Internet Shakespeare Editions

Copyright Anthony Dawson. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.

• Edition: Macbeth

Modern (Modern)

• Texts of this edition
  2. Macbeth, Folio 1, 1623 (Old-spelling transcription)
  4. Macbeth: Modern, Modern
• Facsimiles
  • First Folio
    • Brandeis University
    • New South Wales
    • Scenes
      1. Act 1, scene 1
      2. Act 1, scene 2
      3. Act 1, scene 3
      4. Act 1, scene 4
      5. Act 1, scene 5
      6. Act 1, scene 6
      7. Act 1, scene 7
      8. Act 2, scene 1
      9. Act 2, scene 2
      10. Act 2, scene 3
      11. Act 2, scene 4
      12. Act 3, scene 1
      13. Act 3, scene 2
      14. Act 3, scene 3
      15. Act 3, scene 4
      16. Act 3, scene 5
      17. Act 3, scene 6
      18. Act 4, scene 1
      19. Act 4, scene 2
      20. Act 4, scene 3
      21. Act 5, scene 1
      22. Act 5, scene 2
      23. Act 5, scene 3
      24. Act 5, scene 4
      25. Act 5, scene 5
      26. Act 5, scene 6
      27. Act 5, scene 7
      28. Act 5, scene 8
      29. Act 5, scene 9
    • Complete text
    THE TRAGEDIE OF MACBETH. 1.1.0.22 Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches. When shall we three meet again? 1.1.24In thunder, lightning, or in rain? When the hurly-burly's done, 1.1.46When the battle's lost and won. That will be ere the set of sun. Where the place? Upon the heath. There to meet with Macbeth. I come, Graymalkin. Paddock calls. Fair is foul and foul is fair, 1.1.1313Hover through the fog and filthy air.

    1.2.0.215 Alarum within. Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Donal16bain, Lennox, with attendants, meeting 17a bleeding [Sergeant].

