Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
`
` MACBETH. Here's our chief guest. `
` LADY MACBETH. If he had been forgotten, `
` It had been as a gap in our great feast `
` And all thing unbecoming. `
` MACBETH. Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, `
` And I'll request your presence. `
` BANQUO. Let your Highness `
` Command upon me, to the which my duties `
` Are with a most indissoluble tie `
` Forever knit. `
` MACBETH. Ride you this afternoon? `
` BANQUO. Ay, my good lord. `
` MACBETH. We should have else desired your good advice, `
` Which still hath been both grave and prosperous `
` In this day's council; but we'll take tomorrow. `
` Is't far you ride'! `
` BANQUO. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time `
` 'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, `
` I must become a borrower of the night `
` For a dark hour or twain. `
` MACBETH. Fail not our feast. `
` BANQUO. My lord, I will not. `
` MACBETH. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd `
` In England and in Ireland, not confessing `
` Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers `
` With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, `
` When therewithal we shall have cause of state `
` Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse; adieu, `
` Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? `
` BANQUO. Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon 's. `
` MACBETH. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot, `
` And so I do commend you to their backs. `
` Farewell. Exit Banquo. `
` Let every man be master of his time `
` Till seven at night; to make society `
` The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself `
` Till supper time alone. While then, God be with you! `
` Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant. `
` Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men `
` Our pleasure? `
` ATTENDANT. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. `
` MACBETH. Bring them before us. Exit Attendant. `
` To be thus is nothing, `
` But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo. `
` Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature `
` Reigns that which would be fear'd. 'Tis much he dares, `
` And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, `
` He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor `
` To act in safety. There is none but he `
` Whose being I do fear; and under him `
` My genius is rebuked, as it is said `
` Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters `
` When first they put the name of King upon me `
` And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like `
` They hail'd him father to a line of kings. `
` Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown `
` And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, `
` Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, `
` No son of mine succeeding. If't be so, `
` For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind, `
` For them the gracious Duncan have I murther'd, `
` Put rancors in the vessel of my peace `
` Only for them, and mine eternal jewel `
` Given to the common enemy of man, `
` To make them kings -the seed of Banquo kings! `
` Rather than so, come, Fate, into the list, `
` And champion me to the utterance! Who's there? `
` `
` Re-enter Attendant, with two Murtherers. `
` `
` Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. `
` Exit Attendant. `
` Was it not yesterday we spoke together? `
` FIRST MURTHERER. It was, so please your Highness. `
` MACBETH. Well then, now `
` Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know `
` That it was he in the times past which held you `
` So under fortune, which you thought had been `
` Our innocent self? This I made good to you `
` In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you: `
` How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, `
` Who wrought with them, and all things else that might `
` To half a soul and to a notion crazed `
` Say, "Thus did Banquo." `
` FIRST MURTHERER. You made it known to us. `
` MACBETH. I did so, and went further, which is now `
` Our point of second meeting. Do you find `
` Your patience so predominant in your nature, `
` That you can let this go? Are you so gospel'd, `
` To pray for this good man and for his issue, `
` Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave `
` And beggar'd yours forever? `
` FIRST MURTHERER. We are men, my liege. `
` MACBETH. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men, `
` As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, `
` Shoughs, waterrugs, and demi-wolves are clept `
` All by the name of dogs. The valued file `
` Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, `
` The housekeeper, the hunter, every one `
` According to the gift which bounteous nature `
` Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive `
` Particular addition, from the bill `
` That writes them all alike; and so of men. `
` Now if you have a station in the file, `
` Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say it, `
` And I will put that business in your bosoms `
` Whose execution takes your enemy off, `
` Grapples you to the heart and love of us, `
` Who wear our health but sickly in his life, `
` Which in his death were perfect. `
` SECOND MURTHERER. I am one, my liege, `
` Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world `
` Have so incensed that I am reckless what `
` I do to spite the world. `
` FIRST MURTHERER. And I another `
` So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, `
` That I would set my life on any chance, `
` To mend it or be rid on't. `
` MACBETH. Both of you `
` Know Banquo was your enemy. `
` BOTH MURTHERERS. True, my lord. `
` MACBETH. So is he mine, and in such bloody distance `
` That every minute of his being thrusts `
` Against my near'st of life; and though I could `
` With barefaced power sweep him from my sight `
` 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 struck down. And thence it is `
