ACT III.

Scene I. Forres. The palace.[4093]

Enter Banquo.

Ban. Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,[4094]
 As the weird women promised, and I fear[4095]
 Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said[4096]
 It should not stand in thy posterity,
 But that myself should be the root and father 5
[Pg 461] Of many kings. If there come truth from them—
 As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—[4097]
 Why, by the verities on thee made good,
 May they not be my oracles as well
 And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.[4098] 10

Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth, as king; Lady Macbeth, as queen; Lennox, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants.[4099]

Macb. Here's our chief guest.
Lady M. If he had been forgotten,
 It had been as a gap in our great feast,
 And all-thing unbecoming.[4100]
Macb. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir,
 And I'll request your presence.
Ban. Let your highness[4101] 15
 Command upon me, to the which my duties[4102]
 Are with a most indissoluble tie
 For ever knit.
Macb. Ride you this afternoon?
Ban. Ay, my good lord.
Macb. We should have else desired your good advice,[4103] 20
 Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,[4103]
 In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow.[4103][4104]
 Is't far you ride?[4103][4105]
Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
 'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, 25
 I must become a borrower of the night
 For a dark hour or twain.
 [Pg 462]
Macb. Fail not our feast.
Ban. My lord, I will not.
Macb. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd
 In England and in Ireland, not confessing 30
 Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
 With strange invention: but of that to-morrow,
 When therewithal we shall have cause of state
 Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu,[4106][4107]
 Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?[4107] 35
Ban. Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's.[4108]
Macb. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
 And so I do commend you to their backs.
 Farewell. [Exit Banquo.
 Let every man be master of his time 40
 Till seven at night; to make society[4109]
 The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself[4109][4110]
 Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you![4110][4111]

[Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant.

Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men[4112][4113]
 Our pleasure?[4113] 45
Attend. They are, my lord, without the palace-gate.[4113]
Macb. Bring them before us. [Exit Attendant.[4114]
 To be thus is nothing;[4115][4116]
 But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo[4116][4116]
 Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature[4116]
 Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares,[4116] 50
 And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
 He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
 To act in safety. There is none but he
[Pg 463] Whose being I do fear: and under him
 My Genius is rebuked, as it is said[4117] 55
 Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters,[4117][4118]
 When first they put the name of king upon me,
 And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like[4119]
 They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
 Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown 60
 And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
 Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,[4120]
 No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,[4121]
 For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;[4122][4123]
 For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;[4123] 65
 Put rancours in the vessel of my peace[4123]
 Only for them, and mine eternal jewel[4123]
 Given to the common enemy of man,[4123]
 To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings![4123][4124]
 Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, 70
 And champion me to the utterance! Who's there?[4125]

Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers.

Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.[4126]

[Exit Attendant.

Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
First Mur. It was, so please your highness.[4127]
Macb. Well then, now[4128]
 Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know[4128][4129][4130] 75
 That it was he in the times past which held you[4130]
[Pg 464] So under fortune, which you thought had been[4130]
 Our innocent self: this I made good to you[4130]
 In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,[4130][4131]
 How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,[4130] 80
 Who wrought with them, and all things else that might[4130]
 To half a soul and to a notion crazed
 Say 'Thus did Banquo.'
First Mur. You made it known to us.[4132]
Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now[4133]
 Our point of second meeting. Do you find[4133] 85
 Your patience so predominant in your nature,[4133]
 That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd,[4133]
 To pray for this good man and for his issue,[4133]
 Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave[4133]
 And beggar'd yours for ever?[4133]
First Mur. We are men, my liege.[4133] 90
Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;
 As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
 Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept[4134]
 All by the name of dogs: the valued file
 Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, 95
 The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
 According to the gift which bounteous nature
 Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
 Particular addition, from the bill[4135]
 That writes them all alike: and so of men. 100
 Now if you have a station in the file,
 Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say it,[4136]
 And I will put that business in your bosoms[4137]
 Whose execution takes your enemy off,
[Pg 465] Grapples you to the heart and love of us, 105
 Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
 Which in his death were perfect.[4138]
Sec. Mur. I am one, my liege,
 Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
 Have so incensed that I am reckless what[4139]
 I do to spite the world.[4139][4140]
First Mur. And I another 110
 So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,[4141]
 That I would set my life on any chance,
 To mend it or be rid on 't.
Macb. Both of you[4142]
 Know Banquo was your enemy.[4142]
Both Mur. True, my lord.
Macb. So is he mine, and in such bloody distance 115
 That every minute of his being thrusts
 Against my near'st of life: and though I could
 With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
 For certain friends that are both his and mine,[4143] 120
 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall[4143]
 Who I myself struck down: and thence it is[4143][4144]
 That I to your assistance do make love,
 Masking the business from the common eye
 For sundry weighty reasons.
Sec. Mur. We shall, my lord, 125
 Perform what you command us.
First Mur. Though our lives—
Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most[4145]
 I will advise you where to plant yourselves,[4146]
[Pg 466] Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,[4147]
 The moment on 't; for 't must be done to-night, 130
 And something from the palace; always thought[4148][4149]
 That I require a clearness: and with him—[4149]
 To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—
 Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
 Whose absence is no less material to me 135
 Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
 Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:
 I'll come to you anon.
Both Mur. We are resolved, my lord.[4150]
Macb. I'll call upon you straight: abide within.

