? When, therewithal, we shall have cause of state, Farewell. [Exeunt BANQUO and FLEANCE. Let every man be master of his time Till seven at night; to make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself Till supper-time alone: while then, Heaven be with you! [Exeunt. Sirrah, a word: Attend those men our pleasure? Sey. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Macb. Bring them before us. To be thus, is nothing : [Exit SEYTON. But to be safely thus,-Our fears in Banquo Stick deep: He chid the sisters, When first they put the name of King upon me, For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings.The seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, And champion me to the utterance!-Who's there? Enter SEYTON, with Two OFFICERS. [Exit SEYTON. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? E 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, you to the grave, 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 Macb. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Whose absence is no less material to me 1 Of. 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 In the affliction of these terrible dreams, That shake us nightly: Better be with the dead, Than on the torture of the mind to lie grave; In restless ecstacy.- Duncan is in his Lady. Come on; Gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Among your guests to-night. Macb. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'st, that Banquo, and his Fleance, live. Lady. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. Macb. There's comfort yet, they are assailable; Then be thou jocund: Ere the bat hath flown His cloister'd flight; ere, to black Hecate's summons, The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note. 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, Cancel, and tear to pieces, that great bond Which keeps me pale!-Light thickens: and the 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 Of. 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. |