м А с в Е тн.

20

itz & Ad 3. Scene 4.]

375
SCENE III.

Macb. Thou art the best o'the cut-throats: Yet
Enter tbree Murderers.

he's good,
1 Mur. But who bid thee join with us ?

That did the like for Fleance: if thou didit it, 3 Mur. Macbeth.

Thou art the non-pareil. 2 Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since hel 5

Mor. Moft royal fir, turth delivers

Fleance is 'scap'd.

[perfe;
Our offices, and what we have to do,

Macby Then comes my fit again: I had else been
To the direction just.

Whole as the marble, founded as the rock;
I Mur. Then stand with us.

As broad, and general, as the casing air:
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day : 10But

now, I am cabin'd, cribb’d, confin'd, bound in
Now spurs the lated traveller apace,

To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?
To gain the timely inn; and near approaches

Mur. Ay, my good lord : fafe in a ditch he bides,
The subject of our watch.

With twenty trenched gashes on his head;
3 Mur. Hark! I hear horses.

The least a death to nature.
15

Macb. Thanks for that :--
[Banquo witbin.] Give us a light there, ho !
2 Mur. Then it is he; the rest

There the grown ferpent lies; the worm, that's filed,
That are within the note of expectation,

Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
Already are if the court.

No teeth for the present,--Get thee gone;to-morrow
1 Mur. His horses go about.

We'll hear, ourselves again. [Exit Murderer,
3 Mur. Almost a mile: but he does usually,

Lady. My royal lord,
So all men do, from hence to the palace gate,

You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold,
Make it their walk.

That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a making,
Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch.

'Tis given with welcome 3: To feed, were beit at reau

home;
2 Mur. A light, a light!
3 Mur. 'Tis he.

25 From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;
1 Mur. Stand to't.

Meeting were bare without it.
Ban. It will be rain to-night.

[Enter the Ghoff of Banqua, and fits in Macbeth's
1 Mur. Let it come down. (They assault Banquo.

place.]

Macb. Sweet remembrancer !-
Ban. Oh, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly,fly,fly;
d.deye
Thou may ft revenge.On nave!

30 Now, good digestion wait on appetite,

And health on both! [Pies

. Fleance escapes. 3 Mur, Who did strike out the light?

Len. May it please your highness fit? [roof'd, 1 Mur. Was't not the way'?

Macb. Here had we now our country's honour 3 Mur. There's but one down; the son is filed.

Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present; 2 Mur. We have loft best half of our affair.

I rather challenge for unkindness, i Mur. Well, let's away, and say how much is

Than pity for mischance!

[ness done.

Rife. His absence, fir,
[Exeuni.

Lays blame upon his promise. Please it your high-
SCENE IV.

To grace us with your royal compiny?
A Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady, RD4,40

Macb. The table's full.
Lenox, Lords, and Attendants.

Lon. Here is a place reserv’d, fir.
Macb. You know your own degrees, fit down:

Macb. Where?

(your highness? And last, the hearty welcome.

[at first, Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moyes
Lords. Thanks to your majesty.

Macb. Which of you have done this?
Macb. Ourself will mingle with society, 45 Lords. What, my good lord ?
And play the humble host.

Macb. Thou canít not fay, I did it : never shake
Our hostess keeps her state; but, in best time, Thy goary locks at me.
We will require her welcome.

RP Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well.
Lady. Pronounce it for me, fir, to all our friends; Lady. Sit,worthy friends :—my lord is often thus,
For my heart fpeaks, they are welcome.

50 And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep feat;
Enter forf Murderer to tbe door.

The fit is momentary; upon a thought
Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' He will again be well : it much you note him,
thanks :

You shall offend him, and extend his passion +;
Both sides are even : Here l'll fit i' the midst: Feed, and regard him not.--Are you a man?
Be large in mirth; anon, we'll drink a measure 55 Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
The table round.—There's blood upon thy face.

Which might appall the devil.
Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then.

Lady. O proper stuff!
Macb. 'Tis better thee without, than he within. This is the very painting of your fear :
Is he dispatch'd ?

This is the air-drawn-dagger, which, you said,
Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.loolled you to Duncan. Oh, these flaws s, and starts,

3. The meaning is,

From trancber, to cut.
" That is, the best means to evade difcorery.
" that which is not given cbearfully, cannot be called a gift." 4 i. a prolong his suffering,
$ Flaws are fudden gufts. .

