Upon the foot of motion.

Ban.

Look to the lady:

[LADY MACBETH is carried out.

And when we have our naked frailties hid,
That suffer in exposure, let us meet,

And question this most bloody piece of work
To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us:
In the great hand of God I stand; and thence
Against the undivulg'd pretence I fight

Of treasonous malice.

Macd.

All.

And so do I.

So all.

120

Macb. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, And meet i' the hall together.

All.

Well contented.

[Exeunt all but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN.

Mal. What will you do? Let's not consort with them:

To show an unfelt sorrow is an office

Which the false man does easy: I'll to England.

Don. To Ireland, I; our separated fortune

Shall keep us both the safer: where we are,

There's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood,
The nearer bloody.

Mal.

This murderous shaft that's shot

Hath not yet lighted; and our safest way

130 Is to avoid the aim.

Therefore, to horse;

And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,

But shift away: there's warrant in that theft
Which steals itself when there's no mercy left.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV

Without the Castle

Enter Ross and an old Man

Old M. Threescore and ten I can remember well: Within the volume of which time, I have seen Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings.

Ross.

Ah, good father,

Thou see'st the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
Threaten his bloody stage; by the clock 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?

10 Old M.

'Tis unnatural,

Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,

Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

Ross. And Duncan's horses, (a thing most strange and certain,)

Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would

Make war with mankind.

Old M.

'Tis said they eat each other.

Ross. They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff: — 20

Enter MACDUFF

How goes

Macd.

the world, sir, now?

Why, see you not?

Ross. Is't known who did this more than bloody

Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,

Are stol'n away and fled: which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.

Ross.

'Gainst nature still:

Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up

Thine own life's means! - Then 'tis most like 30 The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

Macd. He is already named; and gone to Scone

To be invested.

Ross.

Where is Duncan's body?

Macd. Carried to Colme-kill;

The sacred storehouse of his predecessors

And guardian of their bones.

Ross.

Will you to Scone?

Well, I will thither.

Macd. No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

Ross.

Macd. Well, may you see things well done there:

- adieu!

Lest our old robes sit easier than our new

Ross. Farewell, father.

40 Old M. God's benison go with you, and with those That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

[Exeunt.

ACT III

SCENE I

Farres. A Room in the Palace

Enter BANQUO

Ban. Thou hast it now, - King, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the weird women promised; and I fear

Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said

It should not stand in thy posterity;

But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them,
(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine,)
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.

Sennet sounded.

Enter MACBETH as King; LADY MACBETH as Queen; LENNOX, Ross, Lords, Ladies,

and Attendants

Mach. Here's our chief guest.

Lady M.

If he had been forgotten,

10