Macbeth a tragædy : with all the alterations, amendments, additions, and new songs : as it's now acted at the Dukes Theatre.

ACT, III. (Book 3)

SCENE, I. (Book 3)

Enter Banquo.

Banq.

THou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the three Sisters promis'd; but I fear Thou plaid'st most foully for't: yet it was said It should not stand in thy Posterity: But that my self should be the Root and Father Of many Kings; they told thee truth. VVhy, since their promise was made good to thee, May they not be my Oracles as well.

Enter Macbeth; Lenox, and Attendants.

Macb.

Here's our chief Guest, if he had been forgotten,

It had been want of musick to our Feast To night we hold a solemn supper, Sir; And all request your presence.

Banq.

Your Majesty layes your command on me, To which my duty is to obey.

Macb.

Ride you this afternoon?

Banq.

Yes, Royal Sir.

Macb.

We should have else desir'd your good advice, (VVhich still hath been both grave and prosperous) In this daies Counsel; but we'll take to morrow. Is't far you ride?

Banq.

As far, Great Sir, as will take up the time: Go not my Horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night, For a dark hour or two.

Macb.

Fail not our Feast.

Banq.

My Lord, I shall not.

Macb.

VVe hear our bloudy Cousins are bestow'd In England, and in Ireland; not confessing Their cruel Parricide; filling their hearers VVith strange invention. But, of that to morrow. Goes your Son with you?

Banq.

He does; and our time now calls upon us.

Macb.

I wish your Horses swift, and sure of foot. Farewel.

Ex. Banquo.

Let every man be master of his time; Till seven at night, to make society The more welcome; we will our selves withdraw, And be alone till supper.

Exeunt Lords.

Macduff departed frowningly, perhaps He is grown jealous; he and Banquo must Embrace the same fate. Do those men attend our pleasure?

Serv.

They do; and wait without.

Macb.

Bring them before us.

Ex. Servant.

I am no King till I am safely so. My fears stick deep in Banquo's successors; And in his Royalty of Nature reigns that

Which wou'd be fear'd. He dares do much; And to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. Under him My genius is rebuk'd: he chid the Sisters VVhen first they put the name of King upon me, And bade them speak to him. Then, Prophet like, They hail'd him Father to a line of Kings. Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless Crown, And put a barren Scepter in my hand: Thence to be wrested by anothers race; No son of mine succeeding: if't be so; For Banquo's Issue, I have stain'd my soul For them: the gracious Duncan I have murder'd: Rather than so, I will attempt yet further, And blot out, by their bloud, what e're Is written of them in the book of Fate.

Enter Servant, and two Murtherers.

Wait you without, and stay there till we call.

Ex. Servant.

Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

1 Murth.

It was; so please your Highness.

Macb.

And have you since consider'd what I told you? How it was Banquo, who in former times Held you so much in slavery; Whilst you were guided to suspect my innocence. This I made good to you in your last conference; How you were born in hand; how crost: The Instruments, who wrought with them.

2 Mur.

You made it known to us.

Macb.

I did so; and now let me reason with you: Do you find your patience so predominant In your nature, As tamely to remit those injuries? Are you so Gospell'd to pray for this good man, And for his Issue; whose heavy hand Hath bow'd you to the Grave, and begger'd Yours for ever?

1 Mur.

We are men, my Liege.

Macb.

Ay, in the catalogue you go for men; As hounds, and grey-hounds, mungrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are all Call'd by the name of dogs: the list of which Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtil, The house-keeper, the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous Nature Hath bestow'd on him; and so of men. Now, if you have a station is the list, Nor i'th' worst rank of manhood; say't, And I will put that business in your bosoms, Which, if perform'd, will rid you of your enemy, And will endear you to the love of us.

2 Mur.

I am one, my Liege, Whom the vile blows, and malice of the Age Hath so incens'd, that I care not what I do To spight the VVorld.

1 Mur.

And I another, So weary with disasters, and so inflicted by fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it, or to lose it.

Macb.

Both of you know Banquo was your enemy.

2 Mur.

True, my Lord.

Macb.

So is he mine; and though I could With open power take him from my sight, And bid my will avouch it: yet I must not; For certain friends that are both his and mine; VVhose loves I may not hazard; would ill Resent a publick process: and thence it is That I do your assistance crave, to mask The business from the common eye.

2 Mur.

We shall, my Lord, perform what you command us.

1 Mur.

Though our lives—

Macb.

Your spirits shine through you▪ VVithin this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant your selves; For it must be done to night: And something from the Palace; alwaies remember'd, That you keep secrecy with the prescribed Father.