[Exeunt Murderers.[4151]

It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, 140
 If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [Exit.[4152]

Scene II. The palace.[4153]

Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant.[4154]

Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court?
Serv. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.
Lady M. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure
 For a few words.
 [Pg 467]
Serv. Madam, I will. [Exit.
Lady M. Nought's had, all's spent,[4155]
 Where our desire is got without content: 5
 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy[4156]
 Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

Enter Macbeth.

How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,[4157]
 Of sorriest fancies your companions making;[4158]
 Using those thoughts which should indeed have died 10
 With them they think on? Things without all remedy[4159]
 Should be without regard: what's done is done.
Macb. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it:[4160]
 She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice[4161]
 Remains in danger of her former tooth. 15
 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,[4162]
 Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
 In the affliction of these terrible dreams
 That shake us nightly: better be with the dead,
 Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,[4163] 20
 Than on the torture of the mind to lie
 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;[4164]
 After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
 Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
 Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, 25
 Can touch him further.[4165][4166]
 [Pg 468]
Lady M. Come on;[4165]
 Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;[4165]
 Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.[4165][4167]
Macb. So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you:[4165][4168]
 Let your remembrance apply to Banquo;[4165][4168][4169] 30
 Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue:[4165][4168]
 Unsafe the while, that we[4165][4168][4170]
 Must lave our honours in these flattering streams,[4168][4171]
 And make our faces visards to our hearts,[4168][4172]
 Disguising what they are.[4168]
Lady M. You must leave this.[4168] 35
Macb. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
 Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.[4173]
Lady M. But in them nature's copy's not eterne.[4174]
Macb. There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
 Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown 40
 His cloister'd flight; ere to black Hecate's summons
 The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums[4175]
 Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done[4176]
 A deed of dreadful note.[4176]
Lady M. What's to be done?
Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 45
 Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,[4177]
 Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,
 And with thy bloody and invisible hand
 Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
 Which keeps me pale! Light thickens, and the crow[4178][4179] 50
 Makes wing to the rooky wood:[4179][4180]
 Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
[Pg 469] Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.[4181]
 Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
 Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill: 55
 So, prithee, go with me. [Exeunt.

Scene III. A park near the palace.[4182]

Enter three Murderers.

First Mur. But who did bid thee join with us?
Third Mur. Macbeth.
Sec. Mur. He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers[4183]
 Our offices, and what we have to do,
 To the direction just.[4184]
First Mur. Then stand with us.[4184]
 The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: 5
 Now spurs the lated traveller apace[4185]
 To gain the timely inn, and near approaches[4186]
 The subject of our watch.
Third Mur. Hark! I hear horses.
Ban. [Within] Give us a light there, ho!
Sec. Mur. Then 'tis he: the rest[4187][4188][4189]
 That are within the note of expectation[4188][4189][4190] 10
 Already are i' the court.[4188][4191]
 [Pg 470]
First Mur. His horses go about.
Third Mur. Almost a mile: but he does usually—
 So all men do—from hence to the palace gate[4192]
 Make it their walk.
Sec. Mur. A light, a light![4193]

Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch.[4194]

Third Mur. 'Tis he.[4193]
First Mur. Stand to 't.[4193] 15
Ban. It will be rain to-night.[4195]
First Mur. Let it come down.

[They set upon Banquo.

Ban. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly![4196]
 Thou mayst revenge. O slave! [Dies. Fleance escapes.[4197]
Third Mur. Who did strike out the light?
First Mur. Was't not the way?
Third Mur. There's but one down; the son is fled.
Sec. Mur. We have lost[4198]20
 Best half of our affair.[4199]
First Mur. Well, let's away and say how much is done.[4199] [Exeunt.

[Pg 471]

Scene IV. Hall in the palace.[4200]

A banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants.[4201]

Macb. You know your own degrees; sit down: at first[4202][4203]
 And last the hearty welcome.[4202][4204]
Lords. Thanks to your majesty.
Macb. Ourself will mingle with society
 And play the humble host.
 Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time[4205] 5
 We will require her welcome.
Lady M. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
 For my heart speaks they are welcome.[4206]

Enter first Murderer to the door.

Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.
 Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: 10
 Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure
 The table round. [Approaching the door] There's blood upon thy face.[4207][4208]
Mur. 'Tis Banquo's then.[4208]
Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within.[4208][4209]
 Is he dispatch'd?[4208] 15
 [Pg 472]
Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.[4208][4210]
Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good[4208][4211][4212]
 That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,[4208][4211]
 Thou art the nonpareil.[4208][4211]
Mur. Most royal sir,[4208]
 Fleance is 'scaped.[4208] 20
Macb. [Aside] Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,[4208][4213]
 Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,[4208]
 As broad and general as the casing air:[4208]
 But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in[4208][4214]
 To saucy doubts and fears.—But Banquo's safe?[4208] 25
Mur. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,[4208]
 With twenty trenched gashes on his head;[4208]
 The least a death to nature.[4208]
Macb. Thanks for that.[4208]
 [Aside] There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled[4208][4215]
 Hath nature that in time will venom breed,[4208] 30
 No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow[4208]
 We'll hear ourselves again.[4208][4216] [Exit Murderer.
Lady M. My royal lord,
 You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold[4217]
 That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making,[4218]
 'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home;[4219] 35
 From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;
 Meeting were bare without it.
Macb. Sweet remembrancer!
 Now good digestion wait on appetite,
[Pg 473] And health on both!
Len. May't please your highness sit.

[The Ghost of Banquo enters, and sits in Macbeth's place.[4220]

Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, 40
 Were the graced person of our Banquo present;
 Who may I rather challenge for unkindness[4221]
 Than pity for mischance![4222]
Ross. His absence, sir,
 Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness[4223]
 To grace us with your royal company.[4224] 45
Macb. The table's full.
Len. Here is a place reserved, sir.[4225]
Macb. Where?
Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness?[4226]
Macb. Which of you have done this?
Lords. What, my good lord?
Macb. Thou canst not say I did it: never shake 50
 Thy gory locks at me.
Ross. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well.
Lady M. Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
 And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;
 The fit is momentary; upon a thought[4227] 55
 He will again be well: if much you note him,
 You shall offend him and extend his passion:
 Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?[4228][4229]
 [Pg 474]
Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that[4229]
 Which might appal the devil.[4229]
Lady M. O proper stuff![4229][4230] 60
 This is the very painting of your fear:[4229][4231]
 This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,[4229]
 Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,[4229]
 Impostors to true fear, would well become[4229][4232]
 A woman's story at a winter's fire,[4229] 65
 Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself![4229]
 Why do you make such faces? When all's done,[4229]
 You look but on a stool.[4229]
Macb. Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you?[4229][4233]
 Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.[4229] 70
 If charnel-houses and our graves must send[4229]
 Those that we bury back, our monuments[4229]
 Shall be the maws of kites.[4229] [Exit Ghost.[4234]
Lady M. What, quite unmann'd in folly?[4229]
Macb. If I stand here, I saw him.[4229]
Lady M. Fie, for shame![4229]
Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time,[4229][4235]75
 Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;[4229][4236]
 Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd[4229][4237]
 Too terrible for the ear: the time has been,[4229][4238]
 That, when the brains were out, the man would die,[4229]
 And there an end; but now they rise again,[4229] 80
 With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,[4229]
 And push us from our stools: this is more strange[4229]
 Than such a murder is.[4229]
 [Pg 475]
Lady M. My worthy lord,
 Your noble friends do lack you.
Macb. I do forget.[4239]
 Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; 85
 I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
 To those that know me. Come, love and health to all;[4240]
 Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine, fill full.
 I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,[4241]
 And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; 90
 Would he were here! to all and him we thirst,
 And all to all.[4242]
Lords. Our duties, and the pledge.[4243]

Re-enter Ghost.[4244]

Macb. Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!
 Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;
 Thou hast no speculation in those eyes 95
 Which thou dost glare with.
Lady M. Think of this, good peers,
 But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;
 Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.
Macb. What man dare, I dare:
 Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100
 The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;[4245]
 Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
 Shall never tremble: or be alive again,[4246]
 And dare me to the desert with thy sword;
 If trembling I inhabit then, protest me[4247] 105
 The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow![4248]
[Pg 476] Unreal mockery, hence! [Exit Ghost.[4249]
 Why, so: being gone,
 I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.
Lady M. You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,[4250]
 With most admired disorder.[4251]
Macb. Can such things be,[4251][4252] 110
 And overcome us like a summer's cloud,[4252]
 Without our special wonder? You make me strange[4252]
 Even to the disposition that I owe,[4253]
 When now I think you can behold such sights,[4254]
 And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,[4255] 115
 When mine is blanch'd with fear.
Ross. What sights, my lord?[4256]
Lady M. I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;
 Question enrages him: at once, good night:
 Stand not upon the order of your going,
 But go at once.
Len. Good night; and better health 120
 Attend his majesty!
 [Pg 477]
Lady M. A kind good night to all![4257]

[Exeunt all but Macbeth and Lady M.