` That I to your assistance do make love, `
` Masking the business from the common eye `
` For sundry weighty reasons. `
` SECOND MURTHERER. We shall, my lord, `
` Perform what you command us. `
` FIRST MURTHERER. Though our lives- `
` MACBETH. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at `
` most `
` I will advise you where to plant yourselves, `
` Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, `
` The moment on't; fort must be done tonight `
` And something from the palace (always thought `
` That I require a clearness); and with him- `
` To leave no rubs nor botches in the work- `
` Fleance his son, that keeps him company, `
` Whose absence is no less material to me `
` Than is his father's, must embrace the fate `
` Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart; `
` I'll come to you anon. `
` BOTH MURTHERERS. We are resolved, my lord. `
` MACBETH. I'll call upon you straight. Abide within. `
` Exeunt Murtherers. `
` It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, `
` If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. Exit. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The palace. `
` `
` Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant. `
` `
` LADY MACBETH. Is Banquo gone from court? `
` SERVANT. Ay, madam, but returns again tonight. `
` LADY MACBETH. Say to the King I would attend his leisure `
` For a few words. `
` SERVANT. Madam, I will. Exit. `
` LADY MACBETH. Nought's had, all's spent, `
` Where our desire is got without content. `
` 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy `
` Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. `
` `
` Enter Macbeth. `
` `
` How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone, `
` Of sorriest fancies your companions making, `
` Using those thoughts which should indeed have died `
` With them they think on? Things without all remedy `
` Should be without regard. What's done is done. `
` MACBETH. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it. `
` She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice `
` Remains in danger of her former tooth. `
` But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, `
` Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep `
` In the affliction of these terrible dreams `
` That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, `
` Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, `
` Than on the torture of the mind to lie `
` In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; `
` After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. `
` Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, `
` Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, `
` Can touch him further. `
` LADY MACBETH. Come on, `
` Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; `
` Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight. `
` MACBETH. So shall I, love, and so, I pray, be you. `
` Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; `
` Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue: `
` Unsafe the while, that we `
`
` MACBETH. Here's our chief guest. `
` LADY MACBETH. If he had been forgotten, `
` It had been as a gap in our great feast `
` And all thing unbecoming. `
` MACBETH. Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, `
` And I'll request your presence. `
` BANQUO. Let your Highness `
` Command upon me, to the which my duties `
` Are with a most indissoluble tie `
` Forever knit. `
` MACBETH. Ride you this afternoon? `
` BANQUO. Ay, my good lord. `
` MACBETH. We should have else desired your good advice, `
` Which still hath been both grave and prosperous `
` In this day's council; but we'll take tomorrow. `
` Is't far you ride'! `
` BANQUO. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time `
` 'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, `
` I must become a borrower of the night `
` For a dark hour or twain. `
` MACBETH. Fail not our feast. `
` BANQUO. My lord, I will not. `
` MACBETH. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd `
` In England and in Ireland, not confessing `
` Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers `
` With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, `
` When therewithal we shall have cause of state `
` Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse; adieu, `
` Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? `
` BANQUO. Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon 's. `
` MACBETH. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot, `
` And so I do commend you to their backs. `
` Farewell. Exit Banquo. `
` Let every man be master of his time `
` Till seven at night; to make society `
` The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself `
` Till supper time alone. While then, God be with you! `
` Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant. `
` Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men `
` Our pleasure? `
` ATTENDANT. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. `
` MACBETH. Bring them before us. Exit Attendant. `
` To be thus is nothing, `
` But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo. `
` Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature `
` Reigns that which would be fear'd. 'Tis much he dares, `
` And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, `
` He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor `
` To act in safety. There is none but he `
` Whose being I do fear; and under him `
` My genius is rebuked, as it is said `
` Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters `
` When first they put the name of King upon me `
` And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like `
` They hail'd him father to a line of kings. `
` Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown `
` And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, `
` Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, `
` No son of mine succeeding. If't be so, `
` For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind, `
` For them the gracious Duncan have I murther'd, `
