Macb. Come what come may; Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. Ban. Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. Macb. Give me your favor:-my dull brain was wrought

The hearing of my wife with your approach;
So, humbly take my leave.
Dun.
My worthy Cawdor!
Macb. The prince of Cumberland!-That is a
step,
[Aside.
On which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand! yet let that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [Exit.
Dun. True, worthy Banquo; he is full so valiant;
And in his commendations I am fed ;
It is a banquet to me. Let us after him,
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome:
It is a peerless kinsman. [Flourish. Exeunt.

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 more in them than mortal knowledge. When I I have learned by the perfectest report, they have

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-Forres. A Room in the Palace. Flourish. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENOX, and Attendants.

Dun. Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Those in commission yet return'd? Mal.

My liege, They are not yet come back. But I have spoke With one that saw him die: who did report, That very frankly he confess'd his treasons; Implor'd your highness' pardon; and set forth A deep repentance: nothing in his life Became him, like the leaving it; he died As one that had been studied in his death, To throw away the dearest thing he ow'd,1 As 'twere a careless trifle.

There's no art,

Dun.
To find the mind's construction in the face:
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.-O worthiest cousin!

Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSSE, and ANGUS.
The sin of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me; Thou art so far before,
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserv'd.
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine! only I have left to say,
More is thy due than more than all can pay.
Macb. The service and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part
Is to receive our duties: and our duties

Are to your throne and state, children, and servants; Which do but what they should, by doing every thing,

Safe toward your love and honor.
Dun.

Welcome hither:
I have begun to plant thee, and will labor
To make thee full of growing.-Noble Banquo,
That hast no less deserv'd, nor must be known
No less to have done so, let me infold thee,
And hold thee to my heart.
Ban.

There if I grow,
The harvest is your own.
Dun.
My plenteous joys,
Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves
In drops of sorrow.-Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
And you whose places are the nearest, know,
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcom; whom we name hereafter,
The prince of Cumberland: which honor must
Not, unaccompanied, invest him only,
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
On all deservers.-From hence to Inverness,
And bind us further to you.

Macb. The rest is labor, which is not used for you: I'll be myself the harbinger, and make joyful 8 Time and opportunity. 1 Owned, possessed.

Ti. e. Which cleave not. Pardon.

Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came mismade themselves-air, into which they vanished. sives 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 mightest 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 promis'd:-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; Art not without ambition; but without 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,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valor of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,a
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown'd withal.-What is your tidings?
Enter an Attendant.

Attend. The king comes here to-night.
Is not thy master with him? who, were't so,
Lady M.
Thou'rt mad to say it:
Would have inform'd 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.
He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse,
Lady M.
Give him tending,
[Exit Attendant.

That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here;
And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood,
Stop up the access and passage to remorse;"
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect, and it! Come to my woman's breasts,
And take my milk for gall, your murd'ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature's mischief: Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell!
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes;
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry, Holt, hold! Great Glamis! worthy
Cawdor!

Your face, my thane, is a book, where men
May read strange matters:-To beguile the time,
Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent
flower,

But be the serpent under it. He that's coming
Must be provided for: and you shall put
This night's great business into my despatch;
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
Much. We will speak further.
Lady M.

To alter favor ever is to fear:
Leave all the rest to me.

Only look up clear;

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-Before the Castle. Hautboys. Servants of Macbeth attending. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUo, LENOX, MACDUFF, ROSSE, ÁNGUS, 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, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze, buttress, Nor coigne of vantage,' but this bird hath made His pendent bed, and procreant cradle: Where they Most breed and haunt, I have observ'd the air Is delicate.

Enter Lady MACBETH.

Dun. See, see! our honor'd hostess! The love that follows us, sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein 1 teach you, How you shall bid God yield us for your pains And thank us for your trouble. Lady M.

