Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches.

FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0001 When shall we three meet again?
FTLN 0002 In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
SECOND WITCH 
FTLN 0003 When the hurly-burly’s done,
FTLN 0004 When the battle’s lost and won.
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 00055 That will be ere the set of sun.
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0006 Where the place?
SECOND WITCH  FTLN 0007 Upon the heath.
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 0008 There to meet with Macbeth.
FIRST WITCH  FTLN 0009I come, Graymalkin.
SECOND WITCH  FTLN 001010Paddock calls.
THIRD WITCH  FTLN 0011Anon.
ALL 
FTLN 0012 Fair is foul, and foul is fair,
FTLN 0013 Hover through the fog and filthy air.
They exit.

Alarum within. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding
Captain.

DUNCAN 
FTLN 0014 What bloody man is that? He can report,
FTLN 0015 As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
FTLN 0016 The newest state.
MALCOLM  FTLN 0017 This is the sergeant
FTLN 00185 Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought
FTLN 0019 ’Gainst my captivity.—Hail, brave friend!
FTLN 0020 Say to the King the knowledge of the broil
FTLN 0021 As thou didst leave it.
CAPTAIN  FTLN 0022 Doubtful it stood,
FTLN 002310 As two spent swimmers that do cling together
FTLN 0024 And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald
FTLN 0025 (Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
FTLN 0026 The multiplying villainies of nature
FTLN 0027 Do swarm upon him) from the Western Isles
FTLN 002815 Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;
FTLN 0029 And Fortune, on his damnèd quarrelsmiling,
FTLN 0030 Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak;
FTLN 0031 For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name),
FTLN 0032 Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel,
FTLN 003320 Which smoked with bloody execution,
FTLN 0034 Like valor’s minion, carved out his passage
FTLN 0035 Till he faced the slave;
FTLN 0036 Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,
FTLN 0037 Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops,
FTLN 003825 And fixed his head upon our battlements.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0039 O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!
CAPTAIN 
FTLN 0040 As whence the sun ’gins his reflection
FTLN 0041 Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break,

---

FTLN 0042 So from that spring whence comfort seemed to
FTLN 004330 come
FTLN 0044 Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark:
FTLN 0045 No sooner justice had, with valor armed,
FTLN 0046 Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels,
FTLN 0047 But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage,
FTLN 004835 With furbished arms and new supplies of men,
FTLN 0049 Began a fresh assault.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0050 Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and
FTLN 0051 Banquo?
CAPTAIN 
FTLN 0052 Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.
FTLN 005340 If I say sooth, I must report they were
FTLN 0054 As cannons overcharged with double cracks,
FTLN 0055 So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.
FTLN 0056 Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds
FTLN 0057 Or memorize another Golgotha,
FTLN 005845 I cannot tell—
FTLN 0059 But I am faint. My gashes cry for help.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0060 So well thy words become thee as thy wounds:
FTLN 0061 They smack of honor both.—Go, get him surgeons.
The Captain is led off by Attendants.

Enter Ross and Angus.

FTLN 0062 Who comes here?
MALCOLM  FTLN 006350 The worthy Thane of Ross.
LENNOX 
FTLN 0064 What a haste looks through his eyes!
FTLN 0065 So should he look that seems to speak things
FTLN 0066 strange.
ROSS  FTLN 0067God save the King.
DUNCAN  FTLN 006855Whence cam’st thou, worthy thane?
ROSS  FTLN 0069From Fife, great king,
FTLN 0070 Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky

---

FTLN 0071 And fan our people cold.
FTLN 0072 Norway himself, with terrible numbers,
FTLN 007360 Assisted by that most disloyal traitor,
FTLN 0074 The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,
FTLN 0075 Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,
FTLN 0076 Confronted him with self-comparisons,
FTLN 0077 Point against point, rebellious arm ’gainst arm,
FTLN 007865 Curbing his lavish spirit. And to conclude,
FTLN 0079 The victory fell on us.
DUNCAN  FTLN 0080 Great happiness!
ROSS  FTLN 0081That now Sweno,
FTLN 0082 The Norways’ king, craves composition.
FTLN 008370 Nor would we deign him burial of his men
FTLN 0084 Till he disbursèd at Saint Colme’s Inch
FTLN 0085 Ten thousand dollars to our general use.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0086 No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
FTLN 0087 Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present
FTLN 008875 death,
FTLN 0089 And with his former title greet Macbeth.
ROSS  FTLN 0090I’ll see it done.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0091 What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.
They exit.

Thunder. Enter the three Witches.

FIRST WITCH  FTLN 0092Where hast thou been, sister?
SECOND WITCH  FTLN 0093Killing swine.
THIRD WITCH  FTLN 0094Sister, where thou?
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0095 A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap
FTLN 00965 And munched and munched and munched. “Give
FTLN 0097 me,” quoth I.
FTLN 0098 “Aroint thee, witch,” the rump-fed runnion cries.

---

FTLN 0099 Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’ th’ Tiger;
FTLN 0100 But in a sieve I’ll thither sail,
FTLN 010110 And, like a rat without a tail,
FTLN 0102 I’ll do, I’ll do, and I’ll do.
SECOND WITCH 
FTLN 0103 I’ll give thee a wind.
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0104 Th’ art kind.
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 0105 And I another.
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 010615 I myself have all the other,
FTLN 0107 And the very ports they blow,
FTLN 0108 All the quarters that they know
FTLN 0109 I’ th’ shipman’s card.
FTLN 0110 I’ll drain him dry as hay.
FTLN 011120 Sleep shall neither night nor day
FTLN 0112 Hang upon his penthouse lid.
FTLN 0113 He shall live a man forbid.
FTLN 0114 Weary sev’nnights, nine times nine,
FTLN 0115 Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine.
FTLN 011625 Though his bark cannot be lost,
FTLN 0117 Yet it shall be tempest-tossed.
FTLN 0118 Look what I have.
SECOND WITCH  FTLN 0119Show me, show me.
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0120 Here I have a pilot’s thumb,
FTLN 012130 Wracked as homeward he did come. Drum within.
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 0122 A drum, a drum!
FTLN 0123 Macbeth doth come.
ALL , dancing in a circle 
FTLN 0124 The Weïrd Sisters, hand in hand,
FTLN 0125 Posters of the sea and land,
FTLN 012635 Thus do go about, about,
FTLN 0127 Thrice to thine and thrice to mine

---

FTLN 0128 And thrice again, to make up nine.
FTLN 0129 Peace, the charm’s wound up.

Enter Macbeth and Banquo.

MACBETH 
FTLN 0130 So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
BANQUO 
FTLN 013140 How far is ’t called to Forres?—What are these,
FTLN 0132 So withered, and so wild in their attire,
FTLN 0133 That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ earth
FTLN 0134 And yet are on ’t?—Live you? Or are you aught
FTLN 0135 That man may question? You seem to understand
FTLN 013645 me
FTLN 0137 By each at once her choppy finger laying
FTLN 0138 Upon her skinny lips. You should be women,
FTLN 0139 And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
FTLN 0140 That you are so.
MACBETH  FTLN 014150 Speak if you can. What are you?
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0142 All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
SECOND WITCH 
FTLN 0143 All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 0144 All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
BANQUO 
FTLN 0145 Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear
FTLN 014655 Things that do sound so fair?—I’ th’ name of truth,
FTLN 0147 Are you fantastical, or that indeed
FTLN 0148 Which outwardly you show? My noble partner
FTLN 0149 You greet with present grace and great prediction
FTLN 0150 Of noble having and of royal hope,
FTLN 015160 That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not.
FTLN 0152 If you can look into the seeds of time
FTLN 0153 And say which grain will grow and which will not,
FTLN 0154 Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear
FTLN 0155 Your favors nor your hate.