` Put rancors in the vessel of my peace `
` Only for them, and mine eternal jewel `
` Given to the common enemy of man, `
` To make them kings -the seed of Banquo kings! `
` Rather than so, come, Fate, into the list, `
` And champion me to the utterance! Who's there? `
` `
` Re-enter Attendant, with two Murtherers. `
` `
` Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. `
` Exit Attendant. `
` Was it not yesterday we spoke together? `
` FIRST MURTHERER. It was, so please your Highness. `
` MACBETH. Well then, now `
` Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know `
` That it was he in the times past which held you `
` So under fortune, which you thought had been `
` Our innocent self? This I made good to you `
` In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you: `
` How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, `
` Who wrought with them, and all things else that might `
` To half a soul and to a notion crazed `
` Say, "Thus did Banquo." `
` FIRST MURTHERER. You made it known to us. `
` MACBETH. I did so, and went further, which is now `
` Our point of second meeting. Do you find `
` Your patience so predominant in your nature, `
` That you can let this go? Are you so gospel'd, `
` To pray for this good man and for his issue, `
` Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave `
` And beggar'd yours forever? `
` FIRST MURTHERER. We are men, my liege. `
` MACBETH. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men, `
` As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, `
` Shoughs, waterrugs, and demi-wolves are clept `
` All by the name of dogs. The valued file `
` Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, `
` The housekeeper, the hunter, every one `
` According to the gift which bounteous nature `
` Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive `
` Particular addition, from the bill `
` That writes them all alike; and so of men. `
` Now if you have a station in the file, `
` Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say it, `
` And I will put that business in your bosoms `
` Whose execution takes your enemy off, `
` Grapples you to the heart and love of us, `
` Who wear our health but sickly in his life, `
` Which in his death were perfect. `
` SECOND MURTHERER. I am one, my liege, `
` Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world `
` Have so incensed that I am reckless what `
` I do to spite the world. `
` FIRST MURTHERER. And I another `
` So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, `
` That I would set my life on any chance, `
` To mend it or be rid on't. `
` MACBETH. Both of you `
` Know Banquo was your enemy. `
` BOTH MURTHERERS. True, my lord. `
` MACBETH. So is he mine, and in such bloody distance `
` That every minute of his being thrusts `
` Against my near'st of life; and though I could `
` With barefaced power sweep him from my sight `
` 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 struck down. And thence it is `
` That I to your assistance do make love, `
` Masking the business from the common eye `
` For sundry weighty reasons. `
` SECOND MURTHERER. We shall, my lord, `
` Perform what you command us. `
` FIRST MURTHERER. Though our lives- `
` MACBETH. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at `
` most `
` I will advise you where to plant yourselves, `
` Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time, `
` The moment on't; fort must be done tonight `
` And something from the palace (always thought `
` That I require a clearness); and with him- `
` To leave no rubs nor botches in the work- `
` Fleance his son, that keeps him company, `
` Whose absence is no less material to me `
` Than is his father's, must embrace the fate `
` Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart; `
` I'll come to you anon. `
` BOTH MURTHERERS. We are resolved, my lord. `
` MACBETH. I'll call upon you straight. Abide within. `
` Exeunt Murtherers. `
` It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, `
` If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. Exit. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` The palace. `
` `
` Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant. `
` `
` LADY MACBETH. Is Banquo gone from court? `
` SERVANT. Ay, madam, but returns again tonight. `
` LADY MACBETH. Say to the King I would attend his leisure `
` For a few words. `
` SERVANT. Madam, I will. Exit. `
` LADY MACBETH. Nought's had, all's spent, `
` Where our desire is got without content. `
` 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy `
` Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. `
` `
` Enter Macbeth. `
` `
` How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone, `
` Of sorriest fancies your companions making, `
` Using those thoughts which should indeed have died `
` With them they think on? Things without all remedy `
` Should be without regard. What's done is done. `
` MACBETH. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it. `
` She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice `
` Remains in danger of her former tooth. `
` But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, `
` Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep `
` In the affliction of these terrible dreams `
` That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, `
` Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, `
` Than on the torture of the mind to lie `
` In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; `
` After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. `
` Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, `
` Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, `
` Can touch him further. `
` LADY MACBETH. Come on, `
` Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks; `
` Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight. `
` MACBETH. So shall I, love, and so, I pray, be you. `
` Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; `
` Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue: `
` Unsafe the while, that we `
`