So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self: this I made good to you

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In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed

Say 'Thus did Banquo.'

First Murderer.

You made it known to us.

Macbeth. I did so, and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting. Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd
To pray for this good man and for his issue,
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave
And beggar'd yours for ever?

First Murderer.

We are men, my liege.

Macbeth. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men ;
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept
All by the name of dogs: the valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive
Particular addition, from the bill

That writes them all alike: and so of men.
Now if you have a station in the file,
Not 'the worst rank of manhood, say't;
And I will put that business in your bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.

Second Murderer.

I am one, my liege,

Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.

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So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,
That I would set my life on any chance,

To mend it or be rid on 't.

Macbeth.

Both of you

True, my lord.

Know Banquo was your enemy.

Both Murderers.

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

Against my near'st of life: and though I could
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
For certain friends that are both his and mine,
Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall
Who I myself struck down: and thence it is,
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.

Second Murderer.

We shall, my lord,

Though our lives

Perform what you command us.

First Murderer.

IIO

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Macbeth. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour

at most

I will advise you where to plant yourselves,
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,
The moment on 't; for 't must be done to-night,
And something from the palace; always thought
That I require a clearness: and with him-
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work-
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart :
I'll come to you anon.

Both Murderers.

We are resolved, my lord.

Macbeth. I'll call upon you straight: abide within.

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D

[Exeunt Murderers.

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

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If it find heaven, must find it out to-night.

.[Exit.

SCENE II. The palace.

Enter LADY MACBETH and a Servant.

Lady Macbeth. Is Banquo gone from court?

Servant. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.

Lady Macbeth. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words.

Servant.

Lady Macbeth.

Madam, I will.

[Exit.

Nought's had, all's spent,

Where our desire is got without content:
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

Enter MACBETH.

How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making;
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard: what's done is done.

Macbeth. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it:
She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice

Remains in danger of her former tooth.

ΙΟ

But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep

In the affliction of these terrible dreams

That shake us nightly; better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie

In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;

Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,
Can touch him further.

20

Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;
Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.
Macbeth. So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you:
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo;

Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue :
Unsafe the while, that we

Must lave our honours in these flattering streams,
And make our faces visards to our hearts,

Disguising what they are.

Lady Macbeth.

You must leave this.

Macbeth. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.

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40

Lady Macbeth. But in them nature's copy's not eterne. Macbeth. There's comfort yet; they are assailable; Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown His cloister'd flight, ere to black Hecate's summons The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note.

Lady Macbeth.

What's to be done?

Macbeth. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,

Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,

And with thy bloody and invisible hand

Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond

Which keeps me pale! Light thickens, and the crow 50

Makes wing to the rooky wood:

Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;

Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still:
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. A park near the palace.

Enter three Murderers.

First Murd. But who did bid thee join with us?

Third Murderer.

Macbeth.

Sec. Murd. He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers Our offices and what we have to do

To the direction just.

First Murderer.

Then stand with us.

The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:

Now spurs the lated traveller apace

To gain the timely inn, and near approaches

The subject of our watch.

Third Murderer.

Hark! I hear horses.

Banquo. [Within.] Give us a light there, ho!

Second Murderer.

Then 'tis he: the rest

ΙΟ

That are within the note of expectation

Already are i' the court.

First Murderer.

His horses go about.

Third Murderer. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace gate

Third Murderer. Who did strike out the light?

First Murderer.

Was't not the way?