Macb. It will have blood: they say blood will have blood:[4258]
 Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;[4259]
 Augures and understood relations have[4259][4260]
 By maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth[4261] 125
 The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?
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?[4262]
Macb. I hear it by the way, but I will send:[4263] 130
 There's not a one of them but in his house[4264]
 I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,[4265][4266]
 And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:[4266][4267]
 More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know,[4268]
 By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good[4269] 135
 All causes shall give way: I am in blood
 Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,[4270]
 Returning were as tedious as go o'er:[4271]
 Strange things I have in head that will to hand,
 Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. 140
[Pg 478]
Lady M. You lack the season of all natures, sleep.[4272]
Macb. Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse[4273]
 Is the initiate fear that wants hard use:
 We are yet but young in deed.[4274] [Exeunt.

Scene V. A heath.[4275]

Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.

First Witch. Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly.
Hec. Have I not reason, beldams as you are,[4276][4277]
 Saucy and over-bold? How did you dare[4277]
 To trade and traffic with Macbeth
 In riddles and affairs of death; 5
 And I, the mistress of your charms,
 The close contriver of all harms,
 Was never call'd to bear my part,
 Or show the glory of our art?
 And, which is worse, all you have done 10
 Hath been but for a wayward son,[4278]
 Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others do,[4279]
 Loves for his own ends, not for you.[4280]
 But make amends now: get you gone,
 And at the pit of Acheron 15
 Meet me i' the morning: thither he
 Will come to know his destiny:
 Your vessels and your spells provide,
 Your charms and every thing beside.
 I am for the air; this night I'll spend[4281] 20
[Pg 479] Unto a dismal and a fatal end:[4282]
 Great business must be wrought ere noon:
 Upon the corner of the moon
 There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
 I'll catch it ere it come to ground: 25
 And that distill'd by magic sleights[4283]
 Shall raise such artificial sprites[4284]
 As by the strength of their illusion
 Shall draw him on to his confusion:
 He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear 30
 His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear:
 And you all know security
 Is mortals' chiefest enemy.[4285]

[Music and a 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.[4286] [Exit.35
First Witch. Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again.[4287] [Exeunt.

Scene VI. Forres. The palace.[4288]

Enter Lennox and another Lord.[4289]

Len. My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,[4290]
 Which can interpret farther: only I say[4291]
 Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan[4292]
[Pg 480] Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
 And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;[4293] 5
 Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
 For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.[4294]
 Who cannot want the thought, how monstrous[4294][4295]
 It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain[4294]
 To kill their gracious father? damned fact![4294] 10
 How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight,[4296]
 In pious rage, the two delinquents tear,
 That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
 Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;[4297]
 For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive 15
 To hear the men deny 't. So that, I say,[4298]
 He has borne all things well: and I do think
 That, had he Duncan's sons under his key—[4299]
 As, an't please heaven, he shall not—they should find[4300]
 What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. 20
 But, peace! for from broad words, and 'cause he fail'd[4301]
 His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear,
 Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell
 Where he bestows himself?
Lord. The son of Duncan,[4302][4303]
 From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, 25
 Lives in the English court, and is received[4304]
 Of the most pious Edward with such grace
 That the malevolence of fortune nothing
[Pg 481] Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff[4305]
 Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid[4306] 30
 To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward:[4307]
 That by the help of these, with Him above
 To ratify the work, we may again
 Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
 Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,[4308] 35
 Do faithful homage and receive free honours:
 All which we pine for now: and this report
 Hath so exasperate the king that he[4309]
 Prepares for some attempt of war.[4310]
Len. Sent he to Macduff?
Lord. He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,'[4302] 40
 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[4311]
 His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel 45
 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[4312]
 Under a hand accursed!
Lord. I'll send my prayers with him.[4313]

[Exeunt.

[Pg 482]

FOOTNOTES:

[4093] Forres.] Foris. Capell.

The palace.] A royal Apartment. Rowe. An Apartment in the Palace. Theobald.

[4094] king, Cawdor, Glamis] king, Glamis, and Cawdor Seymour conj.

[4095] as] om. Pope.

weird] Theobald. weyard F1. weyward F2F3F4.

women] F1F2. woman F3F4.

[4096] foully] fowly F1.

[4097] shine] shew Collier MS.

[4098] hope?] F4. hope. F1 F2 F3.

[4099] Sennet sounded.] Senit sounded. Ff.

Lady ... Lennox, Ross,] Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Rowe. Lady Lenox, Rosse, Ff. Lady Macbeth, Queen; Ross, Lennox, Capell.

Ladies] Capell. om. Ff.

[4100] all-thing] F1. all-things F2. all things F3 F4.

[4101] I'll] I A. Hunter.

Let your highness] Lay your highness's Rowe. Lay your highness' Pope. Set your highness' Mason conj.

[4102] upon] be upon Keightley.

[4103] We ... ride?] As in Ff. In Pope the lines end desir'd ... grave ... but ... ride?

