Macb.
Those ladies were prophetic,—Duncan's dead.
And I as certainly reign in his stead.
To sovereignty I have shown my cousins, rather

They ain't no nearer, though they've got no Father.
And so they promised:—'Gad! but I don't see
They shouldn't be right with Banquo as with me!
A nice man in his way, but I incline,
To think he'll prove a nice young man in mine.
They told him—e'en now in my ears it rings—
He should be father of a line of kings.
If this be so, he'll be for overthrowing of
My rule, and reaping what I've had the sowing of.
I can't stand this; and since I've had the luck
To leap into the throne, no want of pluck
Shall kick me out! Shall all concisely put it—
“He scarce had got his ‘luckie’ ere he ‘cut it?’”
Perish the thought! He'll his ambition rue. Enter Two Murderers, L.
Ah! gentlemanly villains—how d'ye do?
You have considered what I said to you last night?

1st Mur.
Ay, and will do't, my Lord.

Macb.
Well, that's all right
To do it myself I shouldn't care a jot,
But, on the whole, perhaps, I'd better not.
My friends, you see, are his, and I doubt whether
They'd quite approve it,—in fact, altogether,
'Twere best you do it;—name your own reward,
And claim it when it's done.

Murderers.
Agreed, my Lord!

Macb.
He rides to-night with the boy Fleance, and
Now is your time to—Eh?—you understand? (significantly)

Murderers.
Perhaps we rather do.

Macb.
Well, come and tell
Me when 'tis done, and till 'tis done—farewell! Exeunt Murderers L.
Banquo, your bird of Michaelmas is cooked,
And, carriage free, you're by the down train booked! Enter Lady Macbeth, as Queen, R.

Lady M.
Come now, cast off this nonsense—this is folly;
Your end is now attained, so let's be jolly!

Macb.
I don't know why you this disturbance make,
You know we've only scotched the Scottish snake,
Not killed it—and that I can't sleep, nor you,
For fear that we should nap it when we do!
Reflect, my dear—Banquo and Fleance live.

Lady M.
And, pray, what trouble can this knowledge give?
Don't give way to these foolish fancies—don't;
They will not live for ever.

Macb. (significantly)
No, they won't—
I've taken care of that.

Lady M.
Mind now, at supper,
You drop this style of talk—it won't be proper;
But deck your face in smiles.

Macb.
There—that's enough.
D'ye think, my dear, that I'm not “up to snuff?”
The confidence of our guests we mustn't lose—
So mind your P's and don't forget your Q's.

Lady M.
Be witty, be amusing—don't be caught
On things a-musing which you didn't ought.

Duet.—“Midas.” Lady M.
Fears and starts are now no service
  Try to be a jolly, jolly dog,—
Each knock at the door now makes you nervous;
To conscience you must grow imperv'ous,—
  Go at once the entire hog! Macb. (doubtfully)
      Fol de riddle lol! Lady M.
      Fol de riddle lol! Both.
    Ri fol, &c. Macb.
When crime from right has power to swerve us,
  Conscience will the folly, folly dog,—
Groans and fits and starts won't serve us,
To pity we must grow imperv'ous,—
  As you say—go the whole hog.

Lady M.
      Fol de riddle lol! Macb.
      Fol de riddle lol! Both.
    Ri fol, &c. Exeunt R.H.

Next section