Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Enter LADY MACBETH. How now! what news? Lady Macbeth. He has almost supp'd. Why have you left the chamber? Macbeth. Hath he ask'd for me? Lady Macbeth. Know you not he has ? Macbeth. We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honor'd me of late, and I have bought 3 Golden opinions from all sorts of people, 1 "A naked newborn babe," etc. "Either like a mortal babe, terrible in helplessness, or like heaven's child angels, mighty in love and compassion" (REV. C. E. MOBERLY). 2 44 Sightless couriers of the air," i.e., the invisible winds. 3 Gained. Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. Lady Macbeth. Was the hope drunk Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since ? At what it did so freely? Such I account thy love. From this time Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire ? Wouldst thou have that And live a coward in thine own esteem, Macbeth. Prithee, peace. I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. Lady Macbeth. What beast was't, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? But screw your courage to the sticking place, 1 Should. 2 "Letting 'I dare not,'" etc. Boswell (as quoted by Furness) notes the adage 'The cate would eate fish, and would not wete her feete,' is among Heywood's Proverbs (1566).” that 3 Accord. 4" But screw," etc. Probably a metaphor from the tuning of a stringed instrument. Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey Macbeth. Bring forth men children only; For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be receiv'd,5 When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Lady Macbeth. Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Macbeth. I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show; False face must hide what the false heart doth know. [Exeunt. 1 "With wine and wassail so convince," i.e., with drink and carousing so overcome. 2 Receptacle. 3 An alembic; a still, or rather the cap of a still. 4 Murder. 5 Believed. 6 "Each corporal agent," i.e., every faculty of the body. ACT II. SCENE I. Court of Macbeth's Castle. Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE bearing a torch before him. Banquo. How goes the night, boy? Fleance. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock. Fleance. I take't, 'tis later, sir. Banquo. Hold; take my sword.-There's husbandry 1in heaven; Their candles are all out. -Take thee that, too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,2 And yet I would not sleep.- Merciful Powers, Banquo. What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's abed— He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess 3 to your offices.4 This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess—and shut up In measureless content.5 Macbeth. 1 Thrift. Being unprepar'd, 2 "A heavy summons," etc., i.e., a strong disposition to sleep is upon me. 3 Gifts of money. 4 The servants' departments. 5 "Shut up in measureless content," i.e., retiring to sleep most happy, and contented with everything around him. Our will became the servant to defect, Banquo. All's well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters; To you they have show'd some truth. Macbeth. I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, would grant the time. If you Banquo. At your kind'st leisure. Macbeth. If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis,2 It shall make honor for you. Banquo. So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep Macbeth. Good repose the while! Banquo. Thanks, sir; the like to you! [Exeunt Banquo and Fleance. [Exit Servant. Macbeth. Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle towards my hand?-Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but Thou marshal'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. - 1 " Being unprepar'd,” etc.,.i.e., lack of time for preparation constrained the free working of my will. 2 "Cleave to my consent," i.e., join my party when it is established. |