    What bloody man is that? He can report, 1.2.219As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt 1.2.320The newest state. The newest state. This is the sergeant 1.2.422Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought 1.2.523'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend! 1.2.624Say to the King the knowledge of the broil 1.2.725As thou didst leave it. As thou didst leave it. Doubtful it stood, 1.2.827As two spent swimmers that do cling together 1.2.928And choke their art. The merciless Macdonald-- 1.2.1029Worthy to be a rebel, for to that 1.2.1130The multiplying villanies of nature 1.2.1231Do swarm upon him--from the Western Isles 1.2.1332Of kerns and galloglasses is supplied, 1.2.1433And Fortune, on his damnèd quarrel smiling, 1.2.1534Showed like a rebel's whore; but all's too weak, 1.2.1635For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name-- 1.2.1736Disdaining Fortune with his brandished steel, 1.2.1837Which smoked with bloody execution, 1.2.1938Like valor's minion carved out his passage 1.2.2039Till he faced the slave, 1.2.2140Which ne'er shook hands nor bade farewell to him, 1.2.2241Till he unseamed him from the nave to th'chops, 1.2.2342And fixed his head upon our battlements. Oh, valiant cousin, worthy gentleman. As whence the sun 'gins his reflection, 1.2.2645Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break, 1.2.2746So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come, 1.2.2847Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark, 1.2.2948No sooner Justice had, with valor armed, 1.2.3049Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels, 1.2.3150But the Norwegian lord, surveying vantage, 1.2.3251With furbished arms and new supplies of men, 1.2.3352Began a fresh assault. Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and 54 Banquo? Yes, as sparrows, eagles,56 or the hare, the lion. 1.2.3657If I say sooth, I must report they were 1.2.3758As cannons overcharged with double cracks, 1.2.3859So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. 1.2.3960Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds 1.2.4061Or memorize another Golgotha, 1.2.4162I cannot tell-- 1.2.42But I am faint, 63my gashes cry for help. So well thy words become thee as thy wounds: 1.2.4465They smack of honor both. Go, get him surgeons. 1.2.44.1 [Exit Sergeant with attendants.] 1.2.44.266 Enter Ross and Angus. 1.2.4567Who comes here? Who comes here? The worthy Thane of Ross. What a haste looks through his eyes! 1.2.4770So should he look that seems to speak things strange. God save the King. God save the King. Whence cam'st thou, worthy thane? From Fife, great king, 74where the Norwegian banners 1.2.50Flout the sky 75and fan our people cold. 1.2.5176Norway himself, with terrible numbers, 1.2.5277Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, 1.2.5378The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, 1.2.5479Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapped in proof, 1.2.5580Confronted him with self-comparisons, 1.2.5681Point against point, rebellious arm 'gainst arm, 1.2.5782Curbing his lavish spirit. And to conclude, 1.2.5883The victory fell on us-- The victory fell on us-- Great happiness!-- The victory fell on us-- Great happiness!-- That now 1.2.59Sweno, the Norways' King, 86craves composition, 1.2.6087Nor would we deign him burial of his men 1.2.6188Till he disbursèd at Saint Colm's Inch 1.2.6289Ten thousand dollars to our general use. No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive 1.2.6491Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death 1.2.6592And with his former title greet Macbeth. I'll see it done. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. 1.3.0.297 Thunder. Enter the three Witches. Where hast thou been, sister? Killing swine. Sister, where thou? A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, 1.3.5102And munched, and munched, and munched. 103"Give me," quoth I. 1.3.6104"Aroint thee, witch," the rump-fed runnion cries. 1.3.7105Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o'th' Tiger, 1.3.8106But in a sieve I'll thither sail, 1.3.9107And like a rat without a tail 1.3.10108I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do. I'll give thee a wind. Thou'rt kind. And I another. I myself have all the other, 1.3.15113And the very ports they blow, 1.3.16114All the quarters that they know, 1.3.17115I'th' shipman's card. 1.3.18116I'll drain him dry as hay: 1.3.19117Sleep shall neither night nor day 1.3.20118Hang upon his penthouse lid; 1.3.21119He shall live a man forbid; 1.3.22120Weary sennights, nine times nine, 1.3.23121Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. 1.3.24122Though his bark cannot be lost, 1.3.25123Yet it shall be tempest-tossed. 1.3.26124Look what I have. Show me, show me. Here I have a pilot's thumb, 1.3.29127Wrecked as homeward he did come. 1.3.29.1 Drum within. A drum, a drum-- 1.3.31129Macbeth doth come. [They join hands and dance in a circle.] The weird sisters, hand in hand, 1.3.33131Posters of the sea and land, 1.3.34132Thus do go about, about, 1.3.35133Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, 1.3.36134And thrice again, to make up nine. 1.3.37135Peace, the charm's wound up. 1.3.37.1136 Enter Macbeth and Banquo. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. How far is't called to Forres? --What are these, 1.3.40139So withered and so wild in their attire, 1.3.41140That look not like th'inhabitants o'th' earth, 1.3.42141And yet are on't? --Live you, or are you aught 1.3.43142That man may question? You seem to understand me, 1.3.44143By each at once her choppy finger laying 1.3.45144Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, 1.3.46145And yet your beards forbid me to interpret 1.3.47146That you are so. That you are so. Speak if you can--what are you? All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter. Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear 1.3.52152Things that do sound so fair? I'th' name of truth 1.3.53153Are ye fantastical, or that indeed 1.3.54154Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner 1.3.55155You greet with present grace and great prediction 1.3.56156Of noble having and of royal hope, 1.3.57157That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not. 1.3.58158If you can look into the seeds of time 1.3.59159And say which grain will grow and which will not, 1.3.60160Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear 1.3.61161Your favors nor your hate. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. 1.3.68168So all hail Macbeth and Banquo. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. 1.3.71171By Finel's death, I know I am Thane of Glamis, 1.3.72172But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives 1.3.73173A prosperous gentleman. And to be king, 1.3.74174Stands not within the prospect of belief, 1.3.75175No more then to be Cawdor. Say from whence 1.3.76176You owe this strange intelligence, or why 1.3.77177Upon this blasted heath you stop our way 1.3.78178With such prophetic greeting? 1.3.79179Speak, I charge you. 1.3.79.1 Witches vanish. The earth hath bubbles as the water has, 1.3.81181And these are of them. Whither are they vanished? Into the air, and what seemed corporal 1.3.83183Melted, as breath into the wind. 184Would they had stayed. Were such things here as we do speak about? 