---

FIRST WITCH  FTLN 015665Hail!
SECOND WITCH  FTLN 0157Hail!
THIRD WITCH  FTLN 0158Hail!
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0159 Lesser than Macbeth and greater.
SECOND WITCH 
FTLN 0160 Not so happy, yet much happier.
THIRD WITCH 
FTLN 016170 Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
FTLN 0162 So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
FIRST WITCH 
FTLN 0163 Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
MACBETH 
FTLN 0164 Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.
FTLN 0165 By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis.
FTLN 016675 But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives
FTLN 0167 A prosperous gentleman, and to be king
FTLN 0168 Stands not within the prospect of belief,
FTLN 0169 No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
FTLN 0170 You owe this strange intelligence or why
FTLN 017180 Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
FTLN 0172 With such prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you.
Witches vanish.
BANQUO 
FTLN 0173 The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,
FTLN 0174 And these are of them. Whither are they vanished?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0175 Into the air, and what seemed corporal melted,
FTLN 017685 As breath into the wind. Would they had stayed!
BANQUO 
FTLN 0177 Were such things here as we do speak about?
FTLN 0178 Or have we eaten on the insane root
FTLN 0179 That takes the reason prisoner?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0180 Your children shall be kings.
BANQUO  FTLN 018190 You shall be king.

---

MACBETH 
FTLN 0182 And Thane of Cawdor too. Went it not so?
BANQUO 
FTLN 0183 To th’ selfsame tune and words.—Who’s here?

Enter Ross and Angus.

ROSS 
FTLN 0184 The King hath happily received, Macbeth,
FTLN 0185 The news of thy success, and, when he reads
FTLN 018695 Thy personal venture in the rebels’ fight,
FTLN 0187 His wonders and his praises do contend
FTLN 0188 Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that,
FTLN 0189 In viewing o’er the rest o’ th’ selfsame day
FTLN 0190 He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks,
FTLN 0191100 Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make,
FTLN 0192 Strange images of death. As thick as tale
FTLN 0193 Came post with post, and every one did bear
FTLN 0194 Thy praises in his kingdom’s great defense,
FTLN 0195 And poured them down before him.
ANGUS  FTLN 0196105 We are sent
FTLN 0197 To give thee from our royal master thanks,
FTLN 0198 Only to herald thee into his sight,
FTLN 0199 Not pay thee.
ROSS 
FTLN 0200 And for an earnest of a greater honor,
FTLN 0201110 He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor,
FTLN 0202 In which addition, hail, most worthy thane,
FTLN 0203 For it is thine.
BANQUO  FTLN 0204 What, can the devil speak true?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0205 The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me
FTLN 0206115 In borrowed robes?
ANGUS  FTLN 0207 Who was the Thane lives yet,
FTLN 0208 But under heavy judgment bears that life
FTLN 0209 Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was
FTLN 0210 combined

---

FTLN 0211120 With those of Norway, or did line the rebel
FTLN 0212 With hidden help and vantage, or that with both
FTLN 0213 He labored in his country’s wrack, I know not;
FTLN 0214 But treasons capital, confessed and proved,
FTLN 0215 Have overthrown him.
MACBETH , aside  FTLN 0216125 Glamis and Thane of Cawdor!
FTLN 0217 The greatest is behind.  To Ross and Angus. Thanks
FTLN 0218 for your pains.
FTLN 0219  Aside to Banquo. Do you not hope your children
FTLN 0220 shall be kings
FTLN 0221130 When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me
FTLN 0222 Promised no less to them?
BANQUO  FTLN 0223 That, trusted home,
FTLN 0224 Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
FTLN 0225 Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange.
FTLN 0226135 And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
FTLN 0227 The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
FTLN 0228 Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s
FTLN 0229 In deepest consequence.—
FTLN 0230 Cousins, a word, I pray you. They step aside.
MACBETH , aside  FTLN 0231140 Two truths are told
FTLN 0232 As happy prologues to the swelling act
FTLN 0233 Of the imperial theme.—I thank you, gentlemen.
FTLN 0234  Aside. This supernatural soliciting
FTLN 0235 Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
FTLN 0236145 Why hath it given me earnest of success
FTLN 0237 Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.
FTLN 0238 If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
FTLN 0239 Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
FTLN 0240 And make my seated heart knock at my ribs
FTLN 0241150 Against the use of nature? Present fears
FTLN 0242 Are less than horrible imaginings.
FTLN 0243 My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
FTLN 0244 Shakes so my single state of man
FTLN 0245 That function is smothered in surmise,
FTLN 0246155 And nothing is but what is not.

---

BANQUO  FTLN 0247Look how our partner’s rapt.
MACBETH , aside 
FTLN 0248 If chance will have me king, why, chance may
FTLN 0249 crown me
FTLN 0250 Without my stir.
BANQUO  FTLN 0251160 New honors come upon him,
FTLN 0252 Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold
FTLN 0253 But with the aid of use.
MACBETH , aside  FTLN 0254 Come what come may,
FTLN 0255 Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
BANQUO 
FTLN 0256165 Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0257 Give me your favor. My dull brain was wrought
FTLN 0258 With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains
FTLN 0259 Are registered where every day I turn
FTLN 0260 The leaf to read them. Let us toward the King.
FTLN 0261170  Aside to Banquo. Think upon what hath chanced,
FTLN 0262 and at more time,
FTLN 0263 The interim having weighed it, let us speak
FTLN 0264 Our free hearts each to other.
BANQUO  FTLN 0265Very gladly.
MACBETH  FTLN 0266175Till then enough.—Come, friends.
They exit.

Flourish. Enter King Duncan, Lennox, Malcolm,
Donalbain, and Attendants.

DUNCAN 
FTLN 0267 Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not
FTLN 0268 Those in commission yet returned?
MALCOLM  FTLN 0269 My liege,
FTLN 0270 They are not yet come back. But I have spoke
FTLN 02715 With one that saw him die, who did report

---

FTLN 0272 That very frankly he confessed his treasons,
FTLN 0273 Implored your Highness’ pardon, and set forth
FTLN 0274 A deep repentance. Nothing in his life
FTLN 0275 Became him like the leaving it. He died
FTLN 027610 As one that had been studied in his death
FTLN 0277 To throw away the dearest thing he owed
FTLN 0278 As ’twere a careless trifle.
DUNCAN  FTLN 0279 There’s no art
FTLN 0280 To find the mind’s construction in the face.
FTLN 028115 He was a gentleman on whom I built
FTLN 0282 An absolute trust.

Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus.