Flean, his Son too, keeps him company; Whose absence is no less material to me Than that of Banquo's: he too must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Resolve your selves apart.

both Mur.

We are resolv'd, my Liege.

Macb.

I'll call upon you streight.

Ex. Murth.

Now, Banquo, if thy soul can in her flight Find Heaven, thy happiness begins to night.

Ex.

Enter Macduff, and Lady Macduff.

Macd.

It must be so. Great Duncan's bloudy death Can have no other Author but Macbeth. His Dagger now is to a Scepter grown; From Duncan's Grave he has deriv'd his Throne.

La. Macd.

Ambition urg'd him to that bloudy deed: May you be never by Ambition led: Forbid it Heav'n, that in revenge you shou'd Follow a Copy that is writ in bloud.

Macd.

From Duncan's Grave, methinks, I hear a groan That call's a loud for justice.

La. Macd.

If the Throne Was by Macbeth ill gain'd, Heavens may, Without your Sword, sufficient vengeance pay. Usurpers lives have but a short extent, Nothing lives long in a strange Element.

Macd.

My Countreys dangers call for my defence Against the bloudy Tyrants violence.

L. Macd.

I am affraid you have some other end, Than meerly Scotland's freedom to defend. You'd raise your self, whilst you wou'd him dethrone; And shake his Greatness, to confirm your own. That purpose will appear, when rightly scan'd, But usurpation at the second hand. Good Sir, recall your thoughts.

Macd.

What if I shou'd▪ Assume the Scepter for my Countrey's good? Is that an usurpation? can it be Ambition to procure the liberty Of this sade Realm; which does by Treason bleed? That which provokes, will justifie the deed.

Lady Macd.

If the Design should prosper, the Event May make us safe, but not you Innocent: For whilst to set our fellow Subjects free From present Death, or future Slavery. You wear a Crown, not by your Title due, Defence in them, is an Offence in you; That Deed's unlawful though it cost no Blood, In which you'l be at best unjustly Good. You, by your Pitty which for us you plead, Weave but Ambition of a finer thread.

Macd.

Ambition do's the height of power affect, My aim is not to Govern, but Protect: And he is not ambitious that declares, He nothing seeks of Scepters but their cares.

Lady Md.

Can you so patiently your self molest, And lose your own, to give your Countrey rest! In Plagues what sound Physician wou'd endure To be infected for another's Cure.

Macd.

If by my troubles I cou'd yours release, My Love wou'd turn those torments to my ease: I shou'd at once be sick and healthy too, Though Sickly in my self, yet Well in you.

Lady Md.

But then reflect upon the Danger, Sr. Which you by your aspiring wou'd incur From Fortunes Pinacle, you will too late Look down, when you are giddy with your height; Whilst you with Fortune play to win a Crown, The Peoples Stakes are greater than your own.

Macd.

In hopes to have the common Ills redrest, Who wou'd not venture single interest.

Enter Servant.

Ser.

My Lord, a Gentleman, just now arriv'd From Court, has brought a Message from the King:

Macd.

One sent from him, can no good Tidings bring?

Lady Md.

What wou'd the Tyrant have?

Macd.

Go, I will hear The News, though it a dismal Accent bear;

Those who expect and do not fear their Doom, May hear a Message though from Hell it come:

Exeunt.

Enter Macbeth's Lady and Servant.

Lady Mb.

Is Banquo gone from Court?

Ser.

Yes Madam, but returns again to night.

Lady Md.

Say to the King, I wou'd attend his leisure For a few words.

Exit Ser.

Where our desire is got without content, Alass, it is not Gain, but punishment! Tis safer to be that which we destroy, Then by Destruction live in doubtful joy.

Enter Macbeth.

How now my Lord, why do you keep alone? Making the worst of Fancy your Companions, Converting with those thoughts which shou'd ha' dy'd With those they think on: things without redress Shou'd be without regard: what's done, is done.

Macb.

Alas, we have but scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it, She'l close and be her self, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former Sting. But let the frame of all things be disjoynt E're we will eat our bread in fear; and sleep In the affliction of those horrid Dreams That shake us mightily! Better be with him Whom we to gain the Crown, have sent to peace; Then on the torture of the Mind to lye In restless Agony. Duncan is dead; He, after life's show feavor, now sleeps; Well: Treason has done it's worst; nor Steel, nor Poyson, No Ferreign force, nor yet Domestick Malice Can touch him further.

Lady Mb.

Come on, smooth your rough brow: Be free and merry with your guest to night.

Macb.

