Macbeth Read online

  LENNOX

  Mean you his majesty?

  MACDUFF

  Approach the chamber and destroy your sight70

  With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak.71

  See, and then speak yourselves.

  Exeunt Macbeth and Lennox.

  Awake, awake!

  Ring the alarum bell! Murder and treason!

  Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm, awake!

  Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,

  And look on death itself. Up, up, and see

  The great doom's image. Malcolm! Banquo!77

  As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites78

  79 To countenance this horror.

  Bell rings. Enter Lady [Macbeth].

  LADY MACBETH What's the business,

  80 That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!

  MACDUFF O gentle lady,

  'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:

  The repetition in a woman's ear

  Would murder as it fell.

  Enter Banquo. O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master's murdered!

  LADY MACBETH Woe, alas—

  What, in our house?

  BANQUO Too cruel anywhere.

  Dear Duff, I prithee contradict thyself

  And say it is not so.

  Enter Macbeth, Lennox, and Ross.

  MACBETH

  Had I but died an hour before this chance,

  90 I had lived a blessed time; for from this instant 91 There's nothing serious in mortality: 92 All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead, 93 The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees 94 Is left this vault to brag of.

  Enter Malcolm and Donalbain.

  DONALBAIN

  What is amiss?

  MACBETH You are, and do not know't.

  The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood

  Is stopped, the very source of it is stopped.

  MACDUFF

  Your royal father's murdered.

  MALCOLM O, by whom?

  LENNOX

  Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done't.

  Their hands and faces were all badged with blood;100

  So were their daggers, which unwiped we found

  Upon their pillows. They stared and were distracted.

  No man's life was to be trusted with them.

  MACBETH

  O, yet I do repent me of my fury

  That I did kill them.

  MACDUFF Wherefore did you so?

  MACBETH

  Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate and furious,

  Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.107

  The expedition of my violent love108

  Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,

  His silver skin laced with his golden blood;110

  And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature

  For ruin's wasteful entrance: there, the murderers,

  Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers

  Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain114

  That had a heart to love, and in that heart

  Courage to make's love known?

  LADY MACBETH Help me hence, ho!

  MACDUFF

  Look to the lady.117

  MALCOLM [Aside to Donalbain]

  Why do we hold our tongues,

  That most may claim this argument for ours?118

  DONALBAIN [To Malcolm]

  What should be spoken here,

  Where our fate, hid in an auger hole,120

  May rush and seize us? Let's away:

  Our tears are not yet brewed.

  MALCOLM [To Donalbain] Nor our strong sorrow 123 Upon the foot of motion.

  BANQUO Look to the lady.

  [Lady Macbeth is assisted out.]

  124 And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet

  126 And question this most bloody piece of work, 127 To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us.

  In the great hand of God I stand, and thence

  129 Against the undivulged pretense I fight 130 Of treasonous malice.

  MACDUFF And so do I.

  ALL So all.

  MACBETH

  Let's briefly put on manly readiness

  And meet i' th' hall together.

  ALL Well contented.

  Exeunt [all but Malcolm and Donalbain].

  MALCOLM

  What will you do? Let's not consort with them.

  To show an unfelt sorrow is an office

  Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.

  DONALBAIN

  To Ireland I. Our separated fortune

  Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are

  138 There's daggers in men's smiles; the near in blood, The nearer bloody.

  MALCOLM This murderous shaft that's shot

  140 Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse,

  142 And let us not be dainty of leave-taking But shift away. There's warrant in that theft143

  Which steals itself when there's no mercy left.

  Exeunt.

  II.4Enter Ross with an Old Man.

  OLD MAN

  Threescore and ten I can remember well;1

  Within the volume of which time I have seen

  Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings.4

  ROSS Ha, good father,

  Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act,5

  Threatens his bloody stage. By th' clock 'tis day,

  And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.7

  Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,8

  That darkness does the face of earth entomb

  When living light should kiss it?10

  OLD MAN 'Tis unnatural,

  Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last

  A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place,12

  Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.13

  ROSS

  And Duncan's horses-a thing most strange and certain—

  Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,15

  Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,16

  Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make

  War with mankind.

