Chapter XXV: Act III: SCENE I. Forres. The palace.4093

_Enter_ BANQUO.

_Ban._ Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,[4094]
As the weird women promised, and I fear[4095]
Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said[4096]
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father 5
Of many kings. If there come truth from them--
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine--[4097]
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.[4098] 10

_Sennet sounded. Enter_ MACBETH, _as king_; LADY MACBETH, _as_
_queen_; LENNOX, ROSS, Lords, Ladies, _and_ Attendants.[4099]

_Macb._ Here's our chief guest.

_Lady M._ If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great feast,
And all-thing unbecoming.[4100]

_Macb._ To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir,
And I'll request your presence.

_Ban._ Let your highness[4101] 15
Command upon me, to the which my duties[4102]
Are with a most indissoluble tie
For ever knit.

_Macb._ Ride you this afternoon?

_Ban._ Ay, my good lord.

_Macb._ We should have else desired your good advice,[4103] 20
Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,[4103]
In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow.[4103][4104]
Is't far you ride?[4103][4105]

_Ban._ As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, 25
I must become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain.

_Macb._ Fail not our feast.

_Ban._ My lord, I will not.

_Macb._ We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd
In England and in Ireland, not confessing 30
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention: but of that to-morrow,
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu,[4106][4107]
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?[4107] 35

_Ban._ Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's.[4108]

_Macb._ I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
And so I do commend you to their backs.
Farewell. [_Exit Banquo._
Let every man be master of his time 40
Till seven at night; to make society[4109]
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself[4109][4110]
Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you![4110][4111]

[_Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant._

Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men[4112][4113]
Our pleasure?[4113] 45

_Attend._ They are, my lord, without the palace-gate.[4113]

_Macb._ Bring them before us. [_Exit Attendant._[4114]
To be thus is nothing;[4115][4116]
But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo[4116][4116]
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature[4116]
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares,[4116] 50
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear: and under him
My Genius is rebuked, as it is said[4117] 55
Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters,[4117][4118]
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like[4119]
They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown 60
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,[4120]
No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,[4121]
For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;[4122][4123]
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;[4123] 65
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace[4123]
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel[4123]
Given to the common enemy of man,[4123]
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings![4123][4124]
Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, 70
And champion me to the utterance! Who's there?[4125]

_Re-enter_ Attendant, _with two_ Murderers.

Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.[4126]

[_Exit Attendant._

Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

_First Mur._ It was, so please your highness.[4127]

_Macb._ Well then, now[4128]
Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know[4128][4129][4130] 75
That it was he in the times past which held you[4130]
So under fortune, which you thought had been[4130]
Our innocent self: this I made good to you[4130]
In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,[4130][4131]
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,[4130] 80
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might[4130]
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say 'Thus did Banquo.'

_First Mur._ You made it known to us.[4132]

_Macb._ I did so; and went further, which is now[4133]
Our point of second meeting. Do you find[4133] 85
Your patience so predominant in your nature,[4133]
That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd,[4133]
To pray for this good man and for his issue,[4133]
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave[4133]
And beggar'd yours for ever?[4133]

_First Mur._ We are men, my liege.[4133] 90

_Macb._ Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept[4134]
All by the name of dogs: the valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, 95
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[4135]
That writes them all alike: and so of men. 100
Now if you have a station in the file,
Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say it,[4136]
And I will put that business in your bosoms[4137]
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us, 105
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.[4138]

_Sec. Mur._ I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have so incensed that I am reckless what[4139]
I do to spite the world.[4139][4140]

_First Mur._ And I another 110
So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,[4141]
That I would set my life on any chance,
To mend it or be rid on 't.

_Macb._ Both of you[4142]
Know Banquo was your enemy.[4142]

_Both Mur._ True, my lord.

_Macb._ So is he mine, and in such bloody distance 115
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,[4143] 120
Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall[4143]
Who I myself struck down: and thence it is[4143][4144]
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.

_Sec. Mur._ We shall, my lord, 125
Perform what you command us.

_First Mur._ Though our lives--

_Macb._ Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most[4145]
I will advise you where to plant yourselves,[4146]
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,[4147]
The moment on 't; for 't must be done to-night, 130
And something from the palace; always thought[4148][4149]
That I require a clearness: and with him--[4149]
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work--
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me 135
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:
I'll come to you anon.

_Both Mur._ We are resolved, my lord.[4150]

_Macb._ I'll call upon you straight: abide within.

[_Exeunt Murderers._[4151]

It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, 140
If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [_Exit._[4152]

SCENE II. _The palace._[4153]

_Enter_ LADY MACBETH _and a_ Servant.[4154]

_Lady M._ Is Banquo gone from court?

_Serv._ Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.

_Lady M._ Say to the king, I would attend his leisure
For a few words.

_Serv._ Madam, I will. [_Exit._

_Lady M._ Nought's had, all's spent,[4155]
Where our desire is got without content: 5
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy[4156]
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

_Enter_ MACBETH.

How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,[4157]
Of sorriest fancies your companions making;[4158]
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died 10
With them they think on? Things without all remedy[4159]
Should be without regard: what's done is done.