I shall, and so I pray be you but still, Remember to apply your self to Banquo: Present him kindness with your Eye and Tongue, In how unsafe a posture are our honors That we must have recourse to flattery,

And make our Faces Vizors to our hearts.

Lady Mb.

You must leave this.

Macb.

How full of Scorpions is my mind? Dear wife Thou know'st that Banquo and his Flean lives.

La. Mb.

But they are not Immortal, there's comfort yet in tha••.

Macb.

Be merry then, for e're the Bat has flown His Cloyster'd flight; e're to black Heceate's Summons▪ The sharp brow'd Beetle with his drowsie hums, Has rung night's second Peal: There shall bee done a deed of dreadful Note.

Lady Mb.

What is't?

Macb.

Be innocent of knowing it, my Dear, Till thou applaud the deed, come dismal Night Close up the Eye of the quick sighted Day With thy invisible and bloody hand, The Crow, makes wing to the thick shady Grove, Good things of day grow dark and overcast, Whilst Night's black Agent's to their Preys make hast, Thou wonder'st at my Language, wonder still, Things ill begun; strengthen themselves by ill.

Exeunt.

Enter three Murtherers.

1. Mur.

The time is almost come, The West yet glimmers with some streaks of day, Now the benighted Traveller spurs on, To gain the timely Inn.

2. Mur.

Hark, I hear Horses, and saw some body alight At the Park gate.

3. Mur.

Then tis he; the rest That are expected are i'th' Court already.

1. Mur.

His Horses go about almost a Mile, And men from hence to th' Pallace make it their usual walk.

Exe.

Enter Banquo and Flean.

Banquo,

It will be Rain to night.

Flean,

We must make hast;

Banq.

Our hast concerns us more then being wet. The King expects me at his feast to night, To which he did invite me with a kindness, Greater then he was wont to express.

Exeunt.

Re-enter Murtherers with drawn Swords.

1. Mur.

Banquo, thou little think'st what, bloody feast Is now preparing for thee.

2. Mur.

Nor to what shades the darkness of this night, Shall lead thy wandring spirit.

Exeunt after Banquo. Classing of Swords is heard from within.

Re-enter Flean pursu'd by one of the Murtherers.

Flean.

Murther, help, help, my Father's kill'd.

Exe. running.

SCENE opens, a Banquet prepar'd.

Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Seaton, Lenox, Lords, Attendants.

Macb.

You know your own Degrees, sit down.

Seat.

Thanks to your Majesty.

Macb.

Our Self will keep you company, And Play the humble Host to entertain you: Our Lady keeps her State; but you shall have her welcome too.

Lady Mb.

Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends.

Enter first Murtherer.

Macb.

Both sides are even; be free in Mirth, anon Wee'l drink a measure about the Table. There's blood upon thy face.

Mur.

'Tis Banquo's then.

Macb.

Is he dispatch'd?

Mur.

My Lord, his Throat is cut: that I did for him.

Macb.

Thou are the best of Cut-throats; Yet he is good that did the like for Flean.

Mur.

Most Royal Sir he scap'd.

Macb.

Then comes my fit again, I had else been Perfect, Firm a•• a Pillar founded on a Rock! As unconfin'd as the free spreading Air. But now I'm check'd with sawcy Doubts and Fears. But Banquo's safe?

Mur.

Safe in a Ditch he lies, With twenty gaping wounds on his head, The least of which was Mortal.

Macb.

There the ground Serpent lies; the worm that's fled Hath Nature, that in time will Venom breed. Though at present it wants a Sting, to morrow, To morrow you▪ shall hear further.

Exit. Mur.

Lady Mb.

My Royal Lord, you spoil the Feast, The Sauce to Meat is chearfulness.

Enter the Ghost of Banquo and sits in Macbeth's place.

Macb.

Let good digestion wait on Appetite, And Health on both.

Len.

May it please your Highness to sit.

Macb.

Had we but here our Countrys honor; Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present, Whom we may justly challenge for unkindness.

Seat.

His absence Sir, Lays blame upon his promise; please your Highness To grace us with your Company?

Macb.

Yes, I'le sit down. The Table's full

Len.

Here is a place reserv'd Sir:

Macb.

Where Sir?

Len.

Here. What is 'tthat moves your Highness?

Macb.

Which of you have done this?

Lords,

Done what?

Macb.

Thou can'st not say I did it; never shake Thy goary Locks at me.

Seat.

Gentlemen rise, his Highness is not well.

Lady Mb.

Sit worthy Friends, my Lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth: pray keep your Seats, The fit is ever sudden, if you take notice of it, You shall offend him, and provoke his passion In a moment he'l be well again. Are you a Man?

Macb.

