The Tragedy of Macbeth

From: Subject: The Tragedy of Macbeth Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:11:25 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Elements_of_Lit_Course6/Renaissance/collection%204/Macbeth1%20p1.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Tragedy of=20 Macbeth, Act = I
William=20 Shakespeare

Scene 1. = An=20 open place.

&= nbsp; =20 Thunder and lightning. Enter three WITCHES.

First=20 Witch.
= ; =20 When shall we three meet=20 again?
&n= bsp; =20 In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Second=20 Witch.
= ; =20 When the hurlyburly=92s=20 done,
&nbs= p; =20 When the battle=92s lost and won.

Third=20 Witch.
5 = That will=20 be ere the set of sun.

First=20 Witch.
= ; =20 Where the place?

Second Witch. Upon the = heath.

Third=20 Witch.
= ; =20 There to meet with Macbeth.

First=20 Witch.
= ; =20 I come, Graymalkin.

Second=20 Witch.
= ; =20 Paddock calls.

Third Witch. Anon!

All.
10 = ; Fair=20 is foul, and foul is=20 fair.
&nbs= p; =20 Hover through the fog and filthy=20 air. =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 2. A=20 camp.
         &nbs= p;     =20 Alarum within. Enter KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM,=20 DONALBAIN,
         = ;          =20 LENNOX, with ATTENDANTS, meeting a bleeding=20 CAPTAIN.

King.
    &= nbsp;      =20 What bloody man is that? He can=20 report,
         &n= bsp; =20 As seemeth by his plight, of the=20 revolt
         &nb= sp; =20 The newest=20 state.
Malcolm.       = =20 This is the=20 sergeant
         &= nbsp; =20 Who like a good and hardy soldier=20 fought
5         = =92Gainst my=20 captivity. Hail, brave=20 friend!
         &n= bsp; =20 Say to the king the knowledge of the=20 broil
          &nbs= p; As=20 thou didst leave=20 it.
Captain.         = Doubtful it=20 stood,
         &nb= sp; =20 As two spent swimmers, that do cling=20 together
         &= nbsp; =20 And choke their art. The merciless=20 Macdonwald=97
10        = Worthy=20 to be a rebel for to=20 that
          = ; =20 The multiplying villainies of=20 nature
         &nb= sp; =20 Do swarm upon him=97from the Western=20 Isles
         &nbs= p; =20 Of kerns and gallowglasses is=20 supplied;
         =   =20 And Fortune, on his damn=E8d quarrel=20 smiling,
15         = Showed like=20 a rebel=92s whore: but all=92s too=20 weak:
         &nbs= p; =20 For brave Macbeth=97well he deserves that=20 name=97
          &n= bsp;=20 Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished=20 steel,
         &nb= sp; =20 Which smoked with bloody=20 execution,
         = ;  =20 Like valor=92s minion carved out his=20 passage
20         Till = he=20 faced the=20 slave;
         &nb= sp; =20 Which nev=92r shook hands, nor bade farewell to=20 him,
          = ; =20 Till he unseamed him from the nave to th=92=20 chops,
          &nb= sp; And=20 fixed his head upon our=20 battlements.
King.
     = ;      =20 O valiant cousin! Worthy=20 gentleman!
Captain.
25    &n= bsp;   =20 As whence the sun =92gins his=20 reflection
         = ;  =20 Shipwracking storms and direful thunders=20 break,
         &nb= sp; =20 So from that spring whence comfort seemed to=20 come
          = ; =20 Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland,=20 mark:
         &nbs= p; =20 No sooner justice had, with valor=20 armed,
30         = Compelled=20 these skipping kerns to trust their=20 heels
         &nbs= p; =20 But the Norweyan lord, surveying=20 vantage,
          &= nbsp;=20 With furbished arms and new supplies of=20 men,
          = ; =20 Began a fresh=20 assault.
King.       &= nbsp;        =20 Dismayed not=20 this
          = ; =20 Our captains, Macbeth and=20 Banquo?
Captain.       = ;     =20 Yes;
35         As = sparrows=20 eagles, or the hare the=20 lion.
         &nbs= p; =20 If I say sooth, I must report they=20 were
          = ; =20 As cannons overcharged with double=20 cracks;
         &n= bsp; =20 So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the=20 foe.
          = ; =20 Except they meant to bathe in reeking=20 wounds,
40         Or = memorize=20 another=20 Golgotha,
          = =20 I cannot=20 tell=97
          &n= bsp; But=20 I am faint; my gashes cry for=20 help.
King.
      =      =20 So well thy words become thee as thy=20 wounds;
         &n= bsp; =20 They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons.