_Macb._ We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it:[4160]
She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice[4161]
Remains in danger of her former tooth. 15
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,[4162]
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,[4163] 20
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;[4164]
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, 25
Can touch him further.[4165][4166]

_Lady M._ Come on;[4165]
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;[4165]
Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.[4165][4167]

_Macb._ So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you:[4165][4168]
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo;[4165][4168][4169] 30
Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue:[4165][4168]
Unsafe the while, that we[4165][4168][4170]
Must lave our honours in these flattering streams,[4168][4171]
And make our faces visards to our hearts,[4168][4172]
Disguising what they are.[4168]

_Lady M._ You must leave this.[4168] 35

_Macb._ O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.[4173]

_Lady M._ But in them nature's copy's not eterne.[4174]

_Macb._ There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown 40
His cloister'd flight; ere to black Hecate's summons
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums[4175]
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done[4176]
A deed of dreadful note.[4176]

_Lady M._ What's to be done?

_Macb._ Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 45
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,[4177]
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[4178][4179] 50
Makes wing to the rooky wood:[4179][4180]
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.[4181]
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill: 55
So, prithee, go with me. [_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _A park near the palace._[4182]

_Enter three_ Murderers.

_First Mur._ But who did bid thee join with us?

_Third Mur._ Macbeth.

_Sec. Mur._ He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers[4183]
Our offices, and what we have to do,
To the direction just.[4184]

_First Mur._ Then stand with us.[4184]
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: 5
Now spurs the lated traveller apace[4185]
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches[4186]
The subject of our watch.

_Third Mur._ Hark! I hear horses.

_Ban._ [_Within_] Give us a light there, ho!

_Sec. Mur._ Then 'tis he: the rest[4187][4188][4189]
That are within the note of expectation[4188][4189][4190] 10
Already are i' the court.[4188][4191]

_First Mur._ His horses go about.

_Third Mur._ Almost a mile: but he does usually--
So all men do--from hence to the palace gate[4192]
Make it their walk.

_Sec. Mur._ A light, a light![4193]

_Enter_ BANQUO, _and_ FLEANCE _with a torch_.[4194]

_Third Mur._ 'Tis he.[4193]

_First Mur._ Stand to 't.[4193] 15

_Ban._ It will be rain to-night.[4195]

_First Mur._ Let it come down.

[_They set upon Banquo._

_Ban._ O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly![4196]
Thou mayst revenge. O slave! [_Dies. Fleance escapes._[4197]

_Third Mur._ Who did strike out the light?

_First Mur._ Was't not the way?

_Third Mur._ There's but one down; the son is fled.

_Sec. Mur._ We have lost[4198] 20
Best half of our affair.[4199]

_First Mur._ Well, let's away and say how much is done.[4199]

[_Exeunt._

SCENE IV. _Hall in the palace._[4200]

_A banquet prepared. Enter_ MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS,
LENNOX, Lords, _and_ Attendants.[4201]

_Macb._ You know your own degrees; sit down: at first[4202][4203]
And last the hearty welcome.[4202][4204]

_Lords._ Thanks to your majesty.

_Macb._ Ourself will mingle with society
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time[4205] 5
We will require her welcome.

_Lady M._ Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
For my heart speaks they are welcome.[4206]

_Enter first_ Murderer _to the door_.

_Macb._ See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.
Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: 10
Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure
The table round. [_Approaching the door_] There's blood upon thy
face.[4207][4208]

_Mur._ 'Tis Banquo's then.[4208]

_Macb._ 'Tis better thee without than he within.[4208][4209]
Is he dispatch'd?[4208] 15

_Mur._ My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.[4208][4210]

_Macb._ Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's
good[4208][4211][4212]
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,[4208][4211]
Thou art the nonpareil.[4208][4211]

_Mur._ Most royal sir,[4208]
Fleance is 'scaped.[4208] 20

_Macb._ [_Aside_] Then comes my fit again: I had else been
perfect,[4208][4213]
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,[4208]
As broad and general as the casing air:[4208]
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in[4208][4214]
To saucy doubts and fears.--But Banquo's safe?[4208] 25

_Mur._ Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,[4208]
With twenty trenched gashes on his head;[4208]
The least a death to nature.[4208]

_Macb._ Thanks for that.[4208]
[_Aside_] There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's
fled[4208][4215]
Hath nature that in time will venom breed,[4208] 30
No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow[4208]
We'll hear ourselves again.[4208][4216] [_Exit Murderer._

_Lady M._ My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold[4217]
That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making,[4218]
'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home;[4219] 35
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without it.

_Macb._ Sweet remembrancer!
Now good digestion wait on appetite,
And health on both!

_Len._ May't please your highness sit.

[_The Ghost of Banquo enters, and sits in Macbeth's place._[4220]

_Macb._ Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, 40
Were the graced person of our Banquo present;
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness[4221]
Than pity for mischance![4222]

_Ross._ His absence, sir,
Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness[4223]
To grace us with your royal company.[4224] 45

_Macb._ The table's full.

