A Park or Lawn, with a gate leading to the Palace. SCENE III.-The same. Enter three Murderers. 1 Mur. But who did bid thee join with us? 3 Mur. Macbeth. 2 Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do, To the direction just. 1 Mur. Then stand with us. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: To gain the timely inn; and near approaches 3 Mur. Hark! I hear horses. Ban. [within.] Give us a light there, ho! 2 Mur. Then 'tis he; the rest That are within the note of expectation 1 Mur. 2 Mur. 3 Mur. 1 Mur. Stand to 't. A light, a light! 'Tis he. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch. Ban. It will be rain to-night. 1 Mur. Let it come down. [Assaults Banquo. Ban. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge.-O slave! [Dies. FLEANCE escapes. 3 Mur. Who did strike out the light? 1 Mur. Was't not the way? 3 Mur. There's but one down: the son is fled. 2 Mur. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The same. A Room of State in the Palace. A Banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, Lady MACBETH, Ross, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants. Macb. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first And last the hearty welcome. Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: Enter first Murderer to the door. Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure The table round.-There's blood upon thy face. Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then. Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within. Is he despatch'd? 1 Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect Whole as the marble, founded as the rock; As broad and general as the casing air: But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe? Len. May't please your highness sit? [The Ghost of BANQUO rises, and sits in MACBETH's place. Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present; Who may I rather challenge for unkindness Than pity for mischance! Ross. His absence, sir, Please 't your highness Lays blame upon his promise. Macb. The table's full. Len. Here's a place reserv'd, sir. Len. Here, my lord. What is't that moves your highness? Macb. Which of you have done this? What, my good lord? Lords. Ross. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady M. Sit, worthy friends:-my lord is often thus, He will again be well: if much you note him Lady M. This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all's done, [you?Macb. Pr'ythee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.— If charnel-houses and our graves must send Those that we bury back, our monuments Shall be the maws of kites. Lady M. [Ghost disappears. What, quite unmann'd in folly? Fie, for shame! Macb. If I stand here, I saw him. Lady M. Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other; Macb. What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, [Ghost disapped Why, so;-being gone, I am a man again.-Pray you, sit still. Lady M. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the go Without our special wonder? You make me strange When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, When mine are blanch'd with fear. Ross. What sights, my lord? [worse; Lady M. I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and Question enrages him: at once, good-night:— Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once. Good-night; and better health Macb. It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood: Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak; By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth Lady M. Almost at odds with morning, which is which. Macb. How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person At our great bidding? Lady M. Did you send to him, sir? Macb. I hear it by the way; but I will send : There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow (And betimes I will) to the weird sisters: More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Lady M. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Macb. Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use: We are yet but young in deed. SCENE V.-The Heath. [Exeunt. Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting HECATE. 1 Witch. Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly. Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, |