The Tragedy of Macbeth

From: Subject: The Tragedy of Macbeth Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:11:57 -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/Macbeth3%20p1.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Tragedy of = Macbeth, =20 Act III

William = Shakespeare

Scene 1. Forres. The palace.

&= nbsp; =20 Enter BANQUO.

Banquo.
       &nbs= p;   =20 Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis,=20 all,
          = ; =20 As the weird women promised, and I=20 fear
          = ; =20 Thou play=92dst most foully for=92t. Yet it was=20 said
          = ; =20 It should not stand in thy=20 posterity,
5         = But that=20 myself should be the root and=20 father
         &nb= sp; =20 Of many kings. If there come truth from=20 them=97
          &n= bsp; As=20 upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches=20 shine=97
          &= nbsp;=20 Why, by the verities on thee made=20 good,
         &nbs= p; =20 May they not be my oracles as=20 well
10        And set me up = in=20 hope? But hush, no more!

[Sennet sounded. = Enter=20 MACBETH as king, LADY=20 MACBETH,
LENNOX, = ROSS,=20 LORDS, and ATTENDANTS.]

Macbeth.
       &nb= sp;   =20 Here=92s our chief guest.
Lady=20 Macbeth.         If he had = been=20 forgotten,
         = ;  =20 It had been as a gap in our great=20 feast,
         &nb= sp; =20 And all-thing=20 unbecoming.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Tonight we hold a solemn supper,=20 sir,
          = ; =20 And I=92ll request your presence.
15=20 Banquo.          &n= bsp; =20 Let your=20 highness
         &= nbsp; =20 Command upon me, to the which my=20 duties
         &nb= sp; =20 Are with a most indissoluble=20 tie
          = =20 For ever=20 knit.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Ride you this=20 afternoon?
Banquo.      &nb= sp;         =20 Ay, my good lord.
20=20 Macbeth.         We = should have=20 else desired your good=20 advice
         &nb= sp; =20 (Which still hath been both grave and=20 prosperous)
        &nbs= p;  =20 In this day=92s council; but we=92ll take=20 tomorrow.
         =   =20 Is=92t far you=20 ride?
Banquo.
      &nbs= p;    =20 As far, my lord, as will fill up the=20 time
25         = =92Twixt this and=20 supper. Go not my horse the=20 better,
          &n= bsp; I=20 must become a borrower of the=20 night
         &nbs= p; =20 For a dark hour or=20 twain.
Macbeth.       =      =20 Fail not our=20 feast.
Banquo.
     &nb= sp;     =20 My lord, I will=20 not.
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 We hear our bloody cousins are=20 bestowed
30         In = England=20 and in Ireland, not=20 confessing
         = ;  =20 Their cruel parricide, filling their=20 hearers
         &n= bsp; =20 With strange invention. But of that=20 tomorrow,
         =   =20 When therewithal we shall have cause of=20 state
         &nbs= p; =20 Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse.=20 Adieu,
35         Till = you=20 return at night. Goes Fleance with=20 you?
Banquo.
      = ;     =20 Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon=20 =92s.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 I wish your horses swift and sure of=20 foot,
         &nbs= p; =20 And so I do commend you to their=20 backs.
         &nb= sp; =20 Farewell.          &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;        =20 [Exit=20 BANQUO.]
40         = Let=20 every man be master of his=20 time
          = ; =20 Till seven at night. To make=20 society
         &n= bsp; =20 The sweeter welcome, we will keep=20 ourself
         &n= bsp; =20 Till supper-time alone. While then, God be with you!

[Exeunt LORDS and all but MACBETH and a = SERVANT.]

