MACBETH'S Castle at Inverness.
Mach. If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well:
It were done quickly, if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success. That but this blow Might be the be-all, and the end-all, here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time! We'd jump the life to come.-But, in these cases, We still have judgment here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor: This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips. He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.-Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking off:
To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself,
And falls on the other-How now! what news?
Lady. He has almost supp'd: Why have you left the chamber?
Macb. Hath he ask'd for me?
Lady. Know you not, he has ?
Macb. We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn, now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.
Lady. Was the hope drunk,
Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since, And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time, Such I account thy love.-Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour, As thou art in desire? Would'st thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem,——— Letting, I dare not, wait upon, I would, Like the poor cat i' th' adage? Macb. "Pr'ythee, peace:
I dare do all that may become a man, Who dares do more, is none.
Lady. What beast was it then,
That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more than man. Nor time, nor place, Did then adhere, and yet you would make both: They have made themselves, and that their fitness
Does unmake you. I have given suck; and know How tender 'tis, to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, And dash'd the brains out, had I but so sworn As you have done to this.
Macb. If we should fail- Lady. We fail:-
But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
(Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey Soundly invite him,) his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassel so convince, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only: When in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lie, as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon His spungy officers; who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell?
Macb. Bring forth men children only! For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers, That they have done't?
Lady. Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar Upon his death?
Macb. I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know,
Enter BANQUO and FLEANCE, with a Torch.
Ban. How goes the night, boy?
Fle. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.
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