Hec. Have I not reason, beldams, as you are, Spiteful, and wrathful, who, as others do, Meet me i'the morning; thither he Great business must be wrought ere noon : There hangs a vaporous drop profound;1 He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear And Is mortals' chiefest enemy. Song. [Within.] Come away, come away, &c. Hark, I am call'd; my little spirit, see, Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. 1 Witch. Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again. [Exit. [Exeunt. (1) i. e. A drop that has deep or hidden qual ities. SCENE VI.-Fores. A room in the palace. En ter Lenox and another Lord. Len. My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret further: only, I say, Things have been strangely borne: The gracious Was pitied of Macbeth :-marry, he was dead :- That were the slaves of drink, and thralls of sleep? (As, an't please heaven, he shall not,) they should find What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. But, peace!-for from bread words, and 'cause he fail'd His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear Lord. Is To wake Northumberland, and warlike Siward: That by the help of these (with Him above To ratify the work,) we may again Give to our table meat, sleep to our nights; Prepares for some atempt of war. Len. Sent he to Macduff? Lord. He did: and with an absolute, Sir, not I, The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums; as who should say, You'll rue the time That clogs me with this answer. Len. And that well might Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England, and unfold His message ere he come; that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accurs'd! Lord. My prayers with him! [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I-A dark cave. In the middle a cauldron boiling. Thunder. Enter Three Witches. 1 Witch. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd. 2 Witch. Thrice; and once the hedge-pig whin'd. 3 Witch. Harper cries :-'Tis time, 'tis time. 1 Witch. Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw.Toad, that under coldest stone, Days and nights hast thirty-one Swelter'd3 venom sleeping got, (1) Honours freely bestowed. (2) For exasperated. (3) This word is employed to signify that the animal was hot, and sweating with venom, although sleeping under a cold stone. Boil thou first i'the charmed pot! All. Double, double toil and trouble 2 Witch. Fillet of a fenny snake, All. Double, double toil and trouble; 3 Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wol All. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble. 2 Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good. Enter Hecate, and the other Three Witches Hec. O, well done! I commend your pains, And every one shall share i'the gains. And now about the cauldron sing, Like elves and fairies in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in. (1) The throat. (2) Ravenous. (3) Entrails. SONG. Black spirits and white, 2 Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:Open, locks, whoever knocks. Enter Macbeth. Macb. How now, you secret, black, and mid night hags? What is't you do? All. A deed without a name. Macb. I conjure you, by that which you profess (Howe'er you come to know it,) answer me: Though you untie the winds, and let them fight Against the churches; though the yesty' waves Confound and swallow navigation up; Though bladed corn be lodg'd,2 and trees blown down; Though castles topple3 on their warders' heads; Though palaces, and pyramids, do slope Their heads to their foundations; though the trea sure Of nature's germins4 tumble all together, To what I ask you. 1 Witch. 2 Witch. 3 Witch. 1 Witch. Say, if thou'd'st rather hear it from our mouths, Or from our masters'? Macb. (1) Frothy. (3) Tumble. Call them, let me see them. (2) Laid flat by wind or rain. (4) Seeds which have begun to sprout. |