            = Sirrah, a=20 word with you: attend those=20 men
45         Our=20 pleasure?
Attendant.
    &nb= sp;      =20 They are, my lord, without the palace=20 gate.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Bring them before=20 us.           &nbs= p;            = ;            =    =20 [Exit=20 SERVANT.]
         =   =20 To be thus is nothing, but to be safely=20 thus=97
          &n= bsp; Our=20 fears in Banquo stick=20 deep,
50         And in = his=20 royalty of nature reigns=20 that
          = ; =20 Which would be feared. =92Tis much he=20 dares;
         &nb= sp; =20 And, to that dauntless temper of his=20 mind,
         &nbs= p; =20 He hath a wisdom that doth guide his=20 valor
         &nbs= p; =20 To act in safety. There is none but=20 he
55         Whose = being I do=20 fear: and under=20 him
          = =20 My genius is rebuked, as it is=20 said
          = ; =20 Mark Antony=92s was by Caesar. He chid the=20 sisters,
         &= nbsp; =20 When first they put the name of king upon=20 me,
          = =20 And bade them speak to him; then=20 prophetlike
60         = They=20 hailed him father to a line of=20 kings.
         &nb= sp; =20 Upon my head they placed a fruitless=20 crown
         &nbs= p; =20 And put a barren scepter in my=20 gripe,
         &nb= sp; =20 Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal=20 hand,
         &nbs= p; =20 No son of mine succeeding. If=92t be=20 so,
65         For = Banquo=92s=20 issue have I filed my=20 mind;
         &nbs= p; =20 For them the gracious Duncan have I=20 murdered;
         =   =20 Put rancors in the vessel of my=20 peace
         &nbs= p; =20 Only for them, and mine eternal=20 jewel
         &nbs= p; =20 Given to the common enemy of=20 man,
70         To make = them=20 kings, the seeds of Banquo=20 kings!
         &nb= sp; =20 Rather than so, come, fate, into the=20 list,
         &nbs= p; =20 And champion me to th=92 utterance! Who=92s = there?

[Enter=20 SERVANT and two=20 MURDERERS.]

&nbs= p; Now=20 go to the door, and stay there till we call.

[Exit SERVANT.]

            = Was it not=20 yesterday we spoke=20 together?
Murderers.
    &nb= sp;      =20 It was, so please your=20 highness.
Macbeth.      &nb= sp; =20 Well then,=20 now
          = =20 Have you considered of my speeches?=20 Know
          = ; =20 That it was he in the times past, which held=20 you
          = =20 So under fortune, which you thought had=20 been
          = ; =20 Our innocent self: this I made good to=20 you
80         In our = last=20 conference; passed in probation with=20 you,
          = ; =20 How you were borne in hand, how crossed; the=20 instruments,
         &nb= sp; =20 Who wrought with them, and all things else that=20 might
         &nbs= p; =20 To half a soul and to a notion=20 crazed
         &nb= sp; =20 Say =93Thus did Banquo.=94
First=20 Murderer.         You made = it known=20 to=20 us.
Macbeth.
85     &nb= sp;  =20 I did so; and went further, which is=20 now
          = =20 Our point of second meeting. Do you=20 find
          = ; =20 Your patience so predominant in your=20 nature,
         &n= bsp; =20 That you can let this go? Are you so=20 gospeled,
          = =20 To pray for this good man and for his=20 issue,
90         Whose = heavy=20 hand hath bowed you to the=20 grave
         &nbs= p; =20 And beggared yours forever?
First=20 Murderer.         We are = men, my=20 liege.
Macbeth.
       &n= bsp;   =20 Ay, in the catalogue ye go for=20 men;
          = ; =20 As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,=20 curs,
         &nbs= p; =20 Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are=20 clept
95         All by = the=20 name of dogs: the valued=20 file
           = ;=20 Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the=20 subtle,
         &n= bsp; =20 The housekeeper, the hunter, every=20 one
          = =20 According to the gift which bounteous=20 nature
         &nb= sp; =20 Hath in him closed, whereby he does = receive
100    =20 Particular addition, from the=20 bill
          = ; =20 That writes them all alike: and so of=20 men.
          = ; =20 Now if you have a station in the=20 file,
         &nbs= p; =20 Not i=92 th=92 worst rank of manhood,=20 say=92t,
         &= nbsp; =20 And I will put that business in your=20 bosoms
105      Whose execution takes = your=20 enemy=20 off,
          = ; =20 Grapples you to the heart and love of=20 us,
          = =20 Who wear our health but sickly in his=20 life,
          &nbs= p;=20 Which in his death were perfect.
Second=20 Murderer.          =   =20 I am one, my=20 liege,
         &nb= sp; =20 Whom the vile blows and buffets of the=20 world
110      Hath so incensed that I = am=20 reckless=20 what
          = ; =20 I do to spite the world.
First=20 Murderer.          =       =20 And I=20 another
         &n= bsp; =20 So weary with disasters, tugged with=20 fortune,
         &= nbsp; =20 That I would set my life on any=20 chance,
         &n= bsp; =20 To mend it or be rid=20 on=92t.
Macbeth.       = ;            =      =20 Both of=20 you
          = =20 Know Banquo was your enemy.
115 Both=20 Murderers.         True, my=20 lord.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 So is he mine, and in such bloody=20 distance
         &= nbsp; =20 That every minute of his being=20 thrusts
         &n= bsp; =20 Against my near=92st of life: and though I=20 could
         &nbs= p; =20 With barefaced power sweep him from my=20 sight
120     And bid my will avouch it, = yet I must=20 not,
          = ; For=20 certain friends that are both his and=20 mine,
         &nbs= p; =20 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his=20 fall
          = ; =20 Who I myself struck down: and thence it=20 is
          &= nbsp;=20 That I to your assistance do make = love,
125    =20 Masking the business from the common=20 eye
          = =20 For sundry weighty reasons.
Second=20 Murderer.          =   =20 We shall, my=20 lord,
         &nbs= p; =20 Perform what you command us.
First=20 Murderer.          =       =20 Though our=20 lives=97=97
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at=20 most
          = ; =20 I will advise you where to plant=20 yourselves,
130     Acquaint you with the = perfect=20 spy o=92 th=92=20 time,
         &nbs= p; =20 The moment on=92t; for=92t must be done=20 tonight,
         &= nbsp; =20 And something from the palace; always=20 thought
         &n= bsp; =20 That I require a clearness: and with=20 him=97
          &nb= sp; To=20 leave no rubs nor botches in the = work=97
135    =20 Fleance his son, that keeps him=20 company,
         &= nbsp; =20 Whose absence is no less material to=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 Than is his father=92s, must embrace the=20 fate
          = ; =20 Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves=20 apart:
          &nb= sp;=20 I=92ll come to you=20 anon.
Murderers.       = ;            = =20 We are resolved, my=20 lord.
Macbeth.
140     I=92ll = call upon you=20 straight. Abide=20 within.
         &n= bsp; =20 It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul=92s=20 flight,
         &n= bsp; =20 If it find heaven, must find it out=20 tonight.           = ;         =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 2. The palace.