1.3.85186Or have we eaten on the insane root 1.3.86187That takes the reason prisoner? Your children shall be kings. Your children shall be kings. You shall be king. And Thane of Cawdor too, went it not so? To th'selfsame tune and words--who's here? 1.3.89.1192 Enter Ross and Angus. The King hath happily received, Macbeth, 1.3.91194The news of thy success, and when he reads 1.3.92195Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight, 1.3.93196His wonders and his praises do contend 1.3.94197Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that, 1.3.95198In viewing o'er the rest o'th' selfsame day, 1.3.96199He finds thee in the stout Norwegian ranks 1.3.97200Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, 1.3.98201Strange images of death. As thick as tale 1.3.99202Came post with post, and every one did bear 1.3.100203Thy praises in his kingdom's great defense 1.3.101204And poured them down before him. And poured them down before him. We are sent 1.3.102206To give thee from our royal master thanks, 1.3.103207Only to herald thee into his sight, 1.3.104208Not pay thee. And for an earnest of a greater honor 1.3.106210He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor, 1.3.107211In which addition, hail most worthy thane, 1.3.108212For it is thine. For it is thine. 213 Banquo [Aside] What, can the devil speak true? The Thane of Cawdor lives, 215Why do you dress me 1.3.110In borrowed robes? In borrowed robes? Who was the thane lives yet, 1.3.111217But under heavy judgment bears that life 1.3.112218Which he deserves to lose. 1.3.113219Whether he was combined with those of Norway, 1.3.114220Or did line the rebel with hidden help 1.3.115221And vantage, or that with both he labored 1.3.116222In his country's wrack, I know not. 1.3.117223But treasons capital, confessed, and proved, 1.3.118224Have overthrown him. Have overthrown him. 225 Macbeth [Aside] Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: 1.3.119226The greatest is behind. --Thanks for your pains. 1.3.120227 [To Banquo] Do you not hope your children shall be kings 1.3.121228When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me 1.3.122229Promised no less to them. Promised no less to them. That trusted home 1.3.123231Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, 1.3.124232Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange, 1.3.125233And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, 1.3.126234The instruments of darkness tell us truths, 1.3.127235Win us with honest trifles, to betray's 1.3.128236In deepest consequence. 1.3.129237 [To Ross and Angus] Cousins, a word, I pray you. [To Ross and Angus] Cousins, a word, I pray you. [Aside] Two truths are told 1.3.130239As happy prologues to the swelling act 1.3.131240Of the imperial theme. --I thank you, gentlemen-- 1.3.132241This supernatural soliciting 1.3.133242Cannot be ill, cannot be good. 243If ill, 1.3.134Why hath it given me earnest of success 1.3.135244Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. 1.3.136245If good, why do I yield to that suggestion 1.3.137246Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair 1.3.138247And make my seated heart knock at my ribs 1.3.139248Against the use of nature? Present fears 1.3.140249Are less than horrible imaginings. 1.3.141250My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, 1.3.142251Shakes so my single state of man 252that function 1.3.143Is smothered in surmise, 253and nothing is 1.3.144But what is not. But what is not. Look how our partner's rapt. If chance will have me king, 256why, chance may crown me 1.3.146257Without my stir. Without my stir. New honors come upon him 1.3.147259Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold 1.3.148260But with the aid of use. But with the aid of use. Come what come may, 1.3.150262Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your lei264sure. Give me your favor. 266My dull brain was wrought 1.3.153With things forgotten. 1.3.154267Kind gentlemen, your pains are registered 1.3.155268Where every day I turn the leaf 269to read them. 1.3.156270Let us toward the King. 1.3.157 [To Banquo] Think upon 271what hath chanced and at more time, 1.3.158272The interim having weighed it, let us speak 1.3.159273Our free hearts each to other. Our free hearts each to other. Very gladly. Till then, enough. 276 Come, friends. 1.4.0.2278 Flourish. Enter King, Lennox, Malcolm, 279Donalbain, and Attendants. Is execution done on Cawdor? 281Are not 1.4.2Those in commission yet returned? Those in commission yet returned? My liege, 1.4.3They are not yet come back; 283but I have spoke 1.4.4With one that saw him die, 284who did report 1.4.5That very frankly he 285confessed his treasons, 1.4.6Implored your highness' pardon, 286and set forth 1.4.7A deep repentance. 287Nothing in his life 1.4.8Became him 288like the leaving it: he died 1.4.9289As one that had been studied in his death 1.4.10290To throw away the dearest thing he owed 1.4.11291As 'twere a careless trifle. As 'twere a careless trifle. There's no art 1.4.12293To find the mind's construction in the face. 1.4.13294He was a gentleman on whom I built 1.4.14295An absolute trust. 1.4.14.1296 Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus. An absolute trust. 297O worthiest cousin, 1.4.15298The sin of my ingratitude even now 1.4.16299Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before 1.4.17300That swiftest wing of recompense is slow 1.4.18301To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved, 1.4.19302That the proportion both of thanks and payment 1.4.20303Might have been mine. Only I have left to say, 1.4.21304More is thy due than more than all can pay. The service, and the loyalty I owe 1.4.23306In doing it, pays itself. 307Your highness' part 1.4.24Is to receive our duties, 308and our duties 1.4.25Are to your throne and state, 309children and servants, 1.4.26Which do but what they should 310by doing everything 1.4.27Safe toward your love 311and honor. Safe toward your love and honor. Welcome hither: 1.4.28313I have begun to plant thee, and will labor 1.4.29314To make thee full of growing. Noble Banquo, 1.4.30315That hast no less deserved, nor must be known 1.4.31316No less to have done so. Let me enfold thee 1.4.32317And hold thee to my heart. And hold thee to my heart. There if I grow, 1.4.33319The harvest is your own. The harvest is your own. My plenteous joys, 1.4.34321Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves 1.4.35322In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes, 1.4.36323And you whose places are the nearest, know 1.4.37324We will establish our estate upon 1.4.38325Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter 1.4.39326The Prince of Cumberland, which honor must 1.4.40327Not unaccompanied invest him only, 1.4.41328But signs of nobleness like stars shall shine 1.4.42329On all deservers. [To Macbeth] From hence to Inverness 1.4.43330And bind us further to you. The rest is labor which is not used for you. 1.4.45332I'll be myself the harbinger and make joyful 1.4.46333The hearing of my wife with your approach. 1.4.47334So humbly take my leave. So humbly take my leave. My worthy Cawdor. [Aside] The Prince of Cumberland--that is a step 1.4.49337On which I must fall down or else o'erleap, 1.4.50338For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires, 1.4.51339Let not light see my black and deep desires; 1.4.52340The eye wink at the hand--yet let that be 1.4.53341Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. True, worthy Banquo, he is full so valiant, 1.4.55343And in his commendations, I am fed; 1.4.56344It is a banquet to me. Let's after him, 1.4.57345Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome. 1.4.58346It is a peerless kinsman. 1.4.58.1 Flourish. Exeunt. 1.5.0.2348 Enter Macbeth's wife alone, with a letter. 1.5.1349 Lady Macbeth