FTLN 0283 O worthiest cousin,
FTLN 0284 The sin of my ingratitude even now
FTLN 0285 Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before
FTLN 028620 That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
FTLN 0287 To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,
FTLN 0288 That the proportion both of thanks and payment
FTLN 0289 Might have been mine! Only I have left to say,
FTLN 0290 More is thy due than more than all can pay.
MACBETH 
FTLN 029125 The service and the loyalty I owe
FTLN 0292 In doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part
FTLN 0293 Is to receive our duties, and our duties
FTLN 0294 Are to your throne and state children and servants,
FTLN 0295 Which do but what they should by doing everything
FTLN 029630 Safe toward your love and honor.
DUNCAN  FTLN 0297 Welcome hither.
FTLN 0298 I have begun to plant thee and will labor
FTLN 0299 To make thee full of growing.—Noble Banquo,
FTLN 0300 That hast no less deserved nor must be known
FTLN 030135 No less to have done so, let me enfold thee
FTLN 0302 And hold thee to my heart.
BANQUO  FTLN 0303 There, if I grow,
FTLN 0304 The harvest is your own.

---

DUNCAN  FTLN 0305 My plenteous joys,
FTLN 030640 Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves
FTLN 0307 In drops of sorrow.—Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
FTLN 0308 And you whose places are the nearest, know
FTLN 0309 We will establish our estate upon
FTLN 0310 Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
FTLN 031145 The Prince of Cumberland; which honor must
FTLN 0312 Not unaccompanied invest him only,
FTLN 0313 But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
FTLN 0314 On all deservers.—From hence to Inverness
FTLN 0315 And bind us further to you.
MACBETH 
FTLN 031650 The rest is labor which is not used for you.
FTLN 0317 I’ll be myself the harbinger and make joyful
FTLN 0318 The hearing of my wife with your approach.
FTLN 0319 So humbly take my leave.
DUNCAN  FTLN 0320 My worthy Cawdor.
MACBETH , aside 
FTLN 032155 The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
FTLN 0322 On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,
FTLN 0323 For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
FTLN 0324 Let not light see my black and deep desires.
FTLN 0325 The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be
FTLN 032660 Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
He exits.
DUNCAN 
FTLN 0327 True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant,
FTLN 0328 And in his commendations I am fed:
FTLN 0329 It is a banquet to me.—Let’s after him,
FTLN 0330 Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.
FTLN 033165 It is a peerless kinsman.
Flourish. They exit.

Enter Macbeth’s Wife, alone, with a letter.

LADY MACBETH , reading the letter  FTLN 0332They met me in the
FTLN 0333 day of success, and I have learned by the perfect’st
FTLN 0334 report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.
FTLN 0335 When I burned in desire to question them further, they
FTLN 03365 made themselves air, into which they vanished.
FTLN 0337 Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives
FTLN 0338 from the King, who all-hailed me “Thane of Cawdor,”
FTLN 0339 by which title, before, these Weïrd Sisters saluted me
FTLN 0340 and referred me to the coming on of time with “Hail,
FTLN 034110 king that shalt be.” This have I thought good to deliver
FTLN 0342 thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
FTLN 0343 might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant
FTLN 0344 of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy
FTLN 0345 heart, and farewell.
FTLN 034615 Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be
FTLN 0347 What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature;
FTLN 0348 It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness
FTLN 0349 To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,
FTLN 0350 Art not without ambition, but without
FTLN 035120 The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst
FTLN 0352 highly,
FTLN 0353 That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false
FTLN 0354 And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou ’dst have, great
FTLN 0355 Glamis,
FTLN 035625 That which cries “Thus thou must do,” if thou have
FTLN 0357 it,
FTLN 0358 And that which rather thou dost fear to do,
FTLN 0359 Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
FTLN 0360 That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
FTLN 036130 And chastise with the valor of my tongue
FTLN 0362 All that impedes thee from the golden round,
FTLN 0363 Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
FTLN 0364 To have thee crowned withal.

---

Enter Messenger.

FTLN 0365 What is your tidings?
MESSENGER 
FTLN 036635 The King comes here tonight.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0367 Thou ’rt mad to say it.
FTLN 0368 Is not thy master with him, who, were ’t so,
FTLN 0369 Would have informed for preparation?
MESSENGER 
FTLN 0370 So please you, it is true. Our thane is coming.
FTLN 037140 One of my fellows had the speed of him,
FTLN 0372 Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more
FTLN 0373 Than would make up his message.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0374 Give him tending.
FTLN 0375 He brings great news. Messenger exits.
FTLN 037645 The raven himself is hoarse
FTLN 0377 That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
FTLN 0378 Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
FTLN 0379 That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
FTLN 0380 And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
FTLN 038150 Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.
FTLN 0382 Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse,
FTLN 0383 That no compunctious visitings of nature
FTLN 0384 Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
FTLN 0385 Th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts
FTLN 038655 And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,
FTLN 0387 Wherever in your sightless substances
FTLN 0388 You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,
FTLN 0389 And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
FTLN 0390 That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
FTLN 039160 Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
FTLN 0392 To cry “Hold, hold!”

Enter Macbeth.

FTLN 0393 Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor,
FTLN 0394 Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!

---

FTLN 0395 Thy letters have transported me beyond
FTLN 039665 This ignorant present, and I feel now
FTLN 0397 The future in the instant.
MACBETH  FTLN 0398 My dearest love,
FTLN 0399 Duncan comes here tonight.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0400 And when goes hence?
MACBETH 
FTLN 040170 Tomorrow, as he purposes.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0402 O, never
FTLN 0403 Shall sun that morrow see!
FTLN 0404 Your face, my thane, is as a book where men
FTLN 0405 May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
FTLN 040675 Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye,
FTLN 0407 Your hand, your tongue. Look like th’ innocent
FTLN 0408 flower,
FTLN 0409 But be the serpent under ’t. He that’s coming
FTLN 0410 Must be provided for; and you shall put
FTLN 041180 This night’s great business into my dispatch,
FTLN 0412 Which shall to all our nights and days to come
FTLN 0413 Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0414 We will speak further.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0415 Only look up clear.
FTLN 041685 To alter favor ever is to fear.
FTLN 0417 Leave all the rest to me.
They exit.

Hautboys and Torches. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and
Attendants.

DUNCAN 
FTLN 0418 This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air
FTLN 0419 Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
FTLN 0420 Unto our gentle senses.

---

BANQUO  FTLN 0421 This guest of summer,
FTLN 04225 The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,
FTLN 0423 By his loved mansionry, that the heaven’s breath
FTLN 0424 Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze,
FTLN 0425 Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird
FTLN 0426 Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle.
FTLN 042710 Where they most breed and haunt, I have
FTLN 0428 observed,
FTLN 0429 The air is delicate.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

DUNCAN  FTLN 0430See, see our honored hostess!—
FTLN 0431 The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
FTLN 043215 Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
FTLN 0433 How you shall bid God ’ild us for your pains
FTLN 0434 And thank us for your trouble.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0435 All our service,
FTLN 0436 In every point twice done and then done double,
FTLN 043720 Were poor and single business to contend
FTLN 0438 Against those honors deep and broad wherewith
FTLN 0439 Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old,
FTLN 0440 And the late dignities heaped up to them,
FTLN 0441 We rest your hermits.
DUNCAN  FTLN 044225 Where’s the Thane of Cawdor?
FTLN 0443 We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose
FTLN 0444 To be his purveyor; but he rides well,
FTLN 0445 And his great love (sharp as his spur) hath helped
FTLN 0446 him
FTLN 044730 To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,
FTLN 0448 We are your guest tonight.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0449 Your servants ever
FTLN 0450 Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt
FTLN 0451 To make their audit at your Highness’ pleasure,
FTLN 045235 Still to return your own.
DUNCAN  FTLN 0453 Give me your hand.