Ay, and a bold one; that dare look on that Which wou'd distract the Devil

Lady Mb.

O proper stuff: This is the very painting of your fear: This is the Air-drawn Dagger, which you said Led you to Duncan. O these Fits and Starts, (Impostors to true fear) wou'd well become A womans story, authoriz'd by her Grandam, Why do you stare thus? when all's done You look but on a Chair.

Macb..

Prethee see there, how say you now!

Why, what care I, If thou can'st nod; speak too, If Charnel-houses and our Graves must send Those that we bury, back; our Monuments Shall be the maws of Kites.

Lady Mb.

What quite unman'd in folly?

the Ghost descends.

Macb.

If I stand here, I saw it:

Lady Mb.

Fye, for shame.

Macb.

Tis not the first of Murders; blood was shed E're humane Law decreed it for a sin. Ay, and since Murthers too have been committed Too terrible for the Ear. The times has been, That when the brains were out, the man wou'd dye; And there lye still; but now they rise again And thrust us from our seats.

Lady Mb.

Sir, your noble Friends do lack you.

Macb.

Wonder not at me my most worthy Friends, I have a strange Infirmity; tis nothing To those that know me. Give me some Wine, Here's to the general Joy of all the Table, And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss, Wou'd he were here: to all, and him, we drink.

Lords,

Our Duties are to pledge it.

the Ghost of Banq. rises at his feet.

Macb.

Let the Earth hide thee: thy blood is cold, Thou hast no use now of thy glaring Eyes.

Lady Mb.

Think of this good my Lords, but as a thing Of Custom: tis no other, Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.

Macb.

What Man can dare, I dare: Approach thou like the rugged Russian Bear, The Armd Rhinoceros, or the Hircanian Tigre: Take any shape but that; and my firm Nerves Shall never tremble; Or revive a while, And dare me to the Desart with thy Sword, If any Sinew shrink, proclaim me then The Baby of a Girl. Hence horrible shadow.

Ex. Ghost.

So, now I am a man again: pray you sit still.

Lady Mb.

You have disturb'd the Mirth; Broke the glad Meeting with your wild disorder.

Macb.

Can such things be without Astonishment. You make me strange, Even to the disposition that I owe, When now I think you can behold such sights, And keep the Natural colour of your Cheeks, Whilst mine grew pale with fear.

Seat.

What sights?

Lady Mb.

I pray you speak not, he'l grow worse and worse; Questions enrages him, at once good night: Stand not upon the Order of your going.

Len.

Good night, and better health attend his Majesty.

Lady Mb.

A kind good night to all.

Exeunt Lords.

Macb.

It will have Blood they say. Blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move, and Trees to speak. Augures well read in Languages of Birds By Magpyes, Rooks, and Dawes, have reveal'd The secret Murther. How goes the night?

Lady Mb.

Almost at odds with morning, which is which.

Macb.

Why did Macduffe after a solemn Invitation, Deny his presence at our Feast?

Lady Mb.

Did you send to him Sir?

Macb.

I did; But I'le send again, There's not one great Thane in all Scotland, But in his house I keep a Servant, He and Banquo must embrace the same fate. I will to morrow to the Weyward Sisters, They shall tell me more; for now I am bent to know By the worst means, the worst that can befall me: All Causes shall give way; I am in Blood Stept in so far, that should I wade no more, Returning were as bad, as to go o're.

Lady Mb.

You lack the season of all Natures, sleep.

Macb.

Well I'le in And rest; if sleeping I repose can have, When the Dead rise and want it in the Grave.

Exeunt.

Enter Macduffe and Lady Macduffe.

Lady Md.

Are you resolv'd then to be gone?

Macd.

I am:

I know my Answer cannot but inflame The Tyrants fury to pronounce my death, My life will soon be blasted by his breath.

Lady Md.

But why so far as England must you fly?

Macd.

The farthest part of Scotland is too nigh.

Lady Md.

Can you leave me, your Daughter and young Son, To perish by that Tempest which you shun. When Birds of stronger VVing are fled away, The Ravenous Kite do's on the weaker Prey.

Macd.

He will not injure you, he cannot be Postest with such unmanly cruelty: You will your safety to your weakness owe As Grass escapes the Syth by being low. Together we shall be too slow to fly: Single, we may outride the Enemy. I'le from the English King such Succours crave, As shall revenge the Dead, and Living save. My greatest misery is to remove, With all the wings of haste from what I love.

Lady Md.

If to be gone seems misery to you, Good Sir, let us be miserable too.

Macd.

Your Sex which here is your security, Will by the toyls of flight your Danger be.

