| ACT I. | |
| SCENE VII. The same. A Lobby in the Castle. | |
| [Hautboys and torches. Enter, and pass over, a Sewer and divers |
| Servants with dishes and service. Then enter Macbeth.] |
| MACBETH. | |
| If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well |
| It were done quickly. If the assassination |
| Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, |
| With his surcease, success; that but this blow |
| Might be the be-all and the end-all--here, |
| But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,-- |
| We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases |
| We still have judgement here; that we but teach |
| Bloody instructions, which being taught, return |
| To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice |
| Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice |
| To our own lips. He's here in double trust: |
| First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, |
| Strong both against the deed: then, as his host, |
| Who should against his murderer shut the door, |
| Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan |
| Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been |
| So clear in his great office, that his virtues |
| Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against |
| The deep damnation of his taking-off: |
| And pity, like a naked new-born babe, |
| Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd |
| Upon the sightless couriers of the air, |
| Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, |
| That tears shall drown the wind.--I have no spur |
| To prick the sides of my intent, but only |
| Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, |
| And falls on the other. |
| [Enter Lady Macbeth.] |
| How now! what news? |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber? |
| MACBETH. | |
| Hath he ask'd for me? |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| Know you not he has? |
| MACBETH. | |
| We will proceed no further in this business: |
| He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought |
| Golden opinions from all sorts of people, |
| Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, |
| Not cast aside so soon. |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| Was the hope drunk |
| Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since? |
| And wakes it now, to look so green and pale |
| At what it did so freely? From this time |
| Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard |
| To be the same in thine own act and valor |
| As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that |
| Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, |
| And live a coward in thine own esteem; |
| Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," |
| Like the poor cat i' the adage? |
| MACBETH. | |
| Pr'ythee, peace! |
| I dare do all that may become a man; |
| Who dares do more is none. |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| What beast was't, then, |
| That made you break this enterprise to me? |
| When you durst do it, then you were a man; |
| And, to be more than what you were, you would |
| Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place |
| Did then adhere, and yet you would make both: |
| They have made themselves, and that their fitness now |
| Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know |
| How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: |
| I would, while it was smiling in my face, |
| Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums |
| And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you |
| Have done to this. |
| MACBETH. | |
| If we should fail? |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| We fail! |
| But screw your courage to the sticking-place, |
| And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,-- |
| Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey |
| Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains |
| Will I with wine and wassail so convince |
| That memory, the warder of the brain, |
| Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason |
| A limbec only: when in swinish sleep |
| Their drenched natures lie as in a death, |
| What cannot you and I perform upon |
| The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon |
| His spongy officers; who shall bear the guilt |
| Of our great quell? |
| MACBETH. | |
| 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 |
| Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers, |
| That they have don't? |
| LADY MACBETH. | |
| Who dares receive it other, |
| As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar |
| Upon his death? |
| MACBETH. | |
| I am settled, and bend up |
| 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.] |