LADY

MACBETH.

Lady Macbeth. Go, get some water,

And wash this filthy witness from your hand.—
Why did you bring these daggers from the place ?
They must lie there: Go, carry them; and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.

Macbeth.

I'll go no more:

I am afraid to think what I have done;

Look on't again, I dare not.

Lady Macbeth.

Infirm of purpose!

Give me the daggers: The sleeping, and the dead,
Are but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhood,

That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal,

For it must seem their guilt.

Macbeth.

[Exit. Knocking within.

Whence is that knocking?

How is't with me, when every noise appals me?

What hands are here! Ha! they pluck out mine eyes!

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood

Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,

Making the green-one red.

Re-enter LADY MACBETH.

Lady Macbeth. My hands are of your colour: but I shame To wear a heart so white. [Knock.] I hear a knocking

At the south entry :-retire we to our chamber:

A little water clears us of this deed:

How easy is it then? Your constancy

Hath left you unattended.-[Knocking.] Hark! more knocking:

Get on your night-gown, lest occasion call us,

And show us to be watchers :-Be not lost

So poorly in your thoughts.

Macbeth. To know my deed,-'twere best not know myself.

Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would, thou could'st?

[Knock.

[Exeunt.

MACBETH. Act II. Scene II.