_Len._ Here is a place reserved, sir.[4225]

_Macb._ Where?

_Len._ Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness?[4226]

_Macb._ Which of you have done this?

_Lords._ What, my good lord?

_Macb._ Thou canst not say I did it: never shake 50
Thy gory locks at me.

_Ross._ Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well.

_Lady M._ Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;
The fit is momentary; upon a thought[4227] 55
He will again be well: if much you note him,
You shall offend him and extend his passion:
Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?[4228][4229]

_Macb._ Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that[4229]
Which might appal the devil.[4229]

_Lady M._ O proper stuff![4229][4230] 60
This is the very painting of your fear:[4229][4231]
This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,[4229]
Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,[4229]
Impostors to true fear, would well become[4229][4232]
A woman's story at a winter's fire,[4229] 65
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself![4229]
Why do you make such faces? When all's done,[4229]
You look but on a stool.[4229]

_Macb._ Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo! how say you?[4229][4233]
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.[4229] 70
If charnel-houses and our graves must send[4229]
Those that we bury back, our monuments[4229]
Shall be the maws of kites.[4229] [_Exit Ghost._[4234]

_Lady M._ What, quite unmann'd in folly?[4229]

_Macb._ If I stand here, I saw him.[4229]

_Lady M._ Fie, for shame![4229]

_Macb._ Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden
time,[4229][4235] 75
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;[4229][4236]
Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd[4229][4237]
Too terrible for the ear: the time has been,[4229][4238]
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,[4229]
And there an end; but now they rise again,[4229] 80
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,[4229]
And push us from our stools: this is more strange[4229]
Than such a murder is.[4229]

_Lady M._ My worthy lord,
Your noble friends do lack you.

_Macb._ I do forget.[4239]
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; 85
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me. Come, love and health to all;[4240]
Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine, fill full.
I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,[4241]
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; 90
Would he were here! to all and him we thirst,
And all to all.[4242]

_Lords._ Our duties, and the pledge.[4243]

_Re-enter_ Ghost.[4244]

_Macb._ Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes 95
Which thou dost glare with.

_Lady M._ Think of this, good peers,
But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

_Macb._ What man dare, I dare:
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100
The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;[4245]
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble: or be alive again,[4246]
And dare me to the desert with thy sword;
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me[4247] 105
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow![4248]
Unreal mockery, hence! [_Exit Ghost._[4249]
Why, so: being gone,
I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.

_Lady M._ You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,[4250]
With most admired disorder.[4251]

_Macb._ Can such things be,[4251][4252] 110
And overcome us like a summer's cloud,[4252]
Without our special wonder? You make me strange[4252]
Even to the disposition that I owe,[4253]
When now I think you can behold such sights,[4254]
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,[4255] 115
When mine is blanch'd with fear.

_Ross._ What sights, my lord?[4256]

_Lady M._ I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;
Question enrages him: at once, good night:
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.

_Len._ Good night; and better health 120
Attend his majesty!

_Lady M._ A kind good night to all![4257]

[_Exeunt all but Macbeth and Lady M._

_Macb._ It will have blood: they say blood will have blood:[4258]
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;[4259]
Augures and understood relations have[4259][4260]
By maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth[4261] 125
The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?

_Lady M._ Almost at odds with morning, which is which.

_Macb._ How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding?

_Lady M._ Did you send to him, sir?[4262]

_Macb._ I hear it by the way, but I will send:[4263] 130
There's not a one of them but in his house[4264]
I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,[4265][4266]
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:[4266][4267]
More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know,[4268]
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good[4269] 135
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,[4270]
Returning were as tedious as go o'er:[4271]
Strange things I have in head that will to hand,
Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. 140

_Lady M._ You lack the season of all natures, sleep.[4272]

_Macb._ Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse[4273]
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use:
We are yet but young in deed.[4274] [_Exeunt._

SCENE V. _A heath._[4275]

_Thunder. Enter the three_ Witches, _meeting_ HECATE.

_First Witch._ Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly.

_Hec._ Have I not reason, beldams as you are,[4276][4277]
Saucy and over-bold? How did you dare[4277]
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death; 5
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never call'd to bear my part,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done 10
Hath been but for a wayward son,[4278]
Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others do,[4279]
Loves for his own ends, not for you.[4280]
But make amends now: get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron 15
Meet me i' the morning: thither he
Will come to know his destiny:
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and every thing beside.
I am for the air; this night I'll spend[4281] 20
Unto a dismal and a fatal end:[4282]
Great business must be wrought ere noon:
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
I'll catch it ere it come to ground: 25
And that distill'd by magic sleights[4283]
Shall raise such artificial sprites[4284]
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion:
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear 30
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear:
And you all know security
Is mortals' chiefest enemy.[4285]

[_Music and a song within_: 'Come away, come away,' &c.

Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me.[4286] [_Exit._ 35

_First Witch._ Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again.[4287]

[_Exeunt._

SCENE VI. _Forres. The palace._[4288]

_Enter_ LENNOX _and another_ Lord.[4289]

_Len._ My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,[4290]
Which can interpret farther: only I say[4291]
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan[4292]
Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;[4293] 5
Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.[4294]
Who cannot want the thought, how monstrous[4294][4295]
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain[4294]
To kill their gracious father? damned fact![4294] 10
How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight,[4296]
In pious rage, the two delinquents tear,
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;[4297]
For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive 15
To hear the men deny 't. So that, I say,[4298]
He has borne all things well: and I do think
That, had he Duncan's sons under his key--[4299]
As, an't please heaven, he shall not--they should find[4300]
What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. 20
But, peace! for from broad words, and 'cause he fail'd[4301]
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear,
Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?

_Lord._ The son of Duncan,[4302][4303]
From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, 25
Lives in the English court, and is received[4304]
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff[4305]
Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid[4306] 30
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward:[4307]
That by the help of these, with Him above
To ratify the work, we may again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,[4308] 35
Do faithful homage and receive free honours:
All which we pine for now: and this report
Hath so exasperate the king that he[4309]
Prepares for some attempt of war.[4310]

_Len._ Sent he to Macduff?

_Lord._ He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,'[4302] 40
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer.'

_Len._ And that well might
Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance[4311]
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel 45
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country[4312]
Under a hand accursed!

_Lord._ I'll send my prayers with him.[4313]

[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[4093] Forres.] Foris. Capell.

The palace.] A royal Apartment. Rowe. An Apartment in the Palace. Theobald.

[4094] _king, Cawdor, Glamis_] _king, Glamis, and Cawdor_ Seymour conj.

[4095] _as_] om. Pope.

_weird_] Theobald. _weyard_ F1. _weyward_ F2F3F4.

_women_] F1F2. _woman_ F3F4.

[4096] _foully_] _fowly_ F1.

[4097] _shine_] _shew_ Collier MS.

[4098] _hope?_] F4. _hope._ F1 F2 F3.

[4099] Sennet sounded.] Senit sounded. Ff.

Lady ... Lennox, Ross,] Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Rowe. Lady Lenox, Rosse, Ff. Lady Macbeth, Queen; Ross, Lennox, Capell.

Ladies] Capell. om. Ff.

[4100] _all-thing_] F1. _all-things_ F2. _all things_ F3 F4.

[4101] _I'll_] _I_ A. Hunter.

_Let your highness_] _Lay your highness's_ Rowe. _Lay your highness'_ Pope. _Set your highness'_ Mason conj.

[4102] _upon_] _be upon_ Keightley.

[4103] _We ... ride?_] As in Ff. In Pope the lines end _desir'd ... grave ... but ... ride?_

[4104] _council_] Rowe. _councell_ F1 F2. _councel_ F3 F4.

_take_] _talk_ Malone. _take't_ Keightley.

[4105] _Is't_] _Is it_ Pope.

[4106] _you_] om. Pope.

[4107] _adieu ... you_] As in Pope, Two lines, the first ending _night_, in Ff.

[4108] _upon 's_] _upon us_ Pope.

[4109] _night; to ... welcome_,] Theobald. _night, to ... welcome_: Ff.

[4110] _The sweeter ... you_] As in Rowe. Three lines, ending _welcome: ... alone: ... you,_ in Ff.

[4111] _while_] _till_ Pope.

_be with_] _b' wi'_ Anon. conj.

[Exeunt....] Exeunt Lords. Ff. Exeunt Lady Macbeth, and Lords. Rowe.

[4112] SCENE II. Pope.

[To a Servant. Rowe.

_with you_] om. Steevens (1793), reading _Sirrah ... pleasure?_ as one line.

[4113] _Sirrah ... gate._] S. Walker would end the lines _you: ... lord ... gate._

[4114] [Exit Attendant.] Exit Servant. Ff.

[4115] _To be ... dares_,] Arranged as in Rowe. Four lines, ending _thus: ... deepe, ... that ... dares_, in Ff.

[4116] _nothing; But_] _nothing. But_ Pope. _nothing, but_ Ff.

[4117] _as ... Cæsar._] om. Johnson conj.

[4118] _Mark_] om. Pope.

_Cæsar_] _Cæsar's_ Hanmer.

[4119] _bade_] Theobald (ed. 2). _bad_ Ff.

[4120] _with_] _by_ Capell conj.

[4121] _If 't be_] _If 'tis_ Pope.

[4122] _filed_] _fil'd_ F1 F2. _fill'd_ F3 F4. _'filed_ Warburton. _soil'd_ Long MS.

[4123] _mind; ... murder'd; ... them, ... kings, ... kings!_] _Minde, ... murther'd, ... them, ... Kings, ... Kings._ Ff. _mind? ... murther'd?... them?... kings?... kings?_ Pope.

[4124] _seed_] Pope. _seedes_ F1 F2. _seeds_ F3 F4.

[4125] _And ... there?_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Servant, and two Murtherers. Ff.

[4126] _Now_] om. Pope.

_go_] om. Steevens (1793).

[Exit Attendant.] Capell. Exit Servant. Ff.