&nbs= p; = ; =20 [Exit CAPTAIN attended.]

           &nbs= p;            = ;   =20 [Enter ROSS and=20 ANGUS.]
         &n= bsp; =20 Who comes here?
45 Malcolm.     The = worthy=20 Thane of=20 Ross.
Lennox.
     &nbs= p;     =20 What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he=20 look
          = ; =20 That seems to speak things = strange.
Ross.    =20 God save the=20 king!
King.
      =        =20 Whence cam=92st thou, worthy thane?
Ross.    = From=20 Fife, great=20 king;
         &nbs= p; =20 Where the Norweyan banners flout the=20 sky
50         And fan = our=20 people=20 cold.
         &nbs= p; =20 Norway himself, with terrible=20 numbers,
         &= nbsp; =20 Assisted by that most disloyal=20 traitor
         &n= bsp; =20 The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal=20 conflict;
         =   =20 Till that Bellona=92s bridegroom, lapped in=20 proof,
55         = Confronted=20 him with=20 self-comparisons,
       &nbs= p;   =20 Point against point, rebellious arm =92gainst=20 arm,
          = ; =20 Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to=20 conclude,
         =   =20 The victory fell on us.
King.    Great=20 happiness!
Ross.       &nb= sp;        =20 That=20 now
          = =20 Sweno, the Norways=92 king, craves=20 composition;
60         = Nor=20 would we deign him burial of his=20 men
          = =20 Till he disburs=E8d, at Saint Colme=92s=20 Inch,
          &nbs= p; Ten=20 thousand dollars to our general=20 use.
King.
       &= nbsp;   =20 No more that Thane of Cawdor shall=20 deceive
         &n= bsp; =20 Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present=20 death,
65         And = with his=20 former title greet=20 Macbeth.
Ross.
     &nb= sp;     =20 I=92ll see it=20 done.
King.
      =      =20 What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath=20 won.           &nb= sp;=20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 3. A heath.

&= nbsp; =20 Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES.

First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Where hast thou been, sister?
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Killing swine.
Third=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Sister, where thou?
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 A sailor=92s wife had chestnuts in her=20 lap,
          = ; =20 And mounched, and mounched, and mounched. =93Give=20 me,=94
5         &n= bsp;          =20 quoth=20 I.
          &= nbsp;=20 =93Aroint thee, witch!=94 the rump-fed ronyon=20 cries.
         &nb= sp; =20 Her husband=92s to Aleppo gone, master o=92 th=92=20 Tiger:
         &nb= sp; =20 But in a sieve I=92ll thither=20 sail,
         &nbs= p; =20 And, like a rat without a=20 tail,
10         I=92ll = do, I=92ll=20 do, and I=92ll do.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 I=92ll give thee a wind.
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Th=92 art kind.
Third=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 And I another.
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 I myself have all the=20 other;
15        And the = very ports=20 they = blow,
          &nbs= p;=20 All the quarters that they=20 know
          = ; =20 I=92 th=92 shipman=92s=20 card.
         &nbs= p; =20 I=92ll drain him dry as=20 hay:
          = ; =20 Sleep shall neither night nor=20 day
20         Hang = upon his=20 penthouse=20 lid;
          = ; =20 He shall live a man=20 forbid:
         &n= bsp; =20 Weary sev=92nights nine times=20 nine
          = ; =20 Shall he dwindle, peak, and=20 pine:
         &nbs= p; =20 Though his bark cannot be=20 lost,
25        Yet it shall = be=20 tempest-tossed.
        =    =20 Look what I have.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Show me, show me.
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Here I have a pilot=92s=20 thumb,
         &nb= sp; =20 Wracked as homeward he did come.

[Drum within.]

Third=20 Witch.
30         A = drum, a=20 drum!
         &nbs= p; =20 Macbeth doth=20 come.
All.
      &= nbsp;    =20 The weird sisters, hand in=20 hand,
         &nbs= p; =20 Posters of the sea and=20 land,
         &nbs= p; =20 Thus do go about,=20 about:
35         = Thrice to=20 thine, and thrice to=20 mine,
         &nbs= p; =20 And thrice again, to make up=20 nine.
         &nbs= p; =20 Peace! The charm=92s wound up.

[Enter MACBETH and=20 BANQUO.]

