Scene V. [Footnote:
Inverness. Macbeth's castle. note
Enter Lady Macbeth note, reading a letter.
Lady M. note
‘They met me in the day of success; and I
have learned by the perfectest note report, they have more in
them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to
question them further, they made themselves air, into which
they vanished. Whiles note I stood rapt in the wonder of it,
came missives from the king, who all-hailed note me “Thane
of Cawdor;” by which title, before, these weird note sisters saluted
me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with
“Hail, king that shalt be note!” This have I thought good to
deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
mightst not lose the dues note of rejoicing, by being ignorant
-- 436 --
of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart,
and farewell.’
Glamis thou art note, and Cawdor, and shalt be
What thou art promised: yet do I note fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human note kindness
To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis,
That which cries ‘Thus thou must do, if thou have it; note
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone.’ note Hie note thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee note from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical note aid doth seem note
To have thee crown'd note withal.
Enter a Messenger. note
What is your tidings?
Mess. note
The king comes here to-night.
Lady M.
Thou'rt mad to say it:
Is not thy master with him? who, were't so,
Would have inform'd for preparation.
Mess. note
So please you, it is true: our thane is coming:
One of my fellows had the speed of him,
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more
-- 437 --
Than would make up his message.
Lady M.
Give him tending;
He brings great news.
[Exit Messenger. note
The raven himself is note hoarse note
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits note
That tend on mortal note thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst note cruelty! make thick my blood,
Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace note between
The effect note and it note note! Come to my woman's breasts,
And take my milk for gall note, you murdering ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket note of the dark,
note
To cry ‘Hold, hold!’
Enter Macbeth.
Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor!
Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!
Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present note, and I feel note now
-- 438 --
The future in the instant.
Macb.
My note dearest love,
Duncan comes here to-night.
Lady M.
And when goes hence?
Macb.
To-morrow, as he purposes.
Lady M.
O, never
Shall sun note that morrow see!
Your face, my thane, is as a note book where men
May read strange matters. To beguile the time, note
Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't. He that's coming
Must be provided for: and you shall put
This night's great business into my dispatch;
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
Macb.
We will speak further.
Lady Macb.
Only look up clear;
To alter favour ever is to fear note:
Leave all the rest to me.
[Exeunt.
note
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