Enter Messenger.

What fatal News do's bring thee out of breath?

Mess.

Sir, Banquo's kill'd.

Macd.

Then I am warn'd of Death. Farewell; our safety, Us, a while must sever:

Lady Md.

Fly, fly, or we may bid farewell for ever.

Macd.

Flying from Death, I am to Life unkind, For leaving you, I leave my Life behind.

Exit.

Lady Md.

O•• my dear Lord, I find now thou art gone, I am more Va••iant when unsafe alone. My heart feels man-hood, it does Death despise, Yet I am still a Woman in my eyes. And of my Tears thy absence is the cause, So falls the Dew when the bright Sun withdraws.

Exeunt.

Enter Lenox and Seaton.

Len.

My former speeches have but hit your thoughts

Which can interpret further; Only I say Things have been strangely carry'd. Duncan was pitti'd, but he first was dead. And the right Valiant Banquo walk'd too late: Men must not walk so late: who can want Sence To know how Mostrous it was in Nature, For Malcolme and Donalbain, to kill Their Royal Father; horrid Fact! how did It grieve Macbeth, did he not straight In Pious rage the two Delinquents kill, That were the slaves of Drunkenness and Sleep. Was not that Nobly done?

Seat.

Ay, and wisely too: For 'twou'd have anger'd any Loyal heart to hear the men deny it.

Len.

So that I say he has born all things well: And I do think that had he Duncan's Sons Under his power (as may please Heaven he shall not) They shou'd find what it were to kill a Father. So shou'd Flean: but peace; I hear Macduffe Deny'd his presence at the Feast: For which He lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell Where he bestowes himself?

Seat.

I hear that Malcolme lives i'th' English Court, And is receiv'd of the most Pious Edward, With such Grace, that the Malevolences of Fortune Takes nothing from his high Respect; thither Macduff is gone to beg the Holy King's Kind aid, to wake Northumberland And VVarlike Seyward, and by the help of these, To finish what they have so well begun. This report Do's so Exasperate the King, that he Prepares for some attempt of VVar.

Len.

Sent he to Macduffe?

Seat.

He did, his absolute Command.

Len.

Some Angel fly toth' English Court, and tell His Message e're he come; that some quick blessing,

To this afflicted Country, may arrive Whilst those that merit it, are yet alive.

Exeunt.

Thunder, Enter three Witches meeting Hecat.

1. Witch.

How, Hecat, you look angerly?

Hecat.

Have I not reason Beldams? VVhy did you all Traffick with Macbeth 'Bout Riddles and affairs of Death, And cal'd not me; All you have done Hath been but for a Weyward Son: Make some amends now: get you gon, And at the pit of Achaeron Meet me i'th' morning: Thither he Will come to know his Destiny. Dire business will be wrought e're Noon, For on a corner of the Moon, A drop my Spectacles have found, I'le catch it e're it come to ground. And that distil'd shall yet e're night, Raise from the Center such a Spright: As by the strength of his Illusion, Shall draw Macbeth to his Confusion

Musick and Song.

HEccate, Heccate, Heccate! Oh come away: Hark, I am call'd, my little Spirit see, Sits in a foggy Cloud, and stays for me.

Sing within. Machine descends.

Come away Heccate, Heccate! Oh come away:

Hec.

I come, I come, with all the speed I may, VVith all the speed I may. VVhere's Stadling?

2.

Here.

Hec.

VVhere's Puckle?

3.

Here, and Hopper too, and Helway too.

1.

VVe want but you, we want but you: Come away make up the Count,

Hec.

I will but Noint, and the I mount, I will but, &c.

1.

Here comes down one to fetch his due, a Kiss, A Cull, a sip of blood. And why thou staist so long, I muse, Since th' Air's so sweet and good.

2.

O art thou come; VVhat News? All goes fair for our delight, Either come, or else refuse, Now I'm furnish'd for the flight Now I go, and now I flye, Malking my sweet Spirit and I.

3.

O what a dainty pleasure's this, To sail i'th' Air VVhile the Moon shines fair; To Sing, to Toy, to Dance and Kiss, Over VVoods, high Rocks and Mountains; Over Hills, and misty Fountains: Over Steeples, Towers, and Turrets: VVe flye by night 'mongst troops of Spirits. No Ring of Bells to our Ears sounds, No howles of VVolves, nor Yelps of Hounds; No, nor the noise of VVaters breach, Nor Cannons Throats our Height can reach.

1.

Come let's make hast she'll soon be back again:

2.

But whilst she moves through the foggy Air, Let's to the Cave and our dire Charms prepare.

Finis Actus 3.