(Impoftors
Bb4

35

Who may

TEZE;

(Impostors to true fear,) would well become

Macb. Can such things be, A woman's story, at a winter's fire,

And overcome us s like a summer's cloud, [Atrange crew
Authoriz’d by her grandam. Shame itself! Without our special wonder? You make it
Why do you make such faces ? When all's done, Even to the disposition that I owe,
You look but on a stool.

[say you ? 5 When now I think you can behold such lights,
Macb. Prythee, see there! behold! look! lo! how And keep the natural ruby of your cheek,
Why, what care 1 ? If thou canst nod, speak too. When mine is blanch'd with fear.
If charnel-houses, and our graves, must send

Rolle. What sights, my lord ? (and worle;
Those that we bury, back; our monuments

Lady. I pray you, speak not; he grows worse Shall be the maws of kites.

10 Question enrages him: at once, good night:Lady. What! quite unmann'd in folly?

Stand not upon the order of your going, Macb. If I stand here, I saw him.

But go at once.
Lady. Fie, for shame!

[time, Len. Good night, and bet:er health,
Macb. Blocd hath been thed ere now, i' the older Attend his majesty!
Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal'; 15| Lady. A kind good night to all! (Excunt Lords.
Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd Macb. It will have blood, they say; blood will
Too terrible for the ear: the times have been,

have blood :

[{peak; That, when the brains were out, the man would die, Stones have been known to move, and trees to And there an end: but now, they rise again, Augurs, and understood relations ?, have (forth With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, 20 By magot-pies 8, and choughs, and rooks, brought And puth us from our stools : This is more strange The secret st man of blood.-What is the night? Than such a murder is.

Lady. Almost at odds with morning, which is Lady, My worthy lord,

which.

[person, Your noble friends do lack you.

Macb. How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his
Macb. I do forget.

125 At our great bidding?
Do not muse ? at me, my most worthy friends; Lady. Did you send to him, fir?
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing (all: Macb. I heard it by the way; but I will send :
To those that know me. Come, love and health to There's not a one of them, but in his houfe
Then I'll sit down :-Give me some wine,fill full :-- I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow
I drink to the general joy of the whole table, 39(And betimes I will) unto the weird fifters:
Re-enter Gbot.

More Tall they speak; for now I am bent to know,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; By the worst means, the worst : for mine own good,
Would he were here! To all, and him, we thirst, All causes shall give way; I am in blood
And all to all 3.

Le
Stept in so far, that, Mould I wade no more,
Lords. Our duties, and the pledge. [hide thee ! 35 Returning were as tedious as go o'er:
Mach. Avaunt ! and quit my sight! Let the earth

Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Which must be acted, ere they may be scann'de. Thou haft no speculation in those eyes

Lady. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Which thou dost glare with!

Macb. Come, we'll to sleep: My strange and Lady. Think of this, good peers,

140

self-abuse But as a thing of custom : 'tis no other;

fc Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use :Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

We are yet but young in deed.

[Excunt, Macb. What man dare, I dare :

hu Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,

SCENE V.

To The arm'd shinoceros, or the Hyrcan tyger, 45 Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves

Thunder. Enter the three Witches, mecting Hecate. Shall never tremble: Or, be alive again,

1 Witch. Why, how now, Hecat'? you look And dare me to the desert with thy sword;

angerly. If trembling I inhabit 4, then protest me

Hec. Have I not reason, beldames as you are, The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible Thadow!

50 Saucy, and overbold? How did you dare
Unreal mockery, hence !--Why, so ;-being gone, To trade and traffic with Macbeth,
I am a man again.- Pray you, sit still.

In riddles, and affairs of death;
Lady. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the And I, the mistress of your charms,
With most admir'd disorder. [good meeting, The close contriver of all harms,
1 The gentle weal is the peaceable community. 2 i. e. wonder.

3 i. e. all good wishes to all;
fuch as he had named above, love, bealth, and jiy.
that is, if I refuse, or evade thee.

4 Pope reads, and we think properly, inbibit ; * Meaning, pass over us like a summer's cloud.

6 Mr. Steevens elucidates this passage thus : “ You prove to me that I am a stranger even to my own disposition, “ when I perceive that the very object which steals the colour from my cheek, permits it to remain " in yours. In other words,

—You prove to me how false an opinion I have hitherto maintained “ of my own courage, when yours on the trial is found to exceed it.”

