Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites `
` To countenance this horror! Ring the bell. Bell rings. `
` `
` Enter Lady Macbeth. `
` `
` LADY MACBETH. What's the business, `
` That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley `
` The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak! `
` MACDUFF. O gentle lady, `
` 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak: `
` The repetition in a woman's ear `
` Would murther as it fell. `
` `
` Enter Banquo. `
` `
` O Banquo, Banquo! `
` Our royal master's murther'd. `
` LADY MACBETH. Woe, alas! `
` What, in our house? `
` BANQUO. Too cruel anywhere. `
` Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, `
` And say it is not so. `
` `
` Re-enter Macbeth and Lennox, with Ross. `
` `
` MACBETH. Had I but died an hour before this chance, `
` I had lived a blessed time, for from this instant `
` There's nothing serious in mortality. `
` All is but toys; renown and grace is dead, `
` The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees `
` Is left this vault to brag of. `
` `
` Enter Malcolm and Donalbain. `
` `
` DONALBAIN. What is amiss? `
` MACBETH. You are, and do not know't. `
` The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood `
` Is stopped, the very source of it is stopp'd. `
` MACDUFF. Your royal father's murther'd. `
` MALCOLM. O, by whom? `
` LENNOX. Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done't. `
` Their hands and faces were all badged with blood; `
` So were their daggers, which unwiped we found `
` Upon their pillows. `
` They stared, and were distracted; no man's life `
` Was to be trusted with them. `
` MACBETH. O, yet I do repent me of my fury, `
` That I did kill them. `
` MACDUFF. Wherefore did you so? `
` MACBETH. Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, `
` Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. `
` The expedition of my violent love `
` Outrun the pauser reason. Here lay Duncan, `
` His silver skin laced with his golden blood, `
` And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature `
` For ruin's wasteful entrance; there, the murtherers, `
` Steep'd in the colors of their trade, their daggers `
` Unmannerly breech'd with gore. Who could refrain, `
` That had a heart to love, and in that heart `
` Courage to make 's love known? `
` LADY MACBETH. Help me hence, ho! `
` MACDUFF. Look to the lady. `
` MALCOLM. [Aside to Donalbain.] Why do we hold our tongues, `
` That most may claim this argument for ours? `
` DONALBAIN. [Aside to Malcolm.] What should be spoken here, `
` where `
` our fate, `
` Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? `
` Let's away, `
` Our tears are not yet brew'd. `
` MALCOLM. [Aside to Donalbain.] Nor our strong sorrow `
` Upon the foot of motion. `
` BANQUO. 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 undivulged pretense I fight `
` Of treasonous malice. `
` MACDUFF. And so do I. `
` ALL. So all. `
` MACBETH. Let's briefly put on manly readiness `
` And meet i' the hall together. `
` ALL. Well contented. `
` Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain. `
` MALCOLM. 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. `
` DONALBAIN. 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. `
` MALCOLM. This murtherous shaft that's shot `
` Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way `
` 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. `
` Outside Macbeth's castle. `
` `
` Enter Ross with an Old Man. `
` `
` OLD MAN. 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 seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act, `
` Threaten his bloody stage. By the clock 'tis day, `
` And yet dark night strangles the traveling 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? `
` OLD MAN. '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 MAN. 'Tis said they eat each other. `
` ROSS. They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes `
` That look'd upon't. `
` `
` Enter Macduff. `
` `
` Here comes the good Macduff. `
` How goes the world, sir, now? `
` MACDUFF. Why, see you not? `
` ROSS. Is't known who did this more than bloody deed? `
` MACDUFF. Those that Macbeth hath slain. `
` ROSS. Alas, the day! `
` What good could they pretend? `
` MACDUFF. They were suborn'd: `
` 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 `
` The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. `
` MACDUFF. He is already named, and gone to Scone `
` To be invested. `
` ROSS. Where is Duncan's body? `
` MACDUFF. Carried to Colmekill, `
` The sacred storehouse of his predecessors `
` And guardian of their bones. `
` ROSS. Will you to Scone? `
` MACDUFF. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. `
` ROSS. Well, I will thither. `
` MACDUFF. Well, may you see things well done there. `
` Adieu, `
` Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! `
` ROSS. Farewell, father. `
` OLD MAN. God's benison go with you and with those `
` That would make good of bad and friends of foes! `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT III. SCENE I. `
` Forres. The palace. `
` `
` Enter Banquo. `
` `
` BANQUO. 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 sounds. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady Macbeth `
` as Queen, Lennox, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. `
` `
`
` To countenance this horror! Ring the bell. Bell rings. `
` `
` Enter Lady Macbeth. `
` `
` LADY MACBETH. What's the business, `
` That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley `
` The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak! `
` MACDUFF. O gentle lady, `
` 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak: `
` The repetition in a woman's ear `
` Would murther as it fell. `
` `
` Enter Banquo. `
` `
` O Banquo, Banquo! `
` Our royal master's murther'd. `
` LADY MACBETH. Woe, alas! `
` What, in our house? `
` BANQUO. Too cruel anywhere. `
` Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, `
` And say it is not so. `
` `
` Re-enter Macbeth and Lennox, with Ross. `
` `
` MACBETH. Had I but died an hour before this chance, `
` I had lived a blessed time, for from this instant `
` There's nothing serious in mortality. `
` All is but toys; renown and grace is dead, `
` The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees `
` Is left this vault to brag of. `
` `
` Enter Malcolm and Donalbain. `
` `
` DONALBAIN. What is amiss? `
` MACBETH. You are, and do not know't. `
` The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood `
` Is stopped, the very source of it is stopp'd. `
` MACDUFF. Your royal father's murther'd. `
` MALCOLM. O, by whom? `
` LENNOX. Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done't. `
` Their hands and faces were all badged with blood; `
` So were their daggers, which unwiped we found `
` Upon their pillows. `
` They stared, and were distracted; no man's life `
` Was to be trusted with them. `
` MACBETH. O, yet I do repent me of my fury, `
` That I did kill them. `
` MACDUFF. Wherefore did you so? `
` MACBETH. Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, `
` Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. `
` The expedition of my violent love `
` Outrun the pauser reason. Here lay Duncan, `
` His silver skin laced with his golden blood, `
` And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature `
` For ruin's wasteful entrance; there, the murtherers, `
` Steep'd in the colors of their trade, their daggers `
` Unmannerly breech'd with gore. Who could refrain, `
` That had a heart to love, and in that heart `
` Courage to make 's love known? `
` LADY MACBETH. Help me hence, ho! `
` MACDUFF. Look to the lady. `
` MALCOLM. [Aside to Donalbain.] Why do we hold our tongues, `
` That most may claim this argument for ours? `
` DONALBAIN. [Aside to Malcolm.] What should be spoken here, `
` where `
` our fate, `
` Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? `
` Let's away, `
` Our tears are not yet brew'd. `
` MALCOLM. [Aside to Donalbain.] Nor our strong sorrow `
` Upon the foot of motion. `
` BANQUO. 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 undivulged pretense I fight `
` Of treasonous malice. `
` MACDUFF. And so do I. `
` ALL. So all. `
` MACBETH. Let's briefly put on manly readiness `
` And meet i' the hall together. `
` ALL. Well contented. `
` Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain. `
` MALCOLM. 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. `
` DONALBAIN. 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. `
` MALCOLM. This murtherous shaft that's shot `
` Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way `
` 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. `
` Outside Macbeth's castle. `
` `
` Enter Ross with an Old Man. `
` `
` OLD MAN. 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 seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act, `
` Threaten his bloody stage. By the clock 'tis day, `
` And yet dark night strangles the traveling 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? `
` OLD MAN. '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 MAN. 'Tis said they eat each other. `
` ROSS. They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes `
` That look'd upon't. `
` `
` Enter Macduff. `
` `
` Here comes the good Macduff. `
` How goes the world, sir, now? `
` MACDUFF. Why, see you not? `
` ROSS. Is't known who did this more than bloody deed? `
` MACDUFF. Those that Macbeth hath slain. `
` ROSS. Alas, the day! `
` What good could they pretend? `
` MACDUFF. They were suborn'd: `
` 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 `
` The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. `
` MACDUFF. He is already named, and gone to Scone `
` To be invested. `
` ROSS. Where is Duncan's body? `
` MACDUFF. Carried to Colmekill, `
` The sacred storehouse of his predecessors `
` And guardian of their bones. `
` ROSS. Will you to Scone? `
` MACDUFF. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. `
` ROSS. Well, I will thither. `
` MACDUFF. Well, may you see things well done there. `
` Adieu, `
` Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! `
` ROSS. Farewell, father. `
` OLD MAN. God's benison go with you and with those `
` That would make good of bad and friends of foes! `
` Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` <<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM `
` SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS `
` PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY `
` WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE `
` DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS `
` PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED `
` COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY `
` SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> `
` `
` `
` `
` ACT III. SCENE I. `
` Forres. The palace. `
` `
` Enter Banquo. `
` `
` BANQUO. 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 sounds. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady Macbeth `
` as Queen, Lennox, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. `
` `
`