[4127] First Mur.] 1. Mur. Steevens (1793). Murth. Ff.

[4128] _now ... speeches?_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[4129] _Have you_] F1 F2. _You have_ F3 F4.

[4130] _Know ... might_] As in Rowe. Eight lines in Ff, ending _past, ... fortune, ... selfe ... conference, ... you: ... crost: ... them: ... might._

[4131] _with you_] om. Steevens conj., ending the line _how_.

[4132] _You ... us._] _True, you made it known._ Pope.

[4133] _I did ... ever?_] As in Rowe. Nine lines, ending _so: ... now ... meeting ... predominant, ... goe?... man, ... hand ... begger'd ... ever?_ in Ff.

[4134] _Shoughs_] _Showghes_ Ff. _shocks_ Capell. _Slouths_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

_clept_] Capell. _clipt_ Ff. _cleped_ Theobald. _clep'd_ Hanmer.

[4135] _bill_] _quill_ Collier MS.

[4136] _Not i' the_] _And not in the_ Rowe. _Not in the most_ Keightley.

_worst_] _worser_ Jervis conj.

_say it_] Rowe. _say 't_ Ff.

[4137] _that_] F1 F2. _the_ F3 F4.

[4138] _my liege_] om. Pope.

[4139] _Have ... do_] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4140] _Have_] Rowe. _Hath_ Ff.

[4141] _weary_] _weary'd_ Capell.

_with disasters, tugg'd_] _with disastrous tuggs_ Warburton. _of disastrous tuggs_ A. Hunter.

[4142] _Both ... enemy._] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4143] _For certain ... it is_] See note (V).

[4144] _Who_] _Whom_ Pope.

[4145] _Your ... most_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_Within_] _In_ Pope.

_at most_] om. Steevens conj.

[4146] _yourselves_,] _yourselves._ Steevens (1793).

[4147] _you_] _ye_ Seymour conj.

_you ... spy o' the_] _you with a perfect spy o' the_ Johnson conj. _you with the perfect spot, the_ Tyrwhitt conj. _you with the perfectry o' the_ Becket conj. _you with the precincts by the_ Jackson conj. _you, with a perfect spy, o' the_ Collier MS.

[4148] _always thought_] _a way, though_, Jackson conj.

[4149] _always ... clearness_:] Omitted by Pope.

[4150] _to you_] om. Steevens conj.

_my lord_] om. Hanmer.

[4151] [Exeunt Murderers.] Theobald. om. Ff.

[4152] [Exit.] Theobald. Exeunt. Ff.

[4153] SCENE II.] Rowe continues the Scene. SCENE III. in Pope.

The palace] Another Apartment in the Palace. Theobald.

[4154] Lady Macbeth] Macbeths Lady, Ff.

[4155] _Madam_] om. Seymour conj.

Lady M.] Lady. Ff. Enter Macbeth. Macb. Strutt conj.

_Nought's had_] om. Steevens conj.

[4156] _safer_] _better_ Hanmer.

[4157] _How...._] Lady M. _How...._ Strutt conj.

[4158] _fancies_] _francies_ F2.

[4159] _all_] om. Hanmer.

[4160] _scotch'd_] Theobald. _scorch'd_ Ff. _switch'd_ or _bruis'd_ A. Hunter conj.

[4161] _close_] _coil_ A. Hunter.

[4162] _But ... suffer_,] One line in Theobald. Two in Ff, the first ending _disjoint_. Two in Steevens (1793), the first ending _let_.

_the frame ... suffer_] _both worlds disjoint, and all things suffer_ Pope.

_frame_] _eternal frame_ Collier (Collier MS.), arranging as Ff.

[4163] _our peace_] F1. _our place_ F2 F3 F4. _our seat_ Keightley.

[4164] _In ... grave_;] As in Rowe. Two lines in Ff.

_Duncan is in his_] _Duncan's in 's_ S. Walker conj.

[4165] _Can ... we_] S. Walker would end the lines _lord, ... jovial ... love; ... remembrance ... both ... we_.

[4166] _further_] _farther_ Collier.

[4167] _among_] F1 _'mong_ F2 F3 F4.

[4168] See note (VI).

[4169] _apply_] F1 _still apply_ F2 F3 F4.

[4170] _Unsafe ... that we_] _Vouchsafe the while your presence.--O, that we_ Bullock conj.

[4171] _flattering_] _so flattering_ Rowe.

[4172] _visards_] _vizards_ Ff. _vizors_ Theobald.

_to our_] _t' our_ Pope.

[4173] _Fleance_] Rowe. _Fleans_ F1 F3 F4. _Feans_ F2.

_lives_] _live_ Hanmer.

[4174] _eterne_] _eternal_ Pope.

[4175] _shard-borne_] F1 F2. _shard-born_ F3 F4. _sharp-brow'd_ Davenant's version. _sharn-bode_ Daniel conj.

[4176] _Hath ... note._] As in Rowe. In Ff the first line ends at _peale_.

[4177] _seeling_] Ff. _sealing_ Rowe.

[4178] _Light_] _Night_ Warburton conj.

[4179] _and ... wood_] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4180] _to the rooky_] _to the murky_ or _to the dusky_ Roderick conj. _to the rocky_ Jennens. _to rook i' th'_ Steevens conj.

_wood_:] _wood: on earth below_ Keightley.

[4181] _Whiles_] _While_ Capell.

_preys_] F3 F4. _prey's_ F1 F2. _prey_ Pope.

[4182] SCENE III.] SCENE II. Rowe. SCENE IV. Pope.

A park....] A Park, the Castle at a Distance. Rowe.

[4183] _He needs not our_] _We need not to_ Warburton conj. ap. Theobald MS.

_our_] _to_ Pope.

[4184] _do, To ... just._] _do.--To ... just!_ Johnson conj.

[4185] _lated_] F1. _latest_ F2 F3 F4.

[4186] _and_] _end_ F1.

_near_] _here_ Collier MS.

[4187] _Give us a light_] _Give us light_ Pope. _Give light_ Hanmer.

_Then 'tis he_] _Then it is he_ Pope. _'Tis he_ Capell.

[4188] _Give ... about._] S. Walker would end the lines _ho!... within ... already ... about,_ reading _it is_ for _'tis_, line 9, and _in_ for _i'_, line 11.

[4189] _the rest ... expectation_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[4190] _That are_] om. Steevens conj.

[4191] _Already_] om. Steevens conj.

[4192] _from_] om. Seymour conj.

[4193] _A light ... to 't._] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4194] Enter....] Ff (after _walk_). Enter Banquo, and Fleance; Servant, with a Torch, before them. Capell (after _walk_).

Fleance] Fleans, Ff.

[4195] _It will be_] _'Twill_ Steevens conj., reading _Stand ... down_ as one line.

[They....] They fall upon Banquo and kill him; in the scuffle Fleance escapes. Rowe. om. Ff.

[4196] _O ... fly!_] One line in Hanmer. Two in Ff.

_good_] _godd_ F2. om. Pope.

[4197] [Dies....] Pope. Dies. Rowe. om. Ff.

[4198] _There's ... fled_] As in Ff. Pope ends the lines at _son ... affair._

_We have_] _We've_ Pope.

[4199] S. Walker would end the lines _away, ... done._

[4200] SCENE IV.] SCENE III. Rowe. SCENE V. Pope.

Hall....] A Room of State. Rowe. A Room of State in the Castle. Pope. A Hall of State.... Capell.

[4201] A banquet....] Banquet.... Ff. A Banquet set out. Flourish. Capell.

[4202] _You ... welcome._] Arranged as in Capell (Johnson conj.). The first line ends at _downe_: in Ff.

[4203] _at first_] _And first_ Rowe (ed. 2). _To first_ A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4204] _last_] _next_ Johnson conj.

[They sit. Rowe.

[4205] _best_] F1. _the best_ F2 F3 F4.

[4206] _they are_] _they're_ Pope. _their_ Anon. conj.

Enter ... door.] Capell, after line 10. Enter first Murtherer. Ff.

[4207] [Approaching the door] Edd. (Globe ed.). To the Mur. Rowe. To the Murtherer aside at the door. Pope. om. Ff.

[4208] _There's ... again._] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4209] [Aside. Hunter conj.

_he_] _him_ Hanmer.

[4210] _that I did_] _I did that_ Pope.

[4211] _Thou ... nonpareil._] Arranged as in Rowe. The lines end _Cutthroats, ... Fleans: ... Non-pareill_] in Ff.

[4212] _o' the_] _of_ Pope.

_good_] _as good_ Long MS.

[4213] [Aside] Grant White (Hunter conj.).

_Then ... perfect_,] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[4214] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[4215] [Aside] Indicated by Steevens.

[4216] _hear ourselves_] _hear't ourselves_ Theobald. _hear thee ourselves_ Hanmer. _hear, ourselves_ Steevens. _hear, ourselves,_ Dyce. _hear thee ourselves_ Keightley.

_ourselves_] _ourself_ Capell conj.

[4217] _sold_] _cold_ Pope.

[4218] _vouch'd_] Ff. _vouched_ Rowe.

_while 'tis a-making_,] _while 'tis a making:_ F1. _while 'tis making_: F2 F3 F4. _while 'tis making_, Pope. _the while 'tis making:_ Collier MS.

[4219] _'Tis ... feed_] _Then give the welcome: to eat_ A. Hunter.

[4220] [The Ghost....] Ghost of Banquo rises, ... Capell. Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and ... Ff, after _it_, line 37. Staunton transfers, to follow _mischance!_ line 43: Keightley, to follow _company_, line 45. The Ghost of Duncan ... Seymour conj.

[4221] _Who_] _Whom_ Pope.

[4222] _mischance!_] Pope. _mischance._ Ff.

[4223] _Please't_] _Please it_ Steevens.

[4224] _company._] Dyce. _company?_ Ff.

[starting. Rowe.

[4225] _Here is_] _Here's_ Pope (ed. 2).