7 By relation is here meant the connection of effects with causes. from magor, Fr. and hence also the modern abbreviation of mag, applied to pies. & i. e. magpies. Magot-pie is the original name of the bird,

9 To fian is 19 examine nicely. 10 i. c. refrethmen::

W

Was

Was never called to bear my part,

\How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight,
Or thew the glory of our art?

In pious rage, the two delinquents tear,
And, which is worse, all you have done

That were the Naves of drink, and thralls of sleep?.
Hath been but for a wayward fon,

Was not that nobly done ? Ay, and wisely too;
Spightful and wrathful; who, as others do, 5 For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.

To hear the men deny it. So that, I say,
But make amends now : Get you gone,

He has borne all things well: and I do think, 2x And at the pit of Acheron

That, had he Duncan's sons under his key, (find
Meet me i' the morning; thither he

(As, an't please heaven, he shall not) they should
Will come to know his destiny.

10 What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
Your vessels, and your spells, provide,

But, peace!—for from broad words, and 'cause he
Your charms, and every thing beside :

His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear, (fail'd
I am for the air ; this night I'll spend

Macduff lives in disgrace : Sir, can you tell
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.

Where he bestows himself?
Great business must be wrought ere noon: 15

Lord. The son of Duncan,
Upon the corner of the moon

From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth,
There hangs a vaporous drop profound ";

Lives in the English court; and is receiv'd
I'll catch it ere it come to ground:

of the most pious Edward with such grace,
And that, diftillid by magic nights,

That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Shall raise such artificial sprights,

20 Takes from his high respe&t:Thither Macduffis gone is the As, by the strength of their illusion,

To pray the holy king, upon his aid
Shall draw him on to his confusion:

To wake Northumberland, and warlike Siward:
He fall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear

That, by the help of these, (with Him above
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear :

To ratify the work) we may again
And you all know, security

25 Give to our tables meat, neep to our nights;
Is mortal's chiefest enemy.

[Music and a song: Free 3 from our feasts and banquets bloody knives;
Hark, I am callid; my little spirit, see,

Do faithful homage, and receive free honours,
Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me.

All which we pine for now: And this report
(Sing witbin. Come away, come away, &c. Hath so exasperate the king, that he
i Wirch. Come, let's make hafte, she'll soon be 30 Prepares for some attempt of war.
back again.

[Exeunt. Len. Sent he to Macduff?
SCENE

Lord. He did : and with an absolute, “Sir, not I,"
Tud
Enter Lencx, and anorber Lord.

The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
Len. My former speeches have but hit your And hums; as who should say, “ You'llrue the time
Which can interpret further : only,I say, (thoughts, 35“ That clogs me with this answer.”
Things have been strangely borne: The gracious Len. And that well might
Duncan

Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance
Was pitied of Macbeth :-marry, he was dead : His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
And the right-valiant Banquo walk's too late ; Fly to the court of England, and unfold
Whom, you may fay, if it please you, Fleance kill'd, 40 His message ere he come; that a swift blessing
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. May soon return to this our suffering country,
Who cannot want the thought, how monsterous Under a hand accurs'd!
It was for Malcolm, and for Donalbain,

Lord. I'll send my prayers with him.
To kill their gracious father? damned fact !

[Exeunte

VI.

1 Witcb. TH

S CE NE L.

Toad, that under the cold stone,
Thunder. Enter the three Wirbes.

Days and nights hast thirty-one,
1 Witch.THrice + the brinded cat hath mew'd. Sweiter'd venom sleeping got,

2 Witch. Thrice; and once the Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!
hedge-pig whind.

551 All. Double, double toil and trouble;
3 Witch. Harper 5 cries :-'tis time, 'tis time. Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble.
1 Wicb. Round about the cauldron go;

1 Witch. Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the poison’d entrails throw,

In the cauldron boil and bake :
Meaning, a drop that has deep or hidden qualities. ? i. e. magic arts. 3 i. e. deliver or ex-
empt our feasts from bloody knives, &c.

A Odd numbers are used in all enchantments and ma-
gical operations, even numbers being always reckoned inauspicious. 5 Meaning, perhaps, some
imp, or familiar spirit.

Eye

C

10

1

20

C B E T H. (A& 4. Scene 1. Eye of newt," and toe of frog,

1 Witcb. Say, if thou dit rather hear it from our Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Or from our masters'?

[mouths, Adder's fork, and blind-worm's ' fting,

Macb. Call them, let me see them. Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,

i Wilcb. Pour in low's blood, that hath eaten For a charm of powerful trouble,

5 Her nine farrow; grease, that's sweaten Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

From the murderer's gibbet, throw All. Double, double toil and trouble;

Into the flame. Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble.

