kill'd too?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have said.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be comforted:</LINE> <LINE>Let's make us medicines of our great revenge,</LINE> <LINE>To cure this deadly grief.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>He has no children. All my pretty ones?</LINE> <LINE>Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?</LINE> <LINE>What, all my pretty chickens and their dam</LINE> <LINE>At one fell swoop?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Dispute it like a man.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I shall do so;</LINE> <LINE>But I must also feel it as a man:</LINE> <LINE>I cannot but remember such things were,</LINE> <LINE>That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on,</LINE> <LINE>And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,</LINE> <LINE>They were all struck for thee! naught that I am,</LINE> <LINE>Not for their own demerits, but for mine,</LINE> <LINE>Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Be this the whetstone of your sword: let grief</LINE> <LINE>Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>O, I could play the woman with mine eyes</LINE> <LINE>And braggart with my tongue! But, gentle heavens,</LINE> <LINE>Cut short all intermission; front to front</LINE> <LINE>Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself;</LINE> <LINE>Within my sword's length set him; if he 'scape,</LINE> <LINE>Heaven forgive him too!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>This tune goes manly.</LINE> <LINE>Come, go we to the king; our power is ready;</LINE> <LINE>Our lack is nothing but our leave; Macbeth</LINE> <LINE>Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above</LINE> <LINE>Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may:</LINE> <LINE>The night is long that never finds the day.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> </ACT> <ACT><TITLE>ACT V</TITLE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I. Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive</LINE> <LINE>no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen</LINE> <LINE>her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon</LINE> <LINE>her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,</LINE> <LINE>write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again</LINE> <LINE>return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once</LINE> <LINE>the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of</LINE> <LINE>watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her</LINE> <LINE>walking and other actual performances, what, at any</LINE> <LINE>time, have you heard her say?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>That, sir, which I will not report after her.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Neither to you nor any one; having no witness to</LINE> <LINE>confirm my speech.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise;</LINE> <LINE>and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>How came she by that light?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why, it stood by her: she has light by her</LINE> <LINE>continually; 'tis her command.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>You see, her eyes are open.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, but their sense is shut.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus</LINE> <LINE>washing her hands: I have known her continue in</LINE> <LINE>this a quarter of an hour.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Yet here's a spot.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from</LINE> <LINE>her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Out, damned spot! out, I say!--One: two: why,</LINE> <LINE>then, 'tis time to do't.--Hell is murky!--Fie, my</LINE> <LINE>lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we</LINE> <LINE>fear who knows it, when none can call our power to</LINE> <LINE>account?--Yet who would have thought the old man</LINE> <LINE>to have had so much blood in him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Do you mark that?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--</LINE> <LINE>What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o'</LINE> <LINE>that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with</LINE> <LINE>this starting.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Go to, go to; you have known what you should not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of</LINE> <LINE>that: heaven knows what she has known.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Here's the smell of the blood still: all the</LINE> <LINE>perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little</LINE> <LINE>hand. Oh, oh, oh!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the</LINE> <LINE>dignity of the whole body.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, well, well,--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Pray God it be, sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known</LINE> <LINE>those which have walked in their sleep who have died</LINE> <LINE>holily in their beds.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so</LINE> <LINE>pale.--I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he</LINE> <LINE>cannot come out on's grave.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Even so?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LADY MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:</LINE> <LINE>come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's</LINE> <LINE>done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Will she go now to bed?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Directly.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds</LINE> <LINE>Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds</LINE> <LINE>To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:</LINE> <LINE>More needs she the divine than the physician.