Macb.
If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well,
It were done quickly; if the Assassination
Could trammel up the Consequence, and catch
With his surcease, Success; that but this blow
Might be the be all, and the end all—Here,
But here, upon this Bank and School of time—
We'ld 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'ingredience 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 Murtherer shut the Door,
Not bear the Knife my self. Besides, this Duncan,
Hath born his Faculty 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 Heavens Cherubin, hors'd

Upon the sightless Curriers of the Air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every Eye,
That Tears shall drown the Wind. I have no Spur
To prick the sides of my Intent, but only
Vaulting Ambition, which o'er-leaps it self, Enter Lady.
And falls on th'other—
How now? What News?

Lady.
He has almost sup'd; why have you left the Chamber?

Macb.
Hath he ask'd for me?

Lady.
Know you not, he has?

Macb.
We will proceed no further 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,
Wherein you drest your self? 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 i'th' Adage.

Macb.
Prethee, Peace:
I dare do all that may become a Man;
Who dares do more is none.

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 adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Do's 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 pluckt my Nipple from his boneless Gums,

And dasht the Brains out, had I but so sworn
As you have done to this.

Macb.
If we should fail?—

Lady.
We fail!
But screw your Courage to the sticking Place,
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
(Whereto the rather shall his 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 lye 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 receiv'd,
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 am setled, 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.

Previous section