Macbeth.
   &nbs= p;       =20 So foul and fair a day I have not=20 seen.
Banquo.
     &nbs= p;     =20 How far is=92t called to Forres? What are=20 these
40         So = withered,=20 and so wild in their=20 attire,
         &n= bsp; =20 That look not like th=92 inhabitants o=92 th=92=20 earth,
         &nb= sp; =20 And yet are on=92t? Live you, or are you=20 aught
         &nbs= p; =20 That man may question? You seem to understand=20 me,
          = =20 By each at once her choppy finger=20 laying
45         Upon = her=20 skinny lips. You should be=20 women,
         &nb= sp; =20 And yet your beards forbid me to=20 interpret
         =           =20 That you are=20 so.
Macbeth.       &nb= sp;=20 Speak, if you can: what are you?
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
Third=20 Witch.
50        All = hail,=20 Macbeth, that shalt be king=20 hereafter!
Banquo.
     = ;      =20 Good sir, why do you start, and seem to=20 fear
          = ; =20 Things that do sound so fair? I=92 th=92 name of=20 truth,
         &nb= sp; =20 Are ye fantastical, or that=20 indeed
         &nb= sp; =20 Which outwardly ye show? My noble=20 partner
55         You = greet=20 with present grace and great=20 prediction
         = ;  =20 Of noble having and of royal=20 hope,
         &nbs= p; =20 That he seems rapt withal: to me you speak=20 not.
          = ; =20 If you can look into the seeds of=20 time,
         &nbs= p; =20 And say which grain will grow and which will=20 not,
60         Speak = then to=20 me, who neither beg nor=20 fear
          = ; =20 Your favors nor your hate.
First=20 Witch.           &= nbsp;=20 Hail!
Second=20 Witch.        =20 Hail!
Third=20 Witch.            = Hail!
First=20 Witch.
65        Lesser = than=20 Macbeth, and greater.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Not so happy, yet much happier.
Third=20 Witch.
          = ; =20 Thou shalt get kings, though thou be=20 none.
         &nbs= p; =20 So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
First=20 Witch.
          = ; =20 Banquo and Macbeth, all=20 hail!
Macbeth.
70      &= nbsp; =20 Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me=20 more:
         &nbs= p; =20 By Sinel=92s death I know I am Thane of=20 Glamis;
         &n= bsp; =20 But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor=20 lives,
         &nb= sp; =20 A prosperous gentleman; and to be=20 king
          = ; =20 Stands not within the prospect of=20 belief,
75         No = more than=20 to be Cawdor. Say from=20 whence
         &nb= sp; =20 You owe this strange intelligence? Or=20 why
          = =20 Upon this blasted heath you stop our=20 way
          = =20 With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.

[WITCHES vanish.]

Banquo.
       &nbs= p;   =20 The earth hath bubbles as the water=20 has,
80         And = these are=20 of them. Whither are they=20 vanished?
Macbeth.
     = ;      =20 Into the air, and what seemed corporal=20 melted
         &nb= sp; =20 As breath into the wind. Would they had=20 stayed!
Banquo.
     &n= bsp;     =20 Were such things here as we do speak=20 about?
         &nb= sp; =20 Or have we eaten on the insane=20 root
85         That takes = the reason=20 prisoner?
Macbeth.
     = ;      =20 Your children shall be=20 kings.
Banquo.        = ;    =20 You shall be=20 king.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 And Thane of Cawdor too. Went it not=20 so?
Banquo.
      =      =20 To th=92 selfsame tune and words. Who=92s here?

[Enter ROSS and=20 ANGUS.]

