1 Off. It was, so please your highness. Have you consider'd of my speeches? Your patience so predominant in your nature, 2 Off. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world I do to spite the world. 1 Off. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, Macb. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. 1 Off. True, my lord. Macb. 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 2 Off. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us, 1 Off. Though our lives Mach. Your spirits shine through you. Within I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Whose absence is no less material to me 1 Off. We are resolv'd, my lord. Macb. I'll call upon you strait; abide within. [Exeunt OFFICERS. It is concluded:- -Banquo, thy soul's flight, [Exit. Enter LADY MACBETH, as QUEEN; and SEYTON. Lady. Is Banquo gone from court? Sey. Ay, madam; but returns again to-night. Lady. Say to the King, I would attend his leisure For a few words. Sey. Madam, I will. Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, [Exit SEYTON. 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, Macb. 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. But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep That shake us nightly: Better be with the dead, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstacy.- Duncan is in his grave;— Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, Lady. Come on; Gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Macb. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Lady. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.-Come, seeling night, And, with thy bloody and invisible hand, crow Makes wing to the rooky wood: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; SCENE III. A Park, near the Palace, at Fores. Enter the Two OFFICERS. 1 Off. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: Now spurs the lated traveller apace, To gain the timely inn; and near approaches 2 Off. Hark! I hear horses. Ban. [Within.] Give us a light there, ho! That are within the note of expectation, 2 Off. His horses go about. 1 Off. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace gate, Make it their walk. 2 Off. A light, a light! 1 Off. "Tis he. Enter FLEANCE, with a Torch, and BANQUO. Ban. It will rain to-night. [Exeunt FLEANCE and BANQUO. 1 Off. Let it come down. [Exeunt OFFICERS. Ban. [Within.] O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Fle. [Within.] Murder! murder! murder! Ban. [Within.] Thou may'st revenge.-O, slave!0, 0, 0! Enter OFFICERS. 1 Off. Who did strike out the light? 2 Off. Was't not the way? [Dies. 1 Off. There's but one down; the son is fled. 2 Off. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 Off. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The Banqueting Room, in the Palace, at Fores. Music.-A Banquet prepared. MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSSE, LENOX, SEYTON, ATTENDANTS, GUARDS, &c. discovered. Mach. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first, And last, the hearty welcome. Rosse. Thanks to your majesty. Mach. Ourself will mingle with society, And play the humble host: Our hostess keeps her state; but, in best time, We will require her welcome. Lady. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks, they are welcome. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks : Both sides are even: Here I'll sit i'the midst : Enter FIRST OFFICER. There's blood upon thy face. 1 Off. "Tis Banquo's then. Macb. Is he despatch'd? 1 Off. My lord, his throat is cut: that I did for him. |