Enter МАСВЕТН. How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died Macb. We have scotch'd(58) the snake, not kill'd it: She'll close, and be herself; whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. 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, In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Can touch him further. Lady M. Come on; gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Macb. Disguising what they are. You must leave this. Lady M. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. 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 Which keeps me pale !-Light thickens; and the crow Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A park, with a gate leading Enter three Murderers. First Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? Third Mur. Macbeth. Sec. Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. First 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. Third Mur. Hark! I hear horses. Then 'tis he: the rest Ban. [within] Give us a light there, ho! That are within the note of expectation Already are i' the court. First Mur. His horses go about. Third Mur. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace-gate Make it their walk. Sec. Mur. A light, a light! Third Mur. First Mur. Stand to't. 'Tis he. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch.(61) Ban. It will be rain to-night. First Mur. Let it come down. [They assault Banquo. [Dies. Fleance escapes. Was't not the way? Ban. O, treachery!-Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge.-O slave! Third Mur. Who did strike out the light? First Mur. Third Mur. There's but one down; the son is fled. Best half of our affair. We've lost First Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The same. A room of state in the palace. A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, Lady MACBETH, Ross, LENNOX, 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, 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. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: Enter first Murderer to the door. Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure 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: 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'm cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in 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. My royal lord, You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, [Exit Murderer. 'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home; From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it. Macb. Sweet remembrancer! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both! Len. May't please your highness sit. [The Ghost of Banquo enters, and sits in Macbeth's place. 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! Ross. His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please 't your highness Macb. The table 's full. Len. Macb. Where? Here is a place reserv'd, sir. 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 canst not say I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me. Ross. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady M. Sit, worthy friends :-my lord is often thus, He will again be well: if much you note him, Lady M. O proper stuff! This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authoriz❜d by her grandam. Shame itself! 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 Shall be the maws of kites. Lady M. [Ghost disappears. What, quite unmann'd in folly? Fie, for shame! Macb. If I stand here, I saw him. Lady M. Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' th' olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal ;(62) Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd Too terrible for th' ear: the time has been,(63) |