LENNOX
Mean you his majesty?
MACDUFF
Approach the chamber and destroy your sight70
With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak.71
See, and then speak yourselves.
Exeunt Macbeth and Lennox.
Awake, awake!
Ring the alarum bell! Murder and treason!
Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm, awake!
Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,
And look on death itself. Up, up, and see
The great doom's image. Malcolm! Banquo!77
As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites78
79 To countenance this horror.
Bell rings. Enter Lady [Macbeth].
LADY MACBETH What's the business,
80 That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!
MACDUFF O gentle lady,
'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:
The repetition in a woman's ear
Would murder as it fell.
Enter Banquo. O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master's murdered!
LADY MACBETH Woe, alas—
What, in our house?
BANQUO Too cruel anywhere.
Dear Duff, I prithee contradict thyself
And say it is not so.
Enter Macbeth, Lennox, and Ross.
MACBETH
Had I but died an hour before this chance,
90 I had lived a blessed time; for from this instant 91 There's nothing serious in mortality: 92 All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead, 93 The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees 94 Is left this vault to brag of.
Enter Malcolm and Donalbain.
DONALBAIN
What is amiss?
MACBETH You are, and do not know't.
The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood
Is stopped, the very source of it is stopped.
MACDUFF
Your royal father's murdered.
MALCOLM O, by whom?
LENNOX
Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done't.
Their hands and faces were all badged with blood;100
So were their daggers, which unwiped we found
Upon their pillows. They stared and were distracted.
No man's life was to be trusted with them.
MACBETH
O, yet I do repent me of my fury
That I did kill them.
MACDUFF Wherefore did you so?
MACBETH
Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate and furious,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.107
The expedition of my violent love108
Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,
His silver skin laced with his golden blood;110
And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature
For ruin's wasteful entrance: there, the murderers,
Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers
Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain114
That had a heart to love, and in that heart
Courage to make's love known?
LADY MACBETH Help me hence, ho!
MACDUFF
Look to the lady.117
MALCOLM [Aside to Donalbain]
Why do we hold our tongues,
That most may claim this argument for ours?118
DONALBAIN [To Malcolm]
What should be spoken here,
Where our fate, hid in an auger hole,120
May rush and seize us? Let's away:
Our tears are not yet brewed.
MALCOLM [To Donalbain] Nor our strong sorrow 123 Upon the foot of motion.
BANQUO Look to the lady.
[Lady Macbeth is assisted out.]
124 And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet
126 And question this most bloody piece of work, 127 To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us.
In the great hand of God I stand, and thence
129 Against the undivulged pretense I fight 130 Of treasonous malice.
MACDUFF And so do I.
ALL So all.
MACBETH
Let's briefly put on manly readiness
And meet i' th' hall together.
ALL Well contented.
Exeunt [all but Malcolm and Donalbain].
MALCOLM
What will you do? Let's not consort with them.
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.
DONALBAIN
To Ireland I. Our separated fortune
Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are
138 There's daggers in men's smiles; the near in blood, The nearer bloody.
MALCOLM This murderous shaft that's shot
140 Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse,
142 And let us not be dainty of leave-taking But shift away. There's warrant in that theft143
Which steals itself when there's no mercy left.
Exeunt.
II.4Enter Ross with an Old Man.
OLD MAN
Threescore and ten I can remember well;1
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings.4
ROSS Ha, good father,
Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act,5
Threatens his bloody stage. By th' clock 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.7
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,8
That darkness does the face of earth entomb
When living light should kiss it?10
OLD MAN 'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last
A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place,12
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.13
ROSS
And Duncan's horses-a thing most strange and certain—
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,15
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,16
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind.
OLD MAN 'Tis said they ate each other.
ROSS
They did so, to th' amazement of mine eyes
20 That looked upon't.
Enter Macduff. Here comes the good Macduff.
How goes the world, sir, now?
MACDUFF Why, see you not?
ROSS
Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?
MACDUFF
Those that Macbeth hath slain.
ROSS Alas the day,
24 What good could they pretend?
MACDUFF
They were suborned.
Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,
Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.
ROSS 'Gainst nature still.
28 Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up 29 Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like 30 The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
MACDUFF
31 He is already named, and gone to Scone 32 To be invested.
ROSS Where is Duncan's body?
MACDUFF
33 Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
And guardian of their bones.
ROSS Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF
No, cousin, I'll to Fife.
ROSS Well, I will thither.
MACDUFF
Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.
ROSS
Farewell, father.
OLD MAN
God's benison go with you, and with those40
That would make good of bad, and fri
ends of foes.
Exeunt omnes.
III.1Enter Banquo.
BANQUO
Thou hast it now-king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised; and I fear
Thou play'dst most foully for't. Yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,4
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them—
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine-7
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.10
Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady
[Macbeth as Queen], Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.
MACBETH
Here's our chief guest.
LADY MACBETH If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast,
And allthing unbecoming.13
MACBETH
14 Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence.
BANQUO Let your highness
Command upon me, to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
Forever knit.
MACBETH Ride you this afternoon?
BANQUO
Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH
20 We should have else desired your good advice, 21 Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, In this day's council; but we'll take tomorrow.
Is't far you ride?
BANQUO
As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
25 'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, 26 I must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain.
MACBETH Fail not our feast.
BANQUO
My lord, I will not.
MACBETH
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
30 In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
32 With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, 33 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?
BANQUO
Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon's.
MACBETH
I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
And so I do commend you to their backs.
Farewell.
Exit Banquo.
Let every man be master of his time40
Till seven at night. To make society
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you.43
Exeunt Lords [and others]. [To Servant]
Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men44
Our pleasure?
SERVANT
They are, my lord, without the palace gate.
MACBETH
Bring them before us.
Exit Servant.
To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.48
Our fears in Banquo stick deep,49
And in his royalty of nature reigns that50
Which would be feared. 'Tis much he dares;51
And to that dauntless temper of his mind
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear; and under him
My genius is rebuked, as it is said56
Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters57
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike,
They hailed him father to a line of kings.60
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
And put a barren scepter in my grip,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If't be so,
65 For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;
67 Put rancors in the vessel of my peace 68 Only for them, and mine eternal jewel 69 Given to the common enemy of man 70 To make them kings-the seeds of Banquo kings.
71 Rather than so, come, Fate, into the list, 72 And champion me to th' utterance. Who's there?
Enter Servant and two Murderers.
[To Servant]
Now go to the door and stay there till we call.
Exit Servant.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
MURDERERS
It was, so please your highness.
MACBETH Well then, now
Have you considered of my speeches? Know
That it was he, in the times past, which held you
78 So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you
80 In our last conference, passed in probation with you 81 How you were borne in hand, how crossed; the instruments; 82 Who wrought with them; and all things else that might 83 To half a soul and to a notion crazed Say "Thus did Banquo."
FIRST MURDERER You made it known to us.
MACBETH
I did so; and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting. Do you find86
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled88
To pray for this good man and for his issue,
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave90
And beggared yours forever?91
FIRST MURDERER We are men, my liege.
MACBETH
Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men,92
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,93
Shoughs, waterrugs, and demiwolves are clept94
All by the name of dogs. The valued file95
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one97
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive99
Particular addition, from the bill100
That writes them all alike; and so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,102
Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say't;
And I will put that business in your bosoms104
Whose execution takes your enemy off,105
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Which in his death were perfect.
SECOND MURDERER I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
110 Have so incensed that I am reckless what I do to spite the world.
FIRST MURDERER And I another,
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,
113 That I would set my life on any chance 114 To mend it or be rid on't.
MACBETH Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy.
MURDERERS True, my lord.
MACBETH
116 So is he mine, and in such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts
118 Against my near'st of life; and though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
120 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, 121 For certain friends that are both his and mine, 122 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down. And thence it is
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
SECOND MURDERER We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
FIRST MURDERER Though our lives-
MACBETH
Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves,
130 Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' th' time The moment on't, for't must be done tonight
132 And something from the palace-always thou
ght That I require a clearness; and with him,133
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work,134
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart;
I'll come to you anon.
MURDERERS We are resolved, my lord.
MACBETH
I'll call upon you straight. Abide within.140
It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
Exeunt.
III.2Enter Macbeth's Lady and a Servant.
LADY MACBETH
Is Banquo gone from court?
SERVANT
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
LADY MACBETH
Say to the king I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
SERVANT Madam, I will.
Exit.
LADY MACBETH
Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,10
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
12 With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard. What's done is done.
MACBETH
14 We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
15 She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth.
17 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
20 That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
22 Than on the torture of the mind to lie 23 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.
Treason has done his worst: nor steel nor poison,
26 Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further.
LADY MACBETH Come on.
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;
Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.
MACBETH
30 So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you.
31 Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; 32 Present him eminence both with eye and tongue: 33 Unsafe the while, that we must lave Our honors in these flattering streams
35 And make our faces vizards to our hearts, 36 Disguising what they are.
LADY MACBETH You must leave this.
MACBETH
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife.
Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.
LADY MACBETH
But in them Nature's copy's not eterne.39
MACBETH
There's comfort yet; they are assailable.40
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate's summons
The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums43
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
LADY MACBETH What's to be done?
MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,46
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,47
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,48
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond50