Folger Shakespeare Library
https://shakespeare.folger.edu/
Get even more from the Folger
You can get your own copy of this text to keep. Purchase a full copy
to get the text, plus explanatory notes, illustrations, and more.
Buy a copy
Contents
Front
Matter
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare
Library
Textual Introduction
Synopsis
Characters in the Play
ACT 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
ACT 2
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 3
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
ACT 4
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
ACT 5
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
Scene 8
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare
Library
It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their
composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems
have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to
make them their own.
Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process
of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings
in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason,
new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a
mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds.
These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource
for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic
texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as The
Folger Shakespeare (formerly Folger Digital Texts), we place a
trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.
The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis
for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their
origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the
single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An
unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and
artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been
consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions
also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of
Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre.
I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul
Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s
works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a
richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers
who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow
the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the
Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and
digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I
commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.
Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine
Until now, with the release of The Folger Shakespeare (formerly
Folger Digital Texts), readers in search of a free online text of
Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the
Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of
the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that
there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But
Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or
plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some
cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published
versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great
collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First
Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of
Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others.
Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then
amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other
versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate
text.
Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an
unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the
period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that
made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred
years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on
cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created,
for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda
to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The
Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not
take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare
editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her
father, Prospero.
The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long
before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to
make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The
Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger
Shakespeare texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly
transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™,
which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger
Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial
interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from
Othello: “ If she in chains of magic were not bound, ”), half-square
brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and
fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from
Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At
any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for
more information.
Because the Folger Shakespeare texts are edited in accord with
twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger
here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors,
and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the
plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study
and enjoyment of Shakespeare.
Synopsis
Macbeth, set primarily in Scotland, mixes witchcraft, prophecy, and
murder. Three “Weïrd Sisters” appear to Macbeth and his comrade
Banquo after a battle and prophesy that Macbeth will be king and
that the descendants of Banquo will also reign. When Macbeth
arrives at his castle, he and Lady Macbeth plot to assassinate King
Duncan, soon to be their guest, so that Macbeth can become king.
After Macbeth murders Duncan, the king’s two sons flee, and
Macbeth is crowned. Fearing that Banquo’s descendants will,
according to the Weïrd Sisters’ predictions, take over the kingdom,
Macbeth has Banquo killed. At a royal banquet that evening,
Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost appear covered in blood. Macbeth
determines to consult the Weïrd Sisters again. They comfort him
with ambiguous promises.
Another nobleman, Macduff, rides to England to join Duncan’s older
son, Malcolm. Macbeth has Macduff’s wife and children murdered.
Malcolm and Macduff lead an army against Macbeth, as Lady
Macbeth goes mad and commits suicide.
Macbeth confronts Malcolm’s army, trusting in the Weïrd Sisters’
comforting promises. He learns that the promises are tricks, but
continues to fight. Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes
Scotland’s king.
Characters in the Play
Three Witches, the Weïrd Sisters
DUNCAN,
king of Scotland
MALCOLM, his elder son
DONALBAIN, Duncan’s younger son
MACBETH,
thane of Glamis
LADY MACBETH
SEYTON,
attendant to Macbeth
Three Murderers in Macbeth’s service
A Doctor
both attending upon Lady Macbeth
A Gentlewoman
A Porter
BANQUO,
commander, with Macbeth, of Duncan’s army
FLEANCE, his son
MACDUFF,
a Scottish noble
LADY MACDUFF
Their son
LENNOX
ROSS
ANGUS
Scottish Nobles
MENTEITH
CAITHNESS
SIWARD,
commander of the English forces
YOUNG SIWARD, Siward’s son
A Captain in Duncan’s army
An Old Man
A Doctor at the English court
HECATE
Apparitions: an Armed Head, a Bloody Child, a Crowned Child,
and eight nonspeaking kings
Three Messengers, Three Servants, a Lord, a Soldier
Attendants, a Sewer, Servants, Lords, Thanes, Soldiers (all
nonspeaking)
ACT 1
Scene 1
Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0001
FTLN 0002
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 0003
FTLN 0004
When the hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0005
That will be ere the set of sun.
5
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0006
FTLN 0007
Where the place?
SECOND WITCH
Upon the heath.
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0008
FTLN 0009
FTLN 0010
FTLN 0011
There to meet with Macbeth.
FIRST WITCH I come, Graymalkin.
Paddock calls.
SECOND WITCH
Anon.
THIRD WITCH
10
ALL
FTLN 0012
FTLN 0013
Fair is foul, and foul is fair;
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
They exit.
