1 Off. There's but one down; the son is fled. 2 Off. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 Off. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The Banqueting Room, in the Palace, at Fores. Music.-A Banquet prepared. MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSSE, LENOX, SEYTON, ATTENDANTS, GUARDS, &c. discovered. Mach. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first, And last, the hearty welcome. Rosse. Thanks to your majesty. Mach. Ourself will mingle with society, And play the humble host: Our hostess keeps her state; but, in best time, Lady. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks, they are welcome. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks : Both sides are even: Here I'll sit i'the midst : Be large in mirth; anon, we'll drink a measure Enter FIRST OFFICER. There's blood upon thy face. 1 Off. "Tis Banquo's then. Macb. Is he despatch'd? 1 Off. My lord, his throat is cut: that I did for him. Mach. Thou art the best o'the cut-throats: Yet he's good, That did the like for Fleance. 1 Off. Most royal sir, Fleance is 'scap'd. 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 1 Off. Ay, my good lord; safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head; Macb. Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies: the worm, that's fled, Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present.-Get thee gone; to-morrow We'll hear ourselves again. Lady. My royal lord, [Exit OFFICER. You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold, That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, "Tis given with welcome: to feed, were best at home; From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it. Mach. Sweet remembrancer! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both! Len. May it please your highness sit? Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present; Than pity for mischance! Rosse. His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please it your high ness To grace us with your royal company? Macb. The table's full. Len. Here is a place reserv'd, sir. Macb. Where? Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness? Mach. Which of you have done this? Len. What, my good lord? Macb. Thou canst not say, I did it Thy gory locks at me. never shake Rosse. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady. 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 He will again be well: If much you note him, Lady. O, proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear; This is the air-drawn dagger, which, you said, O, these flaws, and starts, (Impostors to true fear,) would well become A woman's story, at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! Macb. 'Pr'ythee, see there! behold! look! lo!- Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.-- Lady. What! quite unmann'd in folly? Lady. Fie, for shame! Macb. Blood hath been shed ere now, i'the olden time, Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd Lady. My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. Macb. I do forget : Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends: To those that know me. Come, love and health to all; Then I'll sit down:—Give me some wine, fill full :— [SEYTON pours out the Wine, and presents it to the KING. I drink to the general joy of the whole table, 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 Which thou dost glare with! Lady. Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other; Mach. What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger, I am a man again. Lady. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admir'd disorder. Macb. Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange When now I think you can behold such sights, Rosse. What sights, my lord? Lady. I pray you, speak not; he worse; grows worse and Question enrages him: at once, good night: Stand not upon But go at once. the order of your going, Len. Good night, and better health Attend his majesty! Lady. A kind good night to all! [Exeunt all but the KING and QUEEN. Macb. It will have blood: they say, blood will have blood: Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak; Augurs, and understood relations, have By maggot pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth The secret'st man of blood.-What is the night? Lady. Almost at odds with morning, which is which. |