SCENE VII.
The Same. A Room in the Castle.
Hautboys and torches. Enter, and pass over the
stage, a Sewer5 note
, and divers Servants with dishes
and service. Then enter Macbeth.
Macb.
If it were done6 note, when 'tis done, then 'twere well
-- 75 --
It were done quickly: If the assassination7 note
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,
-- 76 --
With his surcease, success8 note
; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
-- 77 --
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time9 note
,—
We'd jump the life to come1 note
.—But in these cases,
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor2 note
: This even-handed justice8 note
-- 78 --
Commends the ingredients4 note
of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips5 note
. He's here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman6 note
and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek7 note
, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
-- 79 --
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation8 note
of his taking-off:
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air9 note
,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind1 note
.—I have no spur
-- 80 --
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition1 note
, which o'er-leaps itself,
And falls on the other2 note
.—How now, what news?
-- 81 --
Enter Lady3 note
Macbeth.
Lady M.
He has almost supp'd; Why have you left the chamber?
Macb.
Hath he ask'd for me?
-- 82 --
Lady M.
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 of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
Lady M.
Was the hope drunk4 note
,
Wherein you dress'd 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 afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour,
As thou art in desire? Would'st thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem5 note
;
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i' the adage6 note
?
Macb.
Pr'ythee, peace:
-- 83 --
I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more, is none7 note
.
Lady M.
What beast was't 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, nor place,
Did then adhere8 note
, 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, while it was smiling in my face9 note
,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
-- 84 --
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn1 note
as you
Have done to this.
Macb.
If we should fail,—
Lady M.
We fail2 note
!
But screw your courage to the sticking-place3 note
,
-- 85 --
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
(Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him,) his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassel so convince4 note
,
-- 86 --
That memory, the warder of the brain5 note
,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason6 note
-- 87 --
A limbeck only7 note
: When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures8 note lie, as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
His spongy officers; who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell9 note
?
Macb.
Bring forth men-children only!
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be receiv'd1 note
,
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? 10Q0015
Lady M.
Who dares receive it other2 note,
-- 88 --
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death?
Macb.
I am settled, and bend up3 note
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
[Exeunt.
-- 89 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