</LINE> <LINE>God, God forgive us all! Look after her;</LINE> <LINE>Remove from her the means of all annoyance,</LINE> <LINE>And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night:</LINE> <LINE>My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.</LINE> <LINE>I think, but dare not speak.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Gentlewoman</SPEAKER> <LINE>Good night, good doctor.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II. The country near Dunsinane.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Drum and colours. Enter MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS, LENNOX, and Soldiers</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MENTEITH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,</LINE> <LINE>His uncle Siward and the good Macduff:</LINE> <LINE>Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes</LINE> <LINE>Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm</LINE> <LINE>Excite the mortified man.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ANGUS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Near Birnam wood</LINE> <LINE>Shall we well meet them; that way are they coming.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>CAITHNESS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>For certain, sir, he is not: I have a file</LINE> <LINE>Of all the gentry: there is Siward's son,</LINE> <LINE>And many unrough youths that even now</LINE> <LINE>Protest their first of manhood.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MENTEITH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What does the tyrant?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>CAITHNESS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies:</LINE> <LINE>Some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him</LINE> <LINE>Do call it valiant fury: but, for certain,</LINE> <LINE>He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause</LINE> <LINE>Within the belt of rule.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ANGUS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Now does he feel</LINE> <LINE>His secret murders sticking on his hands;</LINE> <LINE>Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach;</LINE> <LINE>Those he commands move only in command,</LINE> <LINE>Nothing in love: now does he feel his title</LINE> <LINE>Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe</LINE> <LINE>Upon a dwarfish thief.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MENTEITH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Who then shall blame</LINE> <LINE>His pester'd senses to recoil and start,</LINE> <LINE>When all that is within him does condemn</LINE> <LINE>Itself for being there?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>CAITHNESS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, march we on,</LINE> <LINE>To give obedience where 'tis truly owed:</LINE> <LINE>Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal,</LINE> <LINE>And with him pour we in our country's purge</LINE> <LINE>Each drop of us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>LENNOX</SPEAKER> <LINE>Or so much as it needs,</LINE> <LINE>To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.</LINE> <LINE>Make we our march towards Birnam.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt, marching</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III. Dunsinane. A room in the castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH, Doctor, and Attendants</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bring me no more reports; let them fly all:</LINE> <LINE>Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane,</LINE> <LINE>I cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm?</LINE> <LINE>Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know</LINE> <LINE>All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:</LINE> <LINE>'Fear not, Macbeth; no man that's born of woman</LINE> <LINE>Shall e'er have power upon thee.' Then fly,</LINE> <LINE>false thanes,</LINE> <LINE>And mingle with the English epicures:</LINE> <LINE>The mind I sway by and the heart I bear</LINE> <LINE>Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Servant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!</LINE> <LINE>Where got'st thou that goose look?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Servant</SPEAKER> <LINE>There is ten thousand--</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Geese, villain!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Servant</SPEAKER> <LINE>Soldiers, sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear,</LINE> <LINE>Thou lily-liver'd boy. What soldiers, patch?</LINE> <LINE>Death of thy soul! those linen cheeks of thine</LINE> <LINE>Are counsellors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Servant</SPEAKER> <LINE>The English force, so please you.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Take thy face hence.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Exit Servant</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Seyton!--I am sick at heart,</LINE> <LINE>When I behold--Seyton, I say!--This push</LINE> <LINE>Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now.</LINE> <LINE>I have lived long enough: my way of life</LINE> <LINE>Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;</LINE> <LINE>And that which should accompany old age,</LINE> <LINE>As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,</LINE> <LINE>I must not look to have; but, in their stead,</LINE> <LINE>Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,</LINE> <LINE>Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. Seyton!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter SEYTON</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SEYTON</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is your gracious pleasure?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>What news more?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SEYTON</SPEAKER> <LINE>All is confirm'd, my lord, which was reported.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd.</LINE> <LINE>Give me my armour.