Macbeth PDF - Play by William Shakespeare

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This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com  BIBLIOTECA CENTRAL E LIBRIS JAVM PONA DIPUTACION PROVINCIAL DE BARCELONA EX ES - C } 1 2262010  Act 5 MACBETH. Line 37. Thornthwaytefe MrSIDDONS in LADY MACBETH. Out damnedSpot!. Printed for J.Bell Britiſh Library Strand London Auguſt 26.1784  Bell's Edition. MACBETH, BY WILL. SHAKSPERE : Printed Complete from the TEXT of SAM. JOHNSON and GEO. STEEVENS, And revised from the last Editions. When Learning's triumph o'er her barb'rous foes First rear'd the Stage, immortal SHAKSPERE rose ; Each change of many-colour'd life he drew, Exhaustedworlds, and then imagin'd new: Existence saw him spurn her bounded reign, And panting Time toil'd after him in vain: Hispow'rful strokes presiding Truth confess'd, And unresisted Passion storm'dthe breast. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON LONDON : Printedfor, and under the Direction of, JOHN BELL, British Library, STRAND, Bookseller to His Royal Highness the PRINCE of WALES M DCC LXXXVIII.  OBSERVATIONS ON THE Fable And Composition of MACBETH. In order to make a true estimate of the abilities and merit of a writer, it is always necessary to examine the genius of his age, and the opinions of his contemporaries. A poet who should now make the whole action of his tragedy depend upon enchant- ment, and produce the chief events by the assistance of super- natural agents, would be censured as transgressing the bounds of probability, be banished from the theatre to the nursery, and condemned to write fairy tales instead of tragedies ; but a survey of the notions that prevailed at the time when this play was written, will prove that Shakspere was in no danger of such censures, since he only turned the system that was then univer- sally admitted, to his advantage, and was far from overburthen- ing the credulity of his audience. The reality of witchcraft or enchantment, which, though not strictly the same, are confounded in this play, has in all ages and countries been credited by the common people, and in most, by the learned themselves. The phantoms have indeed appeared more frequently, in proportion as the darkness of igno- rance has been more gross ; but it cannot be shown, that the brightest gleams of knowlege have at any time been sufficient to drive them out of the world. The time in which this kind of credulity was at its height, seems to have been that of the holy war, in which the Christians imputed all their defeats to enchantments or diabolical opposition, as they ascribed their success to the assistance oftheir military saints ; and the learned Dr. Warburton appears to believe ( Suppl. to the Introduction to Don Quixote) that the first accounts of enchantments were brought into this part of the world by those who returned from their  OBSERVATIONS, &c. their eastern expeditions. But there is always some distance between the birth and maturity of folly as ofwickedness : this opinion had long existed, though perhaps the application of it had in no foregoing age been so frequent, nor the reception so general. Olympiodorus, in Photius's extracts, tells us of one Libanius, who practised this kind of military magic, and having promised χώρις ὁπλιτῶν κατὰ βαρβάρων ἐνεργεῖν, to perform great things against the Barbarians without soldiers, was, at the instance of the empress Placidia, put to death, when he was about to have given proofs of his abilities. The empress shewed some kindness in her anger, by cutting him off at a time so convenient for his reputation. But a more remarkable proof of the antiquity of this notion may be found in St. Chrysostom's book de Sacerdotio, which exhibits a scene of enchantments not exceeded by any romance of the middle age : he supposes a spectator overlooking a field of battle attended by one that points out all the various objects of horror, the engines of destruction, and the arts of slaughter. Δεικνύτο δὲ ἔτι παρὰ τοῖς ἑναντίοις καὶ πετομένες ἴππες διά τινος μα[γανείας, καὶ ὁπλίτας δὶ ἀέρος φερομένες , καὶ πάσην λοητείας δύναμιν καὶ ἰδέαν. Let him then proceed to shero bim in the opposite armies horses flying by enchantment, armed men transported through the air, and every power and form of magic. Whether St. Chrysostom believed that such performances were really to be seen in a day of battle, or only endeavoured to en- liven his description, by adopting the notions of the vulgar, it is equally certain, that such notions were in his time received, and that therefore they were not imported from the Saracens in a later age ; the wars with the Saracens, however, gave occasion to their propagation, not only as bigotry naturally discovers prodigies, but as the scene of action was removed to a great distance. The Reformation did not immediately arrive at its meridian, and though day was gradually increasing upon us, the goblins  OBSERVATIONS, &c of witchcraft still continued to hover in the twilight. In the time of queen Elizabeth was the remarkable trial of the witches of Warbois, whose conviction is still commemorated in an annual sermon at Huntingdon. But in the reign of king James, in which this tragedy was written, many circumstances con- curred to propagate and confirm this opinion. The king, who was much celebrated for his knowledge, had, before his arrival in England, not only examined in person a woman accused of witchcraft, but had given a very formal account of the practices and illusions of evil spirits, the compacts of witches, the cere- monies used by them, the manner of detecting them, and the justice of punishing them, in his dialogues of Dæmonologie, written in the Scottish dialect, and published at Edinburgh. This book was, soon after his accession, reprinted at London ; and as the ready way to gain king James's favour was to flatter his speculations, the system of Demonologie was immediately adopted by all who desired either to gain preferment or not to lose it. Thus the doctrine of witchcraft was very powerfully inculcated ; and as the greatest part of mankind have no other reason fortheir opinions than that they are in fashion, it cannot be doubted but this persuasion made a rapid progress, since vanity and credulity co-operated in its favour. The infection soon reached the parliament, who, in the first year of king James, made a law by which it was enacted, chap. xii. That " if any person shall use any invocation or conjuration of any evil or wicked spirit ; 2. or shall consult, covenant with, enter- tain, employ, feed or reward any evil or cursed spirit to or for any intent or purpose ; 3. or take up any dead man, woman, or child out of the grave, —or the skin, bone, or any part of the dead person, to be employed or used in any manner of witch- craft, sorcery, charm, or enchantment ; 4. or shall use, prac- tise, or exercise any sort of witchcraft, sorcery, charm, or en- chantment ; 5. whereby any person shall be destroyed, killed, wasted, consumed, pined, or lamed in any part of the body ; 6. That  vi OBSERVATIONS, &c. 6. That every such person being convicted shall suffer death." This law was repealed in our own time. Thus, in the time of Shakspere, was the doctrine of witch- craft at once established by law and by the fashion, and it be- came not only unpolite, but criminal, to doubt it ; and as prodigies are always seen in proportion as they are expected, witches were every day discovered, and multiplied so fast in some places, that bishop Hall mentions a village in Lancashire, where their number was greater than that of the houses. The Jesuits and Sectaries took advantage of this universal error, and endeavoured to promote the interest oftheir parties by pretended cures ofpersons afflicted by evil spirits ; but they were detected and exposed by the clergy ofthe established church. Upon this general infatuation, Shakspere might be easily allowed to found a play, especially since he has followed with great exactness such histories as were then thought true ; nor can it be doubted that the scenes of enchantment, however they may now be ridiculed, were both by himself and his audience thought awful and affecting. JOHNSON. It may be worth while to remark, that Milton, who left be- hind him a list of no less than CII. dramatick subjects, had fixed on the story of this play among the rest. His intention was to have begun with the arrival of Malcolm at Macduff's castle. " The matter of Duncan (says he ) may be expressed by the appearing of his ghost. " It should seem from this last memorandum, that Milton disliked the licence that his prede- cessor had taken in comprehending a history of such length within the short compass of a play, and would have new-written the whole on the plan of the ancient drama. He could not surely have indulged so vain a hope, as that of excelling Shak- spere in the Tragedy ofMacbeth. STEEVENS. Macbeth was certainly one of Shakspere's latest productions, and it might possibly have been suggested to him by a little performance on the same subject at Oxford, before king James, 1605.  OBSERVATIONS, &c. vii 1605. I will transcribe my notice of it from Wake's Rex. Pla- tonicus : " Fabulæ ansam dedit antiqua de Regiâ prosapiâ his- toriola apud Scoto - Britannos celebrata, quæ narrat tres olim Sibyllas occurrisse duobus Scotiæ proceribus, Macbetho et Ban- choni, et illum predixisse Regem futurum, sed Regem nullum geniturum ; hunc Regem non futurum, sed Reges geniturum multos. Vaticinii veritatem rerum eventus comprobavit. Ban- chonis enim è stirpe Potentissimus Jacobus oriundus." p. 29. Since I made the observation here quoted, I have been re- peatedly told, that I unwittingly made Shakspere learned at least in Latin, as this must have been the language of the perfor- mance before king James. One might perhaps have plausibly said, that he probably picked up the story at second- hand ; but mere accident has thrown an old pamphlet in my way, intitled The Oxford Triumph, by one Anthony Nixon, 1605, which explains the whole matter : " This performance, says Anthony, was first in Latine to the kinge, then in English to the queene and young prince ; " and, as he goes on to tell us, " the con- ceipt thereof, the kinge did very much applaude. " It is likely that the friendly letter, which we are informed king James once wrote to Shakspere, was on this occasion. FARMER. This play is deservedly celebrated for the propriety of its fic- tions, and solemnity, grandeur, and variety of its action, but it has no nice discriminations of character ; the events are too great to admit the influence of particular dispositions, and the course ofthe action necessarily determines the conduct ofthe agents. The danger of ambition is well described ; and I know not whetherit may not be said in defence of some parts which now seem improbable, that, in Shakspere's time, it was necessary to warn credulity against vain and illusive predictions. The passions are directed to their true end. Lady Macbeth is merely detested ; and though the courage of Macbeth preserves some esteem, yet every reader rejoices at his fall. JOHNSON. "  Dramatis Personae. MEN. DUNCAN, King of Scotland. MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, Sons tothe King. MACBETH, BANQUO, Generals of the King's army. LENOX, MACDUFF , ROSSE, MENTETH, Noblemen ofScotland. ANGUS, CATHNESS, FLEANCE, Son to Banguo. SIWARD, General of the English forces. Young SIWARD, his son. SEYTON, an officer attending on Macbeth. Son to Macduff An English Doctor. AScotch Doctor. ACaptain. A Porter. An old Man. WOMEN. Lady MACBETH. Lady MACDUFF. Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth. HECATE, and three Witches. Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers. The Ghost ofBanquo, and several other Apparitions. SCENE, in the end of the fourth act, lies in England; through the rest ofthe play, in Scotland, and chiefly at Macbeth's castle.  MACBETH. Illgo no more Look ont again Idare not. toLoutherbourg inv Barteles rudy' PrintedforJohn Cawthorn,N°5.Catherine Street,Strand,June 7.1806.  MACBETH. ACT I. SCENE I. Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches. 1 Witch. WHEN shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain ? 2Witch. When the hurly-burly's done, When the battle's lost and won : 3 Witch. That will be ere th' set of sun. 1 Witch. Where the place ? 2 Witch. Upon the heath : 3 Witch. There to meet with Macbeth. 1 Witch. I come, Gray- malkin ! All. Paddock calls :- ·Anon.- 10 Fair is foul, and foul is fair : Hover through the fog and filthy air. B SCENE  10 МАСВЕТн. A&t I. SCENE II. Alarum within. Enter King DUNCAN , MALCOLM , DONALBAIN, LENOX, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain. King. What bloody man is that ? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt The newest state. Mal. This is the serjeant, Who like a good and hardy soldier, fought 'Gainst my captivity : —Hail, brave friend ! Say to the king the knowledge ofthe broil, As thou did'st leave it. 20 Capt. Doubtful it stood ; As two spent swimmers, that do cling together, And choke their art. The merciless Macdonel (Worthy to be a rebel ; for, to that, The multiplying villanies of nature Do swarm upon him) from the western isles. OfKernes and Gallow-glasses is supplied ; And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, Shew'd like a rebel's whore : but all's too weak : Forbrave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) , 30 Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoak'd with bloody execution , Like valour's minion, carv'd out his passage, 'Till he fac'd the slave : And ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, 'Till 181. MACBETH. 11 'Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chops, And fix'd his head upon our battlements. King. Oh, valiant cousin ! worthy gentleman ! Capt. As whence the sun ' gins his reflexion, Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break ; 40 Sofrom that spring, whence comfort seem'd to come, Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark : No sooner justice had, with valour arm'd, Compell'd these skipping Kernes to trust their heels, But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, With furbish'd arms, and new supplies of men, Began a fresh assault. King. Dismay'd not this Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo ? Capt. Yes ; 50 As sparrows, eagles ; or the hare, the lion. If I say sooth, I must report they were As canons overcharg'd with double cracks ; So they Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe : Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or memorize another Golgotha, I cannot tell ; But I am faint, my gashes cry for help. 59 King. So well thywords becomethee, as thy wounds; Theysmack of honour both :-Go, get him surgeons. EnterROSSE and ANGUS. Who comes here ? Mal. The worthy thane of Rosse. Bij Len. 12 MACBETH. A& I. Len. What a haste looks through his eyes ? So should he look , That seems to speak things strange. Rosse. God save the king! King. Whence cam'st thou, worthy thane ? Rosse. From Fife, great king, Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky, And fan our people cold. 70 Norway himself, with terrible numbers, Assisted by that most disloyal traitor The thane ofCawdor, began a dismal conflict : 'Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapt in proof, Confronted him with self-comparisons, Point against point rebellious, arm ' gainst arm , Curbing his lavish spirit : and to conclude, The victory fell on us ;- King. Great happiness ! Rosse. That now 80 Sweno, the Norway's king, craves composition ; Nor would we deign him burial of his men, 'Till he disbursed, at Saint Colmes ' inch, Ten thousand dollars to our general use. King. No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest.- Go, pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth, Rosse. I'll see it done. King. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. [Exeunt. SCENE A& I. MACBETH. 18 SCENE III. Thunder. Enter the three Witches. 1 Witch. Where hast thou been, sister? 90 2 Witch. Killing swine. 3 Witch. Sister, where thou ? 1 Witch. A sailor's wife had chesnuts in her lap, And mouncht, and mouncht, and mouncht : Give me, quoth I. Aroint thee, Witch! the rump- fed ronyon cries. Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tyger : But in a sieve I'll thither sail, And, like a rat without a tail, I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do. 2 Witch. I'll give thee a wind. 100 1 Witch. Thou art kind. 3 Witch. And I another. 1 Witch. I myself have all the other ; And the very points they blow, All the quarters that they know I' the shipman's card. I will drain him dry as hay : Sleep shall, neither night nor day, Hang upon his pent- house lid ; He shall live a man forbid : 110 Weary seven-nights, nine times nine, Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine : Though his bark cannot be lost, B iij Yet 14 MACBETH. Aa I. Yet it shall be tempest-tost. Look what I have. 2 Witch. Shew me, shew me. 1 Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb, Wreck'd, as homeward he did come. [Drum within. 3 Witch. A drum, a drum ; Macbeth doth come. 120 All. The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about ; Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, And thrice again, to make up nine : Peace !- -the charm's wound up. Enter MACBETH and BANQUO. Mach. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. Ban. How far is't call'd to Fores ? What are these, So wither'd, and so wild in their attire ; That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth , 130 And yet are on't ? - -Live you ? or are you aught That man may question ? You seem to understand me, By each at once her choppy finger laying Upon her skinny lips :-You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. Macb. Speak, if you can ; —what are you ? 1 Witch. All hail, Macbeth ! hail to thee, thane of Glamis ? 2Witch. Aal. MACBETH. 15 2 Witch. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor ! 3 Witch. All hail, Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter. 140 Ban. Good sir, why do you start ; and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair ?- -I'the name of truth, Are ye fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly ye shew ? My noble partner You greet with present grace, and great prediction Of noble having, and of royal hope, That he seems rapt withal ; to me you speak not : If you can look into the seeds of time, And say, which grain will grow, and which will not ; Speak then to me, who neither beg, nor fear, 150 Your favours, nor your hate. 1 Witch. Hail ! 2 Witch. Hail! 3 Witch. Hail ! 1 Witch. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. 2 Witch. Not so happy, yet much happier. 3 Witch. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none : So, all hail, Macbeth , and Banquo ! 1 Witch. Banquo, and Macbeth, all hail ! 159 Macb. Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more : By Sinel's death, I know, I am thane ofGlamis ; But how of Cawdor ? the thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman ; and, to be king, Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say, from whence You owe this strange intelligence ? or why Upon 16 MACBETH. A&t I. Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetick greeting ?-Speak, I charge you. [Witches vanish. Ban. The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, 169 And these are of them : Whither are they vanish’d ? Mach. Into the air ; and what seem'd corporal, melted As breath into the wind.- -'Would they had staid ! Ban. Were such things here, as we do speak about ? Or have we eaten of the insane root, That takes the reason prisoner ? Macb. Your children shall be kings. Ban. You shall be king. Mach. And thane of Cawdor too ; went it not so ? Ban. To the self-same tune, and words. Who's here ? Enter ROSSE and ANGUS. Rosse. The king hath happily receiv'd, Macbeth, 180 The news ofthy success : and when he reads Thy personal venture in the rebel's fight, His wonders and his praises do contend, Which should be thine, or his : Silenc'd with that, In viewing o'er the rest o' the self- same day, He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks, Nothing afraid ofwhat thyself didst make, Strange images of death. As thick as tale, Came post with post ; and every one did bear Thy praises in his kingdom's great defence, 190 And pour'd them down before him. Ang. A& I. МАСВЕТн. 17 Ang. We are sent, To give thee, from our royal master, thanks ; Only to herald thee into his sight, Not pay thee. Rosse. And, for an earnest of a greater honour, He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor : In which addition , hail, most worthy thane ! For it is thine. Ban. What, can the devil speak true ? 200 Mach. The thane of Cawdor lives : Why do you dress me In borrow'd robes ? Ang. Who was the thane, lives yet ; But under heavy judgment bears that life, Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was Combin'd with Norway ; or did line the rebel With hidden help and vantage ; or that with both He labour'd in his country's wreck, I know not ; But treasons capital, confess'd, and prov'd, Have overthrown him. 210 Macb. Glamis, and thane of Cawdor : The greatest is behind. - Thanks for your pains.- Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me, Promis'd no less to them ? Ban. That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the thane of Cawdor. But ' tis strange : And oftentimes, to win us to our harm , The instruments of darkness tell us truths ; 220 Win 18 MACBETH. A& t. Win us with honest trifles, to betray us In deepest consequence. -Cousins , a word I pray you. Macb. Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme.-I thank you, gentlemen.- This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill ; cannot be good : —If ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth ? I am thane of Cawdor : If good, why do I yield to that suggestion 230 Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature ? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings : My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man, that function Is smother'd in surmise ; and nothing is, But what is not. Ban. Look, how our partner's rapt. Macb. If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, 240 Without my stir. Ban. New honours come upon him Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould, But with the aid of use. Macb. Come what come may ; Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. Ban. Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. Mac. A81. MACBETH. 19 Mach. Give me your favour :-)-my dull brain was wrought With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains Are register'd where every day I turn 250 The leaf to read them.- Let us toward the king.- Think upon what hath chanc'd ; and , at more time, The interim having weigh'd it, let us speak Our free hearts each to other. Ban. Very gladly. Macb. 'Till then, enough.-Come, friends. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Flourish. Enter King, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENOX, and Attendants. King. Is execution done on Cawdor ? Are not Those in commission yet return'd ? Mal. My liege, They are not yet come back. But I have spoke 260 With one that saw him die : who did report, That very frankly he confess'd his treasons ; Implor'd your highness' pardon ; and set forth A deep repentance : nothing in his life Became him, like the leaving it ; he dy'd As one that had been studied in his death, To throw away the dearest thing he ow'd, As 'twere a careless trifle. King.  MACBETH. Aal. 20 King. There's no art, To find the mind's construction in the face : 270 He was a gentleman on whom I built iest cousin ! An absolute trust.- -O worth Enter MACBETH , BANQUO , ROSSE , and ANGUS. The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me : thou art so far before, That swiftest wing of recompence is slow To overtake thee. 'Would thou hadst less desery'd ; That the proportion both of thanks and payment Might have been mine ! only I have left to say, More is thy due than more than all can pay. Macb. The service and the loyalty I owe, 280 In doing it, pays itself. Your highness ' part Is to receive our duties : and our duties Are to your throne , and state , children , and servants ; Which do but what they should , by doing every thing Safe toward your love and honour. King. Welcome hither : I have begun to plant thee, and will labour To make thee full of growing.- -Noble Banquo, That hast no less descrv'd , nor must be known No less to have done so ; let me enfold thee, 290 And hold thee to my heart. Ban. There if I grow, The harvest is your own. King. My plenteous joys, Wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves In A& I. MACBETH. 21 In drops of sorrow. - Sons, kinsmen , thanes, And you whose places are the nearest, know, We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm ; whom we name hereafter, The prince of Cumberland : which honour must goo Not, unaccompanied, invest him only, But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine On all deservers. From hence to Inverness And bind us further to you. Macb. The rest is labour, which is not us'd for you : I'll be myselfthe harbinger, and make joyful The hearing of my wife with your approach ; So, humbly take my leave. King. My worthy Cawdor ! 309 Macb. The prince of Cumberland ! —That is a step, On which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap, [ Aside. For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires ! Let not light see my black and deep desires : The eye wink at the hand ! yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [Exit. King, True, worthy Banquo ; he is full so valiant ; And in his commendations I am fed ; It is a banquet to me. Let us after him, Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome : It is a peerless kinsman. [Flourish. Exeunt. 320 с SCENE 22 MACBETH, A& I. SCENE V. Enter MACBETH's wife alone, with a letter. Lady.- -They met me in the day of success; and 1 have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burnt in desire to question them further, they made themselves- air, into which they vanish'd. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all hail'd me, Thane of Cawdor ; by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referr'd me to the coming on of time, with, Hail, king that shalt be ! This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner ofgreatness ; that thou might'st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being igno- rant of what greatness is promis'd thee. Lay it to thy heart, andfarewell. 333 Glamis thou art, and Cawdor ; and shalt be What thou art promis'd :-Yet do I fear thy nature ; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness, To catch the nearest way : thou would'st be great ; Art not without ambition ; but without The illnes should attend it. What thou would'st highly, 339 That would'st thou holily ; would'st not play false, And yet would'st wrongly win : thou'd'st have, great Glamis, That which cries, Thus thou must do, ifthou have it ; And that which rather thou do'st fear to do, Than A& 1. MACBETH. 23 Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear ; And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crown'd withal. — What is your tidings ? Enter a Messenger. Mes. The king comes here to -night. 350 t Lady. Thou'r mad to say it : Is not thy master with him ? who, wer't so, Would have inform'd for preparation. Mes. So please you, it is true ; our thane is coming : One of my fellows had the speed of him ; Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message. Lady. Give him tending, The raven himself is hoarse, He brings great news. [Exit Mes. That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 360 Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts , unsex me here ; And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full Of direst cruelty ! make thick my blood, Stop upthe access and passage to remorse ; That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose , nor keep peace between The effect, and it ! Come to my woman's breasts , And take my milk for gall , you murd'ring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances 370 You Cij 24 MACBETH. A& tI You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night ; And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell ! That my keen knife see not the wound it makes ; Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry, Hold! hold ! —Great Glamis ! worthy Cawdor! Enter MACBETH. Greater than both, by the all - hail hereafter ! Thy letters have transported me beyond This ignorant present time, and I feel now The future in the instant. Macb. My dearest love, 380 Duncan comes here to -night. Lady. And when goes hence ? Macb. To morrow, as he purposes. Lady. Oh, never Shall sun that morrow see ! Your face, my thane, is as a book, where men May read strange matters :-To beguile the time, Look like the time ; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue : look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it. He that's coming 390 Must be provided for ; and you shall put This night's great business into my dispatch ; Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. Mach. We will speak further. Lady. Only look up clear ; To alter favour ever is to fear ; Leave all the rest to me. [Exeunt A& I. MACBETH. 25 SCENE VI. Hautboys and torches. Enter King, MALCOLM , DO- NALBAIN, BANQUO, LENOX, MACDUFF, ROSSE, ANGUS, and Attendants. King. This castle hath a pleasant seat ; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself 400 Unto our gentle senses. Ban. This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath Smells wooingly here : no jutty frieze, Buttress, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendant bed, and procreant cradle ; Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ'd, The air is delicate. Enter Lady MACBETH. King. See, see ! our honour'd hostess !- 410 The love that follows us, sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you, How you shall bid God yield us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. Lady. All our service In every point twice done, and then done double, Were poor and single business , to contend Against those honours deep and broad, wherewith Your majesty loads our house : for those of old, C iij And 26 MACBETH. Act 1. And the late dignities heap'd up to them, 420 We rest your hermits. King. Where's the thane of Cawdor ? Wecours'd him at the heels, and had a purpose To be his purveyor : but he rides well ; And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him To his home before us : Fair and noble hostess, We are your guest to - night. Lady. Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To make their audit at your highness ' pleasure, 430 Still to return your own. King. Give me your hand : Conduct me to mine host : we love him highly, And shall continue our graces towards him. By your leave, hostess. [Exeunt. SCENE VII. Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Ser- vants with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter MACBETH. Macb. If it were done, when ' tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly : if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success ; that but this blow Might Act 1. MACBETH. 27 Might be the be-all and the end -all here, 440 But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,- We'd jump the life to come. - But, in these cases, We still have judgment here ; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor : this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips. He's here in double trust : First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed ; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, 450 Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet- tongu'd, against The deep damnation of his taking- off: And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, hors'd Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind.-I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only 461 Vaulting ambition , which o'erleaps itself, And falls on the other. -How now ! what news ? Enter Lady. Lady. He has almost supp'd ; why have you left the chamber ? Macb. Hath he ask'd for me ? Lady. 28 MACBETH. A&T. Lady. Know you not, he has ? Macb. We will proceed no further in this business : He hath honour'd me of late ; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts ofpeople, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. 471 Lady. Was the hope drunk, Wherein you drest yourself? hath it slept since ? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely ? from this time, Such I account thy love. Art thou afraid To be the same in thine own act and valour, As thou art in desire ? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament oflife, And live a coward in thine own esteem ? 48€ Letting I dare not, wait upon I would, Like the poor cat i'the adage. Macb. Pr'ythee, peace : I dare do all that may become a man ; Who dares do more, is none. Lady. What beast was it then, That made you break this enterprize to me ? When you durst do it, then you were a man ; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time, norplace, 490 Did then adhere, and yet you would make both : They have made themselves, and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck ; and know How tender ' tis, to love the babe that milks me : I would, A&t I. MACBETH, 29 I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, And dash'd the brains out, -had I but so sworn As you have done, to this. Macb. If we should fail, Lady. We fail! 500 But screw your courage to the sticking -place, And we'll not fail. When Duncan is aleep, (Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey Soundly invite him) his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassel so convince, That memory, the warder ofthe brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt ofreason A limbeck only : when in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lie, as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon 510 The unguarded Duncan ? what not put upon His spungy officers ; who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell ? Macb. Bring forth men - children only ! For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be receiv'd, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers, That they have don't ? Lady. Who dares receive it other, 520 As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar Upon his death ? Mach. I am settled , and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, 30 MACBETH. A& II. Away, and mock the time with fairest show : False face must hide what the false heart doth know. [Exeunt. A& II. SCENE I. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a torch before him. Banquo. How goes the night, boy ? Fle. The moon is down ; I have not heardthe clock. Ban. And she goes down at twelve. Fle. I take't, ' tis later, sir. Ban. Hold, take my sword :-There's husbandry in heaven, Their candles are all out. -Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep : Merciful powers ! Restrain in me the cursed thoughts, that nature Gives way to in repose ! —Give me my sword ; - 10 Enter MACBETH, and a Servant with a torch. Who's there ? Macb. A friend. Ban. What, sir, not yet at rest ? the king's a-bed : He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your officers : This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess ; and shut up In measureless content. Mac. A& II. MACBETH. 31 Mach. Being unprepar'd, Our will became the servant to defect ; 20 Which else should free have wrought. Ban. All's well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters : To you they have shew'd some truth. Macb. I think not ofthem : Yet, when we can intreat an hour to serve, Wewouldspend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time. Ban. Atyour kind'st leisure. Mach. Ifyou shall cleave to my consent, when ' tis, It shall make honour for you. 31 Ban. So I lose none, In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchis'd, and allegiance clear, I shall be counsel'd. Macb. Good repose, the while ! Ban. Thanks, sir , the like to you ! [ Exit BANQUO. Macb. Go, bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. [ Exit Ser. Is this a dagger, which I see before me, The handle toward my hand ? Come, let me clutch thee :- I have thee not ; and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision , sensible To feeling, as to sight ? or art thou but A dagger of the mind ; a false creation , Proceeding from the heat- oppressed brain ? I seethee yet, in form as palpable As 32 MACBETH. A& II. As this which now I draw. Thou marshal'st me the way that I was going ; And such an instrument I was to use. 50 Mine eyes are made the fools o'the other senses, Or else worth all the rest : I see thee still ; And on thy blade, and dudgeon, gouts of blood, Which was not so before. - There's no such thing : It is the bloody business, which informs Thus to mine eyes.-Now o'er the one half world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtain'd sleep ; now witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's offerings ; and wither'd murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf, 60 Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost.-Thou sure and firm- set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear The very stones prate of my where -about, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. - While I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [A Bell rings. I go, and it is done ; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan ; for it is a knell 70 That summons thee to heaven, or to hell. [Exit. SCENE Aа H. MACBETH. 33 SCENE II. Enter Lady MACBETH. Lady. That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold ; What hath quench'd them, hath given me fire : Hark ! Peace! It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bell -man, Which gives the stern'st good - night. He is about it : The doors are open ; and the surfeited grooms Do mock their charge with snores ; I have drugg'd their possets , That death and nature do contend about them , Whether they live , or die. Macb. [Within. ] Who's there ?- -what, ho ! 80 Lady. Alack ! I am afraid they have awak’d , And ' tis not done :-the attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us :-Hark ! —I laid their daggers ready, He could not miss them.- Had he not resembled Myfather as he slept, I had don't. My husband ? Enter MACBETH. Macb. I have done the deed :- -Didst thou not hear a noise ? Lady. I heard the owl scream, and the crickets cry, Did not you speak ? Macb. When ? Lady. Now. Macb. As I descended ? Lady. Ay.. D Mach. 34 MACBETH. ActIT. Macb. Hark ! Who lies i' the second chamber ? Lady. Donalbain. Macb. This is a sorry sight. [Looking on his hands. Lady. A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. Macb. There's one did laugh in his sleep, and one cry'd, murder ! That they did wake each other ; I stood and heard them ; But they did say their prayers, and address'd them Again to sleep. 100 Lady. There are two lodg'd together. Macb. One cry'd, God bless us ! and, Amen, the other ; As they had seen me, with these hangman's hands, Listening their fear. I could not say, amen, When they did say, God bless us. Lady. Consider it not so deeply. Macb. But wherefore could not I pronounce, amen ? I had most need of blessing, and amen Stuck in my throat. Lady. These deeds must not be thought 110 After these ways ; so, it will make us mad. Macb. Methought, I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep, the innocent sleep ; Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care, The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, Balm ofhurt minds, great nature's second course, Chiefnourisher in life's feast ;· Lady. What do you mean ? Mach: Still it cry'd, Sleep no more ! to all the house : Glamis A& II. MACBETH. 35 Glamis hath murder'd sleep ; and therefore Cawdor 120 Shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more! Lady. Who was it, that thus cry'd ? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength, to think So brain-sickly ofthings : -Go, get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand.- Why did you bring these daggers from the place ? They must lie there : Go, carry them, and smear The sleepy grooms with blood. Macb. I'll go no more : I am afraid to think what I have done ; 130 Look on't again, I dare not. Lady. Infirm of purpose ! Give me the daggers : the sleeping, and the dead, Are but as pictures : ' tis the eye of childhood, That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I'll gild the faces ofthe grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt. [ Exit. Knocking within. Macb. Whence is that knocking ! How is't with me, when every noise appals me ? What hands are here ! Ha! they pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood 141 Clean from my hand ? No ; this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnardine, Making the green--one red. Re-enter Lady MACBETH. Lady. My hands are of your colour ; but I shame Towear a heart so white. I hear a knocking [ Knock. Dij At 36 MACBETH. A& II. At the south entry :-retire we to our chamber: A little water clears us of this deed : How easy is it then ? Your constancy Hath left you unattended. — Hark ! more knocking : [Knock. Get on your night-gown, lest occasion call us, 151 And shew us to be watchers : — -Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts. Macb. To know my deed- 'twere best not know myself. [Knock. Wake Duncan with thy knocking ! I would, thou could'st ! [Exeunt. SCENE III. Enter a Porter. [Knocking within. ] Port. Here's a knocking indeed ! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key. [ Knock. ] Knock, knock, knock : Who's there, i' the name of Belzebub ? Here's a far- mer, that hang'd himself on the expectation of plenty: come in time ; have napkins enough about you ; here you'll sweat for't. [ Knock. ] Knock, knock : Who's there, i' the other devil's name ? ' Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale ; who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven : oh, come in, equivocator. [Knock. ] Knock, knock, knock : Who's there ? ' Faith, here's an English taylor come hither,  t. A& МАСВЕТЯ. 