7
9
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 2
Scene 2
Alarum within. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding
Captain.
DUNCAN
FTLN 0014
FTLN 0015
FTLN 0016
FTLN 0017
FTLN 0018
FTLN 0019
FTLN 0020
FTLN 0021
FTLN 0022
FTLN 0023
FTLN 0024
FTLN 0025
FTLN 0026
FTLN 0027
FTLN 0028
FTLN 0029
FTLN 0030
FTLN 0031
FTLN 0032
FTLN 0033
FTLN 0034
FTLN 0035
FTLN 0036
FTLN 0037
FTLN 0038
What bloody man is that? He can report,
As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
The newest state.
MALCOLM
This is the sergeant
Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought
’Gainst my captivity.—Hail, brave friend!
Say to the King the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.
CAPTAIN Doubtful it stood,
As two spent swimmers that do cling together
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald
(Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villainies of nature
Do swarm upon him) from the Western Isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;
And Fortune, on his damnèd quarrel smiling,
Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak;
For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name),
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like Valor’s minion, carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave;
Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,
Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops,
And fixed his head upon our battlements.
DUNCAN
FTLN 0039
O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!
CAPTAIN
FTLN 0040
FTLN 0041
As whence the sun ’gins his reflection
Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break,
5
10
15
20
25
11
FTLN 0042
FTLN 0043
FTLN 0044
FTLN 0045
FTLN 0046
FTLN 0047
FTLN 0048
FTLN 0049
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 2
So from that spring whence comfort seemed to
come
Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark:
No sooner justice had, with valor armed,
Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels,
But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage,
With furbished arms and new supplies of men,
Began a fresh assault.
30
35
DUNCAN
FTLN 0050
FTLN 0051
Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and
Banquo?
CAPTAIN
FTLN 0052
FTLN 0053
FTLN 0054
FTLN 0055
FTLN 0056
FTLN 0057
FTLN 0058
FTLN 0059
Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.
If I say sooth, I must report they were
As cannons overcharged with double cracks,
So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds
Or memorize another Golgotha,
I cannot tell—
But I am faint. My gashes cry for help.
40
45
DUNCAN
FTLN 0060
FTLN 0061
So well thy words become thee as thy wounds:
They smack of honor both.—Go, get him surgeons.
The Captain is led off by Attendants.
Enter Ross and Angus.
FTLN 0062
FTLN 0063
Who comes here?
MALCOLM
The worthy Thane of Ross.
50
LENNOX
FTLN 0064
FTLN 0065
FTLN 0066
FTLN 0067
FTLN 0068
FTLN 0069
FTLN 0070
What a haste looks through his eyes!
So should he look that seems to speak things
strange.
ROSS God save the King.
DUNCAN Whence cam’st thou, worthy thane?
ROSS From Fife, great king,
Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky
55
13
FTLN 0071
FTLN 0072
FTLN 0073
FTLN 0074
FTLN 0075
FTLN 0076
FTLN 0077
FTLN 0078
FTLN 0079
FTLN 0080
FTLN 0081
FTLN 0082
FTLN 0083
FTLN 0084
FTLN 0085
ACT 1. SC. 3
Macbeth
And fan our people cold.
Norway himself, with terrible numbers,
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor,
The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,
Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons,
Point against point, rebellious arm ’gainst arm,
Curbing his lavish spirit. And to conclude,
The victory fell on us.
DUNCAN
Great happiness!
ROSS That now Sweno,
The Norways’ king, craves composition.
Nor would we deign him burial of his men
Till he disbursèd at Saint Colme’s Inch
Ten thousand dollars to our general use.
60
65
70
DUNCAN
FTLN 0086
FTLN 0087
FTLN 0088
FTLN 0089
FTLN 0090
No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present
death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth.
ROSS I’ll see it done.
75
DUNCAN
FTLN 0091
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.
They exit.
Scene 3
Thunder. Enter the three Witches.
FTLN 0092
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0093
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 0094
THIRD WITCH
Where hast thou been, sister?
Killing swine.
Sister, where thou?
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0095
FTLN 0096
FTLN 0097
FTLN 0098
A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap
And munched and munched and munched. “Give
me,” quoth I.
“Aroint thee, witch,” the rump-fed runnion cries.
5
15
FTLN 0099
FTLN 0100
FTLN 0101
FTLN 0102
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 3
Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’ th’ Tiger;
But in a sieve I’ll thither sail,
And, like a rat without a tail,
I’ll do, I’ll do, and I’ll do.
10
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 0103
I’ll give thee a wind.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0104
Th’ art kind.
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0105
And I another.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0106
FTLN 0107
FTLN 0108
FTLN 0109
FTLN 0110
FTLN 0111
FTLN 0112
FTLN 0113
FTLN 0114
FTLN 0115
FTLN 0116
FTLN 0117
FTLN 0118
FTLN 0119
I myself have all the other,
And the very ports they blow;
All the quarters that they know
I’ th’ shipman’s card.
I’ll drain him dry as hay.
Sleep shall neither night nor day
Hang upon his penthouse lid.
He shall live a man forbid.
Weary sev’nnights, nine times nine,
Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine.
Though his bark cannot be lost,
Yet it shall be tempest-tossed.
Look what I have.
SECOND WITCH Show me, show me.
15
20
25
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0120
FTLN 0121
Here I have a pilot’s thumb,
Wracked as homeward he did come.
Drum within.
30
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0122
FTLN 0123
FTLN 0124
FTLN 0125
FTLN 0126
FTLN 0127
A drum, a drum!
Macbeth doth come.
ALL, dancing in a circle
The Weïrd Sisters, hand in hand,
Posters of the sea and land,
Thus do go about, about,
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine
35
17
FTLN 0128
FTLN 0129
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 3
And thrice again, to make up nine.
Peace, the charm’s wound up.
Enter Macbeth and Banquo.
MACBETH
FTLN 0130
So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
BANQUO
FTLN 0131
FTLN 0132
FTLN 0133
FTLN 0134
FTLN 0135
FTLN 0136
FTLN 0137
FTLN 0138
FTLN 0139
FTLN 0140
FTLN 0141
How far is ’t called to Forres? —What are these,
So withered, and so wild in their attire,
That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ Earth
And yet are on ’t?—Live you? Or are you aught
That man may question? You seem to understand
me
By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips. You should be women,
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
That you are so.
MACBETH
Speak if you can. What are you?
40
45
50
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0142
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 0143
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0144
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
BANQUO
FTLN 0145
FTLN 0146
FTLN 0147
FTLN 0148
FTLN 0149
FTLN 0150
FTLN 0151
FTLN 0152
FTLN 0153
FTLN 0154
FTLN 0155
Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear
Things that do sound so fair?—I’ th’ name of truth,
Are you fantastical, or that indeed
Which outwardly you show? My noble partner
You greet with present grace and great prediction
Of noble having and of royal hope,
That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not.
If you can look into the seeds of time
And say which grain will grow and which will not,
Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear
Your favors nor your hate.
55
60
19
FTLN 0156
FTLN 0157
FTLN 0158
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 3
Hail!
SECOND WITCH Hail!
THIRD WITCH Hail!
65
FIRST WITCH
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0159
Lesser than Macbeth and greater.
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 0160
Not so happy, yet much happier.
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 0161
FTLN 0162
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
70
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 0163
Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
MACBETH
FTLN 0164
FTLN 0165
FTLN 0166
FTLN 0167
FTLN 0168
FTLN 0169
FTLN 0170
FTLN 0171
FTLN 0172
Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.
By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis.
But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives
A prosperous gentleman, and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you.
Witches vanish.
75
80
BANQUO
FTLN 0173
FTLN 0174
The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,
And these are of them. Whither are they vanished?
MACBETH
FTLN 0175
FTLN 0176
Into the air, and what seemed corporal melted,
As breath into the wind. Would they had stayed!
85
BANQUO
FTLN 0177
FTLN 0178
FTLN 0179
Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?
MACBETH
FTLN 0180
FTLN 0181
Your children shall be kings.
BANQUO
You shall be king.
90
21
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 3
MACBETH
FTLN 0182
And Thane of Cawdor too. Went it not so?
BANQUO
FTLN 0183
To th’ selfsame tune and words.—Who’s here?
Enter Ross and Angus.
ROSS
FTLN 0184
FTLN 0185
FTLN 0186
FTLN 0187
FTLN 0188
FTLN 0189
FTLN 0190
FTLN 0191
FTLN 0192
FTLN 0193
FTLN 0194
FTLN 0195
FTLN 0196
FTLN 0197
FTLN 0198
FTLN 0199
The King hath happily received, Macbeth,
The news of thy success, and, when he reads
Thy personal venture in the rebels’ fight,
His wonders and his praises do contend
Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that,
In viewing o’er the rest o’ th’ selfsame day
He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks,
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make,
Strange images of death. As thick as tale
Came post with post, and every one did bear
Thy praises in his kingdom’s great defense,
And poured them down before him.
ANGUS
We are sent
To give thee from our royal master thanks,
Only to herald thee into his sight,
Not pay thee.
95
100
105
ROSS
FTLN 0200
FTLN 0201
FTLN 0202
FTLN 0203
FTLN 0204
And for an earnest of a greater honor,
He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor,
In which addition, hail, most worthy thane,
For it is thine.
BANQUO
What, can the devil speak true?
110
MACBETH
FTLN 0205
FTLN 0206
FTLN 0207
FTLN 0208
FTLN 0209
FTLN 0210
The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me
In borrowed robes?
ANGUS
Who was the Thane lives yet,
But under heavy judgment bears that life
Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was
combined
115
23
FTLN 0211
FTLN 0212
FTLN 0213
FTLN 0214
FTLN 0215
FTLN 0216
FTLN 0217
FTLN 0218
FTLN 0219
FTLN 0220
FTLN 0221
FTLN 0222
FTLN 0223
FTLN 0224
FTLN 0225
FTLN 0226
FTLN 0227
FTLN 0228
FTLN 0229
FTLN 0230
FTLN 0231
FTLN 0232
FTLN 0233
FTLN 0234
FTLN 0235
FTLN 0236
FTLN 0237
FTLN 0238
FTLN 0239
FTLN 0240
FTLN 0241
FTLN 0242
FTLN 0243
FTLN 0244
FTLN 0245
FTLN 0246
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 3
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel
With hidden help and vantage, or that with both
He labored in his country’s wrack, I know not;
But treasons capital, confessed and proved,
Have overthrown him.
MACBETH, aside
Glamis and Thane of Cawdor!
The greatest is behind. To Ross and Angus. Thanks
for your pains.
Aside to Banquo. Do you not hope your children
shall be kings,
When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me
Promised no less to them?
BANQUO
That, trusted home,
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange.
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s
In deepest consequence.—
Cousins, a word, I pray you.
They step aside.
MACBETH, aside
Two truths are told
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme.—I thank you, gentlemen.
Aside. This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success
Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings.
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man
That function is smothered in surmise,
And nothing is but what is not.
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
25
FTLN 0247
FTLN 0248
FTLN 0249
FTLN 0250
FTLN 0251
FTLN 0252
FTLN 0253
FTLN 0254
FTLN 0255
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 4
Look how our partner’s rapt.
MACBETH, aside
If chance will have me king, why, chance may
crown me
Without my stir.
BANQUO
New honors come upon him,
Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold
But with the aid of use.
MACBETH, aside
Come what come may,
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
BANQUO
160
BANQUO
FTLN 0256
Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.
165
MACBETH
FTLN 0257
FTLN 0258
FTLN 0259
FTLN 0260
FTLN 0261
FTLN 0262
FTLN 0263
FTLN 0264
FTLN 0265
FTLN 0266
Give me your favor. My dull brain was wrought
With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains
Are registered where every day I turn
The leaf to read them. Let us toward the King.
Aside to Banquo. Think upon what hath chanced,
and at more time,
The interim having weighed it, let us speak
Our free hearts each to other.
BANQUO Very gladly.
MACBETH Till then, enough.—Come, friends.
They exit.
170
175
Scene 4
Flourish. Enter King Duncan, Lennox, Malcolm,
Donalbain, and Attendants.
DUNCAN
FTLN 0267
FTLN 0268
FTLN 0269
FTLN 0270
FTLN 0271
Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not
Those in commission yet returned?
MALCOLM
My liege,
They are not yet come back. But I have spoke
With one that saw him die, who did report
5
27
FTLN 0272
FTLN 0273
FTLN 0274
FTLN 0275
FTLN 0276
FTLN 0277
FTLN 0278
FTLN 0279
FTLN 0280
FTLN 0281
FTLN 0282
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 4
That very frankly he confessed his treasons,
Implored your Highness’ pardon, and set forth
A deep repentance. Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it. He died
As one that had been studied in his death
To throw away the dearest thing he owed
As ’twere a careless trifle.
DUNCAN
There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.
10
15
Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus.
FTLN 0283
FTLN 0284
FTLN 0285
FTLN 0286
FTLN 0287
FTLN 0288
FTLN 0289
FTLN 0290
O worthiest cousin,
The sin of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine! Only I have left to say,
More is thy due than more than all can pay.
20
MACBETH
FTLN 0291
FTLN 0292
FTLN 0293
FTLN 0294
FTLN 0295
FTLN 0296
FTLN 0297
FTLN 0298
FTLN 0299
FTLN 0300
FTLN 0301
FTLN 0302
FTLN 0303
FTLN 0304
The service and the loyalty I owe
In doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part
Is to receive our duties, and our duties
Are to your throne and state children and servants,
Which do but what they should by doing everything
Safe toward your love and honor.
DUNCAN
Welcome hither.
I have begun to plant thee and will labor
To make thee full of growing.—Noble Banquo,
That hast no less deserved nor must be known
No less to have done so, let me enfold thee
And hold thee to my heart.
BANQUO
There, if I grow,
The harvest is your own.
25
30
35
29
FTLN 0305
FTLN 0306
FTLN 0307
FTLN 0308
FTLN 0309
FTLN 0310
FTLN 0311
FTLN 0312
FTLN 0313
FTLN 0314
FTLN 0315
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 4
My plenteous joys,
Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves
In drops of sorrow.—Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
And you whose places are the nearest, know
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland; which honor must
Not unaccompanied invest him only,
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
On all deservers.—From hence to Inverness
And bind us further to you.
DUNCAN
40
45
MACBETH
FTLN 0316
FTLN 0317
FTLN 0318
FTLN 0319
FTLN 0320
FTLN 0321
FTLN 0322
FTLN 0323
FTLN 0324
FTLN 0325
FTLN 0326
The rest is labor which is not used for you.
I’ll be myself the harbinger and make joyful
The hearing of my wife with your approach.
So humbly take my leave.
DUNCAN
My worthy Cawdor.
MACBETH, aside
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
50
55
60
He exits.
DUNCAN
FTLN 0327
FTLN 0328
FTLN 0329
FTLN 0330
FTLN 0331
True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant,
And in his commendations I am fed:
It is a banquet to me.—Let’s after him,
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.
It is a peerless kinsman.
Flourish. They exit.
65
31
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 5
Scene 5
Enter Macbeth’s Wife, alone, with a letter.
FTLN 0332
FTLN 0333
FTLN 0334
FTLN 0335
FTLN 0336
FTLN 0337
FTLN 0338
FTLN 0339
FTLN 0340
FTLN 0341
FTLN 0342
FTLN 0343
FTLN 0344
FTLN 0345
FTLN 0346
FTLN 0347
FTLN 0348
FTLN 0349
FTLN 0350
FTLN 0351
FTLN 0352
FTLN 0353
FTLN 0354
FTLN 0355
FTLN 0356
FTLN 0357
FTLN 0358
FTLN 0359
FTLN 0360
FTLN 0361
FTLN 0362
FTLN 0363
FTLN 0364
LADY MACBETH,
reading the letter
They met me in the
day of success, and I have learned by the perfect’st
report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.
When I burned in desire to question them further, they
made themselves air, into which they vanished.
Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives
from the King, who all-hailed me “Thane of Cawdor,”
by which title, before, these Weïrd Sisters saluted me
and referred me to the coming on of time with “Hail,
king that shalt be.” This have I thought good to deliver
thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant
of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy
heart, and farewell.
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be
What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst
highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false
And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou ’dst have, great
Glamis,
That which cries “Thus thou must do,” if thou have
it,
And that which rather thou dost fear to do,
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valor of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crowned withal.
5
10
15
20
25
30
33
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 5
Enter Messenger.
What is your tidings?
FTLN 0365
MESSENGER
FTLN 0366
FTLN 0367
FTLN 0368
FTLN 0369
The King comes here tonight.
35
Thou ’rt mad to say it.
Is not thy master with him, who, were ’t so,
Would have informed for preparation?
LADY MACBETH
MESSENGER
FTLN 0370
FTLN 0371
FTLN 0372
FTLN 0373
FTLN 0374
FTLN 0375
FTLN 0376
FTLN 0377
FTLN 0378
FTLN 0379
FTLN 0380
FTLN 0381
FTLN 0382
FTLN 0383
FTLN 0384
FTLN 0385
FTLN 0386
FTLN 0387
FTLN 0388
FTLN 0389
FTLN 0390
FTLN 0391
FTLN 0392
So please you, it is true. Our thane is coming.
One of my fellows had the speed of him,
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more
Than would make up his message.
LADY MACBETH
Give him tending.
He brings great news.
Messenger exits.
The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.
Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
Th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts
And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry “Hold, hold!”
Enter Macbeth.
FTLN 0393
FTLN 0394
Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor,
Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!
40
45
50
55
60
35
FTLN 0395
FTLN 0396
FTLN 0397
FTLN 0398
FTLN 0399
FTLN 0400
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 6
Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present, and I feel now
The future in the instant.
MACBETH
My dearest love,
Duncan comes here tonight.
LADY MACBETH
And when goes hence?