&= nbsp; =20 Enter LADY MACBETH and a SERVANT.

Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Is Banquo gone from=20 court?
Servant.
     &n= bsp;     =20 Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Say to the king, I would attend his=20 leisure
         &n= bsp; =20 For a few=20 words.
Servant.       =      =20 Madam, I=20 will.           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;    =20 [Exit.]
Lady=20 Macbeth.         Nought=92s = had, all=92s=20 spent,
5         Where = our=20 desire is got without=20 content:
         &= nbsp; =20 =92Tis safer to be that which we=20 destroy
         &n= bsp; =20 Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

[Enter MACBETH.]

            = How now,=20 my lord! Why do you keep=20 alone,
         &nb= sp; =20 Of sorriest fancies your companions=20 making,
10        Using = those=20 thoughts which should indeed have=20 died
          = ; =20 With them they think on? Things without all=20 remedy
         &nb= sp; =20 Should be without regard: what=92s done is=20 done.
Macbeth.
      &nb= sp;    =20 We have scorched the snake, not killed=20 it:
          = =20 She=92ll close and be herself, whilst our poor=20 malice
15        Remains in danger = of her=20 former=20 tooth.
         &nb= sp; =20 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds=20 suffer,
         &n= bsp; =20 Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and=20 sleep
         &nbs= p; =20 In the affliction of these terrible=20 dreams
         &nb= sp; =20 That shake us nightly: better be with the=20 dead,
20         Whom = we, to=20 gain our peace, have sent to=20 peace,
         &nb= sp; =20 Than on the torture of the mind to=20 lie
          = =20 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his=20 grave;
         &nb= sp; =20 After life=92s fitful fever he sleeps=20 well.
         &nbs= p; =20 Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor=20 poison,
25         = Malice=20 domestic, foreign levy,=20 nothing,
         &= nbsp; =20 Can touch him further.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Come = on.
           = =20 Gentle my lord, sleek o=92er your rugged=20 looks;
         &nb= sp; =20 Be bright and jovial among your guests=20 tonight.
Macbeth.
      =      =20 So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be=20 you:
30         Let = your=20 remembrance apply to=20 Banquo;
          &n= bsp;=20 Present him eminence, both with eye and=20 tongue:
         &n= bsp; =20 Unsafe the while, that we must=20 lave
          = ; =20 Our honors in these flattering=20 streams
         &n= bsp; =20 And make our faces vizards to our=20 hearts,
         &n= bsp; =20 Disguising what they are.
35 Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 You must leave=20 this.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear=20 wife!
         &nbs= p; =20 Thou know=92st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 But in them nature=92s copy=92s not=20 eterne.
Macbeth.
       &= nbsp;   =20 There=92s comfort yet; they are=20 assailable.
40        Then = be thou=20 jocund. Ere the bat hath=20 flown
         &nbs= p; =20 His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate=92s=20 summons
         &n= bsp; =20 The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy=20 hums
          = ; =20 Hath rung night=92s yawning peal, there shall be=20 done
          = ; =20 A deed of dreadful note.
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 What=92s to be=20 done?
Macbeth.
45     &= nbsp;  =20 Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest=20 chuck,
          &nb= sp;=20 Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling=20 night,
         &nb= sp; =20 Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful=20 day,
          = ; =20 And with thy bloody and invisible=20 hand
          = ; =20 Cancel and tear to pieces that great=20 bond
50         Which = keeps me=20 pale! Light thickens, and the=20 crow
          = ; =20 Makes wing to th=92 rooky=20 wood.
         &nbs= p; =20 Good things of day begin to droop and=20 drowse,
         &n= bsp; =20 Whiles night=92s black agents to their preys do=20 rouse.
         &nb= sp; =20 Thou marvel=92st at my words: but hold thee=20 still;
55         = Things bad=20 begun make strong themselves by=20 ill:
          = ; =20 So, prithee, go with=20 me.           &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;           =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 3. = Near=20 the=20 palace.
         &n= bsp;     =20 Enter three MURDERERS.

