SCENE VIII.
Before Macbeth's Castle-Gate.
Hautboys and Torches. Enter King, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lenox, Macduff, Rosse, Angus, and Attendants.
King.
This Castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
2 note
Unto our gentle senses.
Ban.
This guest of summer,
The temple-haunting 3 notemartlet, does approve
By his lov'd Mansionry that heaven's breath
Smells wooingly here. No jutty frieze,
Buttrice, nor coigne of 'vantage, but this bird
Hath made his pendant bed, and procreant cradle;
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ'd,
The air is delicate.
-- 397 --
Enter Lady Macbeth.
King.
See, see! our honour'd Hostess!
The love that follows us, sometimes is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you,
4 note
How you should bid god-yield us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.
Lady.
All our service,
In every point twice done, and then done double,
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honours deep and broad, wherewith
Your Majesty loads our House. For those of old,
And the late dignities heap'd up to them,
5 noteWe rest your Hermits.
King.
Where's the Thane of Cawdor?
We courst him at the heels, and had a purpose
To be his purveyor; but he rides well,
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him
To's home before us. Fair and noble Hostess,
We are your guest to night.
Lady.
Your servants ever
Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt,
To make their audit at your Highness' pleasure,
Still to return your own.
King.
Give me your hand;
Conduct me to mine Host, we love him highly;
And shall continue our graces towards him.
—By your leave, Hostess.
[Exeunt.
-- 398 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
