SCENE V. Enter MACBETH's Wife alone, with a Letter. Lady.- -They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burnt in desire to question them further, they made themselves—air, into which they vanish'd. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all-hail'd me, Thane of Cawdor; by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referr'd me to the coming on of time, with, Hail, king that shalt be! This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness; that thou might'st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promis'd thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewel. Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be 333 What thou art promis'd :-Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness, To catch the nearest way: thou would'st be great; Art not without ambition; but without The illness should attend it. What thou would'st highly, 339 That would'st thou holily; would'st not play false, And yet would'st wrongly win: thou'd'st have, great Glamis, That which cries, Thus thou must do, if thou have it ; And that which rather thou do'st fear to do, Than Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, Mes. The king comes here to-night. Lady. Thou'rt mad to say it : Is not thy master with him? who, wer't so, Would have inform'd for preparation. 350 Mes. So please you, it is true; our thane is coming: One of my fellows had the speed of him; Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message. Lady. Give him tending, He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse, [Exit Mes. That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 360 The effect, and it! Come to my woman's breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring minister's, Wherever in your sightless substances Cij 370 You You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night; Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! Mac. My dearest love, Duncan comes here to-night. Mac. To-morrow, as he purposes. Shall sun that morrow see! 380 Your face, my thane, is as a book, where men This night's great business into my dispatch; Lady. Only look up clear; To alter favour ever is to fear; 390 Leave all the rest to me. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE VI. Hautboys and Torches. Enter King, MALCOLM, DoNALBAIN, BANQUO, LENOX, MACDUFF, ROSSE, ANGUS, and Attendants. King. This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Ban. This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath Buttress, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird 400 Hath made his pendant bed, and procreant cradle : Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ'd, The air is delicate. Enter Lady MACBETH. King. See, see! our honour'd hostess! 410 The love that follows us, sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you, How you shall bid God yield us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. Lady. All our service In every point twice done, and then done double, And the late dignities heap'd up to them, King. Where's the thane of Cawdor? 420 And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him Lady. Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, 430 Still to return your own. King. Give me your hand : Conduct me to mine host; we love him highly, And shall continue our graces towards him. By your leave, hostess. [Exeunt. SCENE VII. Hautboys and Torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Ser vants with Dishes and Service over the Stage. Then enter MACBETH. Mac. If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly: if the assassination |