2 Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes: Open, locks, whoever knocks. 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; 46 Though bladed corn be lodg'd, and trees blown down ; Though castles topple on their warders' heads; Though palaces, and pyramids, do slope Their heads to their foundations; though the trea sure Of nature's germins tumble all together Even till destruction sicken, answer me 1 Witch. 2 Witch. 3 Witch. Speak. Demand. We'll answer. 1 Witch. Say, if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths, Or from our masters'? 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 the murderer's gibbet, throw Into the flame. All. Come, high, or low; Thyself, and office, deftly show. Thunder. An Apparition of an armed head rises 47. Macb. Tell me, thou unknown power, 1 Witch. He knows thy thought; Hear his speech, but say thou nought. 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: 1 Witch. He will not be commanded: Here's another, More potent than the first. Thunder. An Apparition of a bloody child rises. App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Macb. Had I three ears, I'd hear thee. App. Be bloody, bold, and resolute laugh to scorn The [descends. Mach. Then live, Macduff; What need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; That I may tell pale-hearted fear, it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder.-What is this, Thunder. An Apparition of a child crowned, with a tree in his hand, rises. 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. 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. Macb. [descends. That will never be : Who can impress the forest; bid the tree Unfix his hearth-bound root? sweet bodements! good! Rebellious head, rise never, till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high-plac'd Macbeth All. Seek to know no more. Macb. I will be satisfied: deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know: Why sinks that cauldron ? and what noise is this? [Hautboys. 1 Witch. Show! 2 Witch. Show! 3 Witch. Show! All. Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; Come like shadows, so depart. Eight kings appear48, and pass over the stage in order ; the last, with a glass in his hand: Banquo following. Macb. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo; down! : Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls 49 :—And thy hair, 1 Witch. Ay, sir, all this is so :-But why : That this great king may kindly say, Our duties did his welcome pay. [Musick. The Witches dance, and vanish. Macb. Where are they? Gone?-Let this pernici ous hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar !— Come in, without there! 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, Macduff is fled to England. Macb. Len. Ay, my good lord. Fled to England? Macb. Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits: The flighty purpose never is o'ertook, 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 |