37 hither, for stealing out of a French hose : come in, taylor ; hear you may roast your goose. [Knock. ] Knock, knock : Never at quiet ! What are you ? But this place is too cold for hell. I'll devil- porter it no further : I had thought to have let in some of all professions, that go the primrose - way to the ever- lasting bonfire. [ Knock. ] Anon, anon ; I pray you, remember the porter. 176 Enter MACDUFF, and LENOX. Macd. Was it so late, friend, ere you went to-bed, That you do lie so late ? Port. ' Faith, sir, we were carousing ' till the second cock : and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. Macd. What three things doth drink especially provoke ? Port. Marry, sir, nose -painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes ; it pro- vokes the desire, but it takes away the performance : therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivo- cator with lechery ; it makes him, and it mars him ; it sets him on, and it takes him off ; it persuades him, and disheartens him ; makes him stand to, and not stand to : in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him. Macd. I believe drink gave thee the lie last night. Port. That it did, sir, i' the very throat o'me : but I requited him for his lie ; and I thing, being too D iij strong  MACBETH. ActII. 38 strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him. Macd. Is thy master stirring ?- Our knocking has awak'd him ; here he comes. 200 Len. Good- morrow, noble sir! Enter MACBETH. Macb. Good-morrow, both ! Macd. Is the king stirring, worthy thane ? Macb. Not yet. Macd. He did command me to call timely on him ; I have almost slipt the hour. Macb. I'll bring you to him. Macd. I know, this is a joyful trouble to you ; But yet, ' tis one. Macb. The labour we delight in, physicks pain. 210 This is the door. Macd. I'll make so bold to call, For ' tis my limited service. [ Exit MACDUFF. Len. Goes the king hence to -day ? Macb. He does; he did appoint so. Len. The night has been unruly : where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down : and, as they say, Lamentings heard i' the air ; strange screams of death ; And prophesying, with accents terrible,. Of dire combustion, and confus'd events, 220 New hatch'd to the woeful time : the obscure bird Clamour'd the live -long night : some say, the earth Was feverous and did shake. Macb. 'Twas a rough night. Len.  t II. A& MACBETH. 39 Len. My young remembrance cannot parallel A fellow to it. Re-enter MACDUFF. Macd. O horror! horror! horror! tongue, nor heart, Cannot conceive, nor name thee ! Macb. and Len. What's the matter ? Macd. Confusion now hath made his master-piece! Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope 231 The Lord's anointed temple, and stole thence The life o' the building. Macb. What is't you say ? the life ? Len. Mean you his majesty ? Macd. Approach the chamber, and destroy yoursight With a new Gorgon : - -Do not bid me speak ; See, and then speak yourselves.Awake ! awake ! [Exeunt MACBETH, and LENOX , Ring the alarum bell :-Murder ! and treason ! Banquo, and Donalbain ! Malcolm ! awake ! 240 Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit, And look on death itself ! -up, up, and see The great doom's image ! Malcolm ! Banquo ! As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprights, To countenance this horror ! -Ring the bell. Bell rings.Enter Lady MACBETH. Lady. What's the business, That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house ? speak, speak.- Macd. O, gentle lady, "Tis 40 MACBETH. t II. A& 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak : 250 The repetition in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell.- -O Banquo! Banquo ! Enter BANQUO, Our royal master's murder'd! Lady. Woe, alas! What, in our house ? Ban. Too cruel, any where. Dear Duff, I pray thee, contradict thyself, And say, it is not so. Re-enter MACBETH, and LENOX. Mach. Had I but dy'd an hour before this chance, I had liv'd a blessed time ; for, from this instant, There's nothing serious in mortality: 261 All is but toys : renown, and grace, is dead : The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to brag of. Enter MALCOLM, and DONALBAIN. Don. What is amiss ? Macb. You are, and do not know it : The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopt ; the very source of it is stopt. Macd. Your royal father's murder'd. Mal. Oh, by whom ? 270 Len. Those ofhis chamber, as it seem'd, had don't : Their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood, So were their daggers, which, unwip'd, we found Upon A& II, MACBETH. 41 Upon their pillows ; they star'd , and were distracted ; No man's life was to be trusted with them. Macb. O, yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them. Macd. Wherefore did you so ? Mach. Who can be wise, amaz'd, temperate, and furious , Loyal and neutral in a moment ? No man : 280 The expedition of my violent love Out-ran the pauser reason.- -Here lay Duncan, His silver- skin lac'd with his golden blood ; And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature, For ruin's wasteful entrance ; there, the murderers , Steep'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breech'd with gore : who could refrain, That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make his love known ?. Lady. Help me hence, ho ! Macd. Look to the lady, Mal. Why do we hold our tongues, That most may claim this argument for ours ? Don. What should be spoken here, Where our fate, hid within an augre-hole, May rush, and seize us ? Let's away, our tears Are not yet brew'd. Mal. Nor our strong sorrow Upon the foot of motion. Ban. Look to the lady :- 300 And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet, And 42 MACBETH. A& II. And question this most bloody piece ofwork, To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us: In the great hand of God I stand ; and, thence, Against the undivulg'd pretence I fight Of treasonous malice. Macb. And so do I. All. So all. Mac. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, 310 And meet i' the hall together. All. Well contented. [Exeunt. Mal. Whatwill you do ? Let's not consortwith them: To shew an unfelt sorrow, is an office b Which the false man does easy : I'll to England. Don. To Ireland, I ; our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer : where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles : the near in blood, The nearer bloody. Mal. This murderous shaft that's shot, 320 Hath not yet lighted ; and our safest way Is, to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse ; And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift away : there's warrant in that theft Which steals itself, when there's no mercy left. [ Exeunt. SCENE IV. Enter Rosse, with an old Man. Old M. Threescore and ten I can remember well : Within the volume of which time, I have seen Hours  A& II. MACBETH. 43 Hours dreadful, and things strange ; but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings. Rosse. Ah, good father, 330 Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act, Threaten his bloody stage : by the clock, 'tis day, And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp : Is it night's predominance, or the day's shame, That darkness does the face of earth intomb, When living light should kiss it? OldM. 'Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last, A faulcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at, and kill'd. 340 Rosse. And Duncan's horses (a thing most strange, and certain), Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would Make war with mankind. Old M. 'Tis said, they eat each other. Rosse. They did so ; to the amazement of mine 1 eyes, That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff; Enter MACDUFF. How goes the world, sir, now ? Macd. Why, see you not ? 350 Rosse. Is't known, who did this more than bloody deed ? Macd. Those that Macbeth hath slain. 4 Rosse.  MACBETH. A& II. 44 Rosse. Alas, the day! What good could they pretend ? Macd. They were suborn'd : Malcolm and Donalbain , the king's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled : which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed. Rosse. 'Gainst nature still : Thriftless ambition , that will ravin up. Thine own life's means !-Then ' tis most like, The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. Macd. He is already nam'd ; and gone to Scone, To be invested. Rosse. Where is Duncan's body ? Macd. Carried to Colme's-kill ; The sacred store- house of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones. Rosse. Will you to Scone ? Macd. No, cousin , I'll to Fife. Rosse. Well , I will thither. Macd. Well, may you see things well done there ; -adieu !- Lest our old robes sit easier than our new ! Rosse. Farewell , father. Old M. God's benison go with you ; and with those That would make good of bad , and friends of foes! [Exeunt. ACT A& III. MACBETH : 45 ACT III. SCENE I. Enter BANQUO. THOU hast it now ; King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promis'd ; and, I fear, Thou playd'st most foully for't : yet it was said, It should not stand in thy posterity ; But that myself should be the root, and father Of many kings : ifthere come truth from them (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine), Why, by the verities on thee made good , May they not be my oracles as well, And set me upin hope ? but, hush ; no more. 10 Senet sounded. Enter MACBETH as King ; Lady MAC- BETH, LENOX , Rosse, Lords, and attendants. Macb. Here's our chiefguest. Lady. Ifhe had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all things unbecoming. Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. Ban. Lay your highness' Command upon me ; to the which, my duties Are with a most indissoluble tye For ever knit. 20 Mach. Ride you this afternoon Ban. Ay, my good lord. Mach. We should have else desir'd your good advice E (Which  ETH 46 MACB. Aa III. (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous) In this day's council ; but we'll take to-morrow. Is't far you ride ? Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper ; go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night, For a dark hour or twain. 30 Macb. Fail not our feast. Ban. My lord, I will not. Mach. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England, and in Ireland ; not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention : but of that to- morrow; When, therewithal, we shall have cause of state, Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse : Adieu, Fill you return at night. Goes Fleance with you ? Ban. Ay, my good lord : our time does call upon us. Macb. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot ; 41 And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell. [Exit BANQUO. Let every man be master of his time 'Till seven at night ; to make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself 'Till supper-time alone : while then, God be with you. [ Exeunt Lady MACBETH, and Lords. Sirrah a word with you : attend those men our plea- sure ? Ser. They are, my lord, without the palace-gate. Mach. Bring them before us.- -To be thus is no- thing ; [Exit Servant. 50 But AЯ III. MACBETH. 47 But to be safely thus.-Our fears in Banquo Stick deep ; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that, which would be fear'd : 'tis muchhe dares ; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none, but he, Whose being I do fear : and, under him, My genius is rebuk'd ; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, When first they put the name of king upon me, бо And bade them speak to him ; then, prophet-like, They hail'd him father to a line of kings : Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. Ifit be so, For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind ; For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd ; Put rancours in the vessel of my peace Only for them ; and mine eternal jewel 70 Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings ! Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, And champion me to the utterance ! -Who's there ?— Re-enter Servant, with two Murderers. Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. [Exit Servant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together ? Mur. It was, so please your highness. Fij Macb.  ETH 48 MACB. A& III. Macb. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches ? Know, That it was he, in the times past, which held you 80 So under fortune ; which, you thought had been Our innocent self: this I made good to you In our last conference, past in probation with you ; How you were borne in hand ; how crost ; the instru- ments ; Who wrought with them ; and all things else, that might, To halfa soul, and to a notion craz'd Say, Thus did Banquo. 1 Mur. You made it known to us. Mach. I did so ; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find 90 Your patience so predominant in your nature, That you can let this go ? Are you so gospel'd, To pray for this good man, and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave, And beggar'd yours for ever ? 1 Mur. We aṛe men , my liege. Macb. Ay, in the catalogue you go for men ; As hounds, and greyhounds, mungrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water- rugs, and demi-wolves, are cleped. All by the name of dogs ; the valued file 100 Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The house-keeper, the hunter , every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him clos'd ; whereby he does receive Particular addition , from the bill That  A& III. MACBETH. 49 That writes them all alike : and so ofmen. Now, ifyou have a station in the file, Not in the worst rank of manhood, say it ; And I will put that business in your bosoms, Whose execution takes your enemy off; 110 Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfect. 2 Mur. I am one, my liège, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Have so incens'd, that I am reckless what I do, to spite the world. 1 Mur. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, 120 To mend it, or be rid on't. Macb. Both of you Know, Banquo was you enemy. Mur. True, my lord. Macb. So is he mine : and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st oflife : and though I could With bare-fac'd power sweep him from my sight, And bid my will avouch it ; yet I must not, For certain friends that are both his and mine, 130 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall, Whom I myselfstruck down : and thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love ; Masking the business from the common eye, For sundry weighty reasons. E iij Mur. 50 MACBETH. A& III. Mur. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us. 1 Mur. Though our lives- Mach. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves ; 140 Acquaint you with the perfect spy o'the time, The moment on't ; for't must be done to-night, And something from the palace ; always thought, That I require a clearness : and with him, (To leave no rubs, nor botches, in the work) Fleance his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father's, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour : resolve yourselves apart ; I'll come to you anon. 150 Mur. We are resolv'd , my lord, Macb. I'll call upon you straight ; abide within. It is concluded : -Banquo, thy soul's flight, Ifit find heaven, must find it out to-night. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter Lady MACBETH, and a Servant. Lady. Is Banquo gone from court ? Serv. Ay, madam ; but returns again to-night. Lady. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words. Serv. Madamı, I will. [Exit. Lady. A& III. MACBETH. 51 Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, 160 Where our desire is got without content : 'Tis saferto be that which we destroy, Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy. Enter MACBETH. How now, my lord ? why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companions making ? Using those thoughts, which should indeed have dy'd With them they think on ? Things without all remedy Should be without regard : what's done, is done. Macb. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it, She'll close, and be herself ; whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. 171 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams, That shake us nightly : better be with the dead, Whom we to gain our place, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy.-Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well ; Treason has done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further! Lady. Come on ; gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks ; be bright and jovial Among your guests to - night. Macb. So shall I, love ; And  MACBETH. A&t III. 52 And so, I pray, be you : let your remembrance Apply to Banquo ; present him eminence, both With eye and tongue : unsafe the while, that we Must lave our honours in these flattering streams ; And make our faces vizards to our hearts, 191 Disguising what they are. Lady. You must leave this. Macb. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife ! Thou know'st, that Banquo, and his Fleance, live. Lady. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. Mach. There's comfort yet, they are assailable ; Then be thou jocund : ere the bat hath flown His cloister'd flight ; ere, to black Hecate's summons, The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, 200 Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note. Lady. What's to be done ? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 'Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, Skarf up the tender eye of pitiful day ; And, with thy bloody and invisible hand, Cancel, and tear to pieces, that great bond Which keeps me pale !-Light thickens, and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood : 210 Good things ofday begin to droop and drowze ; While night's black agents to their preys do rouze. Thou marvell'st at my words : but hold thee still ; Things, bad begun, make strong themselves by ill : So, pr'ythee, go with me. [Exeunt, 3 SCENE  A& III. MACBETH. 53 SCENE III. Enter three Murderers. 1 Mur. But who did bid thee join with us ? 3 Mur. Macbeth. 2 Mur. He needs not our mistrust'; since he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. 220 1 Mur. Then stand with us. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day : Now spurs the lated traveller apace, To gain the timely inn ; and near approaches The subject of our watch. 3 Mur. Hark ! I hear horses. [Banquo within. ] Give us a light there, ho ! 2 Mur. Then it is he ; the rest That are within the note of expectation, Already are i' the court. 23 1 Mur. His horses go about. 3 Mur. Almost a mile : but he does usually, 1 So all men do, from hence to the palace gate Make it their walk. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a torch. 2 Mur. A light, a light! 3 Mur. 'Tis he. 1 Mur. Stand to't. Ban. It will be rain to-night. 1 Mur. 54 MACBETH. А& HI. 1 Mur. Let it come down. [ They assault BANQUO. Ban. Oh, treachery ! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly; Thou may'st revenge. -Oh slave ! 241 [Dies. FLEANCE escapes. 3 Mur. Who did strike out the light ? 1 Mur. Was't not the way? 3 Mur. There's but one down ; the son is fled. 2 Mur. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, Lady, ROSSE, LENOX, Lords, and Attendants. Macb. You know your own degrees, sit down : at first, And last, the hearty welcome. Lords. Thanks to your majesty. Macb. Ourself will mingle with society, 250 And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state ; but, in best time, We will require her welcome. Lady. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends ; For my heart speaks, they are welcome. Enterfirst Murderer to the door. Mach. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks :- Both Act III. MACBETH. 55 Both sides are even ; here I'll sit i' the midst : Be large in mirth ; anon, we'll drink a measure The table round. -There's blood upon thy face. Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then. 260 Macb. 'Tis better thee without, than he within. Is he dispatch'd ? Mur. My lord, his throat is cut ; that I did for him : Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut- throats : yet he's good, That did the like for Fleance : ifthou didst it, Thou art the non- pareil. Mur. Most royal sir, Fleance is ' scaped. Macb. Then comes my fit again : I had else been perfect ; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock ; 270 As broad, and general, as the casing air : But now, I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe ? Mur. Ay, my good lord : safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head ; The least a death to nature. Macb. Thanks for that :- There the grown serpent lies ; the worm, that's fled, Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present.-Get thee gone ; to-morrow We'll hear, ourselves again. [Exit Murderer. 281 Lady. My royal lord, You do not give the cheer : the feast is sold, That is not often vouch'd while 'tis a making, 'Tis  TH MACBE. A& III. 56 'Tis given with welcome : to feed, were best at home ; From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony : Meeting were bare without it. Enter the Ghost of BANQUO , and sits in MACBETH'S Place. Macb. Sweet remembrancer ! -- Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both ! 