  OLD MAN 'Tis said they ate each other.

  ROSS

  They did so, to th' amazement of mine eyes

  20 That looked upon't.

  Enter Macduff. Here comes the good Macduff.

  How goes the world, sir, now?

  MACDUFF Why, see you not?

  ROSS

  Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?

  MACDUFF

  Those that Macbeth hath slain.

  ROSS Alas the day,

  24 What good could they pretend?

  MACDUFF

  They were suborned.

  Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,

  Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them

  Suspicion of the deed.

  ROSS 'Gainst nature still.

  28 Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up 29 Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like 30 The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

  MACDUFF

  31 He is already named, and gone to Scone 32 To be invested.

  ROSS Where is Duncan's body?

  MACDUFF

  33 Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors

  And guardian of their bones.

  ROSS Will you to Scone?

  MACDUFF

  No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

  ROSS Well, I will thither.

  MACDUFF

  Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,

  Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.

  ROSS

  Farewell, father.

  OLD MAN

  God's benison go with you, and with those40

  That would make good of bad, and fri
ends of foes.

  Exeunt omnes.

  III.1Enter Banquo.

  BANQUO

  Thou hast it now-king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

  As the weird women promised; and I fear

  Thou play'dst most foully for't. Yet it was said

  It should not stand in thy posterity,4

  But that myself should be the root and father

  Of many kings. If there come truth from them—

  As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine-7

  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.10

  Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady

  [Macbeth as Queen], Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.

  MACBETH

  Here's our chief guest.

  LADY MACBETH If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast,

  And allthing unbecoming.13

  MACBETH

  14 Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence.

  BANQUO Let your highness

  Command upon me, to the which my duties

  Are with a most indissoluble tie

  Forever knit.

  MACBETH Ride you this afternoon?

  BANQUO

  Ay, my good lord.

  MACBETH

  20 We should have else desired your good advice, 21 Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, In this day's council; but we'll take tomorrow.

  Is't far you ride?

  BANQUO

  As far, my lord, as will fill up the time

  25 'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, 26 I must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain.

  MACBETH Fail not our feast.

  BANQUO

  My lord, I will not.

  MACBETH

  We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed

  30 In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers

  32 With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, 33 When therewithal we shall have cause of state Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu,

  Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?

  BANQUO

  Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon's.

  MACBETH

  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 time40

  Till seven at night. To make society

  The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself

  Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you.43

  Exeunt Lords [and others]. [To Servant]

  Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men44

  Our pleasure?

  SERVANT

  They are, my lord, without the palace gate.

  MACBETH

  Bring them before us.

  Exit Servant.

  To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.48

  Our fears in Banquo stick deep,49

  And in his royalty of nature reigns that50

  Which would be feared. 'Tis much he dares;51

  And to that dauntless temper of his mind

  He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor

  To act in safety. There is none but he

  Whose being I do fear; and under him

  My genius is rebuked, as it is said56

  Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters57

  When first they put the name of king upon me,

  And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike,

  They hailed him father to a line of kings.60

  Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown

  And put a barren scepter in my grip,

  Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,

  No son of mine succeeding. If't be so,

  65 For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;

  67 Put rancors in the vessel of my peace 68 Only for them, and mine eternal jewel 69 Given to the common enemy of man 70 To make them kings-the seeds of Banquo kings.

  71 Rather than so, come, Fate, into the list, 72 And champion me to th' utterance. Who's there?

  Enter Servant and two Murderers.

  [To Servant]

  Now go to the door and stay there till we call.

  Exit Servant.

  Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

  MURDERERS

  It was, so please your highness.