All. Come, high, or low; 3 Witcb. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf ; Thyself, and office, deftly" thow. [Tbander. Witches' mummy; maw, and gulf?,

If Apparition, an armed bead. Of the ravin'd 3 falt-fea shark;

Macb. Tell me, thou unknown power,Root of hemlock, digg'd i' the dark ;

1 Witcb. He knows thy thought; Liver of blafpheming Jew;

Hear his speech, but say thou nought. [Macduff; Gall of goat, and Nips of yew,

App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Sliver'd 4 in the moon's eclipse ;

15 Beware the thane of Fife.Dismiss me :-Enough. Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;

[Descends. Finger of birth-strangled babe,

Macb. What-e'er thou art, for thy good cauDitch-deliver'd by a drab,

tion, thanks ; Make the gruel thick and Rab:

Thou hast harp'd 10 my fears aright :--But one Add thereto a tyger's chaudrons,

word more

(another, For the ingredients of our cauldron.

i Witch. He will not be commanded : Here's All. Double, double toil and trouble ;

More potent than the first.

(Tbander. Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble.

2d Apparitis, a bledy child. 2 Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood,

App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Then the charm is firin and good.

25

Macb. Had I three ears, I'd hear thee. (fcorn

App. Be bloody, bold, and resolute : laugh to Enter Hecals, and other ebree Witches.

The power of man; for none of woman born Hec. Oh, well done! I commend your pains; Shall harm Macbeth.

[Defcends. And every one thall share i’ the gains.

Macb. Then live Macduff: What need I fear And now about the cauldron fing,

30 But yet I'll make assurance double sure, (of thee? Like elves and fairies in a ring,

And take a bond of fate : thou shalt not live;
Inchanting all that you put in.

That I may tell pale-hearted fear, it lies,
Musick and a fong.

And seep in spite of thunder.What is this,
Black spirits and wbite;

Tbunder.
Blue spirits and grey;

3534 Apparition, a child crewnedy witb a tree ir bis

hand.
Mingle, mingle, mingle,
You that mingle may.

That rises like the issue of a king;

And wears upon his baby brow the round 2 Wisch. By the pricking of my thumbs,

And top of sovereignty"! • Something wicked this way comes :

401

All. Liften, but Ipeak not to 't.
Open, locks, whoever knocks.

App. Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care
Enter Macbctb.

Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:
Macb. How now, you secret, black, and mid Macbeth thall never vanquish'd be, until
What is't you do?

[night hags? Great Birnam wood to high Dunfinane hill All. A deed without a name.

45
Shall come against him.

(Defiends.
Macb. I conjure you, by that which you profess, Macb. That will never be :
(Howe'er you come to know it) answer me: Who can impress the foreft; bid the tree (good!
Though you untie the winds, and let them fight Unfix his earth-bound root ? sweet bodements !
Against the churches; though the yefty waves Rebellious head, rise never, till the wood
Confound and swallow navigation up; (down; 50 Of Birnam rise, and our high-plac'd Macbeth
Though bladed corn be lodg'd, and trees blown Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath
Though castles toppie? on their warders' heads; To time, and mortal custom.--Yet my heart
Though palaces, and pyramids, do nope

Throbs to know one thing; Tell me, (if your art
Their heads to their foundations; though the trea Can tell so much) Mall Banquo's issue ever
Of nature's germins 8 tumble all together, [fure 55 Reign in this kingdom?
Even 'till destruction ficken, answer me

All. Seek to know no more.
To what I ask you.

Macb. I will be fatisfy'd: deny me this, ; Wircb. Speak.

And an eternal curfe fall on you ! let me know: 2 Witcb. Demand.

Why finks that cauldron ? and what noise is this? 3 Witcb. We'll answer.

1601

(Hautbøys.

That is, the flow-tvorm. 2 j. e. the frvalisww, the throat. 3 Ravin'd means glutted with prey. 4 Sliver'd is a common word in the north, and implies, to cut a piece, or site. 5. i. e, entrails.

i. e. framing, or froiby waves. 7 i. e. iww.olc. & Germins are seeds which have begun to sprout. 9 i. e. adroitly, dextrously. 10 To harp, is to touch on a passion as a harper touches a string. 11 This alludes to the make or figure of ths crown.

I W...b.

