SCENE V. Inverness. A Room in Macbeth's Castle. Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter. 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 mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell. Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised.-Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness, To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great; The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst 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, To have thee crowned withal.-What is your tidings? Attend. The king comes here to-night. Thou'rt mad to say it. Is not thy master with him? who, wer't so, Would have informed for preparation. Attend. 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; [Exit Attendant. He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse, That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, come, you spirits Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night, Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! This ignorant present, and I feel now The future in the instant. Your face, my thane, is as a book, where men To alter favor ever is to fear. SCENE VI. Only look up clear; [Exeunt. The same. Before the Castle. Hautboys. Servants of Macbeth attending. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENOX, MACDUFF, ROSSE, ANGUS, and Attendants. Dun. This castle hath a pleasant seat: the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. Ban. This guest of summer, Buttress, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird Dun. Enter LADY MACBETH. See, see! our honored hostess! Lady M. We rest your hermits. Dun. Where's the thane of Cawdor? We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose To be his purveyor: but he rides well: And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, We are your guest to-night. Lady M. Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, Still to return your own. Dun. Give me your hand: Conduct me to mine host; we love him highly, By your leave, hostess. [Exeunt. SCENE VII. The same. A Room in the Castle. Hautboys and torches. Enter, and pass over the stage, a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service. Then enter MACBETH. Macb. If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly: if the assassination VOL. II. — 14 Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, That tears shall drown the wind.-I have no spur Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, And falls on the other-How now, what news? Enter LADY MACBETH. Lady M. He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber? Macb. Hath he asked for me? Lady M. Know you not, he has? Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Lady M. Was the hope drunk, Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Letting I dare not, wait upon I would, Macb. Pr'ythee, peace. I dare do all that may become a man; Lady M. Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, Macb. Lady M. If we should fail, We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking-place, Macb. Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have marked with blood those sleepy two Lady M. Who dares receive it other? As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Macb. I am settled, 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. |