290 Len. May it please your highness sit. Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present ? Who may I rather challenge for unkindness, Than pity for mischance ! Rosse. His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please it your highness To grace us with your royal company ? Macb. The table's full. Len. Here is a place reserv'd, sir. 300 Macb. Where ? Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness ? Macb. Which of you have done this ? Lords. What, my good lord ? Macb. Thou can'st not say, I did it : never shake Thy goary locks at me. Rosse. Gentlemen, rise ; his highness is not well. Lady. Sit, worthy friends :-my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth : pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary ; upon a thought 310 He Aa III. MACBETH. 57 He will again be well : ifmuch you note him, You shall offend him, and extend his passion ; Feed, and regard him not.- -Are you a man ? Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Which might appal the devil. Lady. O proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear : This is the air-drawn-dagger, which, you said,! Led you to Duncan. Oh, these flaws, and starts, (Impostors to true fear ) would well become 320 A woman's story, at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces ? When all's done, You look but on a stool. Mach. Pr'ythee, see there ! behold ! look ! lo! how say you ?- Why, what care I ? If thou can'st nod, speak to.- Ifcharnel-houses, and our graves, must send Those that we bury, back ; our monuments Shall be the maws of kites. Lady. What ! quite unmann'd in folly ? 330 Macb. IfI stand here, I saw him. Lady. Fie, for shame ! Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal ; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd Too terrible for the ear : the times have been, That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end : but now, they rise again, F With 58 MACBETH. Act II. With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools : this is more strange Than such a murder is. 341 Lady. My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. Macb. I do forget :- Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends ; I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health to all ; Then I'll sit down :-Give me some wine, fill full :- I drink to the general joy of the whole table, Re-enter Ghost. And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss ; Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst, 351 And all to all. Lords. Our duties and the pledge. Mach. Avant ! and quit my sight ! Let the earth hide thee ! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold ; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with ! Lady. Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom : 'tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. 360 Mach. What man dare, I dare : Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tyger, Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves. Shall never tremble, or, be alive again, And A& III. MACBETH. 59 And dare me to the desert with thy sword ; If trembling I inhabit, then protest me The baby ofa girl. Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence ! —Why, so ; -being gone, I am a man again.- -Pray you , sit still. 370 Lady. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the good meeting With most admir'd disorder. Macb. Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange Even to the disposition that I owe, When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheek, When mine is blanch'd with fear. Rosse. What sights, my lord ? 380 Lady. I pray you, speak not ; he grows worse and worse ; Question enrages him : at once, good - night :- Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once. Len. Good-night, and better health Attend his majesty. Lady. A kind good- night to all ! [Exeunt Lords. Macb. It will have blood, they say ; blood will have blood : Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak ; Augurs, and understood relations, have 39° By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth The secret'st man of blood. —What is the night ? Fij Lady. бо MACBETH. A& III. Lady. Almost at odds with morning, which is which. Mach. How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person, At our great bidding ? Lady. Did you send to him, sir ? Mach. I hear it by the way ; but I will send : There's not a one of them, but in his house I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow, (And betimes I will) unto the weïrd sisters : 400 More shall they speak ; for now I am bent to know, By the worst means, the worst : for mine own good, All causes shall give way ; I am in blood Stept in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er : Strange things I have in head, that will to hand ; Which must be acted, ere they may be scann'd. Lady. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Macb. Come, we'll to sleep : my strange and self- abuse Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use :- 410 We are yet but young in deed. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting HECATE. 1 Witch. Why, how now, Hecat' ? you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams, as you are, Saucy, and overbold ? How did you dare To A& 111. MACBETH. 61 To trade and traffick with Macbeth, In riddles, and affairs of death ; And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms, Was never call'd to bear my part, Or shew the glory of our art ? 420 And, which is worse, all you have done, Hath been but for a wayward son, Spightful, and wrathful ; who, as others do, Loves for his own ends, not for you. But make amends now : get you gone, And at the pit of Acheron Meet me i' the morning ; thither he Will come to know his destiny. Your vessels, and your spells, provide, Your charms, and every thing beside : 439 I am for the air ; this night I'll spend Unto a dismal and a fatal end. Great business must be wrought ere noon : Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vaporous drop profound ; I'll catch it ere it come to ground : And that, distill'd by magic slights, Shall raise such artificial sprights , As, by the strength of their illusion, Shall draw him on to his confusion : 449 He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear : And you all know, security Is mortals' chiefest enemy. [ Musick and a Song. Fiij Hark, 62 MACBETH. Act III. Hark, I am call'd ; my little spirit, see, Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [Sing within. Come away, come away, &c. 1 Witch. Come, let's make haste, she'll soon be back again. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Enter LENOX, and another Lord. Len. My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret further : only, I say, Things have been strangely borne : the gracious Duncan 450 Was pitied ofMacbeth :-marry, he was dead :- And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late ; Whom, you may say, if it please you , Fleance kill'd, For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought, how monsterous It was for Malcolm, and for Donalbain, To kill their gracious father ? damned fact ! How it did grieve Macbeth ! did he not straight, In pious rage, the two delinquents tear, That were the slaves of drink, and thralls of sleep ? Was not that nobly done ? ay, and wisely too ; 461 For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive, To hear the men deny it. So that, I say, He has borne all things well : and I do think, That, had he Duncan's sons under his key (As, ла111. MACBETH. 63 (As, an't please heaven, he shall not) , they should find What 'twere to kill a father ; so should Fleance. But, peace !- -for from broad words, and 'cause he fail'd His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear, Macduff lives in disgrace : sir, can you tell 470 Where he bestows himself? Lord. The son of Duncan, From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, Lives in the English court ; and is receiv'd Ofthe most pious Edward with such grace, That the malevolence of fortune nothing Takes from his high respect : thither Macduff is gone To pray the holy king, upon his aid, To wake Northumberland, and warlike Siward : That, bythe help of these (with Him above 480 To ratify the work) we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights ; Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives ; Do faithful homage, and receive free honours, All which we pine for now : and this report Hath so exasperate the king, that he Prepares for some attempt of war. Len. Sent he to Macduff? Lord. He did : and with an absolute, Sir, not I, The cloudy messenger turns me his back, 490 And hums; as who should say, You'll rue the time That clogs me with this answer. Len. And that well might Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His 64 MACBETH. A& IV. His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England, and unfold His message ere he come; that a swift blessing. May soon return to this our suffering country, Under a hand accurs'd! 499 Lord. I'll send my prayers with him. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE 1. Thunder.Enter the three Witches. 1 Witch. THRICE the brinded cat hath mew’d. 2Witch. Thrice ; and once the hedge- pig whin'd. 3Witch. Harpercries : -'tis time, ' tis time. 1 Witch. Round about the cauldron go ; In the poison'n entrails throw.- Toad, that under the cold stone, Days and nights hast thirty-one, Swelter'd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' the charmed pot ! All. Double, double toil and trouble ; Fire, burn ; and, cauldron, bubble. 1 Witch. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake ; Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder's fork, and blind- worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. All A& IV. MACBETH. 65 All. Double, double toil and trouble ; 20 Fire, burn ; and, cauldron, bubble. 3Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf ; Witches ' mummy : maw, and gulf, Of the ravin'd salt- sea shark ; Root of hemlock , digg'd i' the dark ; Liver of blaspheming Jew : Gall of goat, and slips ofyew, Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse ; Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips ; Finger ofbirth-strangled babe, ૩૦ Ditch-deliver'd by a drab, Make the gruel thick and slab : Add thereto a tyger's chaudron, For the ingredients of our cauldron. All. Double, double toil and trouble ; Fire, burn ; and , cauldron , bubble. 2 Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good. Enter HECATE, and other three Witches. Hec. Oh, well done ! I commend your pains : And every one shall share i' the gains. 