First=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 But who did bid thee join with us?
Third=20 Murderer.          =   =20 Macbeth.
Second=20 Murderer.
         &n= bsp; =20 He needs not our mistrust; since he=20 delivers
         &= nbsp; =20 Our offices and what we have to=20 do
          &= nbsp;=20 To the direction just.
First=20 Murderer.          =   =20 Then stand with = us.
5        =20 The west yet glimmers with some streaks of=20 day.
          = ; =20 Now spurs the lated traveler=20 apace
         &nbs= p; =20 To gain the timely inn, and near=20 approaches
         = ;  =20 The subject of our watch.
Third=20 Murderer.          =   =20 Hark! I hear horses.
Banquo=20 (within).         &nb= sp;  =20 Give us a light there, ho!
Second=20 Murderer.          Then = =92tis=20 he. The rest
10         = That=20 are within the note of=20 expectation
        &nbs= p;  =20 Already are i=92 th=92 court.
First=20 Murderer.          =   =20 His horses go about.
Third=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 Almost a mile: but he does=20 usually=97
          = ; =20 So all men do=97from hence to th=92 palace=20 gate
          = ; =20 Make it their walk.

[Enter BANQUO and FLEANCE, with a = torch.]

Second=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 A light, a light!
Third=20 Murderer.          &nbs= p; =20 =92Tis he.
15 First=20 Murderer.         Stand=20 to=92t.
Banquo.
     &n= bsp;     =20 It will be rain tonight.
First=20 Murderer.          =   =20 Let it come down.

[They set upon BANQUO.]

Banquo.
&nbs= p; =20 O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!

[Exit FLEANCE.]

Thou = mayst=20 revenge. O slave! [Dies.]

Third=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 Who did strike out the light?
First=20 Murderer.            =20 Was=92t not the way?
Third=20 Murderer.
20        = =20 There=92s but one down; the son is fled.
Second=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 We have lost best half of our affair.
First=20 Murderer.
        &n= bsp;  =20 Well, let=92s away and say how much is=20 done.           &n= bsp;=20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 4. = The=20 palace.
         &n= bsp;         =20 Banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH,=20 ROSS,
         &nbs= p;         =20 LENNOX, LORDS, and ATTENDANTS.

Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;   =20 You know your own degrees; sit=20 down:
         &nbs= p; =20 At first and last, the hearty=20 welcome.
Lords.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Thanks to your=20 majesty.
Macbeth.
       =     =20 Oneself will mingle with=20 society
5          And = play the=20 humble=20 host.
         &nbs= p; =20 Our hostess keeps her state, but in best=20 time
          = ; =20 We will require her welcome.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
         &nb= sp; =20 Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our=20 friends,
         &= nbsp; =20 For my heart speaks they are welcome.

[Enter FIRST MURDERER.]

Macbeth.
10       &= nbsp;=20 See, they encounter thee with their hearts=92=20 thanks.
         &n= bsp; =20 Both sides are even: here I=92ll sit i=92 th=92=20 midst:
         &nb= sp; =20 Be large in mirth; anon we=92ll drink a=20 measure
          &n= bsp;=20 The table round.     (Goes to FIRST = MURDERER.)=20 There=92s=20 blood
         &nbs= p; =20 upon thy=20 face.
Murderer.
      &n= bsp;    =20 =92Tis Banquo=92s=20 then.
Macbeth.
15      &= nbsp; =20 =92Tis better thee without than he=20 within.
          &n= bsp; Is=20 he=20 dispatched?
Murderer.      &nbs= p;     =20 My lord, his throat is=20 cut;
          = ; =20 That I did for him.
Macbeth.     = Thou are=20 the best o=92 th=92=20 cutthroats.
        &nbs= p;  =20 Yet he=92s good that did the like for=20 Fleance;
         &= nbsp; =20 If thou didst it, thou art the=20 nonpareil.
Murderer.
20    &= nbsp;   =20 Most royal sir, Fleance is =92scaped.
Macbeth=20 (aside).
        =    =20 Then comes my fit again: I had else been=20 perfect,
         &= nbsp; =20 Whole as the marble, founded as the=20 rock,
         &nbs= p; =20 As broad and general as the casing=20 air:
           = ; But=20 now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound=20 in
25         To saucy = doubts=20 and fears.=97But Banquo=92s=20 safe?
Murderer.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he=20 bides,
         &nb= sp; =20 With twenty trench=E8d gashes on his=20 head,
         &nbs= p; =20 The least a death to=20 nature.
Macbeth.       = ; =20 Thanks for=20 that.
          &nbs= p;=20 (Aside.) There the grown serpent lies; the worm that=92s=20 fled
30         Hath = nature=20 that in time will venom=20 breed,
         &nb= sp; =20 No teeth for th=92 present. Get thee gone.=20 Tomorrow
         &= nbsp; =20 We=92ll hear ourselves=20 again.           &= nbsp;    =20 [Exit FIRST MURDERER.]
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 My royal=20 lord,
          &nbs= p; You=20 do not give the cheer. The feast is=20 sold
          = ; =20 That is not often vouched, while =92tis=20 a-making,
35         = =92Tis given=20 with welcome. To feed were best at=20 home;
          &nbs= p; From=20 thence, the sauce to meat is=20 ceremony;
         =   =20 Meeting were bare without it.

[Enter the GHOST OF BANQUO, and sits in Macbeth=92s = place.]

