Macb.
If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well† ^note
It were done quickly; if that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all—Here.
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'd jump the life to come.—But in these cases,
We still have judgment here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions; which being taught, return
To plague th' inventor. Even-handed Justice
Returns th' ingredients of our poison'd chalice,
To our own lips. He's here in double trust;
First as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murd'rer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead, like angels, trumpet-tongu'd against
The deep damnation of his taking off:
And Pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heav'ns cherubin hors'd
Upon the fightless coursers of the air:
Shall blow the horrid deed in ev'ry eye.
That tears shall drown the wind.* ^note

Enter Lady Macbeth.
How now! what news?

Lady.
He's almost supp'd; why have you left the chamber?

Macb.
Hath he asked for me?

Lady.
Know you not he has?

Macb.
We will proceed no farther 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.
Was the hope drunk,† ^note
Wherein you drest 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 afraid
To be the same in thine own act and valour,
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have That
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem?
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat in th' adage.

Macb.
Pr'ythee, peace:
I dare do all that may become a man:
Who dares do more, is none.* ^note

Lady.
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 cohere, and yet you would make both:
They've 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 face,

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,† ^note
And dash'd the brains out, had I but so sworn,
As you have done to this.

Macb.
If we should fail!

Lady.
How fail!
But bring your courage to the proper place,
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
(Whereto the rather shall this day's hard journey
Soundly invite him) his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassel so convince,
That memory (the warder of the brain)
Shall be a fume; and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie, as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
Th' unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
His spungy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

Macb.
Bring forth men-children only!
For thy undaunted metal should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
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?

Lady.
Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death?

Macb.
I'm settled, and bend up
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.* ^note End of the First Act.

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