---

Taking her hand.
FTLN 0454 Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly
FTLN 0455 And shall continue our graces towards him.
FTLN 0456 By your leave, hostess.
They exit.

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants
with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter
Macbeth.

MACBETH 
FTLN 0457 If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
FTLN 0458 It were done quickly. If th’ assassination
FTLN 0459 Could trammel up the consequence and catch
FTLN 0460 With his surcease success, that but this blow
FTLN 04615 Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
FTLN 0462 But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
FTLN 0463 We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
FTLN 0464 We still have judgment here, that we but teach
FTLN 0465 Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
FTLN 046610 To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice
FTLN 0467 Commends th’ ingredience of our poisoned chalice
FTLN 0468 To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
FTLN 0469 First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
FTLN 0470 Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
FTLN 047115 Who should against his murderer shut the door,
FTLN 0472 Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
FTLN 0473 Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
FTLN 0474 So clear in his great office, that his virtues
FTLN 0475 Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
FTLN 047620 The deep damnation of his taking-off;
FTLN 0477 And pity, like a naked newborn babe
FTLN 0478 Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin horsed

---

FTLN 0479 Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
FTLN 0480 Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
FTLN 048125 That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
FTLN 0482 To prick the sides of my intent, but only
FTLN 0483 Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
FTLN 0484 And falls on th’ other—

Enter Lady Macbeth.

FTLN 0485 How now, what news?
LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 048630 He has almost supped. Why have you left the
FTLN 0487 chamber?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0488 Hath he asked for me?
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0489 Know you not he has?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0490 We will proceed no further in this business.
FTLN 049135 He hath honored me of late, and I have bought
FTLN 0492 Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
FTLN 0493 Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
FTLN 0494 Not cast aside so soon.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0495 Was the hope drunk
FTLN 049640 Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
FTLN 0497 And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
FTLN 0498 At what it did so freely? From this time
FTLN 0499 Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
FTLN 0500 To be the same in thine own act and valor
FTLN 050145 As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
FTLN 0502 Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life
FTLN 0503 And live a coward in thine own esteem,
FTLN 0504 Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,”
FTLN 0505 Like the poor cat i’ th’ adage?
MACBETH  FTLN 050650 Prithee, peace.
FTLN 0507 I dare do all that may become a man.
FTLN 0508 Who dares do more is none.

---

LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0509 What beast was ’t,
FTLN 0510 then,
FTLN 051155 That made you break this enterprise to me?
FTLN 0512 When you durst do it, then you were a man;
FTLN 0513 And to be more than what you were, you would
FTLN 0514 Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
FTLN 0515 Did then adhere, and yet you would make both.
FTLN 051660 They have made themselves, and that their fitness
FTLN 0517 now
FTLN 0518 Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
FTLN 0519 How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me.
FTLN 0520 I would, while it was smiling in my face,
FTLN 052165 Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums
FTLN 0522 And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you
FTLN 0523 Have done to this.
MACBETH  FTLN 0524 If we should fail—
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0525 We fail?
FTLN 052670 But screw your courage to the sticking place
FTLN 0527 And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep
FTLN 0528 (Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
FTLN 0529 Soundly invite him), his two chamberlains
FTLN 0530 Will I with wine and wassail so convince
FTLN 053175 That memory, the warder of the brain,
FTLN 0532 Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
FTLN 0533 A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
FTLN 0534 Their drenchèd natures lies as in a death,
FTLN 0535 What cannot you and I perform upon
FTLN 053680 Th’ unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
FTLN 0537 His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
FTLN 0538 Of our great quell?
MACBETH  FTLN 0539 Bring forth men-children only,
FTLN 0540 For thy undaunted mettle should compose
FTLN 054185 Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
FTLN 0542 When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
FTLN 0543 Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
FTLN 0544 That they have done ’t?

---

LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0545 Who dares receive it other,
FTLN 054690 As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar
FTLN 0547 Upon his death?
MACBETH  FTLN 0548 I am settled and bend up
FTLN 0549 Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
FTLN 0550 Away, and mock the time with fairest show.
FTLN 055195 False face must hide what the false heart doth
FTLN 0552 know.
They exit.

Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch before him.

BANQUO  FTLN 0553How goes the night, boy?
FLEANCE 
FTLN 0554 The moon is down. I have not heard the clock.
BANQUO  FTLN 0555And she goes down at twelve.
FLEANCE  FTLN 0556I take ’t ’tis later, sir.
BANQUO 
FTLN 05575 Hold, take my sword. Giving his sword to Fleance.
FTLN 0558 There’s husbandry in heaven;
FTLN 0559 Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
FTLN 0560 A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
FTLN 0561 And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
FTLN 056210 Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature
FTLN 0563 Gives way to in repose.

Enter Macbeth, and a Servant with a torch.

FTLN 0564 Give me my sword.—Who’s
FTLN 0565 there?
MACBETH  FTLN 0566A friend.
BANQUO 
FTLN 056715 What, sir, not yet at rest? The King’s abed.
FTLN 0568 He hath been in unusual pleasure, and
FTLN 0569 Sent forth great largess to your offices.
FTLN 0570 This diamond he greets your wife withal,

---

FTLN 0571 By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up
FTLN 057220 In measureless content.
He gives Macbeth a diamond.
MACBETH  FTLN 0573 Being unprepared,
FTLN 0574 Our will became the servant to defect,
FTLN 0575 Which else should free have wrought.
BANQUO  FTLN 0576All’s well.
FTLN 057725 I dreamt last night of the three Weïrd Sisters.
FTLN 0578 To you they have showed some truth.
MACBETH  FTLN 0579 I think not of
FTLN 0580 them.
FTLN 0581 Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,
FTLN 058230 We would spend it in some words upon that
FTLN 0583 business,
FTLN 0584 If you would grant the time.
BANQUO  FTLN 0585 At your kind’st leisure.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0586 If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis,
FTLN 058735 It shall make honor for you.
BANQUO  FTLN 0588 So I lose none
FTLN 0589 In seeking to augment it, but still keep
FTLN 0590 My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,
FTLN 0591 I shall be counseled.
MACBETH  FTLN 059240 Good repose the while.
BANQUO  FTLN 0593Thanks, sir. The like to you.
Banquo and Fleance exit.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0594 Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready,
FTLN 0595 She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.
Servant exits.
FTLN 0596 Is this a dagger which I see before me,
FTLN 059745 The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch
FTLN 0598 thee.
FTLN 0599 I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
FTLN 0600 Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
FTLN 0601 To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but