Ross.
    &n= bsp;      =20 The king hath happily received,=20 Macbeth,
90         The = news of=20 thy success; and when he=20 reads
         &nbs= p; =20 Thy personal venture in the rebels=92=20 fight,
         &nb= sp; =20 His wonders and his praises do=20 contend
         &n= bsp; =20 Which should be thine or his. Silenced with=20 that,
         &nbs= p; =20 In viewing o=92er the rest o=92 th=92 selfsame=20 day,
95         He = finds thee=20 in the stout Norweyan=20 ranks,
         &nb= sp; =20 Nothing afeard of what thyself didst=20 make,
         &nbs= p; =20 Strange images of death. As thick as=20 tale
          = ; =20 Came post with post, and every one did=20 bear
          = ; =20 Thy praises in his kingdom=92s great=20 defense,
         &= nbsp; =20 And poured them down before him.
100=20 Angus.          =             &= nbsp;     =20 We are=20 sent
          = ; =20 To give thee, from our royal master,=20 thanks;
         &n= bsp; =20 Only to herald thee into his=20 sight,
         &nb= sp; =20 Not pay=20 thee.
Ross.
      =      =20 And for an earnest of a greater = honor,
105     He=20 bade me, from him, call thee Thane of=20 Cawdor;
         &n= bsp; =20 In which addition, hail, most worthy=20 thane!
         &nb= sp; =20 For it is=20 thine.
Banquo.       &= nbsp;    =20 What, can the devil speak=20 true?
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 In borrowed=20 robes?
Angus.       &n= bsp;        =20 Who was the thane lives yet,
110     But = under=20 heavy judgment bears that=20 life
          = ; =20 Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was=20 combined
         &= nbsp; =20 With those of Norway, or did line the=20 rebel
         &nbs= p; =20 With hidden help and vantage, or that with=20 both
          = ; =20 He labored in his country=92s wrack, I know=20 not;
115      But treasons capital, = confessed=20 and=20 proved,
         &n= bsp; =20 Have overthrown him.
Macbeth=20 (aside).         Glamis, = and=20 Thane of=20 Cawdor:
         &n= bsp; =20 The greatest is behind. (To ROSS and ANGUS.) Thanks=20 for
          = =20 your pains.
(Aside to BANQUO.) Do you not hope your = children=20 shall=20 be
          &= nbsp;=20 kings,
         &nb= sp; =20 When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 Promised no less to them?
120 Banquo (aside to=20 MACBETH).     That, trusted=20 home,
          &nbs= p;=20 Might yet enkindle you unto the=20 crown,
          &nb= sp;=20 Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But =92tis=20 strange:
         &= nbsp; =20 And oftentimes, to win us to our=20 harm,
         &nbs= p; =20 The instruments of darkness tell us = truths,
125    =20 Win us with honest trifles, to betray=20 =92s
          = ; =20 In deepest=20 consequence.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Cousins, a word, I pray you.
Macbeth=20 (aside).         =    =20 Two truths are=20 told
          = ; =20 As happy prologues to the swelling=20 act
          = =20 Of the imperial theme.=97I thank you,=20 gentlemen.=97
130     (Aside.) This=20 supernatural=20 soliciting
         = ;  =20 Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If=20 ill,
          = ; =20 Why hath it given me earnest of=20 success,
         &= nbsp; =20 Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of=20 Cawdor:
         &n= bsp; =20 If good, why do I yield to that = suggestion
135    =20 Whose horrid image doth unfix my=20 hair
          = ; =20 And make my seated heart knock at my=20 ribs,
         &nbs= p; =20 Against the use of nature? Present=20 fears
         &nbs= p; =20 Are less than horrible=20 imaginings.
        &nbs= p;  =20 My thought, whose murder yet is but=20 fantastical,
140     Shakes so my single = state of=20 man that=20 function
         &= nbsp; =20 Is smothered in surmise, and nothing=20 is
          &= nbsp;=20 But what is = not.
Banquo.        =20 Look, how our partner=92s rapt.
Macbeth=20 (aside).
        =    =20 If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown=20 me,
          = =20 Without my=20 stir.
Banquo.       &n= bsp;=20 New honors come upon = him,
145       Like=20 our strange garments, cleave not to their=20 mold
          = ; =20 But with the aid of use.
Macbeth=20 (aside).         &nbs= p;  =20 Come what come=20 may,
          = ; =20 Time and the hour runs through the roughest=20 day.
Banquo.
        = ;   =20 Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your=20 leisure.
Macbeth.
      =      =20 Give me your favor. My dull brain was=20 wrought
150     With things forgotten. Kind = gentlemen, your=20 pains
         &nbs= p; =20 Are registered where every day I=20 turn
          = ; =20 The leaf to read them. Let us toward the=20 king.
         &nbs= p;         =20 (Aside to BANQUO.)     Think upon what hath = chanced,=20 and=20 at
          &= nbsp;=20 more=20 time,
         &nbs= p; =20 The interim having weighed it, let us=20 speak
         &nbs= p; =20 Our free hearts each to other.
155=20 Banquo.          = ;  =20 Very=20 gladly.
Macbeth.
     &= nbsp;     =20 Till then, enough. Come,=20 friends.           = ; =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 4. Forres. The = palace.

&nbs= p; =20 Flourish. Enter KING DUNCAN, LENNOX, MALCOLM,=20 DONALBAIN,
= ; =20 and ATTENDANTS.