[4104] council] Rowe. councell F1 F2. councel F3 F4.

take] talk Malone. take't Keightley.

[4105] Is't] Is it Pope.

[4106] you] om. Pope.

[4107] adieu ... you] As in Pope, Two lines, the first ending night, in Ff.

[4108] upon 's] upon us Pope.

[4109] night; to ... welcome,] Theobald. night, to ... welcome: Ff.

[4110] The sweeter ... you] As in Rowe. Three lines, ending welcome: ... alone: ... you, in Ff.

[4111] while] till Pope.

be with] b' wi' Anon. conj.

[Exeunt....] Exeunt Lords. Ff. Exeunt Lady Macbeth, and Lords. Rowe.

[4112] Scene II. Pope.

[To a Servant. Rowe.

with you] om. Steevens (1793), reading Sirrah ... pleasure? as one line.

[4113] Sirrah ... gate.] S. Walker would end the lines you: ... lord ... gate.

[4114] [Exit Attendant.] Exit Servant. Ff.

[4115] To be ... dares,] Arranged as in Rowe. Four lines, ending thus: ... deepe, ... that ... dares, in Ff.

[4116] nothing; But] nothing. But Pope. nothing, but Ff.

[4117] as ... Cæsar.] om. Johnson conj.

[4118] Mark] om. Pope.

Cæsar] Cæsar's Hanmer.

[4119] bade] Theobald (ed. 2). bad Ff.

[4120] with] by Capell conj.

[4121] If 't be] If 'tis Pope.

[4122] filed] fil'd F1 F2. fill'd F3 F4. 'filed Warburton. soil'd Long MS.

[4123] mind; ... murder'd; ... them, ... kings, ... kings!] Minde, ... murther'd, ... them, ... Kings, ... Kings. Ff. mind? ... murther'd?... them?... kings?... kings? Pope.

[4124] seed] Pope. seedes F1 F2. seeds F3 F4.

[4125] And ... there?] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Servant, and two Murtherers. Ff.

[4126] Now] om. Pope.

go] om. Steevens (1793).

[Exit Attendant.] Capell. Exit Servant. Ff.

[4127] First Mur.] 1. Mur. Steevens (1793). Murth. Ff.

[4128] now ... speeches?] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[4129] Have you] F1 F2. You have F3 F4.

[4130] Know ... might] As in Rowe. Eight lines in Ff, ending past, ... fortune, ... selfe ... conference, ... you: ... crost: ... them: ... might.

[4131] with you] om. Steevens conj., ending the line how.

[4132] You ... us.] True, you made it known. Pope.

[4133] I did ... ever?] As in Rowe. Nine lines, ending so: ... now ... meeting ... predominant, ... goe?... man, ... hand ... begger'd ... ever? in Ff.

[4134] Shoughs] Showghes Ff. shocks Capell. Slouths Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

clept] Capell. clipt Ff. cleped Theobald. clep'd Hanmer.

[4135] bill] quill Collier MS.

[4136] Not i' the] And not in the Rowe. Not in the most Keightley.

worst] worser Jervis conj.

say it] Rowe. say 't Ff.

[4137] that] F1 F2. the F3 F4.

[4138] my liege] om. Pope.

[4139] Have ... do] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4140] Have] Rowe. Hath Ff.

[4141] weary] weary'd Capell.

with disasters, tugg'd] with disastrous tuggs Warburton. of disastrous tuggs A. Hunter.

[4142] Both ... enemy.] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4143] For certain ... it is] See note (V).

[4144] Who] Whom Pope.

[4145] Your ... most] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

Within] In Pope.

at most] om. Steevens conj.

[4146] yourselves,] yourselves. Steevens (1793).

[4147] you] ye Seymour conj.

you ... spy o' the] you with a perfect spy o' the Johnson conj. you with the perfect spot, the Tyrwhitt conj. you with the perfectry o' the Becket conj. you with the precincts by the Jackson conj. you, with a perfect spy, o' the Collier MS.

[4148] always thought] a way, though, Jackson conj.

[4149] always ... clearness:] Omitted by Pope.

[4150] to you] om. Steevens conj.

my lord] om. Hanmer.

[4151] [Exeunt Murderers.] Theobald. om. Ff.

[4152] [Exit.] Theobald. Exeunt. Ff.

[4153] Scene II.] Rowe continues the Scene. Scene III. in Pope.

The palace] Another Apartment in the Palace. Theobald.

[4154] Lady Macbeth] Macbeths Lady, Ff.

[4155] Madam] om. Seymour conj.

Lady M.] Lady. Ff. Enter Macbeth. Macb. Strutt conj.

Nought's had] om. Steevens conj.

[4156] safer] better Hanmer.

[4157] How....] Lady M. How.... Strutt conj.

[4158] fancies] francies F2.

[4159] all] om. Hanmer.