---

FTLN 060250 A dagger of the mind, a false creation
FTLN 0603 Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain?
FTLN 0604 I see thee yet, in form as palpable
FTLN 0605 As this which now I draw. He draws his dagger.
FTLN 0606 Thou marshal’st me the way that I was going,
FTLN 060755 And such an instrument I was to use.
FTLN 0608 Mine eyes are made the fools o’ th’ other senses
FTLN 0609 Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still,
FTLN 0610 And, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood,
FTLN 0611 Which was not so before. There’s no such thing.
FTLN 061260 It is the bloody business which informs
FTLN 0613 Thus to mine eyes. Now o’er the one-half world
FTLN 0614 Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
FTLN 0615 The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates
FTLN 0616 Pale Hecate’s off’rings, and withered murder,
FTLN 061765 Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf,
FTLN 0618 Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,
FTLN 0619 With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his
FTLN 0620 design
FTLN 0621 Moves like a ghost. Thou sureand firm-set earth,
FTLN 062270 Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear
FTLN 0623 Thy very stones prate of my whereabouts
FTLN 0624 And take the present horror from the time,
FTLN 0625 Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives.
FTLN 0626 Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
A bell rings.
FTLN 062775 I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.
FTLN 0628 Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell
FTLN 0629 That summons thee to heaven or to hell.
He exits.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 0630 That which hath made them drunk hath made me
FTLN 0631 bold.
FTLN 0632 What hath quenched them hath given me fire.
FTLN 0633 Hark!—Peace.
FTLN 06345 It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman,
FTLN 0635 Which gives the stern’st good-night. He is about it.
FTLN 0636 The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms
FTLN 0637 Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged
FTLN 0638 their possets,
FTLN 063910 That death and nature do contend about them
FTLN 0640 Whether they live or die.
MACBETH , within  FTLN 0641 Who’s there? what, ho!
LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 0642 Alack, I am afraid they have awaked,
FTLN 0643 And ’tis not done. Th’ attempt and not the deed
FTLN 064415 Confounds us. Hark!—I laid their daggers ready;
FTLN 0645 He could not miss ’em. Had he not resembled
FTLN 0646 My father as he slept, I had done ’t.

Enter Macbeth with bloody daggers.

FTLN 0647 My husband?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0648 I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?
LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 064920 I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.
FTLN 0650 Did not you speak?
MACBETH  FTLN 0651 When?
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0652 Now.
MACBETH  FTLN 0653 As I descended?
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 065425Ay.
MACBETH  FTLN 0655Hark!—Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0656Donalbain.

---

MACBETH  FTLN 0657This is a sorry sight.
LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 0658 A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
MACBETH 
FTLN 065930 There’s one did laugh in ’s sleep, and one cried
FTLN 0660 “Murder!”
FTLN 0661 That they did wake each other. I stood and heard
FTLN 0662 them.
FTLN 0663 But they did say their prayers and addressed them
FTLN 066435 Again to sleep.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0665 There are two lodged together.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0666 One cried “God bless us” and “Amen” the other,
FTLN 0667 As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands,
FTLN 0668 List’ning their fear. I could not say “Amen”
FTLN 066940 When they did say “God bless us.”
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0670Consider it not so deeply.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0671 But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
FTLN 0672 I had most need of blessing, and “Amen”
FTLN 0673 Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 067445 These deeds must not be thought
FTLN 0675 After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0676 Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!
FTLN 0677 Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep,
FTLN 0678 Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,
FTLN 067950 The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath,
FTLN 0680 Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,
FTLN 0681 Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0682 What do you mean?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0683 Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house.
FTLN 068455 “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore
FTLN 0685 Cawdor
FTLN 0686 Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

---

LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 0687 Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,
FTLN 0688 You do unbend your noble strength to think
FTLN 068960 So brainsickly of things. Go get some water
FTLN 0690 And wash this filthy witness from your hand.—
FTLN 0691 Why did you bring these daggers from the place?
FTLN 0692 They must lie there. Go, carry them and smear
FTLN 0693 The sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH  FTLN 069465 I’ll go no more.
FTLN 0695 I am afraid to think what I have done.
FTLN 0696 Look on ’t again I dare not.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0697 Infirm of purpose!
FTLN 0698 Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead
FTLN 069970 Are but as pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhood
FTLN 0700 That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
FTLN 0701 I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal,
FTLN 0702 For it must seem their guilt.
She exits with the daggers. Knock within.
MACBETH  FTLN 0703 Whence is that
FTLN 070475 knocking?
FTLN 0705 How is ’t with me when every noise appalls me?
FTLN 0706 What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes.
FTLN 0707 Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
FTLN 0708 Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
FTLN 070980 The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
FTLN 0710 Making the green one red.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 0711 My hands are of your color, but I shame
FTLN 0712 To wear a heart so white. Knock.
FTLN 0713 I hear a knocking
FTLN 071485 At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber.
FTLN 0715 A little water clears us of this deed.
FTLN 0716 How easy is it, then! Your constancy
FTLN 0717 Hath left you unattended. Knock.

---

FTLN 0718 Hark, more knocking.
FTLN 071990 Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us
FTLN 0720 And show us to be watchers. Be not lost
FTLN 0721 So poorly in your thoughts.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0722 To know my deed ’twere best not know myself.
Knock.
FTLN 0723 Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou
FTLN 072495 couldst.
They exit.

Knocking within. Enter a Porter.

PORTER  FTLN 0725Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter
FTLN 0726 of hell gate, he should have old turning the
FTLN 0727 key.  (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’
FTLN 0728 th’ name of Beelzebub? Here’s a farmer that hanged
FTLN 07295 himself on th’ expectation of plenty. Come in time!
FTLN 0730 Have napkins enough about you; here you’ll sweat
FTLN 0731 for ’t.  (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’
FTLN 0732 other devil’s name? Faith, here’s an equivocator
FTLN 0733 that could swear in both the scales against either
FTLN 073410 scale, who committed treason enough for God’s
FTLN 0735 sake yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in,
FTLN 0736 equivocator.  (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s
FTLN 0737 there? Faith, here’s an English tailor come hither for
FTLN 0738 stealing out of a French hose. Come in, tailor. Here
FTLN 073915 you may roast your goose.  (Knock.) Knock, knock!
FTLN 0740 Never at quiet.—What are you?—But this place is
FTLN 0741 too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further. I had
FTLN 0742 thought to have let in some of all professions that go
FTLN 0743 the primrose way to th’ everlasting bonfire.  (Knock.)
FTLN 074420 Anon, anon!

The Porter opens the door to Macduff and Lennox.

FTLN 0745 I pray you, remember the porter.

---

MACDUFF 
FTLN 0746 Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed
FTLN 0747 That you do lie so late?
PORTER  FTLN 0748Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second
FTLN 074925 cock, and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three
FTLN 0750 things.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0751What three things does drink especially
FTLN 0752 provoke?
PORTER  FTLN 0753Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine.
FTLN 075430 Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes
FTLN 0755 the desire, but it takes away the performance.
FTLN 0756 Therefore much drink may be said to be an
FTLN 0757 equivocator with lechery. It makes him, and it
FTLN 0758 mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it
FTLN 075935 persuades him and disheartens him; makes him
FTLN 0760 stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates
FTLN 0761 him in a sleep and, giving him the lie, leaves
FTLN 0762 him.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0763I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.
PORTER  FTLN 076440That it did, sir, i’ th’ very throat on me; but I
FTLN 0765 requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too
FTLN 0766 strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime,
FTLN 0767 yet I made a shift to cast him.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0768Is thy master stirring?