  MACBETH Well then, now

  Have you considered of my speeches? Know

  That it was he, in the times past, which held you

  78 So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you

  80 In our last conference, passed in probation with you 81 How you were borne in hand, how crossed; the instruments; 82 Who wrought with them; and all things else that might 83 To half a soul and to a notion crazed Say "Thus did Banquo."

  FIRST MURDERER You made it known to us.

  MACBETH

  I did so; and went further, which is now

  Our point of second meeting. Do you find86

  Your patience so predominant in your nature

  That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled88

  To pray for this good man and for his issue,

  Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave90

  And beggared yours forever?91

  FIRST MURDERER We are men, my liege.

  MACBETH

  Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men,92

  As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,93

  Shoughs, waterrugs, and demiwolves are clept94

  All by the name of dogs. The valued file95

  Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,

  The housekeeper, the hunter, every one97

  According to the gift which bounteous nature

  Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive99

  Particular addition, from the bill100

  That writes them all alike; and so of men.

  Now, if you have a station in the file,102

  Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say't;

  And I will put that business in your bosoms104

  Whose execution takes your enemy off,105

  Grapples you to the heart and love of us,

  Who wear our health but sickly in his life,

  Which in his death were perfect.

  SECOND MURDERER I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world

  110 Have so incensed that I am reckless what I do to spite the world.

  FIRST MURDERER And I another,

  So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,

  113 That I would set my life on any chance 114 To mend it or be rid on't.

  MACBETH Both of you

  Know Banquo was your enemy.

  MURDERERS True, my lord.

  MACBETH

  116 So is he mine, and in such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts

  118 Against my near'st of life; and though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight

  120 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, 121 For certain friends that are both his and mine, 122 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down. And thence it is

  That I to your assistance do make love,

  Masking the business from the common eye

  For sundry weighty reasons.

  SECOND MURDERER We shall, my lord,

  Perform what you command us.

  FIRST MURDERER Though our lives-

  MACBETH

  Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves,

  130 Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' th' time The moment on't, for't must be done tonight

  132 And something from the palace-always thou
ght That I require a clearness; and with him,133

  To leave no rubs nor botches in the work,134

  Fleance his son, that keeps him company,

  Whose absence is no less material to me

  Than is his father's, must embrace the fate

  Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart;

  I'll come to you anon.

  MURDERERS We are resolved, my lord.

  MACBETH

  I'll call upon you straight. Abide within.140

  It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight,

  If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.

  Exeunt.

  III.2Enter Macbeth's Lady and a Servant.

  LADY MACBETH

  Is Banquo gone from court?

  SERVANT

  Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.

  LADY MACBETH

  Say to the king I would attend his leisure

  For a few words.

  SERVANT Madam, I will.

  Exit.

  LADY MACBETH

  Nought's had, all's spent,

  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,

  Of sorriest fancies your companions making,10

  Using those thoughts which should indeed have died

  12 With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard. What's done is done.

  MACBETH

  14 We have scorched the snake, not killed it.

  15 She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth.

  17 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

  20 That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,

  22 Than on the torture of the mind to lie 23 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.

  Treason has done his worst: nor steel nor poison,

  26 Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further.

  LADY MACBETH Come on.

  Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;

  Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.

  MACBETH

  30 So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you.

  31 Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; 32 Present him eminence both with eye and tongue: 33 Unsafe the while, that we must lave Our honors in these flattering streams

  35 And make our faces vizards to our hearts, 36 Disguising what they are.

  LADY MACBETH You must leave this.

  MACBETH

  O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife.

  Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.

  LADY MACBETH

  But in them Nature's copy's not eterne.39

  MACBETH

  There's comfort yet; they are assailable.40

  Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown

  His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate's summons

  The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums43

  Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done

  A deed of dreadful note.

  LADY MACBETH What's to be done?

  MACBETH

  Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,46

  Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,47

  Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,48

  And with thy bloody and invisible hand

  Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond50