The Tragedy of Macbeth

From: Subject: The Tragedy of Macbeth Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:12:10 -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/Macbeth4%20p1.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act=20 IV

William = Shakespeare

Scene 1. A witches' haunt.

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

First=20 Witch.
          = ; =20 Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.
Third=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Harpier cries, =92Tis time, =92tis time.
First=20 Witch.
          = ; =20 Round about the caldron=20 go:
5         In the = poisoned=20 entrails=20 throw.
         &nb= sp; =20 Toad, that under cold=20 stone
         &nbs= p; =20 Days and nights has=20 thirty-one
         = ;  =20 Swelt=92red venom sleeping=20 got,
           = ; Boil=20 thou first i=92 th=92 charm=E8d=20 pot.
All.
10      =   =20 Double, double, toil and=20 trouble;
         &= nbsp; =20 Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Fillet of a fenny=20 snake,
         &nb= sp; =20 In the caldron boil and=20 bake;
         &nbs= p; =20 Eye of newt and toe of=20 frog,
15        Wool of bat = and=20 tongue of=20 dog,
          = ; =20 Adder=92s fork and blindworm=92s=20 sting,
         &nb= sp; =20 Lizard=92s leg and howlet=92s=20 wing,
         &nbs= p; =20 For a charm of pow=92rful=20 trouble,
         &= nbsp; =20 Like a hell-broth boil and=20 bubble.
All.
20     &nb= sp;  =20 Double, double, toil and=20 trouble;
         &= nbsp; =20 Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Third=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Scale of dragon, tooth of=20 wolf,
         &nbs= p; =20 Witch=92s mummy, maw and=20 gulf
           = ; Of=20 the ravined salt-sea=20 shark,
25         Root = of=20 hemlock digged i=92 th=92=20 dark,
         &nbs= p; =20 Liver of blaspheming=20 Jew,
          = ; =20 Gall of goat, and slips of=20 yew
          = =20 Slivered in the moon=92s=20 eclipse,
         &= nbsp; =20 Nose of Turk and Tartar=92s=20 lips,
30         Finger = of=20 birth-strangled=20 babe
          = ; =20 Ditch-delivered by a=20 drab,
          &nbs= p; Make=20 the gruel thick and=20 slab:
          &nbs= p; Add=20 thereto a tiger=92s=20 chaudron,
          = =20 For th=92 ingredients of our=20 caldron.
All.
35     &n= bsp;  =20 Double, double, toil and=20 trouble;
         &= nbsp; =20 Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Cool it with a baboon=92s=20 blood,
         &nb= sp; =20 Then the charm is firm and good.
[Enter HECATE and = the other=20 three=20 WITCHES.]
Hecate.
     =       =20 O, well done! I commend your=20 pains;
40         And = every one=20 shall share i=92 th=92=20 gains:
         &nb= sp; =20 And now about the caldron=20 sing,
         &nbs= p; =20 Like elves and fairies in a=20 ring,
         &nbs= p; =20 Enchanting all that you put in.

[Music and a song: =93Black Spirits,=94 etc.]

[Exeunt HECATE and the other three WITCHES.]

Second=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 By the pricking of my=20 thumbs,
45        Something = wicked=20 this way=20 comes:
         &nb= sp;         =20 Open,=20 locks,
         &nb= sp;         =20 Whoever knocks!

[Enter MACBETH.]

Macbeth.
       &nb= sp;   =20 How now, you secret, black, and midnight=20 hags!
         &nbs= p; =20 What is=92t you do?
All.     A deed = without a=20 name.
Macbeth.
50     &= nbsp;  =20 I conjure you, by that which you=20 profess,
         &= nbsp; =20 Howe=92er you come to know it, answer=20 me:
          = =20 Though you untie the winds and let them=20 fight
         &nbs= p; =20 Against the churches; though the yesty=20 waves
         &nbs= p; =20 Confound and swallow navigation=20 up;
55         Though = bladed=20 corn be lodged and trees blown=20 down;
         &nbs= p; =20 Though castles topple on their warders=92=20 heads;
         &nb= sp; =20 Though palaces and pyramids do=20 slope
          &nbs= p;=20 Their heads to their foundations; though the=20 treasure
         &= nbsp; =20 Of nature=92s germens tumble all=20 together,
60         = Even till=20 destruction sicken, answer=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 To what I ask you.
First=20 Witch.           &= nbsp;=20 Speak.
Second=20 Witch.        =20 Demand.
Third=20 Witch.          &nb= sp;=20 We=92ll answer.
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Say, if th=92 hadst rather hear it from our=20 mouths,
         &n= bsp; =20 Or from our=20 masters?
Macbeth.       &n= bsp;    =20 Call =92em, let me see =92em.
First=20 Witch.
         = ;  =20 Pour in sow=92s blood, that hath=20 eaten
65         Her = nine=20 farrow; grease that=92s=20 sweaten
          &n= bsp;=20 From the murderer=92s gibbet=20 throw
         &nbs= p; =20 Into the=20 flame.
All.        &n= bsp;           =20 Come, high or=20 low,
          = ; =20 Thyself and office deftly show!

[Thunder. FIRST APPARITION: an Armed Head.]

Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Tell me, thou unknown power=97=97
First=20 Witch.          &nb= sp; =20 He knows thy=20 thought:
70         = Hear his=20 speech, but say thou nought.
First=20 Apparition.
         =   =20 Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware=20 Macduff!
         &= nbsp; =20 Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me: enough.

[He descends.]

Macbeth.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Whate=92er thou art, for thy good caution=20 thanks:
         &n= bsp; =20 Thou hast harped my fear aright. But one word more=97=97
First=20 Witch.
75         = He will=20 not be commanded. Here=92s=20 another,
         &= nbsp; =20 More potent than the first.

[Thunder. SECOND APPARITION: a Bloody Child.]

Second=20 Apparition.
        =    =20 Macbeth! Macbeth!=20 Macbeth!
Macbeth.
     =       =20 Had I three ears, I=92d hear thee.
Second=20 Apparition.
        =    =20 Be bloody, bold, and resolute! Laugh to=20 scorn
80        The pow=92r = of man,=20 for none of woman=20 born
          = ; =20 Shall harm=20 Macbeth.           = ;            =             &= nbsp;=20 [Descends.]
Macbeth.
    &n= bsp;      =20 Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of=20 thee?
         &nbs= p; =20 But yet I=92ll make assurance double=20 sure,
         &nbs= p; =20 And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not=20 live;
85         That I = may=20 tell pale-hearted fear it=20 lies,
         &nbs= p; =20 And sleep in spite of thunder.

[Thunder. THIRD APPARITION: a Child Crowned, with a tree=20 in
his hand.]

            = What is=20 this,
         &nbs= p; =20 That rises like the issue of a=20 king,
         &nbs= p; =20 And wears upon his baby-brow the=20 round
         &nbs= p; =20 And top of=20 sovereignty?
All.        &n= bsp;   =20 Listen, but speak not to=92t.
Third=20 Apparition.
90       &nbs= p; Be=20 lion-mettled, proud, and take no=20 care
          = ; =20 Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers=20 are:
          = ; =20 Macbeth shall never vanquished be=20 until
         &nbs= p; =20 Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane=20 Hill
          = ; =20 Shall come against=20 him.           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;    =20 [Descends.]
Macbeth.     =        =20 That will never = be.
95        =20 Who can impress the forest, bid the=20 tree
          = ; =20 Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements,=20 good!
         &nbs= p; =20 Rebellious dead, rise never, till the=20 Wood
          = ; =20 Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed=20 Macbeth
         &n= bsp; =20 Shall live the lease of nature, pay his=20 breath
100      To time and mortal = custom. Yet=20 my=20 heart
         &nbs= p; =20 Throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your=20 art
          = =20 Can tell so much: shall Banquo=92s issue=20 ever
          = ; =20 Reign in this=20 kingdom?
All.        =         =20 Seek to know no=20 more.
Macbeth.
      &nbs= p;    =20 I will be satisfied. Deny me this,
105     = And an=20 eternal curse fall on you! Let me=20 know.
         &nbs= p; Why=20 sinks that caldron? And what noise is this?

[Hautboys.]

First Witch.        =20 Show!
Second Witch.    =20 Show!
Third = Witch.       =20 Show!
All.
110     =    =20 Show his eyes, and grieve his=20 heart;
         &nb= sp;    =20 Come like shadows, so depart!

[A show of eight KINGS and BANQUO, last KING = with a=20 glass in
his hand.]

Macbeth.
       &nb= sp;   =20 Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo.=20 Down!
         &nbs= p; =20 Thy crown does sear mine eyelids. And thy=20 hair,
         &nbs= p; =20 Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the=20 first.
115     A third is like the former. = Filthy=20 hags!
         &nbs= p; =20 Why do you show me this? A fourth! Start,=20 eyes!
         &nbs= p; =20 What, will the line stretch out to th=92 crack of=20 doom?
          &nbs= p;=20 Another yet! A seventh! I=92ll see no=20 more.
         &nbs= p; =20 And yet the eighth appears, who bears a=20 glass
120     Which shows me many more; and = some I=20 see
          = =20 That twofold balls and treble scepters=20 carry:
         &nb= sp; =20 Horrible sight! Now I see =92tis=20 true;
         &nbs= p; =20 For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon=20 me,
          = =20 And points at them for his. What, is this so?
First=20 Witch.
125     Ay, sir, all this is so. = But=20 why
          = =20 Stands Macbeth thus=20 amazedly?
         =   =20 Come, sisters, cheer we up his=20 sprites,
         &= nbsp; =20 And show the best of our=20 delights:
         =   =20 I=92ll charm the air to give a = sound,
130     While=20 you perform your antic=20 round,
          &nb= sp;=20 That this great king may kindly=20 say
          = =20 Our duties did his welcome pay.

[Music. The WITCHES dance, and=20 vanish.]

Macbeth.
   &nbs= p;       =20 Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious=20 hour
          = ; =20 Stand aye accurs=E8d in the=20 calendar!
         =   =20 Come in, without there!

[Enter LENNOX.]

135 Lennox.         = What=92s=20 your grace=92s=20 will?
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Saw you the weird=20 sisters?
Lennox.       &nb= sp;        =20 No, my=20 lord.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Came they not by=20 you?
Lennox.        &= nbsp;       =20 No indeed, my=20 lord.
Macbeth.
     &nb= sp;     =20 Infected by the air whereon they=20 ride,
         &nbs= p; =20 And damned all those that trust them! I did=20 hear
140     The galloping of horse. Who = was=92t came=20 by?
Lennox.
        = =92Tis=20 two or three, my lord, that bring you=20 word
         Macduff = is fled=20 to=20 England.
Macbeth.       &n= bsp;    =20 Fled to=20 England?
Lennox.
     &= nbsp; =20 Ay, my good lord.
Macbeth    =20 (aside).
       &n= bsp; =20 Time, thou anticipat=92st my dread = exploits.
145    The=20 flighty purpose never is=20 o=92ertook
         = ; Unless=20 the deed go with it. From this=20 moment
        The very = firstlings=20 of my heart shall be
        = The=20 firstlings of my hand. And even=20 now,
        To crown my = thoughts=20 with acts, be it thought and done:
150   The castle = of=20 Macduff I will = surprise;
       =20 Seize upon Fife; give to th=92 edge o=92 th=92=20 sword
        His wife, his = babes,=20 and all unfortunate = souls
       =20 That trace him in his line. No boasting like a=20 fool;
        This deed = I=92ll do=20 before this purpose cool:
155     But no = more=20 sights!=97Where are these=20 gentlemen?
        Come, = bring me=20 where they=20 are.           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;    =20 [Exeunt.]

Scene 2. Macduff=92s = castle.

&nbs= p; =20 Enter Macduff=92s wife LADY MACDUFF, her SON, and=20 ROSS.

Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 What had he done, to make him fly the=20 land?
Ross.
      =      =20 You must have patience, madam.
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ; =20 He had=20 none:
         &nbs= p; =20 His flight was madness. When our actions do=20 not,
          = ; =20 Our fears do make us=20 traitors.
Ross.       &nbs= p;    =20 You know = not
5        =20 Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.
Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Wisdom! To leave his wife, to leave his=20 babes,
         &nb= sp; =20 His mansion and his titles, in a=20 place
         &nbs= p; =20 From whence himself does fly? He loves us=20 not;
          = ; =20 He wants the natural touch: for the poor=20 wren,
10         The = most=20 diminutive of birds, will=20 fight,
         &nb= sp; =20 Her young ones in her nest, against the=20 owl.
          = ; =20 All is the fear and nothing is the=20 love;
         &nbs= p; =20 As little is the wisdom, where the=20 flight
         &nb= sp; =20 So runs against all=20 reason.
Ross.        =         =20 My dearest=20 coz,
15      &nb= sp; =20 I pray you, school yourself. But, for your=20 husband,
         &= nbsp; =20 He is noble, wise, judicious, and best=20 knows
         &nbs= p; =20 The fits o=92 th=92 season. I dare not speak much=20 further:
         &= nbsp; =20 But cruel are the times, when we are=20 traitors
         &= nbsp; =20 And do not know ourselves; when we hold=20 rumor
20         From = what we=20 fear, yet know not what we=20 fear,
         &nbs= p; =20 But float upon a wild and violent=20 sea
          = =20 Each way and move. I take my leave of=20 you.
          = ; =20 Shall not be long but I=92ll be here=20 again.
         &nb= sp; =20 Things at the worst will cease, or else climb=20 upward
25         To = what they=20 were before. My pretty=20 cousin,
         &n= bsp; =20 Blessing upon you!
Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Fathered he is, and yet he=92s=20 fatherless.
Ross.
      =      =20 I am so much a fool, should I stay=20 longer,
         &n= bsp; =20 It would be my disgrace and your=20 discomfort.
        &nbs= p;  =20 I take my leave at=20 once.           &n= bsp;    =20 [Exit ROSS.]
30 Lady=20 Macduff.          &= nbsp; =20 Sirrah, your father=92s=20 dead:
         &nbs= p; =20 And what will you do now? How will you=20 live?
Son.
      &= nbsp;    =20 As birds do, mother.
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ; =20 What, with worms and=20 flies?
Son.
       =     =20 With what I get, I mean; and so do they.
Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Poor bird! thou=92dst never fear the net nor=20 lime,
35         The pitfall = nor the=20 gin.
Son.
       &n= bsp;   =20 Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set=20 for.
          = ; =20 My father is not dead, for all your saying.
Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Yes, he is dead: how wilt thou do for a=20 father?
Son.     Nay, how will you = do for a=20 husband?
40 Lady=20 Macduff.          &= nbsp; =20 Why, I can buy me twenty at any=20 market.
Son.     Then you=92ll buy = =92em to sell=20 again.
Lady=20 Macduff.
         &nb= sp; =20 Thou speak=92st with all thy wit, and yet, i=92=20 faith,
         &nb= sp; =20 With wit enough for=20 thee.
Son.
       &= nbsp;   =20 Was my father a traitor, mother?
45 Lady=20 Macduff.           = ; =20 Ay, that he was.
Son.     What = is a=20 traitor?
Lady=20 Macduff.          &= nbsp;     =20 Why, one that swears and lies.
Son.     = And be all=20 traitors that do so?
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ;     =20 Every one that does so is a traitor, and must=20 be
          &= nbsp;=20 hanged.
50=20 Son.           = =20 And must they all be hanged that swear and lie?
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ;     =20 Every=20 one.
Son.        &nbs= p;       =20 Who must hang them?
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ;     =20 Why, the honest=20 men.
Son.        &nbs= p;   =20 Then the liars and swearers are fools; for there are=20 liars
55         and = swearers=20 enow to beat the honest men and hang up them.
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ;     =20 Now, God help thee, poor monkey!=20 But
          = =20 how wilt thou do for a=20 father?
Son.        &= nbsp;   =20 If he were dead, you=92d weep for him. If you would not,=20 it
          &= nbsp;=20 were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father.
60 = Lady=20 Macduff.           = ; =20 Poor prattler, how thou talk=92st!

[Enter a MESSENGER.]

Messenger.
        &= nbsp;  =20 Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you=20 known,
         &nb= sp; =20 Though in your state of honor I am=20 perfect.
          &= nbsp; I=20 doubt some danger does approach you=20 nearly:
         &n= bsp; =20 If you will take a homely man=92s=20 advice,
65         Be = not found=20 here; hence, with your little=20 ones.
         &nbs= p; =20 To fright you thus, methinks I am too=20 savage;
         &n= bsp; =20 To do worse to you were fell=20 cruelty,
         &= nbsp; =20 Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve=20 you!
          = ; =20 I dare abide no=20 longer.           =          =20 [Exit MESSENGER.]
Lady=20 Macduff.           = ; =20 Whither should I = fly?
70       =20 I have done no harm. But I remember=20 now
          = =20 I am in this earthly world, where to do=20 harm
          = ; =20 Is often laudable, to do good=20 sometime
         &= nbsp; =20 Accounted dangerous folly. Why then,=20 alas,
         &nbs= p; =20 Do I put up that womanly=20 defense,
75         To = say I=20 have done no harm?=97What are these faces?

[Enter=20 MURDERERS.]

Murderer.
   =         =20 Where is your husband?
Lady=20 Macduff.
        &nb= sp;  =20 I hope, in no place so=20 unsanctified
        &nb= sp;  =20 Where such as thou mayst find=20 him.
Murderer.        = ;    =20 He=92s a=20 traitor.
Son.
     &nbs= p;     =20 Thou li=92st, thou shag-eared=20 villain!
Murderer.      &nb= sp;     =20 What, you egg!

[Stabbing him.]

            = Young fry=20 of treachery!
80=20 Son.           =      =20 He has killed me,=20 mother:
         &n= bsp; =20 Run away, I pray=20 you!           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20 [Dies.]

[Exit LADY MACDUFF, crying = =93Murder!=94
followed by=20 MURDERERS.]

Scene 3. = England.=20 Before the king=92s palace.

&= nbsp; =20 Enter MALCOLM and MACDUFF.

Malcolm.
        &nb= sp;  =20 Let us seek out some desolate shade, and=20 there
         &nbs= p; =20 Weep our sad bosoms=20 empty.
Macduff.       =          =20 Let us=20 rather
         &nb= sp; =20 Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good=20 men
          = =20 Bestride our down-fall=92n birthdom. Each new=20 morn
5         New = widows howl,=20 new orphans cry, new=20 sorrows
         &n= bsp; =20 Strike heaven on the face, that it=20 resounds
         &= nbsp; =20 As if it felt with Scotland and yelled=20 out
          = =20 Like syllable of=20 dolor.
Malcolm.       &nbs= p;    =20 What I believe, I=92ll=20 wail;
          &nbs= p; What=20 know, believe; and what I can=20 redress,
10         As = I shall=20 find the time to friend, I=20 will.
         &nbs= p; =20 What you have spoke, it may be so=20 perchance.
         = ;  =20 This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our=20 tongues,
         &= nbsp; =20 Was once thought honest: you have loved him=20 well;
         &nbs= p; =20 He hath not touched you yet. I am young; but=20 something
15         = You may=20 deserve of him through me; and=20 wisdom
         &nb= sp; =20 To offer up a weak, poor, innocent=20 lamb
          = ; =20 T=92 appease an angry=20 god.
Macduff.
     &nbs= p;     =20 I am not=20 treacherous.
Malcolm.      =       =20 But Macbeth=20 is.
          = =20 A good and virtuous nature may=20 recoil
20        In an = imperial=20 charge. But I shall crave your=20 pardon;
         &n= bsp; =20 That which you are, my thoughts cannot=20 transpose:
         = ;  =20 Angels are bright still, though the brightest=20 fell:
         &nbs= p; =20 Though all things foul would wear the brows of=20 grace,
         &nb= sp; =20 Yet grace must still look=20 so.
Macduff.         &= nbsp;  =20 I have lost my=20 hopes.
Malcolm.
25      =   =20 Perchance even there where I did find my=20 doubts.
         &n= bsp; =20 Why in that rawness left you wife and=20 child,
         &nb= sp; =20 Those precious motives, those strong knots of=20 love,
         &nbs= p; =20 Without leave-taking? I pray=20 you,
          = ; =20 Let not my jealousies be your=20 dishonors,
30        But = mine own=20 safeties. You may be rightly=20 just
          = ; =20 Whatever I shall=20 think.
Macduff.        &nbs= p;   =20 Bleed, bleed, poor=20 country:
         &= nbsp; =20 Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis=20 sure,
         &nbs= p; =20 For goodness dare not check thee: wear thou thy=20 wrongs;
         &n= bsp; =20 The title is affeered. Fare thee well,=20 lord:
35         I = would not be=20 the villain that thou=20 think=92st
         = ;  =20 For the whole space that=92s in the tyrant=92s=20 grasp
         &nbs= p; =20 And the rich East to=20 boot.
Malcolm.       &= nbsp;    =20 Be not=20 offended:
         =   =20 I speak not as in absolute fear of=20 you.
          = ; =20 I think our country sinks beneath the=20 yoke;
40         It = weeps, it=20 bleeds, and each new day a=20 gash
          = ; =20 Is added to her wounds. I think=20 withal
          &nb= sp;=20 There would be hands uplifted in my=20 right;
          &nb= sp; And=20 here from gracious England have I=20 offer
         &nbs= p; =20 Of goodly thousands: but, for all=20 this,
45         When I = shall=20 tread upon the tyrant=92s=20 head,
         &nbs= p; =20 Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor=20 country
         &n= bsp; =20 Shall have more vices than it had=20 before,
         &n= bsp; =20 More suffer, and more sundry ways than=20 ever,
         &nbs= p; =20 By him that shall=20 succeed.
Macduff.      &nbs= p;     =20 What should he=20 be?
Malcolm.
50     &nb= sp;  =20 It is myself I mean, in whom I=20 know
          = ; =20 All the particulars of vice so=20 grafted
         &n= bsp; =20 That, when they shall be opened, black=20 Macbeth
         &n= bsp; =20 Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor=20 state
         &nbs= p; =20 Esteem him as a lamb, being=20 compared
         &= nbsp; =20 With my confineless harms.
55=20 Macduff.         Not in = the=20 legions
         &n= bsp; =20 Of horrid hell can come a devil more=20 damned
         &nb= sp; =20 In evils to top=20 Macbeth.
Malcolm.        &n= bsp;   =20 I grant him=20 bloody,
         &n= bsp; =20 Luxurious, avaricious, false,=20 deceitful,
         = ;  =20 Sudden, malicious, smacking of every=20 sin
60         That has = a name:=20 but there=92s no bottom,=20 none,
         &nbs= p; =20 In my voluptuousness: your wives, your=20 daughters,
         = ;  =20 Your matrons and your maids, could not fill=20 up
          &= nbsp;=20 The cistern of my lust, and my=20 desire
         &nb= sp; =20 All continent impediments would=20 o=92erbear,
65         = That did=20 oppose my will. Better=20 Macbeth
         &n= bsp; =20 Than such an one to=20 reign.
Macduff.       =      =20 Boundless=20 intemperance
        &nb= sp;  =20 In nature is a tyranny; it hath=20 been
          = ; =20 Th=92 untimely emptying of the happy=20 throne,
         &n= bsp; =20 And fall of many kings. But fear not=20 yet
70         To take = upon you=20 what is yours: you=20 may
          = =20 Convey your pleasures in a spacious=20 plenty,
         &n= bsp; =20 And yet seem cold, the time you may so=20 hoodwink.
         =   =20 We have willing dames enough. There cannot=20 be
          &= nbsp;=20 That vulture in you, to devour so=20 many
75         As will = to=20 greatness dedicate=20 themselves,
        &nbs= p;  =20 Finding it so=20 inclined.
Malcolm.      &nb= sp;     =20 With this there=20 grows
         &nbs= p; =20 In my most ill-composed affection=20 such
          = ; =20 A stanchless avarice that, were I=20 king,
         &nbs= p; =20 I should cut off the nobles for their=20 lands,
80         = Desire his=20 jewels and this other=92s=20 house:
         &nb= sp; =20 And my more-having would be as a=20 sauce
         &nbs= p; =20 To make me hunger more, that I should=20 forge
         &nbs= p; =20 Quarrels unjust against the good and=20 loyal,
         &nb= sp; =20 Destroying them for=20 wealth.
Macduff.       = ;     =20 This avarice
85         = Sticks=20 deeper, grows with more pernicious=20 root
          = ; =20 Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath=20 been
          = ; =20 The sword of our slain kings. Yet do not=20 fear.
         &nbs= p; =20 Scotland hath foisons to fill up your=20 will
          = ; =20 Of your mere own. All these are=20 portable,
90         = With other=20 graces=20 weighed.
Malcolm.
     =       =20 But I have none: the king-becoming=20 graces,
         &n= bsp; =20 As justice, verity, temp=92rance,=20 stableness,
        &nbs= p;  =20 Bounty, perseverance, mercy,=20 lowliness,
         = ;  =20 Devotion, patience, courage,=20 fortitude,
95         I = have no=20 relish of them, but=20 abound
         &nb= sp; =20 In the division of each several=20 crime,
          &nb= sp;=20 Acting it many ways. Nay, had I pow=92r, I=20 should
         &nb= sp; =20 Pour the sweet milk of concord into=20 hell,
         &nbs= p; =20 Uproar the universal peace,=20 confound
         &= nbsp; =20 All unity on earth.
100=20 Macduff.         &nbs= p;  =20 O Scotland,=20 Scotland!
Malcolm.
     = ;      =20 If such a one be fit to govern,=20 speak:
         &nb= sp; =20 I am as I have=20 spoken.
Macduff.       = ;         =20 Fit to=20 govern!
         &n= bsp; =20 No, not to live. O nation=20 miserable!
         = ;  =20 With an untitled tyrant = bloody-sceptered,
105    =20 When shalt thou see thy wholesome days=20 again,
         &nb= sp; =20 Since that the truest issue of thy=20 throne
         &nb= sp; =20 By his own interdiction stands=20 accursed,
         =   =20 And does blaspheme his breed? Thy royal=20 father
         &nb= sp; =20 Was a most sainted king: the queen that bore=20 thee,
110     Oft=92ner upon her knees than = on her=20 feet,
         &nbs= p; =20 Died every day she lived. Fare thee=20 well!
         &nbs= p; =20 These evils thou repeat=92st upon=20 thyself
         &n= bsp; =20 Hath banished me from Scotland. O my=20 breast,
         &n= bsp; =20 Thy hope ends=20 here!
Malcolm.       &= nbsp;    =20 Macduff, this noble passion,
115     Child = of=20 integrity, hath from my=20 soul
          = ; =20 Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my=20 thoughts
         &= nbsp; =20 To thy good truth and honor. Devilish=20 Macbeth
         &n= bsp; =20 By many of these trains hath sought to win=20 me
          &= nbsp;=20 Into his power; and modest wisdom plucks = me
120    =20 From over-credulous haste: but God=20 above
         &nbs= p; =20 Deal between thee and me! For even=20 now
          = =20 I put myself to thy direction,=20 and
          = =20 Unspeak mine own detraction; here=20 abjure
         &nb= sp; =20 The taints and blames I laid upon = myself,
125    =20 For strangers to my nature. I am=20 yet
          = =20 Unknown to woman, never was=20 forsworn,
         =   =20 Scarcely have coveted what was mine=20 own,
          = ; =20 At no time broke my faith, would not=20 betray
         &nb= sp; =20 The devil to his fellow, and=20 delight
130         No = less in=20 truth than life. My first false=20 speaking
         &= nbsp; =20 Was this upon myself. What I am=20 truly,
         &nb= sp; =20 Is thine and my poor country=92s to=20 command:
         &= nbsp; =20 Whither indeed, before thy=20 here-approach,
        &= nbsp;  =20 Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike=20 men,
135      Already at a point, was = setting=20 forth.
         &nb= sp; =20 Now we=92ll together, and the chance of=20 goodness
         &= nbsp; =20 Be like our warranted quarrel! Why are you=20 silent?
Macduff.
      &= nbsp;    =20 Such welcome and unwelcome things at=20 once
          = ; =20 =92Tis hard to reconcile.

[Enter a DOCTOR.]

Malcolm.
140       = =20 Well, more anon. Comes the king forth, I pray=20 you?
Doctor.
      = ;     =20 Ay, sir. There are a crew of wretched=20 souls
         &nbs= p; =20 That stay his cure: their malady=20 convinces
         =   =20 The great assay of art; but at his=20 touch,
         &nb= sp; =20 Such sanctity hath heaven given his=20 hand,
         &nbs= p; =20 They presently amend.
145=20 Malcolm.          &= nbsp; =20 I thank you, doctor.

[Exit=20 DOCTOR.]

Macduff.
     &n= bsp;     =20 What=92s the disease he=20 means?
Malcolm.        &nbs= p;   =20 =92Tis called the=20 evil:
          &nbs= p; A=20 most miraculous work in this good=20 king,
         &nbs= p; =20 Which often since my here-remain in=20 England
         &n= bsp; =20 I have seen him do. How he solicits=20 heaven,
150       Himself best = knows: but=20 strangely visited=20 people,
         &n= bsp; =20 All swoll=92n and ulcerous, pitiful to the=20 eye,
          = ; =20 The mere despair of surgery, he=20 cures,
         &nb= sp; =20 Hanging a golden stamp about their=20 necks,
         &nb= sp; =20 Put on with holy prayers: and =92tis = spoken,
155    =20 To the succeeding royalty he=20 leaves
         &nb= sp; =20 The healing benediction. With this strange=20 virtue
         &nb= sp; =20 He hath a heavenly gift of=20 prophecy,
         =   =20 And sundry blessings hang about his=20 throne
         &nb= sp; =20 That speak him full of grace.

[Enter ROSS.]

