Mach. 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 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. Ban. My lord, I will not. Fail not our feast. Macb. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd Farewell. [Exit BANQUO. Let every man be master of his time Till seven at night; to make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself Till supper-time alone: while then,1 God be with you. [Exeunt LADY MACBETH, Lords, Ladies, &c. Sirrah, a word with you: Attend those men our pleasure? Attend. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Macb. Bring them before us.— nothing; -[Exit Attend.] To be thus, is 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 (1) While then, i. e. until then. My genius is rebuk'd; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! And champion me to the utterance! 1-Who's there?- Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? 1 Mur. It was, so please your highness. Macb. [Exit Attendant. Well then, now Have you considered of my speeches? Know, In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you, Say, Thus did Banquo. 1 Mur. Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you You made it known to us. find Your patience so predominant in your nature, grave, (1) Champion me to the utterance. The figure is here borrowed from an ancient combat between two knights, when they agreed to accept or give no quarter, but to fight à l'outrance, to extremity, till one or both was slain. Macbeth here declares that if fate has decreed the exaltation of Banquo's race, he will yet oppose it to the utterance, or outrance. (2) Borne in hand, i. e. played with, dallied with, deceived, tricked. (3) Are you so gospell'd? i. e. are you so very virtuous, so very pious and gospel-like? And beggar'd yours for ever? 1 Mur. We are men, my liege. As hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, That writes them all alike: and so of men. 2 Mur. I do, to spite the world. 1 Mur. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, To mend it, or be rid on 't. Macb. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. 2 Mur. True, my lord. Macb. So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, 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—— Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves. Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,1 I'll come to you anon. 2 Mur. We are resolved, my lord. Macb. I'll call upon you straight; abide within. It is concluded:-Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. SCENE II.-The same. [Exeunt. Another Room. Enter LADY MACBETH and a Servant. Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court? Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. Lady M. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words. Serv. Lady M. Madam, I will. [Exit. Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content: Enter MACBETH. How now, my lord? why do you keep alone, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died Macb. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it; But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams, That shake us nightly: Better be with the dead, In restless ecstacy. Duncan is in his grave; (1) The perfect spy o' the time, i. e. the very nick, the exact moment, the critical juncture, of the time when Banquo will return. (2) I require a clearness. The meaning is, Let not me be suspected, (3) Ecstacy is here used for madness. E After life's fitful fever he sleeps well; Treason has done its worst: nor steel, nor poison, Can touch him further! Lady M. Come on; Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; you: Present him eminence,' both with eye and tongue : Must lave our honours in these flattering streams; Disguising what they are. There shall be done a deed of dreadful note. Lady M. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, And with thy bloody and invisible hand, Which keeps me pale!-Light thickens; and the crow Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. A Park or Lawn with a Gate leading to the Palace. Enter three Murderers. 1 Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? 3 Mur. (1) Present him eminence, i. e. do him the highest honour. Macbeth. (2) Nature's copy's not eterne,-the copy or lease by which they hold their life of nature is not eternal. (3) Shard-borne, i. e. borne on its shards, or scaly wings |