2. MUR.
We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
1. MUR.
Though our lives –
MACB.
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' th' time,
The moment on't, for't must be done to-night,
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] MUR.
We are resolv'd, my lord.
MACB.
I'll call upon you straight; abide within.
[Exeunt Murderers.]
It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out to-night.
Exit.
Scene II
Enter Macbeth's Lady and a Servant.
LADY M.
Is Banquo gone from court?
SERV.
Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.
LADY M.
Say to the King, I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
SERV.
Madam, I will.
Exit.
LADY M.
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.
MACB.
We have scorch'd the snake, not kill'd it;
She'll close and be herself, whilest 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 M.
Come on;
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks,
Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.
MACB.
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
Must lave our honors in these flattering streams,
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
LADY M.
You must leave this.
MACB.
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.
LADY M.
But in them nature's copy's not eterne.
MACB.
There's comfort yet, they are assailable.
Then be thou jocund; ere the bat hath flown
His cloister'd flight, ere to black Hecat's summons
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
LADY M.
What's to be done?
MACB.
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling 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 th' rooky wood;
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvel'st at my words, but hold thee still:
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So prithee go with me.
Exeunt.
Scene III
Enter three Murtherers.
1. MUR.
But who did bid thee join with us?
3. MUR.
Macbeth.
2. MUR.
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices, and what we have to do,
To the direction just.
1. MUR.
Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day;
Now spurs the lated traveller apace
To gain the timely inn, [and] near approaches
The subject of our watch.
3. MUR.
Hark, I hear horses.
BAN (Within.)
Give us a light there, ho!
2. MUR.
Then 'tis he; the rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i' th' court.
1. MUR.
His horses go about.
3. MUR.
Almost a mile; but he does usually,
So all men do, from hence to th' palace gate
Make it their walk.
Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch.
2. MUR.
A light, a light!
3. MUR.
'Tis he.
1. MUR.
Stand to't.
BAN.
It will be rain to-night.
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