[4160] scotch'd] Theobald. scorch'd Ff. switch'd or bruis'd A. Hunter conj.

[4161] close] coil A. Hunter.

[4162] But ... suffer,] One line in Theobald. Two in Ff, the first ending disjoint. Two in Steevens (1793), the first ending let.

the frame ... suffer] both worlds disjoint, and all things suffer Pope.

frame] eternal frame Collier (Collier MS.), arranging as Ff.

[4163] our peace] F1. our place F2 F3 F4. our seat Keightley.

[4164] In ... grave;] As in Rowe. Two lines in Ff.

Duncan is in his] Duncan's in 's S. Walker conj.

[4165] Can ... we] S. Walker would end the lines lord, ... jovial ... love; ... remembrance ... both ... we.

[4166] further] farther Collier.

[4167] among] F1 'mong F2 F3 F4.

[4168] See note (VI).

[4169] apply] F1 still apply F2 F3 F4.

[4170] Unsafe ... that we] Vouchsafe the while your presence.—O, that we Bullock conj.

[4171] flattering] so flattering Rowe.

[4172] visards] vizards Ff. vizors Theobald.

to our] t' our Pope.

[4173] Fleance] Rowe. Fleans F1 F3 F4. Feans F2.

lives] live Hanmer.

[4174] eterne] eternal Pope.

[4175] shard-borne] F1 F2. shard-born F3 F4. sharp-brow'd Davenant's version. sharn-bode Daniel conj.

[4176] Hath ... note.] As in Rowe. In Ff the first line ends at peale.

[4177] seeling] Ff. sealing Rowe.

[4178] Light] Night Warburton conj.

[4179] and ... wood] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4180] to the rooky] to the murky or to the dusky Roderick conj. to the rocky Jennens. to rook i' th' Steevens conj.

wood:] wood: on earth below Keightley.

[4181] Whiles] While Capell.

preys] F3 F4. prey's F1 F2. prey Pope.

[4182] Scene III.] Scene II. Rowe. Scene IV. Pope.

A park....] A Park, the Castle at a Distance. Rowe.

[4183] He needs not our] We need not to Warburton conj. ap. Theobald MS.

our] to Pope.

[4184] do, To ... just.] do.—To ... just! Johnson conj.

[4185] lated] F1. latest F2 F3 F4.

[4186] and] end F1.

near] here Collier MS.

[4187] Give us a light] Give us light Pope. Give light Hanmer.

Then 'tis he] Then it is he Pope. 'Tis he Capell.

[4188] Give ... about.] S. Walker would end the lines ho!... within ... already ... about, reading it is for 'tis, line 9, and in for i', line 11.

[4189] the rest ... expectation] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[4190] That are] om. Steevens conj.

[4191] Already] om. Steevens conj.

[4192] from] om. Seymour conj.

[4193] A light ... to 't.] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4194] Enter....] Ff (after walk). Enter Banquo, and Fleance; Servant, with a Torch, before them. Capell (after walk).

Fleance] Fleans, Ff.

[4195] It will be] 'Twill Steevens conj., reading Stand ... down as one line.

[They....] They fall upon Banquo and kill him; in the scuffle Fleance escapes. Rowe. om. Ff.

[4196] O ... fly!] One line in Hanmer. Two in Ff.

good] godd F2. om. Pope.

[4197] [Dies....] Pope. Dies. Rowe. om. Ff.

[4198] There's ... fled] As in Ff. Pope ends the lines at son ... affair.

We have] We've Pope.

[4199] S. Walker would end the lines away, ... done.

[4200] Scene IV.] Scene III. Rowe. Scene V. Pope.

Hall....] A Room of State. Rowe. A Room of State in the Castle. Pope. A Hall of State.... Capell.

[4201] A banquet....] Banquet.... Ff. A Banquet set out. Flourish. Capell.

[4202] You ... welcome.] Arranged as in Capell (Johnson conj.). The first line ends at downe: in Ff.

[4203] at first] And first Rowe (ed. 2). To first A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4204] last] next Johnson conj.

[They sit. Rowe.

[4205] best] F1. the best F2 F3 F4.

[4206] they are] they're Pope. their Anon. conj.

Enter ... door.] Capell, after line 10. Enter first Murtherer. Ff.

[4207] [Approaching the door] Edd. (Globe ed.). To the Mur. Rowe. To the Murtherer aside at the door. Pope. om. Ff.

[4208] There's ... again.] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4209] [Aside. Hunter conj.

he] him Hanmer.

[4210] that I did] I did that Pope.

[4211] Thou ... nonpareil.] Arranged as in Rowe. The lines end Cutthroats, ... Fleans: ... Non-pareill] in Ff.

[4212] o' the] of Pope.

good] as good Long MS.

[4213] [Aside] Grant White (Hunter conj.).