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SEYTON</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis not needed yet.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I'll put it on.</LINE> <LINE>Send out more horses; skirr the country round;</LINE> <LINE>Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armour.</LINE> <LINE>How does your patient, doctor?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Not so sick, my lord,</LINE> <LINE>As she is troubled with thick coming fancies,</LINE> <LINE>That keep her from her rest.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Cure her of that.</LINE> <LINE>Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,</LINE> <LINE>Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,</LINE> <LINE>Raze out the written troubles of the brain</LINE> <LINE>And with some sweet oblivious antidote</LINE> <LINE>Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff</LINE> <LINE>Which weighs upon the heart?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Therein the patient</LINE> <LINE>Must minister to himself.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it.</LINE> <LINE>Come, put mine armour on; give me my staff.</LINE> <LINE>Seyton, send out. Doctor, the thanes fly from me.</LINE> <LINE>Come, sir, dispatch. If thou couldst, doctor, cast</LINE> <LINE>The water of my land, find her disease,</LINE> <LINE>And purge it to a sound and pristine health,</LINE> <LINE>I would applaud thee to the very echo,</LINE> <LINE>That should applaud again.--Pull't off, I say.--</LINE> <LINE>What rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug,</LINE> <LINE>Would scour these English hence? Hear'st thou of them?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, my good lord; your royal preparation</LINE> <LINE>Makes us hear something.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Bring it after me.</LINE> <LINE>I will not be afraid of death and bane,</LINE> <LINE>Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Doctor</SPEAKER> <LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR> Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,</LINE> <LINE>Profit again should hardly draw me here.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV. Country near Birnam wood.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Drum and colours. Enter MALCOLM, SIWARD and YOUNG SIWARD, MACDUFF, MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS, LENNOX, ROSS, and Soldiers, marching</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand</LINE> <LINE>That chambers will be safe.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MENTEITH</SPEAKER> <LINE>We doubt it nothing.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>What wood is this before us?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MENTEITH</SPEAKER> <LINE>The wood of Birnam.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let every soldier hew him down a bough</LINE> <LINE>And bear't before him: thereby shall we shadow</LINE> <LINE>The numbers of our host and make discovery</LINE> <LINE>Err in report of us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Soldiers</SPEAKER> <LINE>It shall be done.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>We learn no other but the confident tyrant</LINE> <LINE>Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure</LINE> <LINE>Our setting down before 't.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>'Tis his main hope:</LINE> <LINE>For where there is advantage to be given,</LINE> <LINE>Both more and less have given him the revolt,</LINE> <LINE>And none serve with him but constrained things</LINE> <LINE>Whose hearts are absent too.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let our just censures</LINE> <LINE>Attend the true event, and put we on</LINE> <LINE>Industrious soldiership.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>The time approaches</LINE> <LINE>That will with due decision make us know</LINE> <LINE>What we shall say we have and what we owe.</LINE> <LINE>Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate,</LINE> <LINE>But certain issue strokes must arbitrate:</LINE> <LINE>Towards which advance the war.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt, marching</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V. Dunsinane. Within the castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH, SEYTON, and Soldiers, with drum and colours</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hang out our banners on the outward walls;</LINE> <LINE>The cry is still 'They come:' our castle's strength</LINE> <LINE>Will laugh a siege to scorn: here let them lie</LINE> <LINE>Till famine and the ague eat them up:</LINE> <LINE>Were they not forced with those that should be ours,</LINE> <LINE>We might have met them dareful, beard to beard,</LINE> <LINE>And beat them backward home.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>A cry of women within</STAGEDIR> <LINE>What is that noise?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SEYTON</SPEAKER> <LINE>It is the cry of women, my good lord.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have almost forgot the taste of fears;</LINE> <LINE>The time has been, my senses would have cool'd</LINE> <LINE>To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair</LINE> <LINE>Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir</LINE> <LINE>As life were in't: I have supp'd full with horrors;</LINE> <LINE>Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts</LINE> <LINE>Cannot once start me.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter SEYTON</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Wherefore was that cry?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SEYTON</SPEAKER> <LINE>The queen, my lord, is dead.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>She should have died hereafter;</LINE> <LINE>There would have been a time for such a word.</LINE> <LINE>To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,</LINE> <LINE>Creeps in this petty pace from day to day</LINE> <LINE>To the last syllable of recorded time,</LINE> <LINE>And all our yesterdays have lighted fools</LINE> <LINE>The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!