I do, to spite the world.

1. M. And I another,

So weary'd with disafters, tug'd with fortune,
That I would fet my life on any chance,

To mend it, or be rid on't.

MAC. Both of

you

Know, Banquo was your enemy.

Mur. True, my lord.

MAC. So is he mine: and in fuch bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrufts

Against my near'ft of life: And though I could
With bare-fac'd power sweep him from my fight,
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 ftruck down and thence it is,
That I to your affistance do make love;
Masking the business from the common eye,
For fundry weighty reasons.

2. M. We fhall, my lord,

Perform what you command us.

1. M. Though our lives

[at moft,

MAC. Your fpirits thine through you. Within this hour,

I will advise you where to plant yourfelves;
Acquaint you with the perfect fpy o'the time,
The moment on't; for 't must be done to-night,
And fomething from the palace; always thought,
That I require a clearnefs: And with him,
(To leave no rubs, nor botches, in the work)
Fleance his fon, that keeps him company,
Whose abfence is no lefs material to me
Than is his father's, muft embrace the fate

3 wearie with

Of that dark hour: Resolve yourselves apart;
I'll come to you anon.

Mur.

We are resolv'd, my lord.

MAC. I'll call upon you straight; abide within.

[Exeunt Murtherers.

It is concluded: - Banquo, thy foul's flight,
If it find heaven, muft find it out to-night.

SCENE II. The fame. Another Room.
Enter Lady MACBETH, and an Attendant.
L. M. Is Banquo gone from court?

[Exit.

Att. Ay, madam; but returns again to-night. L. M. Say to the king, I would attend his leisure For a few words.

Att. Madam, I will.

L. M. Nought's had, all's fpent,

[Exit Attendant.

Where our desire is got without content:
"Tis fafer to be that which we destroy,
Than, by deftruction, dwell in doubtful joy.
Enter MACBETH.

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

MAC. We have fcotch'd the fnake, not kill'd it,
She'll close, and be herself; whilft our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.

But let the frame of things difjoint, both the worlds fuffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and fleep

In the affliction of these terrible dreams

That shake us nightly: Better be with the dead,

26 fcorch'd

Whom we, to gain our place, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lye
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever, he fleeps well;

Treason has done his worft: nor fteel, nor poison,
Malice domestick, foreign levy, nothing,

Can touch him further.

L. M. Come on; Gentle my lord,

Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial
Among your guests to-night.

MAC. So fhall I, love;

With eye and tongue :

And fo, I pray, be you let your remembrance
Apply to Banquo; present him eminence, both
Unfafe the while, that we
Muft lave our honours in these flattering ftreams;
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Difguising what they are.

L. M. You must leave this.

MAC. O, full of fcorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'ft, that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives. L. M. But in them nature's copy's not etern. MAC'. There's comfort yet, they are affailable; Then be thou jocund: Ere the bat hath flown His cloifter'd flight; ere, to black Hecat's fummons, The fhard-born beetle, with his drowsy hums, Hath rung night's yawning peal, there fhall be done A deed of dreadful note.

L. M. What's to be done?

MAC'. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 'Till thou applaud the deed. Come, feeling 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
Makes wing to the rooky wood:

Good things of day begin to droop and drowze;
While night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvel'ft at my words: but hold thee ftill;
Things, bad begun, make strong themselves by ill :
So, pr'ythee, go with me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. The fame. A Park: Gate leading to the Palace. Enter three Murtherers.

1. M. But who did bid thee join with us?

3. M. Macbeth.

2. M. He needs not our mistruft; fince he delivers Our offices, and what we have to do,

To the direction just.

1. M. Then ftand with us.

The weft yet glimmers with fome streaks of day:
Now fpurs the lated traveller apace,

To gain the timely inn; and near approaches
The fubject of our watch.

3. M. Hark! I hear horfes.

BAN. [within.] Give us a light there, ho!
2. M. "Tis he; the rest,

That are within the note of expectation,
Already are i'the court.

1. M. His horfes go about.

3. M. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace-gate Make it their walk.

Enter BANQUO, and Fleance;
Servant, with a Torch, before them.

34 2. Then 'tis

[affaulting him.

BAN. O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly;

Thou may'ft revenge. -O flave!

[dies. Fleance, and Servant, fly.

3. M. Who did strike out the light?

1. M. Was't not the way?

3. M. There's but one down; the son is fled.

2. M. We have loft

Beft half of our affair.

1. M. Well, let's away, And fay how much is done.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. The fame. A Hall of State in the Palace. A Banquet fet out. Flourish. Enter MACBETH, Lady MACBETH, ROSSE, LENOX, Lords, and Attendants. MAC. You know your own degrees, fit down : and first, And last, the hearty welcome.

Lor. Thanks to your majefty.

MAC. Ourfelf will mingle with fociety,

And play the humble hoft.

Our hoftefs keeps her state; but, in best time,

We will require her welcome.

[they fit.

L. Mb. Pronounce it for me, fir, to all our friends;

For my heart fpeaks, they are welcome.

[thanks.

MAC". See, they encounter thee with their hearts'

Both fides are even: here I'll fit i'the mid'ft:

Enter firft Murtherer, to the Door.

Be large in mirth; anon, we'll drink a measure

20 downe: At first