Then ... perfect,] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[4214] I am] I'm Pope.

[4215] [Aside] Indicated by Steevens.

[4216] hear ourselves] hear't ourselves Theobald. hear thee ourselves Hanmer. hear, ourselves Steevens. hear, ourselves, Dyce. hear thee ourselves Keightley.

ourselves] ourself Capell conj.

[4217] sold] cold Pope.

[4218] vouch'd] Ff. vouched Rowe.

while 'tis a-making,] while 'tis a making: F1. while 'tis making: F2 F3 F4. while 'tis making, Pope. the while 'tis making: Collier MS.

[4219] 'Tis ... feed] Then give the welcome: to eat A. Hunter.

[4220] [The Ghost....] Ghost of Banquo rises, ... Capell. Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and ... Ff, after it, line 37. Staunton transfers, to follow mischance! line 43: Keightley, to follow company, line 45. The Ghost of Duncan ... Seymour conj.

[4221] Who] Whom Pope.

[4222] mischance!] Pope. mischance. Ff.

[4223] Please't] Please it Steevens.

[4224] company.] Dyce. company? Ff.

[starting. Rowe.

[4225] Here is] Here's Pope (ed. 2).

[4226] Here ... highness?] One line in Capell. Two in Ff.

my good lord] my lord Steevens (1793), reading Where?... highness? as one line.

[4227] momentary] F1. momentany F2 F3 F4.

upon] on Pope.

[4228] Feed] Eat A. Hunter.

[To Macbeth. Rowe. To Macb. aside. Pope.

[4229] Are ... is.] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4230] O] om. Pope.

[4231] [Aside. Pope.

[4232] Impostors to true] F1 F3 F4. Imposters to true F2. Importers to true Theobald conj. (withdrawn). Impostors of true Hanmer. Impostures true to Johnson conj. Impostures of true Capell.

[4233] [Pointing to the Ghost. Rowe.

Prithee ... you?] One line in Capell. Two in Ff.

[4234] [Exit Ghost.] F2 F3 F4. Omitted in F1. Ghost vanishes. Rowe.

in folly] om. Steevens conj.

[4235] olden] olde Rowe (ed. 1). golden Mason conj. elden Seymour conj.

[4236] humane] Ff. human Theobald (ed. 2).

gentle] gen'ral Theobald (Warburton). ungentle Seymour conj.

[4237] have been] hath been Johnson.

[4238] time has] Edd. times has F1. times have F2 F3 F4.

[4239] do forget] forgot Pope.

[4240] Come,] om. Pope.

[4241] o'] of Rowe.

[4242] And all] And hail Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[4243] [The Lords rise. Jennens conj.

[4244] Re-enter Ghost.] The Ghost rises again. Pope. Enter Ghost. Ff, after line 88. As he is drinking, the Ghost rises again just before him. Rowe, after line 88. Enter Banquo's Ghost. Seymour conj. Enter Duncan's Ghost. Strutt conj.

[4245] the Hyrcan] th' Hircan F1 F2. th' Hyrcan F3 F4. Hyrcanian Pope (Davenant's version). Hyrcan Johnson. the Hircanian Capell.

[4246] or be alive] O be alive Rowe (ed. 2). Be alive Pope.

[4247] trembling I inhabit then,] F1. trembling I inhabit, then F2 F3 F4. trembling I inhibit, then Pope. trembling me inhibit, then Theobald conj. (withdrawn). trembling I evade it, then Johnson conj. trembling I in habit then, Jennens. trembling I, in habit then Jennens conj. trembling I inhibit thee, Malone (Steevens conj.). trembling I exhibit, then A. Hunter (Robinson conj., Gent. Mag. Vol. LIX. 1201). tremblingly inhabile, then Becket conj. trembling I inhibit then, Elwin. blenching I evade it, then Bailey conj. trembling I evitate it, then Keightley. trembling I unknight me, then Bullock conj. trembling I inherit, then Anon. conj.

protest] protect F4.

[4248] horrible] terrible Theobald (ed. 2), Warburton and Johnson.

[4249] [Exit Ghost.] Exit. F2 F3 F4, after shadow, line 106. om. F1. Ghost vanishes. Rowe, after gone. Ghost disappears. Dyce.

being gone] F1 F2. be gone F3 F4.

[4250] [The Lords rise. Rowe.

[4251] broke ... disorder.] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4252] Macb. Can ... You] Lady M. Can't ... wonder? Macb. You Warburton.

[4253] to] at Hanmer.

owe] know Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[4254] When now] Now when Hanmer.

[4255] cheeks] cheek Hanmer.

[4256] is] are Malone.

sights] F1. signes F2 F3. signs F4.

[4257] A kind] om. Pope.

[Exeunt ...] Exeunt Rosse, Lenox, Lords, and Attendants. Capell. Exit Lords. F1. Exeunt Lords. F2 F3 F4.