</LINE> <LINE>Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player</LINE> <LINE>That struts and frets his hour upon the stage</LINE> <LINE>And then is heard no more: it is a tale</LINE> <LINE>Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,</LINE> <LINE>Signifying nothing.</LINE> <STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR> <LINE>Thou comest to use thy tongue; thy story quickly.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>Gracious my lord,</LINE> <LINE>I should report that which I say I saw,</LINE> <LINE>But know not how to do it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Well, say, sir.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>As I did stand my watch upon the hill,</LINE> <LINE>I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought,</LINE> <LINE>The wood began to move.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Liar and slave!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER> <LINE>Let me endure your wrath, if't be not so:</LINE> <LINE>Within this three mile may you see it coming;</LINE> <LINE>I say, a moving grove.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>If thou speak'st false,</LINE> <LINE>Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive,</LINE> <LINE>Till famine cling thee: if thy speech be sooth,</LINE> <LINE>I care not if thou dost for me as much.</LINE> <LINE>I pull in resolution, and begin</LINE> <LINE>To doubt the equivocation of the fiend</LINE> <LINE>That lies like truth: 'Fear not, till Birnam wood</LINE> <LINE>Do come to Dunsinane:' and now a wood</LINE> <LINE>Comes toward Dunsinane. Arm, arm, and out!</LINE> <LINE>If this which he avouches does appear,</LINE> <LINE>There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here.</LINE> <LINE>I gin to be aweary of the sun,</LINE> <LINE>And wish the estate o' the world were now undone.</LINE> <LINE>Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack!</LINE> <LINE>At least we'll die with harness on our back.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI. Dunsinane. Before the castle.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Drum and colours. Enter MALCOLM, SIWARD, MACDUFF, and their Army, with boughs</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Now near enough: your leafy screens throw down.</LINE> <LINE>And show like those you are. You, worthy uncle,</LINE> <LINE>Shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son,</LINE> <LINE>Lead our first battle: worthy Macduff and we</LINE> <LINE>Shall take upon 's what else remains to do,</LINE> <LINE>According to our order.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Fare you well.</LINE> <LINE>Do we but find the tyrant's power to-night,</LINE> <LINE>Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath,</LINE> <LINE>Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VII. Another part of the field.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Alarums. Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly,</LINE> <LINE>But, bear-like, I must fight the course. What's he</LINE> <LINE>That was not born of woman? Such a one</LINE> <LINE>Am I to fear, or none.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter YOUNG SIWARD</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>YOUNG SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>What is thy name?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou'lt be afraid to hear it.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>YOUNG SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>No; though thou call'st thyself a hotter name</LINE> <LINE>Than any is in hell.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>My name's Macbeth.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>YOUNG SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>The devil himself could not pronounce a title</LINE> <LINE>More hateful to mine ear.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>No, nor more fearful.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>YOUNG SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou liest, abhorred tyrant; with my sword</LINE> <LINE>I'll prove the lie thou speak'st.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>They fight and YOUNG SIWARD is slain</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou wast born of woman</LINE> <LINE>But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,</LINE> <LINE>Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Alarums. Enter MACDUFF</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face!</LINE> <LINE>If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine,</LINE> <LINE>My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.</LINE> <LINE>I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms</LINE> <LINE>Are hired to bear their staves: either thou, Macbeth,</LINE> <LINE>Or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge</LINE> <LINE>I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be;</LINE> <LINE>By this great clatter, one of greatest note</LINE> <LINE>Seems bruited. Let me find him, fortune!</LINE> <LINE>And more I beg not.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exit. Alarums</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Enter MALCOLM and SIWARD</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>This way, my lord; the castle's gently render'd:</LINE> <LINE>The tyrant's people on both sides do fight;</LINE> <LINE>The noble thanes do bravely in the war;</LINE> <LINE>The day almost itself professes yours,</LINE> <LINE>And little is to do.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>We have met with foes</LINE> <LINE>That strike beside us.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Enter, sir, the castle.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt. Alarums</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> <SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VIII. Another part of the field.