    They met me in the day of success, and I have 350learned by the perfectest report they have more in them than 351mortal knowledge. When I burnt in desire to question them 352further, they made themselves air into which they vanished. 353Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from 354the King, who all-hailed me Thane of Cawdor, by which title 355before these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to 356the coming on of time with "Hail, king that shalt be." This 357have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of 358greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing 359by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay 360it to thy heart, and farewell.

    1.5.2361Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be 1.5.3362What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature: 1.5.4363It is too full o'th' milk of human kindness 1.5.5364To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, 1.5.6365Art not without ambition, but without 1.5.7366The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, 1.5.8367That wouldst thou holily, wouldst not play false, 1.5.9368And yet wouldst wrongly win. 369 Thou'dst have, great Glamis, 1.5.10That which cries, 370"Thus thou must do" if thou have it, 1.5.11371And that which rather thou dost fear to do, 1.5.12372Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, 1.5.13373That I may pour my spirits in thine ear 1.5.14374And chastise with the valor of my tongue 1.5.15375All that impedes thee from the golden round, 1.5.16376Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem 1.5.17377To have thee crowned withal. 1.5.17.1 Enter [Attendant]. To have thee crowned withal. 378What is your tidings? The King comes here tonight. 380 Lady Macbeth The King comes here tonight. Thou'rt mad to say it. 1.5.19381Is not thy master with him, who, were't so, 1.5.20382Would have informed for preparation? So please you, it is true our thane is coming. 1.5.22384One of my fellows had the speed of him, 1.5.23385Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more 1.5.24386Than would make up his message. 387 Lady Macbeth Than would make up his message. Give him tending, 1.5.25388He brings great news. 1.5.25.1 Exit [Attendant]. He brings great news. 389The raven himself is hoarse 1.5.26390That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 1.5.27391Under my battlements. Come, you spirits 1.5.28392That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here 1.5.29393And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full 1.5.30394Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, 1.5.31395Stop up th'access and passage to remorse 1.5.32396That no compunctious visitings of nature 1.5.33397Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between 1.5.34398Th'effect and it. Come to my woman's breasts 1.5.35399And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers, 1.5.36400Wherever in your sightless substances 1.5.37401You wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night, 1.5.38402And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell 1.5.39403That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, 1.5.40404Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark 1.5.41405To cry, "Hold, hold." 1.5.41.1 Enter Macbeth. To cry, "Hold, hold." 406Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, 1.5.42407Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter, 1.5.43408Thy letters have transported me beyond 1.5.44409This ignorant present and I feel now 1.5.45410The future in the instant. The future in the instant. My dearest love, 1.5.46412Duncan comes here tonight. 413 Lady Macbeth Duncan comes here tonight. And when goes hence? Tomorrow, as he purposes. 415 Lady Macbeth Tomorrow, as he purposes. Oh, never 1.5.48416Shall sun that morrow see. 1.5.49417Your face, my thane, is as a book where men 1.5.50418May read strange matters. To beguile the time, 1.5.51419Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye, 1.5.52420Your hand, your tongue. Look like th'innocent flower 1.5.53421But be the serpent under't. He that's coming 1.5.54422Must be provided for, and you shall put 1.5.55423This night's great business into my dispatch, 1.5.56424Which shall to all our nights and days to come 1.5.57425Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. We will speak further. 427 Lady Macbeth We will speak further. Only look up clear, 1.5.59428To alter favor ever is to fear. 1.5.60429Leave all the rest to me.