Macbeth.          = ;  =20 Sweet=20 remembrancer!
        &n= bsp;  =20 Now good digestion wait on=20 appetite,
         =   =20 And health on=20 both!
Lennox.        =     =20 May=92t please your highness sit.
40=20 Macbeth.
         =   =20 Here had we now our country=92s honor=20 roofed,
          &n= bsp;=20 Were the graced person of our Banquo=20 present=97
          = ; =20 Who may I rather challenge for=20 unkindness
         = ;  =20 Than pity for=20 mischance!
Ross.        = ;    =20 His absence,=20 sir,
           = ; Lays=20 blame upon his promise. Please=92t your=20 highness
45        To grace = us with=20 your royal=20 company?
Macbeth.
     =       =20 The table=92s=20 full.
Lennox.       &n= bsp;    =20 Here is a place reserved,=20 sir.
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 Where?
Lennox.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Here, my good lord. What is=92t that moves your=20 highness?
Macbeth.
     = ;      =20 Which of you have done=20 this?
Lords.       &nb= sp;    =20 What, my good=20 lord?
Macbeth.
50     &= nbsp;  =20 Thou canst not say I did it. Never=20 shake
         &nbs= p; =20 Thy gory locks at=20 me.
Ross.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Gentlemen, rise, his highness is not well.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Sit, worthy friends. My Lord is often=20 thus,
         &nbs= p; =20 And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep=20 seat.
55         The = fit is=20 momentary; upon a=20 thought
         &n= bsp; =20 He will again be well. If much you note=20 him,
          = ; =20 You shall offend him and extend his=20 passion.
         &= nbsp; =20 Feed, and regard him not.=97Are you a=20 man?
Macbeth.
     &nbs= p;     =20 Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on=20 that
          = ; =20 Which might appall the devil.
60 Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 O proper=20 stuff!
         &nb= sp; =20 This is the very painting of your=20 fear.
         &nbs= p; =20 This is the air-drawn dagger which, you=20 said,
         &nbs= p; =20 Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and=20 starts,
         &n= bsp; =20 Imposters to true fear, would well=20 become
65         A = woman=92s=20 story at a winter=92s=20 fire,
         &nbs= p; =20 Authorized by her grandam. Shame=20 itself!
         &n= bsp; =20 Why do you make such faces? When all=92s=20 done,
         &nbs= p; =20 You look but on a=20 stool.
Macbeth.       =      =20 Prithee, see=20 there!
         &nb= sp; =20 Behold! Look! Lo! How say=20 you?
70        Why, what = care I? If=20 thou canst nod, speak=20 too.
          = ; =20 If charnel houses and our graves must=20 send
          = ; =20 Those that we bury back, our=20 monuments
         =   =20 Shall be the maws of=20 kites.           &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;    =20 [Exit GHOST.]
Lady=20 Macbeth.         What, quite = unmanned in=20 folly?
Macbeth.
       &n= bsp;   =20 If I stand here, I saw him.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Fie, for=20 shame!
Macbeth.
75      =   =20 Blood hath been shed ere now, i=92 th=92 olden=20 time,
         &nbs= p; =20 Ere humane statute purged the gentle=20 weal;
          &nbs= p; Ay,=20 and since too, murders have been=20 performed
         =   =20 Too terrible for the ear. The time has=20 been
          = ; =20 That, when the brains were out, the man would=20 die,
80         And = there an=20 end; but now they rise=20 again,
         &nb= sp; =20 With twenty mortal murders on their=20 crowns,
          &n= bsp;=20 And push us from our stools. This is more=20 strange
         &n= bsp; =20 Than such a murder is.
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 My worthy=20 lord,
         &nbs= p; =20 Your noble friends do lack=20 you.
Macbeth.       &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;=20 I do forget.
85         = Do not=20 muse at me, my most worthy=20 friends;
         &= nbsp; =20 I have a strange infirmity, which is=20 nothing
         &n= bsp; =20 To those that know me. Come, love and health to=20 all!
          = ; =20 Then I=92ll sit down. Give me some wine, fill full.

[Enter GHOST.]

            I = drink to=20 th=92 general joy o=92 th=92 whole=20 table,
90        And to our = dear=20 friend Banquo, whom we=20 miss;
         &nbs= p; =20 Would he were here! To all and him we=20 thirst,
          &n= bsp;=20 And all to = all.
Lords.        =20 Our duties, and the=20 pledge.
Macbeth.
      &= nbsp;    =20 Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide=20 thee!
         &nbs= p; =20 Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is=20 cold;
95         Thou = hast no=20 speculation in those=20 eyes
          = ; =20 Which thou dost glare with.
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 Think of this, good=20 peers,
         &nb= sp; =20 But as a thing of custom; =92tis no=20 other.
         &nb= sp; =20 Only it spoils the pleasure of the=20 time.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 What man dare, I dare.
100     Approach = thou like=20 the rugged Russian=20 bear,
         &nbs= p; =20 The armed rhinoceros, or th=92 Hyrcan=20 tiger;
         &nb= sp; =20 Take any shape but that, and my firm=20 nerves
          &nb= sp;=20 Shall never tremble. Or be alive=20 again,
         &nb= sp; =20 And dare me to the desert with thy=20 sword.
105      If trembling I inhabit = then,=20 protest=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible=20 shadow!
         &n= bsp; =20 Unreal mock=92ry,=20 hence!           &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;        =20 [Exit=20 GHOST.]
        &nbs= p;  =20 Why, so: being=20 gone,
         &nbs= p; =20 I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 You have displaced the mirth, broke the good=20 meeting,
         &= nbsp; =20 With most admired disorder.
110=20 Macbeth.         &nbs= p;  =20 Can such things=20 be,
          = =20 And overcome us like a summer=92s=20 cloud,
         &nb= sp; =20 Without our special wonder? You make me=20 strange
         &n= bsp; =20 Even to the disposition that I=20 owe,
          = ; =20 When now I think you can behold such=20 sights,
115     And keep the natural ruby = of your=20 cheeks,
         &n= bsp; =20 When mine is blanched with=20 fear.
Ross.       &nbs= p;            = ;=20 What sights, my lord?
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 I pray you, speak not: he grows worse and=20 worse;
         &nb= sp; =20 Question enrages him: at once, good=20 night.
         &nb= sp; =20 Stand not upon the order of your=20 going,
          &nb= sp; But=20 go at once.
120=20 Lennox.          = ;  =20 Good night; and better=20 health
         &nb= sp; =20 Attend his majesty!
Lady=20 Macbeth.           = ; =20 A kind good night to all!