Enter Macbeth.

FTLN 076945 Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes.
Porter exits.
LENNOX 
FTLN 0770 Good morrow, noble sir.
MACBETH  FTLN 0771 Good morrow, both.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0772 Is the King stirring, worthy thane?
MACBETH  FTLN 0773 Not yet.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 077450 He did command me to call timely on him.
FTLN 0775 I have almost slipped the hour.

---

MACBETH  FTLN 0776 I’ll bring you to him.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0777 I know this is a joyful trouble to you,
FTLN 0778 But yet ’tis one.
MACBETH 
FTLN 077955 The labor we delight in physics pain.
FTLN 0780 This is the door.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0781 I’ll make so bold to call,
FTLN 0782 For ’tis my limited service. Macduff exits.
LENNOX  FTLN 0783Goes the King hence today?
MACBETH  FTLN 078460He does. He did appoint so.
LENNOX 
FTLN 0785 The night has been unruly. Where we lay,
FTLN 0786 Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say,
FTLN 0787 Lamentings heard i’ th’ air, strange screams of
FTLN 0788 death,
FTLN 078965 And prophesying, with accents terrible,
FTLN 0790 Of dire combustion and confused events
FTLN 0791 New hatched to th’ woeful time. The obscure bird
FTLN 0792 Clamored the livelong night. Some say the earth
FTLN 0793 Was feverous and did shake.
MACBETH  FTLN 079470 ’Twas a rough night.
LENNOX 
FTLN 0795 My young remembrance cannot parallel
FTLN 0796 A fellow to it.

Enter Macduff.

MACDUFF  FTLN 0797 O horror, horror, horror!
FTLN 0798 Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!
MACBETH AND LENNOX  FTLN 079975What’s the matter?
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0800 Confusion now hath made his masterpiece.
FTLN 0801 Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
FTLN 0802 The Lord’s anointed temple and stole thence
FTLN 0803 The life o’ th’ building.

---

MACBETH  FTLN 080480 What is ’t you say? The life?
LENNOX  FTLN 0805Mean you his Majesty?
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0806 Approach the chamber and destroy your sight
FTLN 0807 With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak.
FTLN 0808 See and then speak yourselves.
Macbeth and Lennox exit.
FTLN 080985 Awake, awake!
FTLN 0810 Ring the alarum bell.—Murder and treason!
FTLN 0811 Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm, awake!
FTLN 0812 Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit,
FTLN 0813 And look on death itself. Up, up, and see
FTLN 081490 The great doom’s image. Malcolm, Banquo,
FTLN 0815 As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites
FTLN 0816 To countenance this horror.—Ring the bell.
Bell rings.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0817What’s the business,
FTLN 0818 That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
FTLN 081995 The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!
MACDUFF  FTLN 0820O gentle lady,
FTLN 0821 ’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak.
FTLN 0822 The repetition in a woman’s ear
FTLN 0823 Would murder as it fell.

Enter Banquo.

FTLN 0824100 O Banquo, Banquo,
FTLN 0825 Our royal master’s murdered.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0826 Woe, alas!
FTLN 0827 What, in our house?
BANQUO  FTLN 0828 Too cruel anywhere.—
FTLN 0829105 Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself
FTLN 0830 And say it is not so.

---

Enter Macbeth, Lennox, and Ross.

MACBETH 
FTLN 0831 Had I but died an hour before this chance,
FTLN 0832 I had lived a blessèd time; for from this instant
FTLN 0833 There’s nothing serious in mortality.
FTLN 0834110 All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead.
FTLN 0835 The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
FTLN 0836 Is left this vault to brag of.

Enter Malcolm and Donalbain.

DONALBAIN  FTLN 0837What is amiss?
MACBETH  FTLN 0838You are, and do not know ’t.
FTLN 0839115 The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood
FTLN 0840 Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0841 Your royal father’s murdered.
MALCOLM  FTLN 0842 O, by whom?
LENNOX 
FTLN 0843 Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done ’t.
FTLN 0844120 Their hands and faces were all badged with blood.
FTLN 0845 So were their daggers, which unwiped we found
FTLN 0846 Upon their pillows. They stared and were distracted.
FTLN 0847 No man’s life was to be trusted with them.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0848 O, yet I do repent me of my fury,
FTLN 0849125 That I did kill them.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0850 Wherefore did you so?
MACBETH 
FTLN 0851 Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious,
FTLN 0852 Loyal, and neutral, in a moment? No man.
FTLN 0853 Th’ expedition of my violent love
FTLN 0854130 Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,
FTLN 0855 His silver skin laced with his golden blood,
FTLN 0856 And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature
FTLN 0857 For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there the murderers,

---

FTLN 0858 Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers
FTLN 0859135 Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain
FTLN 0860 That had a heart to love, and in that heart
FTLN 0861 Courage to make ’s love known?
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0862 Help me hence, ho!
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0863 Look to the lady.
MALCOLM , aside to Donalbain  FTLN 0864140 Why do we hold our
FTLN 0865 tongues,
FTLN 0866 That most may claim this argument for ours?
DONALBAIN , aside to Malcolm 
FTLN 0867 What should be spoken here, where our fate,
FTLN 0868 Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us?
FTLN 0869145 Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed.
MALCOLM , aside to Donalbain 
FTLN 0870 Nor our strong sorrow upon the foot of motion.
BANQUO  FTLN 0871Look to the lady.
Lady Macbeth is assisted to leave.
FTLN 0872 And when we have our naked frailties hid,
FTLN 0873 That suffer in exposure, let us meet
FTLN 0874150 And question this most bloody piece of work
FTLN 0875 To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us.
FTLN 0876 In the great hand of God I stand, and thence
FTLN 0877 Against the undivulged pretense I fight
FTLN 0878 Of treasonous malice.
MACDUFF  FTLN 0879155 And so do I.
ALL  FTLN 0880 So all.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0881 Let’s briefly put on manly readiness
FTLN 0882 And meet i’ the hall together.
ALL  FTLN 0883 Well contented.
All but Malcolm and Donalbain exit.
MALCOLM 
FTLN 0884160 What will you do? Let’s not consort with them.
FTLN 0885 To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
FTLN 0886 Which the false man does easy. I’ll to England.

---

DONALBAIN 
FTLN 0887 To Ireland I. Our separated fortune
FTLN 0888 Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are,
FTLN 0889165 There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood,
FTLN 0890 The nearer bloody.
MALCOLM  FTLN 0891 This murderous shaft that’s shot
FTLN 0892 Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way
FTLN 0893 Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse,
FTLN 0894170 And let us not be dainty of leave-taking
FTLN 0895 But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft
FTLN 0896 Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left.
They exit.

Enter Ross with an Old Man.