All our service

In every point twice done, and then done double,
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honors deep and broad, wherewith
Your majesty loads our house: For those of old,
And the late dignities heap'd up to them,
We rest your hermits.
Dun.
Where's the thane of Cawdor?
We cours'd 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,s

SCENE VII-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.

Mach. If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well

It were done quickly: If the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,
With his surcease, success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,-
We'd jump the life to come.-But, in these cases,
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor: This even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off:
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, hors'd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.-I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'er-leaps itself,
And falls on the other.-How now, what news!
Enter Lady MACBETH.

Lady M. He has almost supp'd: Why have you
left the chamber?
Macb. Hath he ask'd for me?
Lady M.
Know you not, he has?
Mach. We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honor'd ine of late; and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
Lady M.
Was the hope drunk,
Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time,
Such I account thy love. Art thou afcard
To be the same in thine own act and valor,
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem;
Letting I dare not wait upon I would
Like the poor cat i' the adage?

Macb.

Pr'ythee, peace.

What beast was it then

Who dares do more, is none.
I dare do all that may become a man;
That made you break this enterprise to me?
Lady M.
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And, to be more than what you were, you would
Be so much more the man. Nor time, nor place,
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness

now

Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis, to love the babe that milks me:
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from its boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn, as you
Have done to this.
Mach.
Lady M.

If we should fail,

We fail!

But screw your courage to the sticking place,
(Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Soundly invite him.) his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassel' so convince,s
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only: When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie, as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
His spongy officers; who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

Much.

Bring forth men-children only! For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received,? When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers, That they have don't? Lady M. Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Upon his death?

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.

Winds; sightless is invisible.
In the same sense as cohere.

8 Overpower.

1 Murder.

2 Supposed.

7 Intemperance. Sentinel. Thrift.

SCENE I-Court within Macbeth's Castle.

Ban. How goes the night, boys?

Fle. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.

Ban. And she goes down at twelve.
Fle.
I take't, 'tis later, sir.
Ban. Hold, take my sword:-There's husbandry
in heaven,

Their candles are all out.-Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep: Merciful powers!
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts, that nature
Gives way to in repose!-Give me my sword:-
Enter MACBETH, and a Servant with a torch.
Who's there?

Mach. A friend.

Ban. What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed:

He hath been in usual pleasure, and

Sent forth great largess to your offices:5

This diamond he greets your wife withal,

Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven, or to hell. [Exit.

SCENE II.-The same. Enter Lady MACBETH.

Lady M. That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold:

What hath quench'd them, hath given me fire;-
Hark-Peace!

It was the owl that shriek'd the fatal bellman,
Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it:
The doors are open; and the surfeited grooms
Do mock their charge with snores: I have drugg'd
their possets,

That death and nature do contend about them,
Whether they live or die.

Macb. [Within.] Who's there?-what, ho!
Lady M. Alack! I am afraid they have awaked,
And 'tis not done:-the attempt and not the deed,
Confounds us:-Hark!-I laid their daggers ready,

In measureless content.

My father as he slept, I had done't.-My husband! Enter MACBETH.

Macb. I have done the deed:-Didst thou not hear a noise?

Lady M. I heard the owl scream, and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?

Mach. Lady M.

Mach.

I think not of them: Yet when we can entreat an hour to serve, Would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time. Ban. Macb. If you shall cleave to my consent,-when 'tis.

It shall make honor for you.

Ban.

So I lose none,

In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchis'd, and allegiance clear,
I shall be counsell'd.

I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible

To feeling as to sight? or art thou but

A dagger of the mind; a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable

As this which now I draw.

Thou marshal'st ine the way that I was going;
And such an instrument I was to use.
Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,
Or else worth all the rest: I see thee still;
And on thy blade, and dudgeon, gouts of blood,
Which was not so before.-There's no such thing:
It is the bloody business, which informs
Thus to mine eyes.-Now o'er the one half world
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
The curtain'd sleep; now witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings; and wither'd murder,
Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,

Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,
With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design
Moves like a ghost.-Thou sure and firm-set
earth,

Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my where-about, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it.-Whiles I threat, he lives; The rooms appropriated to servants. 7 Haft. handle. • Drops.

