Ban.
Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promis'd^{1 note}
; 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,
(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine^{2 note}

Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more. Senet sounded. Enter Macbeth, as King; Lady Macbeth, as Queen; Lenox, Rosse, 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^{3 note}

Ban.
Let your highness
Command upon me^{4 note}

Are with a most indissoluble tie
For ever knit^{5 note}

.

Macb.
Ride you this afternoon?

Ban.
Ay, my good lord.

Macb.
We should have else desir'd your good advice
(Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,)
In this day's council; but we'll talk to-morrow^{6 note}

Ban.
As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better^{7 note}

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
In England, and in Ireland: not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention: But of that to-morrow;
When, therewithal, we shall have cause of state,
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: Adieu,
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?

Ban.
Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon us.

Macb.
I wish your horses swift, and sure of foot;
And so I do commend you to their backs^{8 note}

Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night; to make society
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
Till supper-time alone: while then God be with you. [Exeunt Lady Macbeth, Lords, Ladies, &c.
Sirrah, a word with you^{9 note}

Atten.
They are, my lord, without the palace gate.

Macb.
Bring them before us.—[Exit Atten.] To be thus, is nothing;
But to be safely thus:—Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature^{1 note}
Reigns that, which would be fear'd: 'Tis much he dares;
And, to^{2 note} that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour^{3 note}

To act in safety. There is none, but he
Whose being I do fear: and, under him,
My genius is rebuk'd; as, it is said,
Mark Antony's was by Cæsar^{4 note}

When first they put the name of King upon me,
And bade them speak to him; then, prophet-like,
They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind^{5 note}

To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings^{7 note}!
Rather than so, come, fate, into the list,
And champion me to the utterance^{8 note}

Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

1 Mur.
It was, so please your highness.

Macb.
Well then, now
Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know,
That it was he, in the times past, which held you
So under fortune; which, you thought, had been
Our innocent self: this I made good to you
In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you,
How you were borne in hand^{1 note}

Who wrought with them; and all things else, that might,
To half a soul, and to a notion craz'd,
Say, Thus did Banquo.

1 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^{2 note}

1 Mur.
We are men, my liege^{3 note}

Macb.
Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;

As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
Shoughs^{4 note}

Particular addition, from the bill
That writes them all alike: and so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not^{6 note} i' the worst rank of manhood, say it;
And I will put that business in your bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off;
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.

2 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.

1 Mur.
And I another,
So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune^{7 note}

Macb.
Both of you
Know, Banquo was your enemy.

2 Mur.
True, my lord.

Macb.
So is he mine: and in such bloody distance^{8 note}

2 Mur.
We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.

1 Mur.
Though our lives—

Macb.
Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most^{1 note},
I will advise you where to plant yourselves:
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,
The moment on't^{2 note}

And something from the palace; always thought,
That I require a clearness^{3 note}
: And with him,

(To leave no rubs, nor botches, in the work,)
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart;
I'll come to you anon^{4 note}.

2 Mur.
We are resolv'd, my lord.

Macb.
I'll call upon you straight; abide within.

It is concluded:—Banquo, thy soul's flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Same. Another Room. 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.

Lady M.
Nought's had, all's spent^{5 note}

Using those thoughts, which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy^{7 note}
,
Should be without regard: what's done, is done.

Macb.
We have scotch'd^{8 note}

Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstacy^{2 note}

Lady M.
Come on; gentle my lord,
Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial
Among your guests to-night.

Macb.
So shall I, love;
And so, I pray, be you: let your remembrance^{3 note}

Apply to Banquo: present him eminence^{4 note}, both
With eye and tongue: unsafe the while, that we
Must lave our honours in these flattering streams;
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are^{5 note}

Lady M.
You must leave this.

Macb.
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'st, that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.

Lady M.
But in them nature's copy's not eterne^{6 note}

Macb.
There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund: Ere the bat hath flown
His cloister'd flight^{7 note}

Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.

Lady M.
What's to be done?

Macb.
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck^{9 note}

Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night^{1 note}

Makes wing to the rooky wood^{4 note}

Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things, bad begun, make strong themselves by ill:
So, pr'ythee, go with me. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. The Same. A Park or Lawn, with a Gate leading to the Palace. Enter Three Murderers.

1 Mur.
But who did bid thee join with us^{6 note}

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.

1 Mur.
Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:
Now spurs the lated^{7 note}

traveller apace,
To gain the timely inn; and near approaches
The subject of our watch.

3 Mur.
Hark! I hear horses.

Ban. [Within.]
Give us a light there, ho!

2 Mur.
Then it is he; the rest

That are within the note of expectation^{8 note},
Already are i' the court^{9 note}

1 Mur.
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. Enter Banquo and Fleance, a Servant with a torch preceding them.

2 Mur.
A light, a light!

3 Mur.
'Tis he.

1 Mur.
Stand to't.

Ban.
It will be rain to-night.

1 Mur.
Let it come down^{1 note}




. [Assaults Banquo.