[4226] _Here ... highness?_] One line in Capell. Two in Ff.

_my good lord_] _my lord_ Steevens (1793), reading _Where?... highness?_ as one line.

[4227] _momentary_] F1. _momentany_ F2 F3 F4.

_upon_] _on_ Pope.

[4228] _Feed_] _Eat_ A. Hunter.

[To Macbeth. Rowe. To Macb. aside. Pope.

[4229] _Are ... is._] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[4230] _O_] om. Pope.

[4231] [Aside. Pope.

[4232] _Impostors to true_] F1 F3 F4. _Imposters to true_ F2. _Importers to true_ Theobald conj. (withdrawn). _Impostors of true_ Hanmer. _Impostures true to_ Johnson conj. _Impostures of true_ Capell.

[4233] [Pointing to the Ghost. Rowe.

_Prithee ... you?_] One line in Capell. Two in Ff.

[4234] [Exit Ghost.] F2 F3 F4. Omitted in F1. Ghost vanishes. Rowe.

_in folly_] om. Steevens conj.

[4235] _olden_] _olde_ Rowe (ed. 1). _golden_ Mason conj. _elden_ Seymour conj.

[4236] _humane_] Ff. _human_ Theobald (ed. 2).

_gentle_] _gen'ral_ Theobald (Warburton). _ungentle_ Seymour conj.

[4237] _have been_] _hath been_ Johnson.

[4238] _time has_] Edd. _times has_ F1. _times have_ F2 F3 F4.

[4239] _do forget_] _forgot_ Pope.

[4240] _Come_,] om. Pope.

[4241] _o'_] _of_ Rowe.

[4242] _And all_] _And hail_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[4243] [The Lords rise. Jennens conj.

[4244] Re-enter Ghost.] The Ghost rises again. Pope. Enter Ghost. Ff, after line 88. As he is drinking, the Ghost rises again just before him. Rowe, after line 88. Enter Banquo's Ghost. Seymour conj. Enter Duncan's Ghost. Strutt conj.

[4245] _the Hyrcan_] _th' Hircan_ F1 F2. _th' Hyrcan_ F3 F4. _Hyrcanian_ Pope (Davenant's version). _Hyrcan_ Johnson. _the Hircanian_ Capell.

[4246] _or be alive_] _O be alive_ Rowe (ed. 2). _Be alive_ Pope.

[4247] _trembling I inhabit then_,] F1. _trembling I inhabit, then_ F2 F3 F4. _trembling I inhibit, then_ Pope. _trembling me inhibit, then_ Theobald conj. (withdrawn). _trembling I evade it, then_ Johnson conj. _trembling I in habit then,_ Jennens. _trembling I, in habit then_ Jennens conj. _trembling I inhibit thee,_ Malone (Steevens conj.). _trembling I exhibit, then_ A. Hunter (Robinson conj., Gent. Mag. Vol. LIX. 1201). _tremblingly inhabile, then_ Becket conj. _trembling I inhibit then_, Elwin. _blenching I evade it, then_ Bailey conj. _trembling I evitate it, then_ Keightley. _trembling I unknight me, then_ Bullock conj. _trembling I inherit, then_ Anon. conj.

_protest_] _protect_ F4.

[4248] _horrible_] _terrible_ Theobald (ed. 2), Warburton and Johnson.

[4249] [Exit Ghost.] Exit. F2 F3 F4, after _shadow_, line 106. om. F1. Ghost vanishes. Rowe, after _gone._ Ghost disappears. Dyce.

_being gone_] F1 F2. _be gone_ F3 F4.

[4250] [The Lords rise. Rowe.

[4251] _broke ... disorder._] As in Rowe. One line in Ff.

[4252] Macb. _Can ... You_] Lady M. _Can't ... wonder?_ Macb. _You_ Warburton.

[4253] _to_] _at_ Hanmer.

_owe_] _know_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[4254] _When now_] _Now when_ Hanmer.

[4255] _cheeks_] _cheek_ Hanmer.

[4256] _is_] _are_ Malone.

_sights_] F1. _signes_ F2 F3. _signs_ F4.

[4257] _A kind_] om. Pope.

[Exeunt ...] Exeunt Rosse, Lenox, Lords, and Attendants. Capell. Exit Lords. F1. Exeunt Lords. F2 F3 F4.

[4258] _It ... blood_:] One line in Rowe. Two, the first ending _say_, in Ff.

_blood: they say_] _blood, they say_ Pope. _blood they say_, Ff. _blood.--They say,_ Johnson.

[4259] _speak; Augures_] _speak Augures;_ Singer conj.

[4260] _Augures_] Ff. _Augurs_ Theobald. _Auguries_ Rann (Steevens conj.). See note (VII).

_and understood_] _that understood_ Rowe. _that understand_ Warburton.

[4261] _maggot-pies and_] _mag-pies, and by_ Pope.

_choughs_] _coughs_ Warburton.

[4262] _sir?_] om. Collier conj.

[4263] _hear_] _heard_ Keightley.

