That memory, the warder of the brain, Macb. Bring forth men-children only, For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be receiv'd, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Lady M. Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I.-The same. Court within the Castle. Enter BANQUO and FLEANCE, and a Servant with a torch before them. Ban. How goes the night, boy? Fle. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock. Fle. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, (1) The receipt of reason a limbeck only-i.e. the receptacle of reason (the head) shall be like a distilling vessel, emitting only fumes and vapours. (2) There's husbandry in heaven. By this we must understand that there were so few stars appearing that they seemed to be sparing of, or to husband their light. (3) Merciful powers, &c. It would appear that Banquo, like Macbeth, remembers the accursed prophecies of the witches, and by them is also tempted to commit some wickedness in their furtherance. But his character is beautifully set in contrast to Macbeth's; the one yields to, the other resists manfully, the evil suggestions. Banquo prays against being tempted to wicked thoughts even in his sleep; Macbeth is hurrying into temptation, and revolving in his wakeful hours every scheme whereby he may commit the murder. Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Enter MACBETH, and a Servant with a torch. Who's there? Macb. A friend. Ban. What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed: He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your offices : This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up In measureless content.1 I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters : To you they have show'd some truth. Macb. I think not of them: Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time. Ban. At your kind'st leisure. Macb. If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, It shall make honour for you.2 So I lose none, In seeking to augment it, but still keep I shall be counsell'd. Macb. Ban. Thanks, sir; the like to you! Good repose, the while! [Exit BANQUO. [Exit Serv. Macb. Go, bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee: I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling, as to sight? or art thou but Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? (1) Shut up in measureless content. This is very obscure. It would seem that the passage is defective. Were it complete it might run thus:-"The king is so pleased with what you, as his host, have done for him, that he is shut up in measureless content;" he is overwhelmed with happiness and contentment. (2) If you shall cleave to my consent, &c., i.e. if you shall still agree with me when I determine to accept the crown, when 'tis, when the right time comes, it shall be all the better for you. D I see thee yet, in form as palpable Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going, Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, Thus to mine eyes.-Now o'er the one half world Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. SCENE II.-The same. Enter LADY MACBETH. [A bell rings. [Exit. Lady M. That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold: What hath quench'd them hath given me fire : Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shriek'd, The fatal bellman which gives the stern'st good night. He is about it: the doors are open; And the surfeited grooms do mock their charge with snores: That death and nature do contend about them, Macb. [Within.] Who's there?—what, hoa! Lady M. Alack! I am afraid they have awak'd, And 'tis not done :-the attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us :- Hark!-I laid their daggers ready, He could not miss them.-Had he not resembled My father as he slept I had done 't—My husband! Enter MACВЕТН. Mach. I have done the deed:- Didst thou not hear a noise? Lady M. I heard the owls scream, and the crickets cry. Did not you speak? Macb. When? Lady M. Donalbain. [Looking on his hands. Mach. This is a sorry sight. Lady M. A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. Macb. There's one did laugh in his sleep, And one cried "Murther!" that they did wake each other; I stood and heard them: but they did say their prayers, And address'd them again to sleep. Lady M. There are two lodg'd together. Mach. One cried "God bless us!" and "Amen," the other; As they had seen me,1 with these hangman's hands. Listening their fear, I could not say, amen, When they did say, God bless us. Lady M. Consider it not so deeply. Macb. But wherefore could not I pronounce, amen? I had most need of blessing, and amen Stuck in my throat. Lady M. These deeds must not be thought After these ways; so, it will make us mad. Macb. Methought, I heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murther sleep, the innocent sleep; Lady M. What do you mean? Mach. Still it cried, "Sleep no more!" to all the house: "Glamis hath murther'd sleep: and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more!" Lady M. Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength, to think So brainsickly of things:-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. (1) As they had seen me, i.e. as if they had seen me. Macb. I'll go no more : I am afraid to think what I have done; Lady M. Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers: The sleeping, and the dead, [Exit. Knocking within. Whence is that knocking? Macb. What hands are here? Ha! they pluck out mine eyes! Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather Making the green—one red. Re-enter LADY MACBETH. Lady M. 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: So poorly in your thoughts. Macb. To know my deed, 't were best not know myself. [Knock. Wake Duncan with thy knocking; I would thou couldst! SCENE III.-The same. Enter a Porter. [Exeunt. [Knocking within. [Knocking.] Knock, Who's there? [Knocking] [Knocking.] Knock, [Knocking.] Anou, [Opens the gate. Porter. Here's a knocking, indeed! knock, knock: Who's there? Knock, knock, knock: Who's there? knock: Never at quiet! What are you? anon; I pray you, remember the porter. Enter MACDUFF and LENOX. Macd. Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late? Port. 'Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second cock. Our knocking has awak'd him; here he comes. |