Macd. Well, may you see things well done there, adieu, Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! Ross. 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 III. SCENE I. Forres. A room in the palace. Enter BANQUO. Ban. Thou hast it now,-king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promis'd; and, I fear, Thou play'dst 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. If there come truth from them,— May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more. Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king; Lady MACBETH, as queen; LENNOX, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. Macb. Here's our chief guest. Lady M. If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all-thing unbecoming. Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. Ban. Let your highness Command upon me;(53) to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Macb. Ride you this afternoon? Ban. Ay, my good lord. Macb. We should have else desir'd your good adviceWhich still hath been both grave and prosperousIn this day's council; but we'll take (54) 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. Macb. Fail not our feast. Ban. My lord, I will not. Macb. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd Let every man be master of his time Till seven at night; to make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself [Exit Banquo. Till supper-time alone: while then, God b' wi' you! [Exeunt all except Macbeth and an Attendant. Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men Our pleasure? Atten. They are, my lord, without the palace-gate. Macb. Bring them before us. [Exit Attendant. To be thus is nothing; 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 much he dares; He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour My Genius is rebuk'd; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar's. (54) He chid the sisters, For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; To make them kings, the seed(55) of Banquo kings! And champion me to th' utterance!-Who's there? Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? [Exit Attendant. First Mur. It was, so please your highness. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, Say "Thus did Banquo.” First Mur. You made it known to us. Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature, That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd, And beggar'd yours for ever? First Mur. We are men, my liege. Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are clept All by the name of dogs: the valu'd file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The housekeeper, 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 writes them all alike: and so of men. Now, if you have a station in the file, And(56) not i' the worst rank of manhood, say't; Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Sec. Mur. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Have so incens'd, that I am reckless what I do to spite the world. So weary(57) with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, To mend it, or be rid on't. Macb. Both of you True, my lord. Know Banquo was your enemy. Both Mur. Macb. So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life: and though I could Who I myself struck down: and thence it is, Sec. Mur. We shall, my lord, Though our lives Perform what you command us. First Mur. Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, Both Mur. We are resolv'd, my lord. [Exeunt Murderers. It is concluded:-Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [Exit. SCENE II. The same. Another room in the palace. Enter Lady MACBETH and a Servant. Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court? Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. Lady M. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words. Serv. Madam, I will. [Exit. Naught's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content: 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy, Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy. |