Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act, Old M. Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that 's done. On Tuesday last, A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. Rosse. And Duncan's horses, (a thing most strange and certain,) Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would Old M. 'Tis said, they eat each other. Rosse. They did so; to the amazement of mine eyes, That look'd upon 't. Here comes the good Macduff : Enter MACDUFF. How goes the world, sir, now? Macd. Why, see you not? Rosse. Is 't known who did this more than bloody deed? Rosse. What good could they pretend? Macd. Alas, the day! They were suborn'd: Malcolm, and Donalbain, the king's two sons, Rosse. 'Gainst nature still : Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up Thine own life's means !-Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. Macd. He is already nam'd; and gone to Scone, To be invested. Rosse. Where is Duncan's body? Macd. Carried to Coline-kill; The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones. Rosse. Will you to Scone? Well, I will thither. Macd. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. Rosse. Macd. Well, may you see things well done there ;—adieu ! Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! Rosse. Farewell, father. Old M. God's benison go with you, and with those That would make good of bad, and friends of foes! [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-Forres. A Room in the Palace. Enter BANQUO. Ban. Thou hast it now, king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, It should not stand in thy posterity; But that myself should be the root, and father And set me up in hope? But, hush; no more. Senet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as King; Lady MACBETH, as Queen; LENOx, Rosse, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. Macb. Here's our chief guest. Lady M. If he had been forgotten It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all-thing unbecoming. Macb. 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 Are with a most indissoluble tie 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 For a dark hour, or twain. Macb. Ban. My lord, I will not. Fail not our feast. Mach. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers 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, God be with you. [Exeunt Lady MACBETH, Lords, Ladies, &c. Sirrah, a word with you: Attend those men our pleasure? Macb. Bring them before us.-[Exit Attend.] To be thus, is nothing; But to be safely thus :-Cur 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 My genius is rebuk'd; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, And bade them speak to him; then, prophet-like, Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murther'd: To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! And champion me to the utterance !-Who's there? [Exit Attendant. Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. 1 Mur. It was, so please your highness. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know, In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you, How you were borne in hand; how cross'd; the instruments; Say, Thus did Banquo. I Mur. You made it known to us. Mach. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature, That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd, 1 Mur. We are men, my liege. That writes them all alike and so of men. 2 Mur. I am one, my liege, 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. Both of you True, my lord. Know, Banquo was your enemy. 2 Mur. 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. I Mur. Though our lives Mach. 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, And something from the palace; always thought 2 Mur. SCENE II.-The same. Another Room. Lady M. [Exeunt. Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. 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 ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Can touch him further! Lady M. Come on; Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night. Macb. Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue : |