Lady.
Is Banquo gone from court?

Serv.
Ay, madam; but returns again to-night.

Lady.
Say to the king, I would attend his leisure
For a few words.

Serv.
Madam, I will. [Exit.

Lady.
Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content:
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy,
Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy. Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord? why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies^{7 note}

Macb.
We have ^{8 note}

She'll close, and be herself; whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
^{9 note}
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,
Whom we, to gain our place, have sent to peace^{1 note}

Lady.
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

Apply to Banquo; ^{3 note}present him eminence, 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.

Lady.
You must leave this.

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

Lady.
But in them ^{4 note}

Macb.
There's comfort yet, they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund: Ere the bat hath flown
His cloister'd flight 9Q0543; ere, to black Hecat's summons,
^{5 note}