Unsafe the while, that we Must lave our honours in these flattering streams; ; Lady M. But in them nature's copy 's not eterne. There shall be done a deed of dreadful note. Lady M. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, And, with thy bloody and invisible hand, Cancel, and tear to pieces, that great bond Which keeps me pale !-Light thickens; and the crow Good things of day begin to droop and drowse ; SCENE III.-The same. [Exeunt. A Park or Lawn, with a Gate leading to the Palace. 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. I 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 3 Mur. Hark! I hear horses. Ban. [Within.] Give us a light there, hoa! That are within the note of expectation, 1 Mur. Then 'tis he; the rest His horses go about. 3 Mur. Almost a mile; but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace gate Make it their walk. [Assaults BANQUO. Ban. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly; Thou mayst revenge.-O slave! 3 Mur. Who did strike out the light? I Mur. 3 Mur. 2 Mur. I Mur. [Dies. FLEANCE escapes. Was 't not the way? There 's but one down; the son is fled. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Room of State in the Palace. A Banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, Lady MACBETH, ROSSE, LENOX, Lords, and Attendants. Mach. You know your own degrees, sit down : at first And last, the hearty welcome. Lords. Thanks to your majesty. Mach. Ourselves will mingle with society, And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state; but in best time, We will require her welcome. Lady M. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks, they are welcome. Enter first Murderer, to the door. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks: Both sides are even: Here I'll sit i' the midst : Be large in mirth; anon, we 'll drink a measure The table round. [Approaching the door.] There's blood upon thy face. Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then. Macb. 'Tis better thee without, than he within. Is he despatch'd? Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: Yet he 's good, That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it, Thou art the nonpareil. Mur. Fleance is 'scap'd. Most royal sir, Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock : As broad and general as the casing air: But now, I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo 's safe? Mur. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head; The least a death to nature. Macb. Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies; the worm, that 's fled, No teeth for the present.—Get thee gone; to-morrow Lady M. That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a making, [Exit Murderer. 'Tis given with welcome: To feed, were best at home; Macb. Sweet remembrancer ! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both! Len. し May it please your highness sit? Enter the Ghost of BANQUO, and sits in MACBETH's place. Mach. 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 Macb. The table 's full. Len. Here is a place reserv'd, sir. Len. highness? Here, my good lord. What is 't that moves your Mach. Which of you have done this? Mach. Thou canst not say I did it What, my good lord? never shake Rosse. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady M. Sit, worthy friends:-my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth: 'pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him, You shall offend him, and extend his passion; Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Lady M. O proper stuff! A woman's story, at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! VOL. III. B Why do you make such faces? When all's done, You look but on a stool. Macb. Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.— If charnel-houses, and our graves, must send Those that we bury, back, our monuments Lady M. [Ghost disappears. What quite unmann'd in folly? Fie, for shame! Mach. If I stand here, I saw him. Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ay, and since too, murthers have been perform'd Too terrible for the ear: the times have been, That when the brains were out the man would die, Lady M. My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. I do forget : Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health to all; Re-enter Ghost. I drink to the general joy of the whole table, And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; Lords. Our duties, and the pledge. Mach. Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with! Lady M. Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other; If trembling I inhabit then, protest me The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow ! [Ghost disappears. Unreal mockery, hence !—Why, so ;-being gone, I am a man again.-Pray you, sit still. Lady M. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admir'd disorder. Macb. Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, When mine are blanch'd with fear. Rosse. What sights, my lord? Lady M. 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, 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 By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth Lady M. Almost at odds with morning, which is which. Lady M. Did you send to him, sir? Mach. I hear it by the way; but I will send : (And betimes I will) to the weird sisters: More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted, ere they may be scann'd. Lady M. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Macb. Come, we 'll to sleep: My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use : We are yet but young in deed. SCENE V.-The Heath. Thunder. Enter HECATE, meeting the three Witches. 1 Witch. Why, how now, Hecate? you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, Saucy, and over-bold? How did you dare To trade and traffic 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, [Exeunt. |