</TITLE> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACBETH</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why should I play the Roman fool, and die</LINE> <LINE>On mine own sword? whiles I see lives, the gashes</LINE> <LINE>Do better upon them.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Enter MACDUFF</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Turn, hell-hound, turn!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Of all men else I have avoided thee:</LINE> <LINE>But get thee back; my soul is too much charged</LINE> <LINE>With blood of thine already.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>I have no words:</LINE> <LINE>My voice is in my sword: thou bloodier villain</LINE> <LINE>Than terms can give thee out!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>They fight</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Thou losest labour:</LINE> <LINE>As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air</LINE> <LINE>With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed:</LINE> <LINE>Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;</LINE> <LINE>I bear a charmed life, which must not yield,</LINE> <LINE>To one of woman born.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Despair thy charm;</LINE> <LINE>And let the angel whom thou still hast served</LINE> <LINE>Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb</LINE> <LINE>Untimely ripp'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,</LINE> <LINE>For it hath cow'd my better part of man!</LINE> <LINE>And be these juggling fiends no more believed,</LINE> <LINE>That palter with us in a double sense;</LINE> <LINE>That keep the word of promise to our ear,</LINE> <LINE>And break it to our hope. I'll not fight with thee.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then yield thee, coward,</LINE> <LINE>And live to be the show and gaze o' the time:</LINE> <LINE>We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,</LINE> <LINE>Painted on a pole, and underwrit,</LINE> <LINE>'Here may you see the tyrant.'</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACBETH</SPEAKER> <LINE>I will not yield,</LINE> <LINE>To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet,</LINE> <LINE>And to be baited with the rabble's curse.</LINE> <LINE>Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane,</LINE> <LINE>And thou opposed, being of no woman born,</LINE> <LINE>Yet I will try the last. Before my body</LINE> <LINE>I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,</LINE> <LINE>And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Exeunt, fighting. Alarums</STAGEDIR> <STAGEDIR>Retreat. Flourish. Enter, with drum and colours, MALCOLM, SIWARD, ROSS, the other Thanes, and Soldiers</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>I would the friends we miss were safe arrived.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Some must go off: and yet, by these I see,</LINE> <LINE>So great a day as this is cheaply bought.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>Macduff is missing, and your noble son.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt:</LINE> <LINE>He only lived but till he was a man;</LINE> <LINE>The which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd</LINE> <LINE>In the unshrinking station where he fought,</LINE> <LINE>But like a man he died.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Then he is dead?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, and brought off the field: your cause of sorrow</LINE> <LINE>Must not be measured by his worth, for then</LINE> <LINE>It hath no end.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Had he his hurts before?</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ROSS</SPEAKER> <LINE>Ay, on the front.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>Why then, God's soldier be he!</LINE> <LINE>Had I as many sons as I have hairs,</LINE> <LINE>I would not wish them to a fairer death:</LINE> <LINE>And so, his knell is knoll'd.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>He's worth more sorrow,</LINE> <LINE>And that I'll spend for him.</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>SIWARD</SPEAKER> <LINE>He's worth no more</LINE> <LINE>They say he parted well, and paid his score:</LINE> <LINE>And so, God be with him! Here comes newer comfort.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Re-enter MACDUFF, with MACBETH's head</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MACDUFF</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hail, king! for so thou art: behold, where stands</LINE> <LINE>The usurper's cursed head: the time is free:</LINE> <LINE>I see thee compass'd with thy kingdom's pearl,</LINE> <LINE>That speak my salutation in their minds;</LINE> <LINE>Whose voices I desire aloud with mine:</LINE> <LINE>Hail, King of Scotland!</LINE> </SPEECH> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>ALL</SPEAKER> <LINE>Hail, King of Scotland!</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Flourish</STAGEDIR> <SPEECH> <SPEAKER>MALCOLM</SPEAKER> <LINE>We shall not spend a large expense of time</LINE> <LINE>Before we reckon with your several loves,</LINE> <LINE>And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen,</LINE> <LINE>Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland</LINE> <LINE>In such an honour named. What's more to do,</LINE> <LINE>Which would be planted newly with the time,</LINE> <LINE>As calling home our exiled friends abroad</LINE> <LINE>That fled the snares of watchful tyranny;</LINE> <LINE>Producing forth the cruel ministers</LINE> <LINE>Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen,</LINE> <LINE>Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands</LINE> <LINE>Took off her life; this, and what needful else</LINE> <LINE>That calls upon us, by the grace of Grace,</LINE> <LINE>We will perform in measure, time and place:</LINE> <LINE>So, thanks to all at once and to each one,</LINE> <LINE>Whom we invite to see us crown'd at Scone.</LINE> </SPEECH> <STAGEDIR>Flourish. Exeunt</STAGEDIR> </SCENE> </ACT> </PLAY>