Mac. Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know, That it was he, in the times past, which held you 80 In our last conference, past in probation with you; How you were borne in hand; how crost; the instruments; Who wrought with them; and all things else, that might, To half a soul, and to a notion craz'd Say, Thus did Banquo. 1 Mur. You made it known to us. Mac. I did so; and went further, which is now 1 Mur. We are men, my liege. 90 100 Mac. Ay, in the catalogue you go for men ; As hounds, and greyhounds, mungrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are cleped All by the name of dogs; the valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The house-keeper, the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him clos'd; whereby he does receive Particular addition, from the bill That That writes them all alike: and so of men.. And I will put that business in your bosoms, 2. Mur. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world 1 Mur. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, Mac. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. Mur. True, my lord. 110 120 Mac. So is he mine: and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life: and though I could Eiij 130 Mur. Mur. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us. 1 Mur. Though our lives Mac. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father's, must embrace the fate Mur. We are resolv'd, my lord. 140 150 Mac. 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. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter Lady MACBETH, and a Servant. Lady. Is Banquo gone from court? Serv. Ay, madam; but returns again to-night. Lady. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words. Serv. Madam, I will. [Exit. Lady. Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, 160 How now, my lord? why do you keep alone, Mac. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it, She'll close, and be herself; whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. 171 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the world's 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; Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Can touch him further! Lady. Come on; gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Among your guests to-night. Mac. So shall I, love; And And so, I pray, be you: let Lady. You must leave this. 191 Mac. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives. Lady. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. Mac. There's comfort yet, they are assailable; Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown His cloister'd flight; ere, to black Hecate's summons, The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note. Lady. What's to be done? 200 Mac. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 'Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, Skarf up the tender eye of pitiful day ; And, with thy bloody and invisible hand, Which keeps me pale!-Light thickens, and the crow 210 Good things of day begin to droop and drowze; While night's black agents to their preys do rouze. Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still; Things, bad begun, make strong themselves by ill : So, pr'ythee, go with me. [Exeunt. SCENE |