65
MACBETH
FTLN 0401
FTLN 0402
FTLN 0403
FTLN 0404
FTLN 0405
FTLN 0406
FTLN 0407
FTLN 0408
FTLN 0409
FTLN 0410
FTLN 0411
FTLN 0412
FTLN 0413
Tomorrow, as he purposes.
LADY MACBETH
70
O, never
Shall sun that morrow see!
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men
May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue. Look like th’ innocent
flower,
But be the serpent under ’t. He that’s coming
Must be provided for; and you shall put
This night’s great business into my dispatch,
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
75
80
MACBETH
FTLN 0414
FTLN 0415
FTLN 0416
FTLN 0417
We will speak further.
Only look up clear.
To alter favor ever is to fear.
Leave all the rest to me.
LADY MACBETH
85
They exit.
Scene 6
Hautboys and Torches. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and
Attendants.
DUNCAN
FTLN 0418
FTLN 0419
FTLN 0420
This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses.
37
FTLN 0421
FTLN 0422
FTLN 0423
FTLN 0424
FTLN 0425
FTLN 0426
FTLN 0427
FTLN 0428
FTLN 0429
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 6
This guest of summer,
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,
By his loved mansionry, that the heaven’s breath
Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze,
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird
Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle.
Where they most breed and haunt, I have
observed,
The air is delicate.
BANQUO
5
10
Enter Lady Macbeth.
FTLN 0430
FTLN 0431
FTLN 0432
FTLN 0433
FTLN 0434
FTLN 0435
FTLN 0436
FTLN 0437
FTLN 0438
FTLN 0439
FTLN 0440
FTLN 0441
FTLN 0442
FTLN 0443
FTLN 0444
FTLN 0445
FTLN 0446
FTLN 0447
FTLN 0448
FTLN 0449
FTLN 0450
FTLN 0451
FTLN 0452
FTLN 0453
See, see our honored hostess!—
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
How you shall bid God ’ild us for your pains
And thank us for your trouble.
LADY MACBETH
All our service,
In every point twice done and then done double,
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honors deep and broad wherewith
Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old,
And the late dignities heaped up to them,
We rest your hermits.
DUNCAN
Where’s the Thane of Cawdor?
We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose
To be his purveyor; but he rides well,
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath helped
him
To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,
We are your guest tonight.
LADY MACBETH
Your servants ever
Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt
To make their audit at your Highness’ pleasure,
Still to return your own.
DUNCAN
Give me your hand.
DUNCAN
15
20
25
30
35
39
FTLN 0454
FTLN 0455
FTLN 0456
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 7
Taking her hand.
Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly
And shall continue our graces towards him.
By your leave, hostess.
They exit.
Scene 7
Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants
with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter
Macbeth.
MACBETH
FTLN 0457
FTLN 0458
FTLN 0459
FTLN 0460
FTLN 0461
FTLN 0462
FTLN 0463
FTLN 0464
FTLN 0465
FTLN 0466
FTLN 0467
FTLN 0468
FTLN 0469
FTLN 0470
FTLN 0471
FTLN 0472
FTLN 0473
FTLN 0474
FTLN 0475
FTLN 0476
FTLN 0477
FTLN 0478
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’ 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 judgment here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice
Commends th’ ingredience of our poisoned 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 newborn babe
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin horsed
5
10
15
20
41
FTLN 0479
FTLN 0480
FTLN 0481
FTLN 0482
FTLN 0483
FTLN 0484
Macbeth
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 th’ other—
ACT 1. SC. 7
25
Enter Lady Macbeth.
FTLN 0485
How now, what news?
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0486
FTLN 0487
He has almost supped. Why have you left the
chamber?
30
MACBETH
FTLN 0488
FTLN 0489
Hath he asked for me?
LADY MACBETH
Know you not he has?
MACBETH
FTLN 0490
FTLN 0491
FTLN 0492
FTLN 0493
FTLN 0494
FTLN 0495
FTLN 0496
FTLN 0497
FTLN 0498
FTLN 0499
FTLN 0500
FTLN 0501
FTLN 0502
FTLN 0503
FTLN 0504
FTLN 0505
FTLN 0506
FTLN 0507
FTLN 0508
We will proceed no further in this business.
He hath honored 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 dressed 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’ th’ adage?
MACBETH
Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man.
Who dares do more is none.
35
40
45
50
43
ACT 1. SC. 7
Macbeth
What beast was ’t,
FTLN 0509
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0510
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 plucked my nipple from his boneless gums
And dashed 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 drenchèd natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
Th’ 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 marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
That they have done ’t?