[Exeunt LORDS.]

Macbeth.
       &nb= sp;   =20 It will have blood, they say: blood will have=20 blood.
         &nb= sp; =20 Stones have been known to move and trees to=20 speak;
         &nb= sp; =20 Augurs and understood relations = have
125     By=20 maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought=20 forth
          &nbs= p; The=20 secret=92st man of blood. What is the night?
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Almost at odds with morning, which is=20 which.
Macbeth.
     &n= bsp;     =20 How say=92st thou, that Macduff denies his=20 person
         &nb= sp; =20 At our great bidding?
Lady=20 Macbeth.          &= nbsp; =20 Did you send to him,=20 sir?
Macbeth.
130     I = hear it by=20 the way, but I will=20 send:
         &nbs= p; =20 There=92s not a one of them but in his=20 house
         &nbs= p; =20 I keep a servant fee=92d. I will=20 tomorrow,
         =   =20 And betimes I will, to the weird=20 sisters:
         &= nbsp; =20 More shall they speak, for now I am bent to=20 know
135     By the worst means the worst. = For mine=20 own = good
          = ;=20 All causes shall give way. I am in=20 blood
         &nbs= p; =20 Stepped in so far that, should I wade no=20 more,
         &nbs= p; =20 Returning were as tedious as go=20 o=92er.
         &n= bsp; =20 Strange things I have in head that will to=20 hand,
140     Which must be acted ere they = may be=20 scanned.
Lady=20 Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 You lack the season of all natures,=20 sleep.
Macbeth.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Come, we=92ll to sleep. My strange and=20 self-abuse
          = ; =20 Is the initiate fear that wants hard=20 use.
           = ; We=20 are yet but young in=20 deed.           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;    =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 5. = A=20 witches=92=20 haunt.

         = ;      =20 Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES, meeting HECATE.

First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Why, how now, Hecate! you look=20 angerly.
Hecate.
      &= nbsp;    =20 Have I not reason, beldams as you=20 are,
          = ; =20 Saucy and overbold? How did you=20 dare
          = ; =20 To trade and traffic with=20 Macbeth
5         In = riddles=20 and affairs of=20 death;
         &nb= sp; =20 And I, the mistress of your=20 charms,
         &n= bsp; =20 The close contriver of all=20 harms,
         &nb= sp; =20 Was never called to bear my=20 part,
         &nbs= p; =20 Or show the glory of our=20 art?
10         And, = which is=20 worse, all you have=20 done
          = ; =20 Hath been but for a wayward=20 son,
          = ; =20 Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others=20 do,
          = =20 Loves for his own ends, not for=20 you.
          = ; =20 But make amends now: get you=20 gone,
15         And at = the pit=20 of = Acheron
          &n= bsp;=20 Meet me i=92 th=92 morning: thither=20 he
          &= nbsp;=20 Will come to know his=20 destiny.
         &= nbsp; =20 Your vessels and your spells=20 provide,
         &= nbsp; =20 Your charms and everything=20 beside.
20        I am for = th=92 air;=20 this night I=92ll=20 spend
         &nbs= p; =20 Unto a dismal and a fatal=20 end:
          = ; =20 Great business must be wrought ere=20 noon.
         &nbs= p; =20 Upon the corner of the=20 moon
          = ; =20 There hangs a vap=92rous drop=20 profound;
25        I=92ll = catch it=20 ere it come to=20 ground:
         &n= bsp; =20 And that distilled by magic=20 sleights
          &= nbsp;=20 Shall raise such artificial=20 sprites
          &n= bsp; As=20 by the strength of their=20 illusion
         &= nbsp; =20 Shall draw him on to his=20 confusion.
30         He = shall spurn=20 fate, scorn death, and=20 bear
          = ; =20 His hopes =92bove wisdom, grace, and=20 fear:
         &nbs= p; =20 And you all know=20 security
          &= nbsp;=20 Is mortal=92s chiefest=20 enemy.           &= nbsp;        =20 [Music and a=20 song.]
         = ;  =20 Hark! I am called; my little spirit,=20 see,
35         Sits in = a foggy=20 cloud and stays for me.     [Exit.]

[Sing within, =93Come away, come away,=94 etc.]

First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Come, let=92s make haste; she=92ll soon be back again.

[Exeunt.]

Scene 6. = The=20 palace.
          &n= bsp;    =20 Enter LENNOX and another LORD.

Lennox.
        &nbs= p;  =20 My former speeches have but hit your=20 thoughts,
          = =20 Which can interpret farther. Only I=20 say
          = =20 Things have been strangely borne. The gracious=20 Duncan
         &nb= sp; =20 Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was=20 dead.
5         And the = right-valiant Banquo walked too=20 late;
         &nbs= p; =20 Whom, you may say, if=92t please you, Fleance=20 killed,
         &n= bsp; =20 For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too=20 late.
         &nbs= p; =20 Who cannot want the thought, how=20 monstrous
         =   =20 It was for Malcolm and for=20 Donalbain
10         To = kill=20 their gracious father? Damn=E8d=20 fact!
          &nbs= p; How=20 it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not=20 straight,
         =   =20 In pious rage, the two delinquents=20 tear,
         &nbs= p; =20 That were the slaves of drink and thralls of=20 sleep?
         &nb= sp; =20 Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely=20 too;
15         For = =92twould=20 have angered any heart=20 alive
         &nbs= p; =20 To hear the men deny=92t. So that I=20 say
          = =20 He has borne all things well: and I do=20 think
         &nbs= p; =20 That, had he Duncan=92s sons under his=20 key=97
          &nb= sp; As,=20 an =92t please heaven, he shall not=97they should=20 find
20         What = =92twere to=20 kill a father. So should=20 Fleance.
         &= nbsp; =20 But, peace! for from broad words, and =92cause he=20 failed
         &nb= sp; =20 His presence at the tyrant=92s feast, I=20 hear,
         &nbs= p; =20 Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you=20 tell
          = ; =20 Where he bestows=20 himself?
Lord.        = ;    =20 The son of=20 Duncan,
25         From = whom=20 this tyrant holds the due of=20 birth,
          &nb= sp;=20 Lives in the English court, and is=20 received
         &= nbsp; =20 Of the most pious Edward with such=20 grace
         &nbs= p; =20 That the malevolence of fortune=20 nothing
         &n= bsp; =20 Takes from his high respect. Thither=20 Macduff
30         Is = gone to=20 pray the holy king, upon his=20 aid
           = To=20 wake Northumberland and warlike=20 Siward;
          &n= bsp;=20 That by the help of these, with Him=20 above
         &nbs= p; =20 To ratify the work, we may=20 again
         &nbs= p; =20 Give to our tables meat, sleep to our=20 nights,
35         Free = from=20 our feasts and banquets bloody=20 knives,
         &n= bsp; =20 Do faithful homage and receive free=20 honors:
         &n= bsp; =20 All which we pine for now. And this=20 report
         &nb= sp; =20 Hath so exasperate the king that=20 he
          &= nbsp;=20 Prepares for some attempt of=20 war.
Lennox.       &nb= sp;    =20 Sent he to=20 Macduff?
Lord.
40      &= nbsp; =20 He did: and with an absolute =93Sir, not=20 I,=94
         &nbs= p; =20 The cloudy messenger turns me his=20 back,
         &nbs= p; =20 And hums, as who should say =93You=92ll rue the=20 time
          = ; =20 That clogs me with this=20 answer.=94
Lennox.       &= nbsp;     =20 And that well=20 might
          &nbs= p;=20 Advise him to a caution, t=92 hold what=20 distance
45         His = wisdom=20 can provide. Some holy=20 angel
         &nbs= p; =20 Fly to the court of England and=20 unfold
         &nb= sp; =20 His message ere he come, that a swift=20 blessing
         &= nbsp; =20 May soon return to this our suffering=20 country
         &n= bsp; =20 Under a hand=20 accursed!
Lord.       &nbs= p;    =20 I=92ll send my prayers with him.

[Exeunt.]

End of Act 3

Click here to navigate through = the play: Act=20 1, Act=20 2, Act=20 4, Act=20 5,

and Act=20 3 Homework.

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