Macb. Bring them before us.To be thus, is nothing; But to be fafely thus. [Exit Servant. -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 Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, For Banquo's iffue have I 'filed * my mind: For them the gracious Duncan have I murther'd; Only for them; and mine eternal jewel To make them Kings. The feed of Banquo Kings! "Rather than so, come fate into the list, "And champion me to th' utterance †!-Who's there? Enter Servant, and two murtherers. Go to the door, and stay there, till we call. [Exit Ser. You have confider'd of my speeches? Know, ments Who wrought with them; and all things elfe that might * i. e. defiled. i.e. extremity. To To half a foul, and to a notion * craz'd, 1 Mur. True, you made it known. Macb. I did fo; and went further, which is now 1 Niur. We are men, my Liege. grave, for men, "As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, fpaniels, curs, "Showghes, water-rugs, and demy wolves are clep'd "All by the name of dogs; the valued file "Diftinguishes the fwift, the flow, the subtle, "The house-keeper, the hunter; every one According to the gift which bounteous nature "Hath in him clos'd; whereby he does receive "Particular addition, from the bill "That writes them all alike; and fo of men. 2 Mur. I am one Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world I do, to fpite the world. I Mur. And I another, So weary with difaftrous tuggs with fortune, To mend it, or be rid on't. Macb. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. Mur. True, my Lord. Mach. So is he mine: and in fuch bloody distance †, That notion, for the understanding. diftance, for enmity. That every minute of his being thrusts . We thall, my Lord, Perform what you command us. 1 Mur. Though our lives Mach. Your fpirits fhine through you. In this hour, I will advise you where to plant yourfelves; [at most, Acquaint you with the perfect fpy o' th' time t, The moment on't; (for't must be done to-night, And fomething from the palace; always thought, That I require a clearness) and with him (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work), Fleance his fon, that keeps him company, (Whofe abfence is no less material to me, Than is his father's), must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Refolve yourselves apart, I'll come to you anon. Mur. We are refolv'd, my Lord. Mach. I'll call upon you straight; abide within. [Exeunt Murtherers. It is concluded:-Banquo, thy foul's flight, If it find heav'n, muft find it out to-night. [Exit. SCENE III. Another apartment in the palace. Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant. Lady. Is Banquo gone from court? Ser. Ay, Madam, but returns again to-night. Lady. Say to the King, I would attend his leifure For a few words. Ser. Madam, I will. Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, Where our defire is got without content. i. e. the critical juncture. [Exit. 'Tis 'Tis fafer to be that which we destroy, Than by deftruction dwell in doubtful joy. How now, my Lord, why do you keep alone? Macb "We have fcotch'd the fnake, not kill'd it"She'll clofe, and be herself; whilft our poor malice "Remains in danger of her former tooth. "But let both worlds disjoint, and all things fuffer, "Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and fleep "In the affliction of thefe terrible dreams, "That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, "(Whom we, to gain our place, have fent to peace), "Than on the torture of the mind to lie ·*.- Duncan is in his grave: "In restless ecstasy *. "After life's fitful fever, he fleeps well. "Treafon has done his worft; nor fteel nor poison, Lady. Come on. Gentle my Lord, fleek o'er your rugged looks; Macb. O, full of fcorpions is my mind, dear wife! "His "His cloyster'd flight; ere to black Hecat's fummons "The fhard-born beetle + with his drowsy hums "Hath wrung night's yawning peal, there should be done "A deed of dreadful note. Lady. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. "Come, fealing night, "Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day, "And with thy bloody and invifible hand "Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond "Which keeps me pale. Night thickens, and the crow "Makes wing to th' rooky wood. "Good things of day begin to droop and drowze. "Whiles night's black agents to their prey do rouse. "Thou marvell'ft at my words; but hold thee ftill. Things bad begun, make strong themselves by ill : So pr'ythee go with me. SCENE IV. [Exeunt. Changes to a park; the caftle at a distance. 1 Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? 3 Mur. Macbeth. 2 Mur. He needs not our mistruft, fince he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. I Mur. Then stand with us. [Speaking to the firft. The weft yet glimmers with fome ftreaks of day. To gain the timely inn; and near approaches 3 Mur. Hark, I hear horfes. [Banquo within.] Give us light there, ho! That are within the note of expectation, I Mur. His horfes go about. 3 Mur. Almoft a mile: but he does usually, (So all men do), from hence to th' palace-gate Make it their walk. ti. c. the beetle hatched in clefts of wood. Enter. |