FTLN 0511
FTLN 0512
FTLN 0513
FTLN 0514
FTLN 0515
FTLN 0516
FTLN 0517
FTLN 0518
FTLN 0519
FTLN 0520
FTLN 0521
FTLN 0522
FTLN 0523
FTLN 0524
FTLN 0525
FTLN 0526
FTLN 0527
FTLN 0528
FTLN 0529
FTLN 0530
FTLN 0531
FTLN 0532
FTLN 0533
FTLN 0534
FTLN 0535
FTLN 0536
FTLN 0537
FTLN 0538
FTLN 0539
FTLN 0540
FTLN 0541
FTLN 0542
FTLN 0543
FTLN 0544
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
45
FTLN 0545
FTLN 0546
FTLN 0547
FTLN 0548
FTLN 0549
FTLN 0550
FTLN 0551
FTLN 0552
Macbeth
ACT 1. SC. 7
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.
They exit.
LADY MACBETH
90
95
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch before him.
FTLN 0553
How goes the night, boy?
BANQUO
FLEANCE
FTLN 0554
FTLN 0555
FTLN 0556
The moon is down. I have not heard the clock.
And she goes down at twelve.
FLEANCE I take ’t ’tis later, sir.
BANQUO
BANQUO
FTLN 0557
FTLN 0558
FTLN 0559
FTLN 0560
FTLN 0561
FTLN 0562
FTLN 0563
Hold, take my sword.
He gives his sword to Fleance.
There’s husbandry in heaven;
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose.
5
10
Enter Macbeth, and a Servant with a torch.
Give me my sword.—Who’s
FTLN 0564
FTLN 0565
FTLN 0566
there?
MACBETH
A friend.
BANQUO
FTLN 0567
FTLN 0568
FTLN 0569
FTLN 0570
What, sir, not yet at rest? The King’s abed.
He hath been in unusual pleasure, and
Sent forth great largess to your offices.
This diamond he greets your wife withal,
49
15
51
FTLN 0571
FTLN 0572
FTLN 0573
FTLN 0574
FTLN 0575
FTLN 0576
FTLN 0577
FTLN 0578
FTLN 0579
FTLN 0580
FTLN 0581
FTLN 0582
FTLN 0583
FTLN 0584
FTLN 0585
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 1
By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up
In measureless content.
He gives Macbeth a jewel.
MACBETH
Being unprepared,
Our will became the servant to defect,
Which else should free have wrought.
BANQUO All’s well.
I dreamt last night of the three Weïrd Sisters.
To you they have showed some truth.
MACBETH
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.
BANQUO
At your kind’st leisure.
20
25
30
MACBETH
FTLN 0586
FTLN 0587
FTLN 0588
FTLN 0589
FTLN 0590
FTLN 0591
FTLN 0592
FTLN 0593
If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis,
It shall make honor for you.
BANQUO
So I lose none
In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,
I shall be counseled.
MACBETH
Good repose the while.
BANQUO Thanks, sir. The like to you.
Banquo and Fleance exit.
35
40
MACBETH
FTLN 0594
FTLN 0595
FTLN 0596
FTLN 0597
FTLN 0598
FTLN 0599
FTLN 0600
FTLN 0601
Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready,
She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.
Servant exits.
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
45
53
FTLN 0602
FTLN 0603
FTLN 0604
FTLN 0605
FTLN 0606
FTLN 0607
FTLN 0608
FTLN 0609
FTLN 0610
FTLN 0611
FTLN 0612
FTLN 0613
FTLN 0614
FTLN 0615
FTLN 0616
FTLN 0617
FTLN 0618
FTLN 0619
FTLN 0620
FTLN 0621
FTLN 0622
FTLN 0623
FTLN 0624
FTLN 0625
FTLN 0626
FTLN 0627
FTLN 0628
FTLN 0629
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 1
A dagger of the mind, a false creation
Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.
He draws his dagger.
Thou marshal’st me the way that I was going,
And such an instrument I was to use.
Mine eyes are made the fools o’ th’ 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-half world
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate’s off’rings, and withered murder,
Alarumed 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 whereabouts
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.
He exits.
50
55
60
65
70
75
55
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Lady Macbeth.
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0630
FTLN 0631
FTLN 0632
FTLN 0633
FTLN 0634
FTLN 0635
FTLN 0636
FTLN 0637
FTLN 0638
FTLN 0639
FTLN 0640
FTLN 0641
That which hath made them drunk hath made me
bold.
What hath quenched them hath given me fire.
Hark!—Peace.