King.
        =    =20 Is execution done on Cawdor? Are=20 not
          = =20 Those in commission yet=20 returned?
Malcolm.       &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;=20 My=20 liege,
         &nb= sp; =20 They are not yet come back. But I have=20 spoke
         &nbs= p; =20 With one that saw him die, who did=20 report
5         That = very=20 frankly he confessed his=20 treasons,
         =   =20 Implored your highness=92 pardon and set=20 forth
         &nbs= p; =20 A deep repentance: nothing in his=20 life
          = ; =20 Became him like the leaving it. He=20 died
          = ; =20 As one that had been studied in his=20 death
10        To throw = away the=20 dearest thing he=20 owed
           = ; As=20 =92twere a careless=20 trifle.
King.        =             &= nbsp;   =20 There=92s no=20 art
          = =20 To find the mind=92s construction in the=20 face:
         &nbs= p; =20 He was a gentleman on whom I=20 built
         &nbs= p; =20 An absolute trust.

[Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS.]

            O=20 worthiest = cousin!
15        =20 The sin of my ingratitude even=20 now
          = =20 Was heavy on me: thou art so far=20 before,
         &n= bsp; =20 That swiftest wing of recompense is=20 slow
          = ; =20 To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less=20 deserved,
         =   =20 That the proportion both of thanks and=20 payment
20         = Might have=20 been mine! Only I have left to=20 say,
          = ; =20 More is thy due than more than all can=20 pay.
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 The service and the loyalty I=20 owe,
          = ; =20 In doing it, pays itself. Your highness=92=20 part
          = ; =20 Is to receive our duties: and our=20 duties
25         Are = to your=20 throne and state children and=20 servants;
         =   =20 Which do but what they should, by doing=20 everything
         = ;  =20 Safe toward your love and=20 honor.
King.        &= nbsp;       =20 Welcome=20 hither.
         &n= bsp; =20 I have begun to plant thee, and will=20 labor
         &nbs= p; =20 To make thee full of growing. Noble=20 Banquo,
30        That hast = no less=20 deserved, nor must be=20 known
         &nbs= p; =20 No less to have done so, let me enfold=20 thee
          = ; =20 And hold thee to my=20 heart.
Banquo.        = ;            = =20 There if I=20 grow,
         &nbs= p; =20 The harvest is your=20 own.
King.        = ;            =     =20 My plenteous=20 joys,
         &nbs= p; =20 Wanton in fullness, seek to hide=20 themselves
35         = In drops=20 of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen,=20 thanes,
         &n= bsp; =20 And you whose places are the nearest,=20 know,
         &nbs= p; =20 We will establish our estate=20 upon
          = ; =20 Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name=20 hereafter
         =   =20 The Prince of Cumberland: which honor=20 must
40         Not=20 unaccompanied invest him=20 only,
         &nbs= p; =20 But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall=20 shine
         &nbs= p; =20 On all deservers. From hence to=20 Inverness,
          = ; =20 And bind us further to=20 you.
Macbeth.
      &nbs= p;    =20 The rest is labor, which is not used for=20 you.
45         I=92ll be = myself the=20 harbinger, and make=20 joyful
         &nb= sp; =20 The hearing of my wife with your=20 approach;
         =   =20 So, humbly take my=20 leave.
King.       &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20 My worthy Cawdor!
Macbeth=20 (aside).
       &n= bsp;   =20 The Prince of Cumberland! That is a=20 step
          = ; =20 On which I must fall down, or else=20 o=92erleap,
50         = For in my=20 way it lies. Stars, hide your=20 fires;
         &nb= sp; =20 Let not light see my black and deep=20 desires:
         &= nbsp; =20 The eye wink at the hand; yet let that=20 be
          &= nbsp;=20 Which the eye fears, when it is done, to=20 see.           &nb= sp;=20 [Exit.]
King.
    &nb= sp;      =20 True, worthy Banquo; he is full so=20 valiant,
55         And = in his=20 commendations I am=20 fed;
          = ; =20 It is a banquet to me. Let=92s after=20 him,
          = ; =20 Whose care is gone before to bid us=20 welcome.
         &= nbsp; =20 It is a peerless=20 kinsman.           = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 [Flourish. Exeunt.]

Scene 5.=20 Inverness. Macbeth=92s castle.

&= nbsp; =20 Enter Macbeth=92s wife, LADY MACBETH, alone, with a=20 letter.