40 And now about the cauldron sing, Like elves and fairies in a ring, Inchanting all that you put in. MUSICK and a SONG. Black spirits and white, Blue spirits and grey; Mingle, mingle, mingle, You that mingle may. 2Witch. 66 MACBETH. A& IV. 2 Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes : Open locks, whoever knocks. 50 Enter MACBETH. Macb. How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags ? What is't you do ? All. A deed without a name. Macb. I conjure you by that which you profess, (Howe'er you come to know it) answer me : Though you untie the winds, and let them fight Against the churches ; though the yesty waves Confound and swallow navigation up ; Though bladed corn be lodg'd, and trees blown down ; Though castles topple on their warder's heads ; 60 Though palaces, and pyramids, do slope Theirheads to their foundations ; though the treasure Of nature's germins tumble all together, Even 'till destruction sicken, answer me To what I ask you. 1 Witch. Speak. 2 Witch. Demand. gWitch. We'll answer. 1 Witch. Say, if thoud'st rather hear it from our mouths, Or from our masters' ? 79 Macb. Call them, let me see them. 1 Witch. Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten Her nine farrow ; grease , that's sweaten From Act IV. МАСВЕТн. 67 From the murderer's gibbet, throw Into the flame. All. Come, high, or low ; Thyself, and office, deftly show. [Thunder. 1st Apparition, an armed head. Macb. Tell me, thou unknown pow'r, - 1Witch. He knows thy thought ; Hear his speech, but say thou nought. 80 App. Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Macbeth ! beware Macduff! Beware the thane of Fife. -Dismiss me :-Enough. [Descends. Macb. What-e'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks ; Thou hast harp'd my fear aright :-) -But one word more MD. 1 Witch. He will not be commanded : here's ano- ther, More potent than the first. [Thunder. 2d Apparition, a bloody Child. App. Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Macbeth !- Macb. Had I three ears, I'd hear thee. App. Be bloody, bold, and resolute : laugh to scorn The power ofman ; for none ofwoman born 99 Shall harm Macbeth. [Descends. Macb. Then live, Macduff, what need I fearof thee ? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, And 68 MACBETH. A& IV. And take a bond of fate : thou shalt not live ; That I may tell pale-hearted fear, it lies, And sleep in spight of thunder.- -What is this, {Thunder. 3d Apparition, a Childcrowned, with a tree in his hand. That rises like the issue of a king ; And wears upon his baby brow the round And top of sovereignty ? All. Listen, but speak not to't. 100 App. Be lion-mettled, proud ; and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are : Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him. [Descends. Macb. That will never be ; Who can impress the forest ; bid the tree Unfix his earth -bound root ? sweet bodements ! good ! Rebellious head, rise never, till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high -plac'd Macbeth 110 Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time, and mortal custom.- -Yet my heart Throbs to know one thing ; tell me (ifyour art Can tell so much) , shall Banquo's issue ever Reign in this kingdom ? All. Seek to know no more. Macb. I will be satisfy'd : deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you ! let me know :- Why sinks that cauldron ? and what noise is this ? {Hautboys. 4 1 Witch. A&L IV. MACBETH, 69 1 Witch. Shew ! 120 2 Witch. Shew ! 3 Witch. Shew ! All. Shew his eyes, and grieve his heart ; Come like shadows, so depart. [A shew ofeight Kings, and BANQUO ; the last with a glass inhis hand. Mach. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo ; down ! Thy crown does sear mine eye balls :-And thy air, Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first :- A third is like the former :-Filthy hags : Why do you shew me this ?-A fourth - Start, eyes ! What will the line stretch out to the crack of doom - 130 Another yet ?-A seventh -I'll see no more :— And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass, Which shews me many more : and some I see, That two-fold balls and treble sceptres carry ; Horrible sight !-Now, I see, ' tis true ; For the blood bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me, And points at them for his.-What ? is this so ? 1 Witch. Ay, sir, all this is so :-But why Stands Macbeth thus amazedly ?— Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprights, 140 And shew the best of our delights ; I'll charm the air to give a sound, While you perform your antique round : That this great king may kindly say, Our duties did his welcome pay. [Musick. [The Witches dance and vanish. G Macb. 70 MACBETH. A& IV. Macb. Where are they ? Gone ?-Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar ! Come in, without there ! Enter LENOX. Len. What's your grace's will ? Mach. Saw you the weird sisters ? 150 Len. No, my lord. Macb. Came they not by you ? Len. No, indeed, my lord. Macb. Infected be the air whereon they ride ; And damn'd all those that trust them ! —I did hear The galloping of horse : who was't came by ? Len. 'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word, Macduffis fled to England. Macb. Fled to England ? Len. Ay, my good lord. 160 Macb. Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits : The flighty purpose never is o'er-took, Unless the deed go with it : from this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done : The castle of Macduff I will surprise ; Seize upon Fife ; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool ; This Act IV. MACBETH. 71 This deed I'll do, before this purpose cool : 171 But no more sights ! -Where are these gentlemen ? Come, bring me where they are. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter MACDUFF's Wife, her Son, and Rosse. L. Macd. What had he done, to make him fly the land ? Rosse. You must have patience, madam. L. Macd. He had none : His flight was madness : when our actions do not, Our fears do make us traitors. Rosse. You know not, Whether it was his wisdom, or his fear. 180 L. Macd. Wisdom ! to leave his wife, to leave his babes , His mansion, and his titles, in a place From whence himself does fly ? He loves us not ; He wants the natural touch : for the poor wren, The most diminutive of birds, will fight, Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. All is the fear, and nothing is the love ; As little is the wisdom, where the flight Soruns against all reason. Rosse. My dearest coz', 190 I pray you, school yourself : but, for your husband He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o' the season. I dare not speak much further : Gij But 72 MACBETH. A& IV. Butcruel are the times, when we are traitors, And do not know ourselves ; when we hold rumour From what we fear, yet know not what we fear ; But float upon a wild and violent sea, Each way, and move. I take my leave ofyou : Shall not be long but I'll be here again : Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward To what theywere before. My pretty cousin, 201 Blessing upon you ! L. Macd. Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless. Rosse. I amso much a fool, should I stay longer, It would be my disgrace, and your discomfort : I take my leave at once. [Exit ROSSE L. Macd. Sirrah, your father's dead ; And what will you do now ? How will you live ? Son. As birds do, mother. L. Macd. What, with worms and flies? 210 Son. With what I get, I mean ; and so do they. L. Macd. Poor bird! thou'dst never fear the net nor lime, The pit-fall, nor the gin. Son. Why should I, mother ? Poor birds they are not set for. My father is not dead, for all your saying. L. Macd. Yes, he is dead ; how wilt thou do for a father ? Son. Nay, how will you do for a husband ? L. Macd. Why, I can buy me twenty at any market. Son. Then you'll buy ' em to sell again. L. Macd. A& IV. MACBETH. 73 L. Macd. Thou speak'st with all thy wit; and yet i'faith, 220 With wit enough for thee. Son. Was my father a traitor, mother ? L. Macd. Ay, that he was. Son. What is a traitor ? L. Macd. Why, one that swears and lies. Son. And be all traitors, that do so ? L. Macd. Every one that does so, is a traitor, and must be hang'd. Son. And must they all be hang'd, that swear and lie ? 230 L. Macd. Every one. Son. Who must hang them ? L. Macd. Why the honest men? Son. Then the liars and swearers are fools : for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men, and hang up them. L. Macd. Now God help thee, poor monkey ! but how wilt thou do for a father ? Son. If he were dead, you'd weep for him : if you would not, it were a good sign that I should quick! have a new father. L. Macd. Poor prattler ! how thou talk'st ! Enter a Messenger. Mess. Bless you, fair dame ! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt, some danger does approach you nearly : Ifyou will take a homely man's advice, G iij Be 74 MACBETH. A& IV. Be not found here ; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage ; To do worse to you , were fell cruelty, Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you ! 250 I dare abide no longer. [Exit Messenger. L. Macd. Whither should I fly ? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world : where, to do harm, Is often laudable ; to do good , sometime, Accounted dangerous folly : why then, alas ! Do I put up that womanly defence, To say, I have done no harm ?-What are these faces? Enter Murderers. Mur. Where is your husband ? L. Macd. I hope, in no place so unsanctified, 260 Where such as thou may'st find him. Mur. He's a traitor. Son. Thou ly'st, thou shag-ear'd villain. Mur. What, you egg ? Young fry of treachery ? Son. He has kill'd me, mother : Run away, I pray you. [Exit L. MACDUFF, crying murder. SCENE Act IV. MACBETH. 75 SCENE III. England. Enter MALCOLM, and MACDUFF. Mal. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there Weep our sad bosoms empty. Macd. Let us rather 270 Hold fast the mortal sword ; and, like good men, Bestride our down-faln birthdom : Each new morn, New widows howl ; new orphans cry ; new sorrows Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds As ifit felt with Scotland, and yell'd out Like syllable of dolour. Mal. What I believe, I'll wait ; What know, believe ; and, what I can redress, As I shall find the time to friend , I will. What you have spoke, it may be so, perchance. This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, Was once thought honest : you have lov'd him well ; He hath not touch'd you yet. I am young ; but something 283 You may d