Charles Kean [1853], Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth, with Locke's music; arranged for representation at the Princess's Theatre, with historical and explanatory notes, by Charles Kean. As first performed on Monday, February 14th, 1853 (Printed by John K. Chapman and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S35900].
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SCENE V.
—A ROOM IN MACBETH'S CASTLE AT INVERNESS.
Enter Lady Macbeth, reading a letter, R.
Lady M.
“They met me in the day of success; and I
have learned by the perfectest 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 I stood rapt in the wonder
of it, came missives from the king, who all hailed me,
‘Thane of Cawdor;’ by which title, before, these weird
sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of
time, with ‘Hail, king that shalt be!’ This have I thought
good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness,
that thou mightest not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being
ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lady it to
thy heart, and farewell.”
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be
What thou art promis'd.—Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness,
To catch the nearest way. Thou would'st be great;
Art not without ambition; but without
The illness should attend it. What thou would'st highly,
That would'st thou holily; would'st not play false,
And yet would'st wrongly win: thou'dst have, great Glamis,
That which cries, Thus thou must do, if thou have it;
And that which rather thou dost fear to do,
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical1 note aid doth seem
To have thee crown'd withal. What is your tidings?
Enter Seyton, L.
Sey.
The King comes here to night.
-- 24 --
Lady M.
Thou'rt mad to say it:
Is not thy master with him? who, wer't so,
Would have inform'd for preparation.
Sey.
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
Than would make up his message.
Lady M.
Give him tending,
He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse,
[Exit Seyton, L.
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, come, you spirits
That tend on mortal2 note thoughts, unsex me here;
And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top full
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood,
Stop up the access and passage to remorse;3 note
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect, and it! Come to my woman's breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring 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 blankness4 note of the dark,
To cry, Hold, hold!—Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor!
Enter Macbeth, L.
Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!
Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present,5 note and I feel now
The future in the instant.
-- 25 --
Macbeth.
My dearest love,
Duncan comes here to-night.
Lady M.
And when goes hence?
Macbeth.
To-morrow,—as he purposes.
Lady M.
O, never
Shall sun that morrow see!
Your face, my Thane, is as a book, where men
May read strange matters:—To beguile the time,
Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it. He that's coming
Must be provided for: and you shall put
This night's great business into my despatch;
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
Macbeth.
We will speak further.
Lady M.
Only look up clear:
To alter favour6 note ever is to fear;
Leave all the rest to me.
[Exeunt, R.
Charles Kean [1853], Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth, with Locke's music; arranged for representation at the Princess's Theatre, with historical and explanatory notes, by Charles Kean. As first performed on Monday, February 14th, 1853 (Printed by John K. Chapman and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S35900].
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