Lady Macbeth=20 (reads).         = =93They met me=20 in the day of=20 success;
         &= nbsp; =20 and I have learned by the perfect=92st report they have more=20 in
          &= nbsp;=20 them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire=20 to
          &= nbsp;=20 question them further, they made themselves air, into=20 which
5         they = vanished.=20 Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it,=20 came
          = ; =20 missives from the King, who all-hailed me =91Thane of=20 Caw-
           = ; dor=92;=20 by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted=20 me,
          = =20 and referred me to the coming on of time, with =91Hail,=20 king
          = ; =20 that shalt be!=92 This have I thought good to deliver thee,=20 my
10         dearest = partner=20 of greatness, that thou mightst not lose=20 the
          = =20 dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness=20 is
          &= nbsp;=20 promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and=20 farewell.=94

        = ;   =20 Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt=20 be
          &= nbsp;=20 What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy=20 nature;
15        It is too = full o=92=20 th=92 milk of human=20 kindness
         &= nbsp; =20 To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be=20 great,
         &nb= sp; =20 Art not without ambition, but=20 without
         &n= bsp; =20 The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst=20 highly,
         &n= bsp; =20 That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play=20 false,
20         And = yet=20 wouldst wrongly win. Thou=92dst have, great=20 Glamis,
         &n= bsp; =20 That which cries, =93Thus thou must do=94 if thou have=20 it;
          = =20 And that which rather thou dost fear to=20 do
          &= nbsp;=20 Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee=20 hither,
         &n= bsp; =20 That I may pour my spirits in thine=20 ear,
25         And = chastise=20 with the valor of my=20 tongue
         &nb= sp; =20 All that impedes thee from the golden=20 round
         &nbs= p; =20 Which fate and metaphysical aid doth=20 seem
          = ; =20 To have thee crowned withal.

[Enter MESSENGER.]

= What is=20 your tidings?

Messenger.
        &= nbsp;  =20 The king comes here tonight.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Thou=92rt mad to say=20 it!
30         Is not = thy=20 master with him, who, were=92t=20 so,
          = =20 Would have informed for=20 preparation?
Messenger.
    =        =20 So please you, it is true. Our thane is=20 coming.
         &n= bsp; =20 One of my fellows had the speed of=20 him,
           = ; Who,=20 almost dead for breath, had scarcely=20 more
          = ; =20 Than would make up his message.
35 Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Give him=20 tending;
         &= nbsp; =20 He brings great=20 news.           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;    =20 [Exit=20 MESSENGER.]
        =    =20 The raven himself is=20 hoarse
         &nb= sp; =20 That croaks the fatal entrance of=20 Duncan
         &nb= sp; =20 Under my battlements. Come, you=20 spirits
         &n= bsp; =20 That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me=20 here,
40         And = fill me,=20 from the crown to the toe,=20 top-full
         &= nbsp; =20 Of direst cruelty! Make thick my=20 blood,
         &nb= sp; =20 Stop up th=92 access and passage to=20 remorse,
         &= nbsp; =20 That no compunctious visitings of=20 nature
         &nb= sp; =20 Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace=20 between
45         = Th=92 effect=20 and it! Come to my woman=92s=20 breasts,
         &= nbsp; =20 And take my milk for gall, you murd=92ring=20 ministers,
          = ; =20 Wherever in your sightless=20 substances
         = ;  =20 You wait on nature=92s mischief! Come, thick=20 night,
         &nb= sp; =20 And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of=20 hell,
50        That my keen = knife=20 see not the wound it=20 makes,
         &nb= sp; =20 Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the=20 dark,
         &nbs= p; =20 To cry =93Hold, hold!=94

[Enter MACBETH.]

            = Great=20 Glamis! Worthy=20 Cawdor!
         &n= bsp; =20 Greater than both, by the all-hail=20 hereafter!
         = ;  =20 Thy letters have transported me=20 beyond
55        This = ignorant=20 present, and I feel=20 now
          = =20 The future in the=20 instant.
Macbeth.      &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 My dearest=20 love,
         &nbs= p; =20 Duncan comes here tonight.
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 And when goes=20 hence?
Macbeth.
     &n= bsp;     =20 Tomorrow, as he purposes.
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 O,=20 never
         &nbs= p; =20 Shall sun that morrow = see!
60       =20 Your face, my thane, is as a book where=20 men
          = =20 May read strange matters. To beguile the=20 time,
          &nbs= p; Look=20 like the time; bear welcome in your=20 eye,
          = ; =20 Your hand, your tongue: look like th=92 innocent=20 flower,
         &n= bsp; =20 But be the serpent under=92t. He that=92s=20 coming
65         Must = be=20 provided for: and you shall=20 put
          = =20 This night=92s great business into my=20 dispatch;
         =   =20 Which shall to all our nights and days to=20 come
          = ; =20 Give solely sovereign sway and=20 masterdom.
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 We will speak further.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp;     =20 Only look up = clear.
70         To=20 alter favor ever is to=20 fear.
         &nbs= p; =20 Leave all the rest to=20 me.           &nbs= p;            = ;            = =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 6. Before Macbeth=92s=20 castle.

