Macbeth ActI Scene 7 [Macbeth's castle.Hautboys and torches.Enter a Sewer,and divers Servants with dishes and service,and pass over the stage.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'ld jump the life to come.But in these cases We still have judgment 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 cherubim,horsed 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
Macbeth Act I Scene 7 [Macbeth's castle. Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. 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'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment 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 cherubim, horsed 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 valour 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 Prithee,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
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 valour 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 Prithee, 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 limbeck 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 received, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done't? LADY MACBETH Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamour 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] Act2 Scene 1 MACBETH Go bid thy mistress,when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell.Get thee to bed. [Exit Servant] 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 A dagger of the mind,a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet,in form as palpable As this which now I draw. Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o'the other senses, Or else worth all the rest;I see thee still
That memory, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck 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 received, When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done't? LADY MACBETH Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamour 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] Act 2 Scene 1 MACBETH Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. [Exit Servant] 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 A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw. Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before.There's no such thing: It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes.Now o'er the one halfworld Nature seems dead,and wicked dreams abuse The curtain'd sleep;witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's offerings,and wither'd murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel,the wolf, Whose howl's his watch,thus with his stealthy pace. With Tarquin's ravishing strides,towards his design Moves like a ghost.Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps,which way they walk,for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it.Whiles I threat,he lives: Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [A bell rings] I go,and it is done;the bell invites me Hear it not,Duncan;for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell. [Exit] Scene 2 [The same.] [Enter LADY MACBETH LADY MACBETH 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:I have drugg'd their possets. That death and nature do contend about them, Whether they live or die MACBETH [Within] Who's there?what,ho! LADY MACBETH Alack,I am afraid they have awaked, And 'tis not done.The attempt and not the deed Confounds us.Hark!I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss'em.Had he not resembled My father as he slept,I had done't
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There's no such thing: It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace. With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives: Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [A bell rings] I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell. [Exit] Scene 2 [The same.] [Enter LADY MACBETH] LADY MACBETH 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: I have drugg'd their possets, That death and nature do contend about them, Whether they live or die. MACBETH [Within] Who's there? what, ho! LADY MACBETH Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, And 'tis not done. The attempt and not the deed Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done't
[Enter MACBETH My husband! MACBETH I have done the deed.Didst thou not hear a noise? LADY MACBETH I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak? MACBETH When? LADY MACBETH Now. MACBETH As I descended? LADY MACBETH Ay. MACBETH Hark! Who lies i'the second chamber? LADY MACBETH Donalbain. MACBETH [Looking on his hands] This is a sorry sight. LADY MACBETH A foolish thought,to say a sorry sight MACBETH There's one did laugh in's sleep,and one cried 'Murder!' 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 MACBETH There are two lodged together. MACBETH One cried 'God bless us!'and'Amen'the other; As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. Listening their fear,I could not say 'Amen,' When they did say 'God bless us!' LADY MACBETH Consider it not so deeply. MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of blessing,and'Amen' Stuck in my throat. LADY MACBETH
[Enter MACBETH] My husband! MACBETH I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? LADY MACBETH I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak? MACBETH When? LADY MACBETH Now. MACBETH As I descended? LADY MACBETH Ay. MACBETH Hark! Who lies i' the second chamber? LADY MACBETH Donalbain. MACBETH [Looking on his hands] This is a sorry sight. LADY MACBETH A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. MACBETH There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried 'Murder!' 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 MACBETH There are two lodged together. MACBETH One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other; As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,' When they did say 'God bless us!' LADY MACBETH Consider it not so deeply. MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen' Stuck in my throat. LADY MACBETH