•Bounty. •Conclude.

Macb. Hark!

When?

Now.

As I descended?

Who lies i'the second chamber? Lady M.

Mach. This is a sorry sight.

Donalbain.

[Looking on his hands.

Lady M. A foolish thought; to say a sorry sight. Macb. There's one did laugh in his sleep, and

one cried, murder!

That they did wake each other; I stood and heard them:

But they did say their prayers, and address'd them
Again to sleep.
Lady M.

There are two lodg'd together. Mucb. One cried, God bless us! and Amen, the other;

As they had seen me, with these hangman's hands
Listening their fear. I could not say, amen,
When they did say, God bless us.
Lady M.
Consider it not so deeply.
Macb. But wherefore could not I pronounce,
amen?

I had most need of blessing, and amen
Stuck in my throat.

Lady M. These deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
Mach. Methought, I heard a voice cry, Sleep no
more!

Macbeth doth murder sleep, the innocent sleep;
Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast;-

Lady M. What do you mean?

Mach. Still it cried, Sleep no more! to all the house: Glamis hath murder'd sleep; and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more! Lady M. Who was it that thus cried! Why,

Lady M. My hands are of your color; but I shame To wear a heart so white. [Knocking.] I hear a knocking

At the south entry:-retire we to our chamber:
A little water clears us of this deed:
How easy is it, then! Your constancy

Hath left you unattended.-[Knocking.] Hark! more knocking:

Get on your night-gown, lest occasion call us,
And show us to be watchers:-Be not lost
So poorly in your thoughts.

Macb. To know my deed, 'twere best not know
myself.

[Knocking. Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst! [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same. Enter a Porter. [Knocking within. Porter. Here's a knocking, indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old2 turning the key. [Knocking.] Knock, knock, knock: Who's there? i'the name of Belzebub? Here's a farmer, that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty; Come in time; have napkinss enough about you; here you'll sweat for't. [Knocking.] Knock, knock: Who's there, i' the other devil's name?"Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to Heaven: 0, come in, equivocator. [Knocking. Knock, knock, knock: Who's there? 'Faith, here's an English tailor come hither, for stealing out of a French hose: Come in, tailor; here you may roast your goose. [Knocking.] Knock, knock: Never at quiet! What are you? But this place is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter it no further: I had thought to have let in some of all professions, that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. [Knocking.] Anon, anon; I pray you, remember | the porter. [Opens the gate.

Enter MACDUFF and LENOX. Macd. Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late?

Port. Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second cock: and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.

Mued. What three things does drink especially provoke.

Port. Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.

Muct. I believe, drink gave thee the lie last night. Port. That it did, sir, i'the very threat o'me: But I requited him for his lie; and, I think, being too strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him. Macd. Is thy master stirring?

Our knocking hath awaked him; here he comes.
Enter MACBETH.

Len. Good-morrow, noble sir!
Macb.

heart,

Cannot conceive or name thee!
Macb. Len.
What's the matter?
Macd. Confusion now hath made his masterpiece!
Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
The Lord's annointed temple, and stole thence
The life o' the building.
Mucb.
What is't you say? the life?
Len. Mean you his majesty?
Macd. Approach the chamber, and destroy your
With a new Gorgon:-Do not bid me speak;
sight
See, and then speak yourselves.-Awake! Awake!
[Exeunt MACBETH and LENOX.
Ring the alarum-bell:-Murder, and treason!
Banquo, and Donalbain! Malcolm! awake!
And look on death itself! Up, up, and see
Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,
The great doom's image!-Malcom! Banquo!
As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites,
To countenance this horror.
[Bell rings.

Woe, alas!

1 To incarnadine, is to stain of a flesh color. 2 Frequent.

3 Handkerchiefs.

4i. e. Affords a cordial to it. B Appointed service.