           &= nbsp;   =20 Hautboys and torches. Enter KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM,=20 DONAL-
          &nb= sp;    =20 BAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and=20 ATTENDANTS.

King.
   &nbs= p;       =20 This castle hath a pleasant seat; the=20 air
          = =20 Nimbly and sweetly recommends=20 itself
         &nb= sp; =20 Unto our gentle=20 senses.
Banquo.       &nbs= p;            = ;    =20 This guest of=20 summer,
         &n= bsp; =20 The temple-haunting martlet, does=20 approve
5         By = his loved=20 mansionry that the heaven=92s=20 breath
         &nb= sp; =20 Smells wooingly here. No jutty,=20 frieze,
         &n= bsp; =20 Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this=20 bird
          = ; =20 Hath made his pendent bed and procreant=20 cradle.
         &n= bsp; =20 Where they most breed and haunt, I have=20 observed
         &= nbsp; =20 The air is delicate.

[Enter LADY MACBETH.]

10=20 King.           = ;     =20 See, see, our honored=20 hostess!
         &= nbsp; =20 The love that follows us sometime is our=20 trouble,
         &= nbsp; =20 Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach=20 you
          = =20 How you shall bid God =92ield us for your=20 pains
         &nbs= p; =20 And thank us for your trouble.
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ;            = =20 All our = service
15        =20 In every point twice done, and then done=20 double,
         &n= bsp; =20 Were poor and single business to=20 contend
         &n= bsp; =20 Against those honors deep and broad=20 wherewith
         =   =20 Your majesty loads our house: for those of=20 old,
          = ; =20 And the late dignities heaped up to=20 them,
         &nbs= p; =20 We rest your hermits.
20=20 King.           = ;     =20 Where=92s the Thane of=20 Cawdor?
         &n= bsp; =20 We coursed him at the heels, and had a=20 purpose
         &n= bsp; =20 To be his purveyor: but he rides=20 well,
         &nbs= p; =20 And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp=20 him
          = =20 To his home before us. Fair and noble=20 hostess,
         &= nbsp; =20 We are your guest tonight.
25 Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ;         =20 Your servants=20 ever
          = ; =20 Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in=20 compt,
          &nb= sp; To=20 make their audit at your highness=92=20 pleasure,
         =   =20 Still to return your=20 own.
King.        = ;            = =20 Give me your=20 hand.
         &nbs= p; =20 Conduct me to mine host: we love him=20 highly,
30         And = shall=20 continue our graces toward=20 him.
          = ; =20 By your leave,=20 hostess.           = ;            =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;=20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 7.=20 Macbeth=92s castle.

&= nbsp; =20 Hautboys. Torches. Enter a SEWER, and diverse SERVANTS=20 with
= ; =20 dishes and service, and pass over the stage. Then enter = MACBETH.

Macbeth.
       &nb= sp;   =20 If it were done when =92tis done, then =92twere=20 well
          = ; =20 It were done quickly. If th=92=20 assassination
        &n= bsp;  =20 Could trammel up the consequence, and=20 catch,
         &nb= sp; =20 With his surcease, success; that but this=20 blow
5         Might be = the=20 be-all and the=20 end-all=97here,
        =    =20 But here, upon this bank and shoal of=20 time,
         &nbs= p; =20 We=92d jump the life to come. But in these=20 cases
         &nbs= p; =20 We still have judgment here; that we but=20 teach
         &nbs= p; =20 Bloody instructions, which, being taught,=20 return
10         To = plague th=92=20 inventor: this even-handed=20 justice
         &n= bsp; =20 Commends th=92 ingredients of our poisoned=20 chalice
         &n= bsp; =20 To our own lips. He=92s here in double=20 trust:
         &nb= sp; =20 First, as I am his kinsman and his=20 subject,
         &= nbsp; =20 Strong both against the deed; then, as his=20 host,
15         Who = should=20 against his murderer shut the=20 door,
         &nbs= p; =20 Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this=20 Duncan
         &nb= sp; =20 Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath=20 been
          = ; =20 So clear in his great office, that his=20 virtues
         &n= bsp; =20 Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued=20 against
20         The = deep=20 damnation of his=20 taking-off;
         &nbs= p; =20 And pity, like a naked newborn=20 babe,
         &nbs= p; =20 Striding the blast, or heaven=92s cherubin=20 horsed
         &nb= sp; =20 Upon the sightless couriers of the=20 air,
          = ; =20 Shall blow the horrid deed in every=20 eye,
25         That = tears=20 shall drown the wind. I have no=20 spur
          = ; =20 To prick the sides of my intent, but=20 only
          = ; =20 Vaulting ambition, which o=92erleaps=20 itself
         &nb= sp; =20 And falls on th=92 other=97=97

[Enter LADY MACBETH.]

