Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome : 290 It is a peerless kinsman. [Flourish. Exeunt. SCENE V.-Inverness. A room in MACBETH's Castle. Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter. Lady M. "They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who allhailed me, 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness; that thou mightest not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell." Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised :-Yet do I fear thy nature; To catch the nearest way: Thou wouldst be great; 295 Art not without ambition; but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'dst have, great Glamis, That which cries, "Thus thou must do, if thou have it ; 300 And that which rather thou dost fear to do, Than wishest should be un-done.' Hie thee hither, 810 Is not thy master with him? who, were 't so, Would have inform'd for preparation. Atten. So please you, it is true; our thane is coming: One of my fellows had the speed of him; Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Lady M. He brings great news. Give him tending; [Exit Attendant. The raven himself is hoarse Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick Night, Enter MACBETH. Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! This ignorant present, and I feel now The future in the instant. Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters :-To beguile the time, 340 Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue : look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it. He that's coming Must be provided for: and shall put you This night's great business into my despatch; 345 Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. 350 Macb. We will speak further. Lady M. To alter favour ever is to fear: Only look up clear; [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-The same. Before the Castle. Hautboys. Servants of Macbeth attending. Dun. This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Unto our gentle senses. Ban. This guest of summer, Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendent bed, and procreant cradle : Dun. Enter LADY MACBETH. See, see, our honour'd hostess !360 The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you, How you shall bid God-eyld us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. Lady M. All our service In every point twice done, and then done double, 365 Were poor and single business to contend Against those honours deep and broad, wherewith We rest your hermits. Dun. Where's the thane of Cawdor? 370 We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him Lady M. Your servants ever 375 Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, Still to return your own. Dun. Give me your hand : Conduct me to mine host; we love him highly, 380 By your leave, hostess. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-The same. A Room in the Castle. Hautboys and torches. Enter, and pass over the stage, a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service. enter MACBETH. Then Macb. If it were done when 't is done, then 't were well It were done quickly: If the assassination But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,- 400 The deep damnation of his taking-off: Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, 405 That tears shall drown the wind.-I have no spur Enter LADY MACBETH. How now, what news? Lady M. He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber? Macb. Hath he ask'd for me? 410 Lady M. Know you not he has? Macb. We will proceed no further in this business : He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, 415 Not cast aside so soon. Lady M. Macb. Prithee, I dare do all that may become a man; peace: What beast was 't then, Lady M. |