[4264] _There's not a one_] _There is not one_ Pope.

_a one_] _a Thane_ Theobald. _a man_ Grant White.

[4265] _I keep_] _I'll keep_ Collier MS.

[4266] _I ... sisters_:] S. Walker would end the lines _fee'd ... will, ... sisters._

[4267] _And betimes ... to_] _Betimes ... unto_ Pope. _And betimes ... unto_ Rann. _Ay, and betimes ... to_ Anon. conj.

_I will_] _will I_ Lettsom conj.

_weird_] Theobald. _weyard_ F1. _wizard_ F2 F3 F4.

[4268] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[4269] _worst. For ... good_] Johnson. _worst, for ... good_, Ff. _worst, for ... good_; Rowe.

[4270] _Stepp'd_] _Stept_ F1. _Spent_ F2 F3 F4.

[4271] _go_] _going_ Hanmer.

[4272] _natures_] _nature_ A. Hunter.

[4273] _to_] _too_ Warburton.

[4274] _We are_] _We're_ Pope.

_in deed_] Theobald. _indeed_ Ff. _in deeds_ Hanmer.

[4275] SCENE V.] SCENE IV. Rowe. SCENE VI. Pope.

A heath.] The Heath. Rowe. Hecate.] F3 F4. Hecat. F1 F2.

[4276] _reason, beldams_] Knight. _reason_ (_Beldams_) Ff.

[4277] _are, ... over-bold?_] Capell. _are? ... over-bold,_ Ff.

[4278] _wayward_] _weyward_ Pope.

[4279] _Spiteful ... do_,] _A spiteful and a wrathful, who_ Steevens conj.

[4280] _Loves_] _Lives_ Halliwell conj.

[4281] _the_] _th'_ Ff.

[4282] _dismal and a fatal_] _dismal, fatal_ Pope. _dismal-fatal_ Steevens (1793).

[4283] _sleights_] _slights_ Ff.

[4284] _raise_] _rise_ F2.

[4285] _mortals'_] Theobald (ed. 2). _mortals_ Ff. _mortal's_ Rowe.

[Music ... _away_,' &c.] Capell, substantially. Musicke, and a Song. Ff.

[4286] _a_] _the_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[Sing within. Come away, come away, &c. Ff.

[Exit.] Capell. om. Ff.

[4287] _back again._] As in Pope. As a separate line in Ff.

[4288] SCENE VI.] SCENE V. Rowe. SCENE VII. Pope.

Forres. The palace.] A Chamber. Theobald. Foris. A Room in the Palace. Capell.

[4289] another Lord.] Angus. A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4290] _My ... thoughts_,] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.

[4291] _farther_] _further_ Johnson.

[4292] _borne_] _born_ F4.

[4293] _right-valiant_] Hyphen inserted by Theobald.

[4294] _late. Who ... father?_] Ff. _late Who ... father._ Grant White conj. (withdrawn).

[4295] _Who cannot want_] _You cannot want_ Hanmer. _Who can want_ or _Who cannot have_ Jennens conj. _Who care not, want_ Jackson conj. _We cannot want_ Keightley.

_monstrous_] _monstrous too_ Pope. _monsterous_ Capell.

[4296] _it did grieve Macbeth!_] Capell. _it did greeve Macbeth?_ Ff. _did it grieve Macbeth?_ Pope.

[4297] _not that_] F1 F2. _that not_ F3 F4.

_and_] om. Pope.

[4298] _deny 't_] _deny it_ Capell.

[4299] _his key_] F1. _the key_ F2 F3 F4.

[4300] _an't_] Theobald (ed. 2). _and 't_ Ff.

_should_] F1. _shall_ F2 F3 F4.

[4301] _'cause_] Pope. _cause_ Ff.

[4302] Lord.] Ang. A. Hunter (Johnson conj.).

[4303] _son_] Theobald. _Sonnes_ F1 F2 F3. _Sons_ F4.

[4304] _Lives_] F1. _Live_ F2 F3 F4.

_is_] Ff. _are_ Rowe.

[4305] Arranged as in Ff. Steevens (1773, 1778, 1785) transferred _is gone_ to end of line 29.

[4306] _holy_] om. Pope.

_upon_] _on_ Capell. om. Anon. conj.

_upon his aid_] _in aid_ Anon. conj.

[4307] _Siward_] Theobald (ed. 2). Hanmer. _Seyward_ Ff.

[4308] _Free_] _Fright_ or _Fray_ Steevens conj.

_Free ... banquets_] _Our feasts and banquets free from_ Malone conj.

[4309] _exasperate_] _exasperated_ Rowe (ed. 2). _exasp'rated_ Pope.

_the king_] Hanmer. _their king_ Ff. _our king_ Anon. conj.

[4310] _of war_] om. Pope.

[4311] _to a caution, to_] _to a caution, t'_ Ff. _to a care to_ Pope. _caution and to_ Steevens conj.

[4312] _suffering country_] _country, suffering_ Capell conj.

[4313] _I'll send ... him._] _My prayers with him!_ Steevens (1793).