ACT III. SCENE I.-Fores. A Room in the Palace. Enter BANQUO. Ban. Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promis'd; and, I fear, Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said, It should not stand in thy posterity; But that myself should be the root, and father And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more. Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as King; Lady MACBETH, as Queen; LENOX, RossE, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. Macb. Here's our chief guest. Lady M. If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all things unbecoming. Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. Ban. Let your highness Command upon me; to the which, my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Macb. Ride you this afternoon? Ban. Ay, my good lord. Macb. We should have else desir'd your good advice (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,) In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. Is't far you ride? Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night, For a dark hour, or twain. Macb. Fail not our feast. Ban. My lord, I will not. Macb. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England, and in Ireland; not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention: But of that to-morrow; When, therewithal, we shall have cause of state, Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: Adieu, Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? Ban. Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon us. Macb. I wish your horses swift, and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell. Let every man be master of his time Till seven at night; to make society [Exit BANQUO. The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you. [Exeunt Lady MACBETH, Lords, Ladies, &c. Sirrah, a word: Attend those men our pleasure? Atten. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Mach. Bring them before us.-[Exit Atten.] To be thus, is nothing; But to be safely thus:- Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that, which would be fear'd: 'Tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom, that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none, but he, Whose being I do fear: and, under him, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! And champion me to the utterance !-Who's there?— Re-enter Attendant with two Murderers. Now to the door, and stay there till we call. [Exit Attendant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? 1 Mur. It was, so please your highness. 5 Macb. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know, In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you, How you were borne in hand; how cross'd; the instruments; Who wrought with them; and all things else, that might, To half a soul, and a notion craz'd, Say, thus did Banquo. 1 Mur. You made it known to us. Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find 1 Mur. We are men, my liege. Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; That writes them all alike; and so of men. And not in the worst rank of manhood, say it; 2 Mur. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world 1 Mur. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, Macb. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. 2 Mur. True, my lord. Macb. So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life: And though I could 2 Mur. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us. 1 Mur. Though our lives |