Ban.
O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly;
Thou may'st revenge.—O slave! [Dies. Fleance and Servant escape^{2 note}.

3 Mur.
Who did strike out the light?

1 Mur.
Was't not the way^{3 note}

3 Mur.
There's but one down; the son is fled.

2 Mur.
We have lost best half of our affair.

1 Mur.
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.

Macb.
You know your own degrees, sit down: at first
And last, the hearty welcome^{4 note}

Lords.
Thanks to your majesty.

Macb.
Ourself will mingle with society,
And play the humble host.

Our hostess keeps her state^{5 note}

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.—There's blood upon thy face.

Mur.
'Tis Banquo's then.

Macb.
'Tis better thee without, than he within^{6 note}

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.
Most royal sir,
Fleance is 'scap'd.

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^{7 note}

Macb.
Thanks for that:—
There the grown serpent lies; the worm^{8 note}, that's fled,
Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
No teeth for the present.—Get thee gone; tomorrow
We'll hear, ourselves again. [Exit Murderer.

Lady M.
My royal lord,

You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold^{9 note}

Macb.
Sweet remembrancer!—
Now, good digestion wait on appetite^{1 note}
,
And health on both!

Len.
May it please your highness sit? [The Ghost of Banquo rises^{2 note}, 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^{3 note}

Rosse.
His absence, sir,
Lays blame upon his promise. Please it your highness
To grace us with your royal company?

Macb.
The table's full.

Len.
Here's a place reserv'd, sir.

Macb.
Where?

Len.
Here, my good lord^{4 note}

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.

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^{5 note}

He will again be well: If much you note him,
You shall offend him, and extend his passion^{6 note};
Feed and regard him not.—Are you a man?

Macb.
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appal the devil.

Lady M.
O proper stuff^{7 note}

Macb.
Pr'ythee, 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^{9 note}

Lady M.
What! quite unmann'd in folly^{1 note}?

Macb.
If I stand here, I saw him.

Lady M.
Fye, for shame!

Macb.
Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time^{2 note}

Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal^{3 note}

Lady M.
My worthy lord,
Your noble friends do lack you.

Macb.
I do forget:—
Do not muse at me^{4 note}

Lords.
Our duties, and the pledge.

Macb.
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^{7 note}
Which thou dost glare with!

Lady M.
Think of this, good peers,
But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

Macb.
What man dare, I dare:
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger^{8 note}

If trembling I inhibit^{9 note}

Unreal mockery^{1 note}, 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^{2 note}

Even to the disposition that I owe^{3 note}

And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
When mine are blanch'd with fear^{4 note}

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,
But go at once.

Len.
Good night, and better health
Attend his majesty!

Lady M.
A kind good night to all^{5 note}! [Exeunt Lords and Attendants.

Macb.
It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood^{6 note}

Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak^{7 note};
Augurs, and understood relations^{8 note}

By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth
The secret'st man of blood^{9 note}
.—What is the night?

Lady M.
Almost at odds with morning, which is which.

Macb.
How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person,
At our great bidding^{1 note}

Lady M.
Did you send to him, sir?

Macb.
I hear it by the way; but I will send:
There's not a one of them^{2 note}

Lady M.
You lack the season of all natures, sleep^{6 note}

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^{7 note}

SCENE V. The Heath. Thunder. Enter Hecate^{8 note}

1 Witch.
Why, how now, Hecate^{9 note}

Hec.
Have I not reason, beldams, as you are,
Saucy, and overbold? How did you dare
To trade and traffick 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,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,

Spiteful, and wrathful; who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you^{1 note}

Meet me i' the morning; thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels, and your spells, provide,
Your charms, and every thing beside:
I am for the air; this night I'll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end^{3 note}

There hangs a vaporous drop profound^{5 note}

Song. [Within.]
Come away, come away^{7 note}

Hark, I am call'd; my little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [Exit.

1 Witch.
Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. Fores. A Room in the Palace. Enter Lenox and another Lord^{8 note}.

Len.
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret further: only, I say,
Things have been strangely borne: The gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth:—marry, he was dead:—
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;
Whom, you may say, if it please you, Fleance kill'd,
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought^{9 note}

How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight,
In pious rage, the two delinquents tear,
That were the slaves of drink, and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive,
To hear the men deny it. So that, I say,
He has borne all things well: and I do think,
That, had he Duncan's sons under his key,
(As, an't please heaven, he shall not,) they should find
What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
But, peace!—for from broad words, and 'cause he fail'd
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear,
Macduff lives in disgrace: Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?

Lord.
The son of Duncan^{2 note}

Do faithful homage, and receive free honours^{5 note},
All which we pine for now: And this report
Hath so exasperate^{6 note} the king^{7 note}, that he
Prepares for some attempt of war^{8 note}.

Len.
Sent he to Macduff?

Lord.
He did: and with an absolute, Sir, not I,
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums; as who should say, You'll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer.

Len.
And that well might
Advise him to a caution^{9 note}

May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accurs'd^{1 note}
!

Lord.
I'll send my prayers with him^{2 note}

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