            = How now!=20 What news?
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 He has almost supped. Why have you left the=20 chamber?
Macbeth.
     =       =20 Hath he asked for me?
30 Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Know you not he=20 has?
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 We will proceed no further in this=20 business:
         =   =20 He hath honored me of late, and I have=20 bought
         &nb= sp; =20 Golden opinions from all sorts of=20 people,
         &n= bsp; =20 Which would be worn now in their newest=20 gloss,
         &nb= sp; =20 Not cast aside so soon.
35 Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp;     =20 Was the hope=20 drunk
         &nbs= p; =20 Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept=20 since?
         &nb= sp; =20 And wakes it now, to look so green and=20 pale
          = ; =20 At what it did so freely? From this=20 time
          = ; =20 Such I account thy love. Art thou=20 afeard
40        To be the = same in=20 thine own act and=20 valor
         &nbs= p; =20 As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have=20 that
          = ; =20 Which thou esteem=92st the ornament of=20 life,
          &nbs= p; And=20 live a coward in thine own=20 esteem,
         &n= bsp; =20 Letting =93I dare not=94 wait upon =93I=20 would,=94
         =   =20 Like the poor cat i=92 th=92 adage?
45=20 Macbeth.         &nbs= p;            = ;      =20 Prithee,=20 peace!
         &nb= sp; =20 I dare do all that may become a=20 man;
          = ; =20 Who dares do more is none.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp;     =20 What beast was=92t=20 then
          = ; =20 That made you break this enterprise to=20 me?
          = =20 When you durst do it, then you were a=20 man;
50         And to = be more=20 than what you were, you=20 would
         &nbs= p; =20 Be so much more the man. Nor time nor=20 place
         &nbs= p; =20 Did then adhere, and yet you would make=20 both.
         &nbs= p; =20 They have made themselves, and that their fitness=20 now
          = =20 Does unmake you. I have given suck, and=20 know
55         How = tender =92tis=20 to love the babe that milks=20 me:
          = =20 I would, while it was smiling in my=20 face,
         &nbs= p; =20 Have plucked my nipple from his boneless=20 gums,
         &nbs= p; =20 And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as=20 you
          = =20 Have done to=20 this.
Macbeth.       &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;        =20 If we should fail?
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ;         =20 We fail?
60         = But=20 screw your courage to the=20 sticking-place,
         =   =20 And we=92ll not fail. When Duncan is=20 asleep=97
          = =20 Whereto the rather shall his day=92s hard=20 journey
         &n= bsp; =20 Soundly invite him=97his two=20 chamberlains
        &nb= sp;  =20 Will I with wine and wassail so=20 convince,
65         = That=20 memory, the warder of the=20 brain,
         &nb= sp; =20 Shall be a fume, and the receipt of=20 reason
         &nb= sp; =20 A limbeck only: when in swinish=20 sleep
         &nbs= p; =20 Their drench=E8d natures lie as in a=20 death,
         &nb= sp; =20 What cannot you and I perform=20 upon
70         Th=92 = unguarded=20 Duncan, what not put=20 upon
          = ; =20 His spongy officers, who shall bear the=20 guilt
         &nbs= p; =20 Of our great=20 quell?
Macbeth.        &nbs= p;       =20 Bring forth men-children=20 only;
          &nbs= p; For=20 thy undaunted mettle should=20 compose
         &n= bsp; =20 Nothing but males. Will it not be=20 received,
75         = When we=20 have marked with blood those sleepy=20 two
          = =20 Of his own chamber, and used their very=20 daggers,
         &= nbsp; =20 That they have done=92t?
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ;     =20 Who dares receive it=20 other,
         &nb= sp; =20 As we shall make our griefs and clamor=20 roar
          = ; =20 Upon his=20 death?
Macbeth.       =             &= nbsp;    =20 I am settled, and bend=20 up
80         Each = corporal=20 agent to this terrible=20 feat.
         &nbs= p; =20 Away, and mock the time with fairest=20 show:
         &nbs= p; =20 False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

[Exeunt.]

End of Act 1=20

Click here to navigate through = the play: Act=20 2, Act=20 3, Act=20 4, Act=20 5,

and Act=20 1 Homework.

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