OLD MAN 
FTLN 0897 Threescore and ten I can remember well,
FTLN 0898 Within the volume of which time I have seen
FTLN 0899 Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore
FTLN 0900 night
FTLN 09015 Hath trifled former knowings.
ROSS  FTLN 0902 Ha, good father,
FTLN 0903 Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act,
FTLN 0904 Threatens his bloody stage. By th’ clock ’tis day,
FTLN 0905 And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.
FTLN 090610 Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame
FTLN 0907 That darkness does the face of earth entomb
FTLN 0908 When living light should kiss it?
OLD MAN  FTLN 0909 ’Tis unnatural,
FTLN 0910 Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last
FTLN 091115 A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place,
FTLN 0912 Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.
ROSS 
FTLN 0913 And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and
FTLN 0914 certain),

---

FTLN 0915 Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
FTLN 091620 Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
FTLN 0917 Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would
FTLN 0918 Make war with mankind.
OLD MAN  FTLN 0919 ’Tis said they eat each
FTLN 0920 other.
ROSS 
FTLN 092125 They did so, to th’ amazement of mine eyes
FTLN 0922 That looked upon ’t.

Enter Macduff.

FTLN 0923 Here comes the good
FTLN 0924 Macduff.—
FTLN 0925 How goes the world, sir, now?
MACDUFF  FTLN 092630 Why, see you not?
ROSS 
FTLN 0927 Is ’t known who did this more than bloody deed?
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0928 Those that Macbeth hath slain.
ROSS  FTLN 0929 Alas the day,
FTLN 0930 What good could they pretend?
MACDUFF  FTLN 093135 They were suborned.
FTLN 0932 Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons,
FTLN 0933 Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them
FTLN 0934 Suspicion of the deed.
ROSS  FTLN 0935 ’Gainst nature still!
FTLN 093640 Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up
FTLN 0937 Thine own lives’ means. Then ’tis most like
FTLN 0938 The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0939 He is already named and gone to Scone
FTLN 0940 To be invested.
ROSS  FTLN 094145 Where is Duncan’s body?
MACDUFF  FTLN 0942Carried to Colmekill,
FTLN 0943 The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
FTLN 0944 And guardian of their bones.

---

ROSS  FTLN 0945 Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF 
FTLN 094650 No, cousin, I’ll to Fife.
ROSS  FTLN 0947 Well, I will thither.
MACDUFF 
FTLN 0948 Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,
FTLN 0949 Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.
ROSS  FTLN 0950Farewell, father.
OLD MAN 
FTLN 095155 God’s benison go with you and with those
FTLN 0952 That would make good of bad and friends of foes.
All exit.

Enter Banquo.

BANQUO 
FTLN 0953 Thou hast it now—King, Cawdor, Glamis, all
FTLN 0954 As the Weïrd Women promised, and I fear
FTLN 0955 Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said
FTLN 0956 It should not stand in thy posterity,
FTLN 09575 But that myself should be the root and father
FTLN 0958 Of many kings. If there come truth from them
FTLN 0959 (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine)
FTLN 0960 Why, by the verities on thee made good,
FTLN 0961 May they not be my oracles as well,
FTLN 096210 And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady
Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.

MACBETH 
FTLN 0963 Here’s our chief guest.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 0964 If he had been forgotten,
FTLN 0965 It had been as a gap in our great feast
FTLN 0966 And all-thing unbecoming.
MACBETH 
FTLN 096715 Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,
FTLN 0968 And I’ll request your presence.
BANQUO  FTLN 0969 Let your Highness

---

FTLN 0970 Command upon me, to the which my duties
FTLN 0971 Are with a most indissoluble tie
FTLN 097220 Forever knit.
MACBETH  FTLN 0973Ride you this afternoon?
BANQUO  FTLN 0974Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0975 We should have else desired your good advice
FTLN 0976 (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous)
FTLN 097725 In this day’s council, but we’ll take tomorrow.
FTLN 0978 Is ’t far you ride?
BANQUO 
FTLN 0979 As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
FTLN 0980 ’Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better,
FTLN 0981 I must become a borrower of the night
FTLN 098230 For a dark hour or twain.
MACBETH  FTLN 0983 Fail not our feast.
BANQUO  FTLN 0984My lord, I will not.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0985 We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
FTLN 0986 In England and in Ireland, not confessing
FTLN 098735 Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
FTLN 0988 With strange invention. But of that tomorrow,
FTLN 0989 When therewithal we shall have cause of state
FTLN 0990 Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu,
FTLN 0991 Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?
BANQUO 
FTLN 099240 Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon ’s.
MACBETH 
FTLN 0993 I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
FTLN 0994 And so I do commend you to their backs.
FTLN 0995 Farewell. Banquo exits.
FTLN 0996 Let every man be master of his time
FTLN 099745 Till seven at night. To make society
FTLN 0998 The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
FTLN 0999 Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you.
Lords and all but Macbeth and a Servant exit.

---

FTLN 1000 Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men
FTLN 1001 Our pleasure?
SERVANT 
FTLN 100250 They are, my lord, without the palace gate.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1003 Bring them before us. Servant exits.
FTLN 1004 To be thus is nothing,
FTLN 1005 But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
FTLN 1006 Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
FTLN 100755 Reigns that which would be feared. ’Tis much he
FTLN 1008 dares,
FTLN 1009 And to that dauntless temper of his mind
FTLN 1010 He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor
FTLN 1011 To act in safety. There is none but he
FTLN 101260 Whose being I do fear; and under him
FTLN 1013 My genius is rebuked, as it is said
FTLN 1014 Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
FTLN 1015 When first they put the name of king upon me
FTLN 1016 And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like,
FTLN 101765 They hailed him father to a line of kings.
FTLN 1018 Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
FTLN 1019 And put a barren scepter in my grip,
FTLN 1020 Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
FTLN 1021 No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,
FTLN 102270 For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;
FTLN 1023 For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
FTLN 1024 Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
FTLN 1025 Only for them, and mine eternal jewel
FTLN 1026 Given to the common enemy of man
FTLN 102775 To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings.
FTLN 1028 Rather than so, come fate into the list,
FTLN 1029 And champion me to th’ utterance.—Who’s there?

Enter Servant and two Murderers.

FTLN 1030  To the Servant. Now go to the door, and stay there
FTLN 1031 till we call. Servant exits.

---

FTLN 103280 Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
MURDERERS 
FTLN 1033 It was, so please your Highness.
MACBETH  FTLN 1034 Well then, now
FTLN 1035 Have you considered of my speeches? Know
FTLN 1036 That it was he, in the times past, which held you
FTLN 103785 So under fortune, which you thought had been
FTLN 1038 Our innocent self. This I made good to you
FTLN 1039 In our last conference, passed in probation with you
FTLN 1040 How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the
FTLN 1041 instruments,
FTLN 104290 Who wrought with them, and all things else that
FTLN 1043 might
FTLN 1044 To half a soul and to a notion crazed
FTLN 1045 Say “Thus did Banquo.”
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1046 You made it known to us.
MACBETH 
FTLN 104795 I did so, and went further, which is now
FTLN 1048 Our point of second meeting. Do you find
FTLN 1049 Your patience so predominant in your nature
FTLN 1050 That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled
FTLN 1051 To pray for this good man and for his issue,
FTLN 1052100 Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave
FTLN 1053 And beggared yours forever?
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1054 We are men, my liege.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1055 Ay, in the catalogue you go for men,
FTLN 1056 As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
FTLN 1057105 curs,
FTLN 1058 Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept
FTLN 1059 All by the name of dogs. The valued file
FTLN 1060 Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
FTLN 1061 The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
FTLN 1062110 According to the gift which bounteous nature
FTLN 1063 Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive

---

FTLN 1064 Particular addition, from the bill
FTLN 1065 That writes them all alike. And so of men.
FTLN 1066 Now, if you have a station in the file,
FTLN 1067115 Not i’ th’ worst rank of manhood, say ’t,
FTLN 1068 And I will put that business in your bosoms
FTLN 1069 Whose execution takes your enemy off,
FTLN 1070 Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
FTLN 1071 Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
FTLN 1072120 Which in his death were perfect.
SECOND MURDERER  FTLN 1073 I am one, my liege,
FTLN 1074 Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
FTLN 1075 Hath so incensed that I am reckless what
FTLN 1076 I do to spite the world.
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1077125 And I another
FTLN 1078 So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,
FTLN 1079 That I would set my life on any chance,
FTLN 1080 To mend it or be rid on ’t.
MACBETH  FTLN 1081 Both of you
FTLN 1082130 Know Banquo was your enemy.
MURDERERS  FTLN 1083 True, my lord.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1084 So is he mine, and in such bloody distance
FTLN 1085 That every minute of his being thrusts
FTLN 1086 Against my near’st of life. And though I could
FTLN 1087135 With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
FTLN 1088 And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
FTLN 1089 For certain friends that are both his and mine,
FTLN 1090 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall
FTLN 1091 Who I myself struck down. And thence it is
FTLN 1092140 That I to your assistance do make love,
FTLN 1093 Masking the business from the common eye
FTLN 1094 For sundry weighty reasons.
SECOND MURDERER  FTLN 1095 We shall, my lord,
FTLN 1096 Perform what you command us.
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1097145 Though our lives—

---

MACBETH 
FTLN 1098 Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at
FTLN 1099 most
FTLN 1100 I will advise you where to plant yourselves,
FTLN 1101 Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ the time,
FTLN 1102150 The moment on ’t, for ’t must be done tonight
FTLN 1103 And something from the palace; always thought
FTLN 1104 That I require a clearness. And with him
FTLN 1105 (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work)
FTLN 1106 Fleance, his son, that keeps him company,
FTLN 1107155 Whose absence is no less material to me
FTLN 1108 Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate
FTLN 1109 Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart.
FTLN 1110 I’ll come to you anon.
MURDERERS  FTLN 1111We are resolved, my lord.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1112160 I’ll call upon you straight. Abide within.
Murderers exit.
FTLN 1113 It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight,
FTLN 1114 If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
He exits.

Enter Macbeth’s Lady and a Servant.

LADY MACBETH  FTLN 1115Is Banquo gone from court?
SERVANT 
FTLN 1116 Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 1117 Say to the King I would attend his leisure
FTLN 1118 For a few words.
SERVANT  FTLN 11195Madam, I will. He exits.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 1120Naught’s had, all’s spent,
FTLN 1121 Where our desire is got without content.
FTLN 1122 ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
FTLN 1123 Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

---

Enter Macbeth.

FTLN 112410 How now, my lord, why do you keep alone,
FTLN 1125 Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
FTLN 1126 Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
FTLN 1127 With them they think on? Things without all remedy
FTLN 1128 Should be without regard. What’s done is done.
MACBETH 
FTLN 112915 We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
FTLN 1130 She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
FTLN 1131 Remains in danger of her former tooth.
FTLN 1132 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds
FTLN 1133 suffer,
FTLN 113420 Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
FTLN 1135 In the affliction of these terrible dreams
FTLN 1136 That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
FTLN 1137 Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
FTLN 1138 Than on the torture of the mind to lie
FTLN 113925 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave.
FTLN 1140 After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.
FTLN 1141 Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison,
FTLN 1142 Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
FTLN 1143 Can touch him further.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 114430 Come on, gentle my lord,
FTLN 1145 Sleek o’er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial
FTLN 1146 Among your guests tonight.
MACBETH  FTLN 1147 So shall I, love,
FTLN 1148 And so I pray be you. Let your remembrance
FTLN 114935 Apply to Banquo; present him eminence
FTLN 1150 Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we
FTLN 1151 Must lave our honors in these flattering streams
FTLN 1152 And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
FTLN 1153 Disguising what they are.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 115440 You must leave this.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1155 O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
FTLN 1156 Thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.

---

LADY MACBETH 
FTLN 1157 But in them nature’s copy’s not eterne.
MACBETH 
FTLN 1158 There’s comfort yet; they are assailable.
FTLN 115945 Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown
FTLN 1160 His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons
FTLN 1161 The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
FTLN 1162 Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done
FTLN 1163 A deed of dreadful note.
LADY MACBETH  FTLN 116450 What’s to be done?
MACBETH 
FTLN 1165 Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
FTLN 1166 Till thou applaud the deed.—Come, seeling night,
FTLN 1167 Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
FTLN 1168 And with thy bloody and invisible hand
FTLN 116955 Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
FTLN 1170 Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow
FTLN 1171 Makes wing to th’ rooky wood.
FTLN 1172 Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
FTLN 1173 Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do
FTLN 117460 rouse.—
FTLN 1175 Thou marvel’st at my words, but hold thee still.
FTLN 1176 Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
FTLN 1177 So prithee go with me.
They exit.

Enter three Murderers.

FIRST MURDERER 
FTLN 1178 But who did bid thee join with us?
THIRD MURDERER  FTLN 1179 Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER , to the First Murderer 
FTLN 1180 He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
FTLN 1181 Our offices and what we have to do
FTLN 11825 To the direction just.

---

FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1183 Then stand with us.—
FTLN 1184 The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
FTLN 1185 Now spurs the lated traveler apace
FTLN 1186 To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
FTLN 118710 The subject of our watch.
THIRD MURDERER  FTLN 1188Hark, I hear horses.
BANQUO , within  FTLN 1189Give us a light there, ho!
SECOND MURDERER  FTLN 1190Then ’tis he. The rest
FTLN 1191 That are within the note of expectation
FTLN 119215 Already are i’ th’ court.
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1193His horses go about.
THIRD MURDERER 
FTLN 1194 Almost a mile; but he does usually
FTLN 1195 (So all men do) from hence to th’ palace gate
FTLN 1196 Make it their walk.

Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch.

SECOND MURDERER  FTLN 119720A light, a light!
THIRD MURDERER  FTLN 1198’Tis he.
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1199Stand to ’t.
BANQUO  FTLN 1200It will be rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1201Let it come down!
The three Murderers attack.
BANQUO 
FTLN 120225 O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
FTLN 1203 Thou mayst revenge—O slave!
He dies. Fleance exits.
THIRD MURDERER 
FTLN 1204 Who did strike out the light?
FIRST MURDERER  FTLN 1205 Was ’t not the way?
THIRD MURDERER  FTLN 1206There’s but one down. The son is
FTLN 120730 fled.
SECOND MURDERER  FTLN 1208We have lost best half of our
FTLN 1209 affair.
FIRST MURDERER 
FTLN 1210 Well, let’s away and say how much is done.
They exit.