[4258] It ... blood:] One line in Rowe. Two, the first ending say, in Ff.

blood: they say] blood, they say Pope. blood they say, Ff. blood.—They say, Johnson.

[4259] speak; Augures] speak Augures; Singer conj.

[4260] Augures] Ff. Augurs Theobald. Auguries Rann (Steevens conj.). See note (VII).

and understood] that understood Rowe. that understand Warburton.

[4261] maggot-pies and] mag-pies, and by Pope.

choughs] coughs Warburton.

[4262] sir?] om. Collier conj.

[4263] hear] heard Keightley.

[4264] There's not a one] There is not one Pope.

a one] a Thane Theobald. a man Grant White.

[4265] I keep] I'll keep Collier MS.

[4266] I ... sisters:] S. Walker would end the lines fee'd ... will, ... sisters.

[4267] And betimes ... to] Betimes ... unto Pope. And betimes ... unto Rann. Ay, and betimes ... to Anon. conj.

I will] will I Lettsom conj.

weird] Theobald. weyard F1. wizard F2 F3 F4.

[4268] I am] I'm Pope.

[4269] worst. For ... good] Johnson. worst, for ... good, Ff. worst, for ... good; Rowe.

[4270] Stepp'd] Stept F1. Spent F2 F3 F4.

[4271] go] going Hanmer.

[4272] natures] nature A. Hunter.

[4273] to] too Warburton.

[4274] We are] We're Pope.

in deed] Theobald. indeed Ff. in deeds Hanmer.

[4275] Scene V.] Scene IV. Rowe. Scene VI. Pope.

A heath.] The Heath. Rowe. Hecate.] F3 F4. Hecat. F1 F2.

[4276] reason, beldams] Knight. reason (Beldams) Ff.

[4277] are, ... over-bold?] Capell. are? ... over-bold, Ff.

[4278] wayward] weyward Pope.

[4279] Spiteful ... do,] A spiteful and a wrathful, who Steevens conj.

[4280] Loves] Lives Halliwell conj.

[4281] the] th' Ff.

[4282] dismal and a fatal] dismal, fatal Pope. dismal-fatal Steevens (1793).

[4283] sleights] slights Ff.

[4284] raise] rise F2.

[4285] mortals'] Theobald (ed. 2). mortals Ff. mortal's Rowe.

[Music ... away,' &c.] Capell, substantially. Musicke, and a Song. Ff.

[4286] a] the Rowe (ed. 2).

[Sing within. Come away, come away, &c. Ff.

[Exit.] Capell. om. Ff.

[4287] back again.] As in Pope. As a separate line in Ff.

[4288] Scene VI.] Scene V. Rowe. Scene VII. Pope.

Forres. The palace.] A Chamber. Theobald. Foris. A Room in the Palace. Capell.

[4289] another Lord.] Angus. A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4290] My ... thoughts,] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

[4291] farther] further Johnson.

[4292] borne] born F4.

[4293] right-valiant] Hyphen inserted by Theobald.

[4294] late. Who ... father?] Ff. late Who ... father. Grant White conj. (withdrawn).

[4295] Who cannot want] You cannot want Hanmer. Who can want or Who cannot have Jennens conj. Who care not, want Jackson conj. We cannot want Keightley.

monstrous] monstrous too Pope. monsterous Capell.

[4296] it did grieve Macbeth!] Capell. it did greeve Macbeth? Ff. did it grieve Macbeth? Pope.

[4297] not that] F1 F2. that not F3 F4.

and] om. Pope.

[4298] deny 't] deny it Capell.

[4299] his key] F1. the key F2 F3 F4.

[4300] an't] Theobald (ed. 2). and 't Ff.

should] F1. shall F2 F3 F4.

[4301] 'cause] Pope. cause Ff.

[4302] Lord.] Ang. A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4303] son] Theobald. Sonnes F1 F2 F3. Sons F4.

[4304] Lives] F1. Live F2 F3 F4.

is] Ff. are Rowe.

[4305] Arranged as in Ff. Steevens (1773, 1778, 1785) transferred is gone to end of line 29.

[4306] holy] om. Pope.

upon] on Capell. om. Anon. conj.

upon his aid] in aid Anon. conj.

[4307] Siward] Theobald (ed. 2). Hanmer. Seyward Ff.

[4308] Free] Fright or Fray Steevens conj.

Free ... banquets] Our feasts and banquets free from Malone conj.

[4309] exasperate] exasperated Rowe (ed. 2). exasp'rated Pope.

the king] Hanmer. their king Ff. our king Anon. conj.

[4310] of war] om. Pope.

[4311] to a caution, to] to a caution, t' Ff. to a care to Pope. caution and to Steevens conj.

[4312] suffering country] country, suffering Capell conj.

[4313] I'll send ... him.] My prayers with him! Steevens (1793).