    1.6.0.2431 Hautboys and torches. Enter King, Malcolm, 432Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, 433Ross, Angus, and attendants.

    This castle hath a pleasant seat; 435the air 1.6.2Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself 1.6.3436Unto our gentle senses. Unto our gentle senses. This guest of summer, 1.6.4438The temple-haunting martlet, does approve 1.6.5439By his loved mansionry that the heavens' breath 1.6.6440Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, 1.6.7441Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird 1.6.8442Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. 1.6.9443Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed 1.6.10444The air is delicate. 1.6.10.1 Enter Lady [Macbeth]. See, see, our honored hostess. 446The love 1.6.12That follows us sometime is our trouble, 1.6.13447Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you 1.6.14448How you shall bid God 'ield us for your pains 1.6.15449And thank us for your trouble. 450 Lady Macbeth And thank us for your trouble. All our service 1.6.16451In every point twice done, and then done double, 1.6.17452Were poor and single business to contend 1.6.18453Against those honors, deep and broad, 454wherewith 1.6.19Your majesty loads our house. 455For those of old, 1.6.20And the late dignities 456heaped up to them, 1.6.21We rest your hermits. We rest your hermits. Where's the Thane of Cawdor? 1.6.22458We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose 1.6.23459To be his purveyor, but he rides well, 1.6.24460And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him 1.6.25461To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, 1.6.26462We are your guest tonight. 463 Lady Macbeth We are your guest tonight. Your servants ever 1.6.27464Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in count, 1.6.28465To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, 1.6.29466Still to return your own. Still to return your own. Give me your hand, 1.6.30468Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly, 1.6.31469And shall continue our graces towards him. 1.6.32470By your leave, hostess.

    1.7.0.2472 Hautboys. Torches. 473Enter a sewer and divers servants with dishes and service 474over the stage. Then enter Macbeth.

    If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well 1.7.2476It were done quickly. If th'assassination 1.7.3477Could trammel up the consequence and catch 1.7.4478With his surcease success, that but this blow 1.7.5479Might be the be-all and the end-all here, 1.7.6480But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, 1.7.7481We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases, 1.7.8482We still have judgment here, that we but teach 1.7.9483Bloody instructions which, being taught, return 1.7.10484To plague th'inventor. This even-handed justice 1.7.11485Commends th'ingredience of our poisoned chalice 1.7.12486To our own lips. He's here in double trust: 1.7.13487First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, 1.7.14488Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, 1.7.15489Who should against his murderer shut the door, 1.7.16490Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan 1.7.17491Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been 1.7.18492So clear in his great office, that his virtues 1.7.19493Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against 1.7.20494The deep damnation of his taking off; 1.7.21495And pity, like a naked newborn babe 1.7.22496Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed 1.7.23497Upon the sightless couriers of the air, 1.7.24498Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye 1.7.25499That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur 1.7.26500To prick the sides of my intent, but only 1.7.27501Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself 1.7.28502And falls on th'other-- 1.7.28.1 Enter Lady [Macbeth]. And falls on th'other-- 503How now, what news? 1.7.39504 Lady Macbeth He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber? Hath he asked for me? 506 Lady Macbeth Hath he asked for me? Know you not he has? We will proceed no further in this business. 1.7.32508He hath honored me of late and I have bought 1.7.33509Golden opinions from all sorts of people, 1.7.34510Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, 1.7.35511Not cast aside so soon. 512 Lady Macbeth Not cast aside so soon. Was the hope drunk 1.7.36513Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? 1.7.37514And wakes it now to look so green and pale 1.7.38515At what it did so freely? From this time 516Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard 1.7.40517To be the same in thine own act and valor 1.7.41518As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that 1.7.42519Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, 1.7.43520And live a coward in thine own esteem, 1.7.44521Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would" 1.7.45522Like the poor cat i'th' adage? Like the poor cat i'th' adage? Prithee, peace. 1.7.46524I dare do all that may become a man; 1.7.47525Who dares do more is none. 526 Lady Macbeth Who dares do more is none. What beast was't then 1.7.48527That made you break this enterprise to me? 1.7.49528When you durst do it, then you were a man. 1.7.50529And to be more than what you were, you would 1.7.51530Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place 1.7.52531Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. 1.7.53532They have made themselves and that their fitness now 1.7.54533Does unmake you. I have given suck and know 1.7.55534How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me; 1.7.56535I would, while it was smiling in my face, 1.7.57536Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums 1.7.58537And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn 1.7.59538As you have done to this. As you have done to this. If we should fail? 1.7.60540 Lady Macbeth 1.7.61541But screw your courage to the sticking place 1.7.62542And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep, 1.7.63543Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey 1.7.64544Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains 1.7.65545Will I with wine and wassail so convince 1.7.66546That memory, the warder of the brain, 1.7.67547Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason 1.7.68548A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep 1.7.69549Their drenchèd natures lies as in a death, 1.7.70550What cannot you and I perform upon 1.7.71551Th'unguarded Duncan? What not put upon 1.7.72552His spongy officers who shall bear the guilt 1.7.73553Of our great quell? Of our great quell? Bring forth men-children only: 1.7.74555For thy undaunted mettle should compose 1.7.75556Nothing but males. Will it not be received 1.7.76557When we have marked with blood those sleepy two 1.7.77558Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers, 1.7.78559That they have done't? 560 Lady Macbeth That they have done't? Who dares receive it other, 1.7.79561As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar 1.7.80562Upon his death? Upon his death? I am settled and bend up 1.7.81564Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. 1.7.82565Away, and mock the time with fairest show, 1.7.83566False face must hide what the false heart doth know. 2.1.0.2569 Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch 570before him. How goes the night, boy? The moon is down, I have not heard the 573clock. And she goes down at twelve. And she goes down at twelve. I take't 'tis later, sir. Hold, take my sword. 577There's husbandry in heaven: 2.1.5578Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. 2.1.6579A heavy summons lies like lead upon me 2.1.7580And yet I would not sleep. 581Merciful powers, 2.1.8Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts 582that nature 2.1.9Gives way to in repose. 2.1.9.1583 Enter Macbeth and a servant with a torch. Gives way to in repose. 584Give me my sword. 2.1.10Who's there? What, sir, not yet at rest? The King's abed. 2.1.13587He hath been in unusual pleasure, 2.1.14588And sent forth great largesse to your offices. 2.1.15589This diamond he greets your wife withal, 2.1.16590By the name of most kind hostess, 591and shut up 2.1.17In measureless content. In measureless content. Being unprepared, 2.1.18593Our will became the servant to defect, 2.1.19594Which else should free have wrought. Which else should free have wrought. All's well. 2.1.20596I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters. 2.1.21597To you they have showed some truth. To you they have showed some truth. I think not of them. 2.1.22599Yet when we can entreat an hour to serve, 2.1.23600We would spend it in some words upon that business, 2.1.24601If you would grant the time. If you would grant the time. At your kind'st leisure. If you shall cleave to my consent 604when 'tis, 2.1.26It shall make honor for you. It shall make honor for you. So I lose none 2.1.27606In seeking to augment it, but still keep 2.1.28607My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, 2.1.29608I shall be counseled. I shall be counseled. Good repose the while. Thanks, sir, the like to you. 2.1.30.1 Ex[eunt] Banquo[, Fleance, and torch]. 2.1.31611 Macbeth [To servant] Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, 2.1.32612She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. Exit [servant]. 2.1.33613Is this a dagger which I see before me, 2.1.34614The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. 2.1.35615I have thee not and yet I see thee still. 2.1.36616Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible 2.1.37617To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but 2.1.38618A dagger of the mind, a false creation 2.1.39619Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? 2.1.40620I see thee yet, in form as palpable 2.1.41621As this which now I draw. 2.1.42622Thou marshal'st me the way that I was going, 2.1.43623And such an instrument I was to use. 2.1.44624Mine eyes are made the fools o'th' other senses 2.1.45625Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, 2.1.46626And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, 2.1.47627Which was not so before. There's no such thing! 2.1.48628It is the bloody business which informs 2.1.49629Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one half-world 2.1.50630Nature seems dead and wicked dreams abuse 2.1.51631The curtained sleep; witchcraft celebrates 2.1.52632Pale Hecate's off'rings; and withered murder, 2.1.53633Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, 2.1.54634Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, 2.1.55635With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design 2.1.56636Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, 2.1.57637Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear 2.1.58638Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, 2.1.59639And take the present horror from the time, 2.1.60640Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives; 2.1.61641Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. 2.1.61.1642 A bell rings. 2.1.62643I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. 2.1.63644Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell 2.1.64645That summons thee to heaven or to hell. 2.2.0.2647 Enter Lady [Macbeth]. 2.2.1648 Lady Macbeth That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold, 2.2.2649What hath quenched them hath given me fire. 650Hark! Peace! 2.2.3It was the owl that shrieked, 651the fatal bellman 2.2.4Which gives the stern'st goodnight. 652He is about it. 2.2.5The doors are open 653and the surfeited grooms 2.2.6Do mock their charge 654with snores. I have drugged their possets 2.2.7655That death and nature do contend about them 2.2.8656Whether they live or die. 2.2.8.1657 Enter Macbeth. Whether they live or die. Who's there? What ho! 2.2.9659 Lady Macbeth Alack, I am afraid they have awaked 2.2.10660And 'tis not done; th'attempt and not the deed 2.2.11661Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready, 2.2.12662He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled 2.2.13663My father as he slept, I had done't. 664My husband? I have done the deed. 666Didst thou not hear a noise? 2.2.15667 Lady Macbeth I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. 2.2.16668Did not you speak? Did not you speak? When? 670 Lady Macbeth Did not you speak? When? Now. Did not you speak? When? Now. As I descended? 2.2.17672 Lady Macbeth Ay. Hark, who lies i'th' second chamber? 2.2.18674 Lady Macbeth Donalbain. This is a sorry sight. 2.2.19676 Lady Macbeth A foolish thought to say a sorry sight. There's one did laugh in's sleep, 678and one cried "Murder," 2.2.21That they did wake each other. 679I stood and heard them, 2.2.22But they did say their prayers 680and addressed them 2.2.23Again to sleep. 681 Lady Macbeth Again to sleep. There are two lodged together. One cried "God bless us" and "Amen" the other, 2.2.25683As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. 2.2.26684List'ning their fear, I could not say "Amen" 2.2.27685When they did say "God bless us." 2.2.28686 Lady Macbeth Consider it not so deeply. But wherefore could not I pronounce "Amen"? 2.2.30688I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" 2.2.31Stuck in my throat. 689 Lady Macbeth Stuck in my throat. These deeds must not be thought 2.2.32690After these ways: so, it will make us mad. Methought I heard a voice cry "Sleep no more": 2.2.34692Macbeth does murder sleep, the innocent sleep, 2.2.35693Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care, 2.2.36694The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, 2.2.37695Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, 2.2.38696Chief nourisher in life's feast. 697 Lady Macbeth Chief nourisher in life's feast. What do you mean? Still it cried "Sleep no more" to all the house, 2.2.40699Glamis hath murdered sleep and therefore Cawdor 2.2.41700Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more. 2.2.42701 Lady Macbeth Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, 2.2.43702You do unbend your noble strength to think 2.2.44703So brainsickly of things. Go get some water 2.2.45704And wash this filthy witness from your hand. 2.2.46705Why did you bring these daggers from the place? 2.2.47706They must lie there. Go carry them and smear 2.2.48707The sleepy grooms with blood. The sleepy grooms with blood. I'll go no more. 2.2.49709I am afraid to think what I have done, 2.2.50710Look on't again I dare not. 711 Lady Macbeth Look on't again I dare not. Infirm of purpose! 2.2.51712Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead 2.2.52713Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood 2.2.53714That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, 2.2.54715I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, 2.2.55716For it must seem their guilt. 2.2.55.2717 Knock within. For it must seem their guilt. Whence is that knocking? 2.2.56719How is't with me when every noise appalls me? 2.2.57720What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. 2.2.58721Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood 2.2.59722Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather 2.2.60723The multitudinous seas incarnadine, 2.2.61724Making the green one red. 2.2.61.1725 Enter Lady [Macbeth]. 2.2.62726 Lady Macbeth My hands are of your color, but I shame 2.2.63727To wear a heart so white. To wear a heart so white. 728 I hear a knocking 2.2.64At the south entry. 729Retire we to our chamber; 2.2.65730A little water clears us of this deed. 2.2.66731How easy is it then! Your constancy 2.2.67732Hath left you unattended. Hath left you unattended. 733Hark, more knocking. 2.2.68734Get on your nightgown lest occasion call us 2.2.69735And show us to be watchers. Be not lost 2.2.70736So poorly in your thoughts. To know my deed, 738'twere best not know myself. 2.2.72739Wake Duncan with thy knocking--740I would thou couldst. 2.3.0.2742 Enter a Porter. 743Knocking within.

    Here's a knocking indeed. If a man were 745porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the 746key. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock. Who's there, 747i'th' name of Beelzebub? Here's a farmer that hanged 748himself on th'expectation of plenty. Come in time, have 749napkins enow about you--here you'll sweat for't. (Knock.) 750Knock, knock. Who's there, in th'other devil's name? 751Faith, here's an equivocator that could swear in both 752the scales against either scale, who committed treason 753enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to hea754ven. O come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, 755knock, knock. Who's there? Faith, here's an English 756tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose. 757Come in, tailor, here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) 758Knock, knock. Never at quiet. What are you? But this 759place is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter it no further. 760I had thought to have let in some of all professions that 761go the primrose way to th'everlasting bonfire. (Knock.) 762Anon, anon. I pray you remember the porter.

    2.3.1.1763 Enter Macduff and Lennox. Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed 765that you do lie so late?

    Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second cock. 767And drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.

    What three things does drink especially 769provoke?

    Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. 771Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes 772the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore 773much drink may be said to be an equivocator with 774lechery: it makes him and it mars him, it sets him on 775and it takes him off, it persuades him and disheartens 776him, makes him stand to and not stand to; in 777conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep and, giving him the lie, 778leaves him.

    I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.

    That it did, sir, i'the very throat on me. But I 781requited him for his lie and, I think, being too strong 782for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I 783made a shift to cast him.