Macbeth Page #3

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'And I fear

thou playedst 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,

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.

(Crowd chants) Hail, Macbeth.

Hail, Macbeth. Hail, Macbeth.

(Chanting continues)

Hail, Macbeth.

Hail, Macbeth.

(Sound muted)

(Macbeth) '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 feared.

'Tis much he dares

and to that dauntless temper

of his mind...

(Sword scrapes ground)

...he hath a wisdom

that doth guide his valour.

How now, my Lord?

Why do you keep alone?

We have scorched the snake,

not killed it.

She'll close and be herself

whilst our poor malice remains

in danger of her former tooth.

Things without all remedy

should be without regard.

What's done is done.

Come, gentle my Lord.

Sleek o'er your rugged looks.

Be bright and jovial

among your guests tonight.

Thou know'st that Banquo,

and his Fleance, lives?

You must leave this.

He chid the sisters

when first they put

the name of king upon me

and bade them speak to him.

Then, prophet-like,

they hailed him father to a line of kings.

Upon my head

they placed a fruitless crown

and put a barren sceptre in my grip,

thence to be wrenched

with an unlineal hand,

no son of mine succeeding.

If it be so,

for Banquo's issue

have I filed my mind.

For them

the gracious Duncan

have I murdered,

put rancours

in the vessel of my peace

only for them.

To make them kings,

the seed of Banquo kings!

What's to be done?

Be innocent of the knowledge,

dearest chuck,

till thou applaud the deed.

Full, full of scorpions, is my mind.

Thou marvell'st at my words.

Hold thee still.

Things bad begun

make themselves strong by ill.

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.

(Macbeth) Get up!

Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,

and I'll request your presence.

Let Your Highness command upon me

to the which my duties are,

with a most indissoluble tie,

forever knit.

Ride you this afternoon?

Ay, my good Lord.

We should have else desired

your good advice in this day's council,

but we'll take tomorrow.

Is't far you ride?

As far, my Lord, as will fill up the time

'twixt this and supper,

go not my horse the better.

Fail not our feast.

My Lord, I will not.

We hear our bloody cousin

is bestowed in England,

not confessing his cruel parricide,

filling his hearers with strange invention.

But of that tomorrow.

Hie you to horse.

Adieu, till you return at night.

Goes Fleance with you?

Ay, my good Lord.

Our time does call upon's.

Farewell.

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,

for it 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.

Fly!

Fly, Fleance! Fly!

(Chanting)

Hail, Macbeth! Hail, Macbeth!

Hail, Macbeth!

You know your own degrees.

Sit down. At first and last,

the hearty welcome.

Our hostess keeps her state

but in best time

we will require her welcome.

Pronounce it for me, sir,

to all our friends,

for my heart speaks

they are welcome.

Your Majesty.

Be large in mirth, anon,

we'll drink a measure

the table round.

There's blood upon thy face.

'Tis Banquo's then.

Is he dispatched?

My Lord, his throat is cut.

He's good that did the like for Fleance.

If thou didst it,

thou art the nonpareil.

Most royal sir,

Fleance is scaped.

Then comes my fit again.

I had else been perfect,

whole as the marble,

founded as the rock,

as broad and general as the casing air.

But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined,

bound in to saucy doubts and fears.

My royal Lord,

you do not give the cheer.

Thanks for that.

Sweet remembrancer!

Now, good digestion wait on appetite

and health on both.

Here had we now

our country's honour roofed,

were the graced person

of our Banquo present,

who may I rather challenge

for unkindness

than pity for mischance.

His absence, sir,

lays blame upon his promise.

What is't that moves Your Highness?

- Which of you have done this?

- (Lennox) What, my good Lord?

Thou canst not say that I did it.

His Highness is not well.

Sit, worthy friends.

Pray you, keep seat.

The fit is momentary.

Upon a thought he will again be well.

If much you note him,

you shall offend him

and extend his passion.

Feed and regard him not.

Are you a man?

Ay, and a bold one that dare look on that

which might appal the devil.

(Lady Macbeth) O proper stuff!

Prithee, see there.

Behold.

Look, lo! How say you?

This is the very painting of your fear.

This is the air-drawn dagger

which you said led you to Duncan.

Why do you make such faces?

If I stand here, I saw him.

My worthy Lord,

your noble friends do lack you.

Blood hath been shed ere now,

in the olden time.

The time has been that,

when the brains were out,

the man would die

and there an end.

But now they rise again

and push us from our stools.

This is more strange

than such a murder is.

I do forget.

Come.

Love and health to all.

(All) Our duties and the pledge.

Avaunt and quit my sight.

Let the earth hide thee.

Thy bones are marrowless,

thy blood is cold.

Thou hast no speculation in those eyes,

which thou dost glare with.

(Lady Macbeth) Think of this,

good peers...

...but as a thing of custom.

'Tis no other.

I pray you, sit still.

(Door opens)

(Door closes)

You make me strange,

even to the disposition that I owe

when now I think

you can behold such sights

and keep the natural ruby of your cheeks

when mine is blanched with fear.

- What sights, my Lord?

- I pray you, speak not.

He grows worse and worse.

Question enrages him.

Stand not upon the order of your going

but go at once.

Good night,

and better health attend His Majesty.

A kind good-night to all.

It will have blood.

They say blood will have blood.

What is the night?

Almost at odds with morning,

which is which.

How say'st thou

that Macduff denies his person

at our great bidding?

You lack the season of all natures.

Sleep.

(Macbeth) 'I will to the Weird Sisters.

'More shall they speak.

'For now I am bent to know

by the worst means the worst.

'For mine own good,

all causes shall give way.

'I am in blood stepped in so far that,

should I wade no more,

'returning were as tedious as go o'er.

'Strange things I have in head

that will to hand,

'which must be acted

ere they may be scanned.'

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