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 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 would'st be great; Art not without ambition; but without The illness should attend it. What thou would'st highly, That would'st thou holily; would'st not play false, And yet would'st wrongly win: thou'd'st have great Glamis, That which cries, Thus thou must do, if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do, * The best intelligence. + Messengers. Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, Enter an Attendant. Attend. The king comes here to-night. Lady M. Thou'rt mad to say it: Is not thy master with him? who, wer't so, 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 Give him tending, Lady M. He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse, [Erit Attendant. That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night, * Diadem. + Murderous. + Supernatural. Wrap as in a mantle. Knife anciently meant a sword or dagger. Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry, Hold, Hold!-Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor! Enter Macbeth. Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! This ignorant present*, and I feel now Macb. Duncan comes here to-night. Lady M. My dearest love, And when goes hence? Macb. To-morrow,-as he purposes. Lady M. Shall sun that morrow see! O, never Your face, my thane, is as a book, where men But be the serpent under it. He that's coming This night's great business into my despatch; To alter favourt ever is to fear: Lady M. Leave all the rest to me. Only look up clear; [Exeunt. i. e. Beyond the present time, which is, accord ing to the process of nature, ignorant of the future. + Look, countenance. SCENE VI. The same. Before the castle. Hautboys. Servants of Macbeth attending. Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Dun. This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air 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. Dun. Enter Lady Macbeth. See, see! our honour'd hostess! The love that follows us, sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you, How you shall bid God yieldt us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. Lady M. Against those honours deep aud broad, wherewith * Convenient corner. + Reward. And the late dignities heap'd up to them, 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 comptt, To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, Still to return your own. Give me your hand: Dun. [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 i. e. We as hermits shall ever pray for you. + Subject to accompt. An officer so called from his placing the dishes on the table. |