Macduff.         &= nbsp;  =20 See, who comes=20 here?
Malcolm.
160     = =20 My countryman; but yet I know him=20 not.
Macduff.
     &nbs= p;     =20 My ever gentle cousin, welcome=20 hither.
Malcolm.
      &= nbsp;    =20 I know him now: good God, betimes=20 remove
         &nb= sp; =20 The means that makes us=20 strangers!
Ross.       = ;     =20 Sir,=20 amen.
Macduff.
      &nb= sp;    =20 Stands Scotland where it=20 did?
Ross.        = ;     =20 Alas, poor country!
165       = Almost=20 afraid to know itself! It=20 cannot
         &nb= sp; =20 Be called our mother but our grave, where=20 nothing
         &n= bsp; =20 But who knows nothing is once seen to=20 smile;
         &nb= sp; =20 Where sighs and groans, and shrieks that rent the=20 air,
          = ; =20 Are made, not marked; where violent sorrow=20 seems
170     A modern ecstasy. The dead = man=92s=20 knell
         &nbs= p; =20 Is there scarce asked for who, and good men=92s=20 lives
         &nbs= p; =20 Expire before the flowers in their=20 caps,
         &nbs= p; =20 Dying or ere they=20 sicken.
Macduff.       = ;     =20 O, relation Too nice, and yet too=20 true!
Malcolm.        = ;    =20 What=92s the newest=20 grief?
Ross.
175      = That of=20 an hour=92s age doth hiss the=20 speaker;
         &= nbsp; =20 Each minute teems a new=20 one.
Macduff.       &n= bsp;    =20 How does my=20 wife?
Ross.
       =     =20 Why,=20 well.
Macduff.       &= nbsp;    =20 And all my children?
Ross.    Well=20 too.
Macduff.
     &nbs= p;     =20 The tyrant has not battered at their=20 peace?
Ross.
      = ;     =20 No; they were well at peace when I did leave=20 =92em.
Macduff.
180     Be = not a=20 niggard of your speech: how=20 goes=92t?
Ross.
      &n= bsp;    =20 When I came hither to transport the=20 tidings,
         &= nbsp; =20 Which I have heavily borne, there ran a=20 rumor
         &nbs= p; =20 Of many worthy fellows that were=20 out;
           = ; Which=20 was to my belief witnessed the=20 rather,
185       For that I saw = the=20 tyrant=92s power=20 afoot.
         &nb= sp; =20 Now is the time of help. Your eye in=20 Scotland
         &= nbsp; =20 Would create soldiers, make our women=20 fight,
         &nb= sp; =20 To doff their dire=20 distresses.
Malcolm.      &= nbsp;     =20 Be=92t their=20 comfort
         &n= bsp; =20 We are coming thither. Gracious England=20 hath
190       Lent us good = Siward and=20 ten thousand=20 men;
          = ; =20 An older and a better soldier=20 none
          = ; =20 That Christendom gives=20 out.
Ross.         = ;   =20 Would I could=20 answer
         &nb= sp; =20 This comfort with the like! But I have=20 words
         &nbs= p; =20 That would be howled out in the desert=20 air,
          = ; =20 Where hearing should not latch them.
195=20 Macduff.          &n= bsp; =20 What concern=20 they?
         &nbs= p; =20 The general cause or is it a=20 fee-grief
         =   =20 Due to some single=20 breast?
Ross.        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;   =20 No mind that=92s=20 honest
         &nb= sp; =20 But in it shares some woe, though the main=20 part
          = ; =20 Pertains to you=20 alone.
Macduff.        &nbs= p;       =20 If it be mine,
200     Keep it not from = me,=20 quickly let me have=20 it.
Ross.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Let not your ears despise my tongue=20 forever,
         &= nbsp; =20 Which shall possess them with the heaviest=20 sound
         &nbs= p; =20 That ever yet they=20 heard.
Macduff.       =      =20 Humh! I guess at=20 it.
Ross.
       &n= bsp;   =20 Your castle is surprised; your wife and=20 babes
205      Savagely slaughtered. = To relate=20 the=20 manner,
         &n= bsp; =20 Were, on the quarry of these murdered=20 deer,
         &nbs= p; =20 To add the death of=20 you.
Malcolm.        =     =20 Merciful=20 heaven!
          &n= bsp;=20 What, man! Ne=92er pull your hat upon your=20 brows;
         &nb= sp; =20 Give sorrow words. The grief that does not=20 speak
210       Whispers the = o=92er-fraught=20 heart, and bids it=20 break.
Macduff.
     &n= bsp;     =20 My children=20 too?
Ross.        = ;        =20 Wife, children, servants,=20 all
          = =20 That could be=20 found.
Macduff.       &nbs= p;=20 And I must be from=20 thence!
         &n= bsp; =20 My wife killed=20 too?
Ross.        = ;        =20 I have=20 said.
Malcolm.        &n= bsp;   =20 Be=20 comforted.
         = ;  =20 Let=92s make us med=92cines of our great=20 revenge,
215     To cure this deadly=20 grief.
Macduff.
     &n= bsp;     =20 He has no children. All my pretty=20 ones?
         &nbs= p; =20 Did you say all? O hell-kite!=20 All?
          = ; =20 What, all my pretty chickens and their=20 dam
           = At one=20 fell=20 swoop?
Malcolm.
      &n= bsp;    =20 Dispute it like a man.
220=20 Macduff.         &nbs= p;  =20 I shall do=20 so;
          = =20 But I must also feel it as a=20 man.
          = ; =20 I cannot but remember such things=20 were,
         &nbs= p; =20 That were most precious to me. Did heaven look=20 on,
          = =20 And would not take their part? Sinful=20 Macduff,
225     They were all struck for = thee!=20 Naught that I=20 am,
          = =20 Not for their own demerits but for=20 mine
          = ; =20 Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them=20 now!
Malcolm.
     &nbs= p;     =20 Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let=20 grief
         &nbs= p; =20 Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage=20 it.
Macduff.
230     O, I = could=20 play the woman with mine=20 eyes,
         &nbs= p; =20 And braggart with my tongue! But, gentle=20 heavens,
         &= nbsp; =20 Cut short all intermission; front to=20 front
         &nbs= p; =20 Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and=20 myself;
         &n= bsp; =20 Within my sword=92s length set him. If he=20 =92scape,
         =   =20 Heaven forgive him too!
235=20 Malcolm.         &nbs= p;  =20 This time goes=20 manly.
         &nb= sp; =20 Come, go we to the king. Our power is=20 ready;
         &nb= sp; =20 Our lack is nothing but our leave.=20 Macbeth
         &n= bsp; =20 Is ripe for shaking, and the pow=92rs=20 above
         &nbs= p; =20 Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you=20 may.
240     The night is long that never = finds the=20 day.           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20 [Exeunt.]

End of Act 4

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