I Witcb. Shew ! 2 Witcb. Shew! 3 Witcb. Shew! His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate Touls,

Al, Shew his eyes, and grieve his heart; That trace 8 him in his line. Noboafting like a fool; Come like shadows, so depart.

This deed I'll do, before this purpose cool: [Afbew of cight Kings, and Banquo; tbe lap But no more fights !--Where are these gentlemen?

wirb a glajs in bis band. [down! 5 Come, bring me where they are. [Exeunt. Macb. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo;

SCENE

II.
Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls! :--And thy air,
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first :-

Enter Macduff's wife, ber for, and Rose.
A third is like the former : Filthy hags! [eyes ! L. Macd. What had he done, to make him fly
Why do you thew me this ?--A fourth-Start 10

the land? What! will the line stretch out to the crack of Refle. You must have patience, madam. doom??

L. Macd. He had none: Another yet?-A seventh ?-I'll see no more: His flight was madness : When our actions do not, And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass, Our fears do make us traitors. Which shews me many more; and some I see, 15 Rolli. You know not, That twofold balls and treble sceptres carry 3 : Whether it was his wisdom, or his fear. Horrible fight!-Now, I see 'tis true;

L. Macd. Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave For the blood-bolter'd + Banquo smiles upon me,

his babes, And points at them for his.- What? is this so? His manfion, and his titles, in a place

1 Witcb. Ay, fir, all this is fo :--But why 20 From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?

He wants the natural touch': For the poor wren, Come, fisters, cheer we up his sprights,

The most diminutive of birds, will fight, And thew the best of our delights ;

Her young ones in her neft, against the owl. I'll charm the air to give a sound,

All is the fear, and nothing is the love; While you perform your antique round: 25] As Ittle is the wisdom, where the fight That this great king may kindly say,

so runs against all reason. Our duties did his welcome pay. [Muficko R.de. My dearest coz,

[Tbe witches dance and vanish. I pray you, school yourself: But for your husband, Macb. Where are they? Gone !--Let this He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows pernicious hour

30 The fits o' the Season 10. I dare not speak much Stand aye 5 accurfed in the calendar!

further : Come in, without there!

But cruel are the times, when we are traitors, Entor Lenox.

And do not know ourselves"); when we hold ruLen. What's your grace's will? Macb. Saw you the weird filters ?

35 From what we fear, yet know not what we fear; Len. No, my lord.

But float upon a wild and violent sea, Macb. Came they not by you ?

Each way, and move.-I take my leave of you : Lin, No, indeed, my lord.

Shall not be tong but I'll be here again : Macb. Infected be the air whereon they ride ; Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward And damn'd all those that trust them!—I did hear40 To what they were before. My pretty cousin, The gallopi ng of horse: Who was’t came by? Blessing upon you!

Len. 'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring L. Macd. Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless. Macduff is fed to England. (you word, Roffe. I am so much a fool, should I stay longer, Macb. Fled to England ?

It would be my disgrace, and your discomfort : Len. Ay, my good lord.

45 I take my leave at once.

[Exit Rolle. Macb.Time, thou anticipat'ft® my dread exploits : L. Macd. Sirrah, your father's dead; The fighty purpose never is o'er-took,

And what will you do now? How will you live! Unless the deed go with it : From this moment, Son. As birds do, mother. The very firstlings? of my heart shall be

L. Macd. What, with worms and fies? The firstlings of my hand. And even now [done : 50 Son. With what I get, I mean; and so do they. To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and L. Macd. Poor bird! thou'dft never fear the net The castle of Macduff I will surprise ;

nor lime, Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword The pit-fall, nor the gin.

! i.e. does blind me; alluding to the ancient practice of destroying the fight, by holding a piece of hot or burning iron before the eye, which dried up its humidity. 2 i. e. the diffolution of nature. 3 Warburton says, this was intended as a compliment to King James the first, who firft united the two inands and the three kingdoms under one head; whose house too was said to be descended from Banquo. * Blood-bolter'd means one whose blood hath issued out at many wounds, as flour of corn palies through the holes of a fieve. Shakspeare used it to infinuate the barbarity of Banquo's murderers, who covered him with wounds. 5 i. e. for ever. 0 i.e. thou preventeft. 7 i. e. the thing first thought or done. 8 j.e, follow him. 9 Meaning, natural senlibility, or affection. 10 i.e. the convulfiras or vielent disorders of the times. II i. e. we think ourselves innocent, the government thinks us traitors; therefore we are ignorant of ourselves. 1: To bold rumour fignifies to believe rumour.

Son.

mour 12