It was the owl that shrieked, 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 drugged
their possets,
That death and nature do contend about them
Whether they live or die.
MACBETH, within
Who’s there? what, ho!
5
10
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0642
FTLN 0643
FTLN 0644
FTLN 0645
FTLN 0646
Alack, I am afraid they have awaked,
And ’tis not done. Th’ 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.
15
Enter Macbeth with bloody daggers.
FTLN 0647
My husband?
MACBETH
FTLN 0648
I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0649
FTLN 0650
FTLN 0651
FTLN 0652
FTLN 0653
FTLN 0654
FTLN 0655
FTLN 0656
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’ th’ second chamber?
LADY MACBETH Donalbain.
20
25
57
FTLN 0657
MACBETH
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 2
This is a sorry sight.
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0658
A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
MACBETH
FTLN 0659
FTLN 0660
FTLN 0661
FTLN 0662
FTLN 0663
FTLN 0664
FTLN 0665
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 addressed them
Again to sleep.
LADY MACBETH
There are two lodged together.
30
35
MACBETH
FTLN 0666
FTLN 0667
FTLN 0668
FTLN 0669
FTLN 0670
One cried “God bless us” and “Amen” the other,
As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands,
List’ning their fear. I could not say “Amen”
When they did say “God bless us.”
LADY MACBETH Consider it not so deeply.
40
MACBETH
FTLN 0671
FTLN 0672
FTLN 0673
FTLN 0674
FTLN 0675
But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
I had most need of blessing, and “Amen”
Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH
These deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
45
MACBETH
FTLN 0676
FTLN 0677
FTLN 0678
FTLN 0679
FTLN 0680
FTLN 0681
FTLN 0682
Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,
Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH
What do you mean?
50
MACBETH
FTLN 0683
FTLN 0684
FTLN 0685
FTLN 0686
Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house.
“Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore
Cawdor
Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”
55
59
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 2
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0687
FTLN 0688
FTLN 0689
FTLN 0690
FTLN 0691
FTLN 0692
FTLN 0693
FTLN 0694
FTLN 0695
FTLN 0696
FTLN 0697
FTLN 0698
FTLN 0699
FTLN 0700
FTLN 0701
FTLN 0702
FTLN 0703
FTLN 0704
FTLN 0705
FTLN 0706
FTLN 0707
FTLN 0708
FTLN 0709
FTLN 0710
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.
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.
She exits with the daggers. Knock within.
MACBETH
Whence is that
knocking?
How is ’t with me when every noise appalls 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.
60
65
70
75
80
Enter Lady Macbeth.
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 0711
FTLN 0712
FTLN 0713
FTLN 0714
FTLN 0715
FTLN 0716
FTLN 0717
My hands are of your color, but I shame
To wear a heart so white.
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.
Knock.
85
Knock.
61
FTLN 0718
FTLN 0719
FTLN 0720
FTLN 0721
ACT 2. SC. 3
Macbeth
Hark, more knocking.
Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us
And show us to be watchers. Be not lost
So poorly in your thoughts.
90
MACBETH
FTLN 0722
To know my deed ’twere best not know myself.
FTLN 0723
Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou
couldst.
Knock.
FTLN 0724
95
They exit.
Scene 3
Knocking within. Enter a Porter.
FTLN 0725
FTLN 0726
FTLN 0727
FTLN 0728
FTLN 0729
FTLN 0730
FTLN 0731
FTLN 0732
FTLN 0733
FTLN 0734
FTLN 0735
FTLN 0736
FTLN 0737
FTLN 0738
FTLN 0739
FTLN 0740
FTLN 0741
FTLN 0742
FTLN 0743
FTLN 0744
Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were
porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the
key. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’
th’ name of Beelzebub? Here’s a farmer that hanged
himself on th’ expectation of plenty. Come in time!
Have napkins enough about you; here you’ll sweat
for ’t. (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’
other devil’s name? Faith, here’s an equivocator
that could swear in both the scales against either
scale, who committed treason enough for God’s
sake yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in,
equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s
there? Faith, here’s an English tailor come hither for
stealing out of a French hose. Come in, tailor. Here
you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock!
Never at quiet.—What are you?—But this place is
too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further. I had
thought to have let in some of all professions that go
the primrose way to th’ everlasting bonfire. (Knock.)
Anon, anon!
PORTER
The Porter opens the door to Macduff and Lennox.
FTLN 0745
I pray you, remember the porter.
5
10
15
20
63
ACT 2. SC. 3
Macbeth
MACDUFF
FTLN 0746
FTLN 0747
FTLN 0748
FTLN 0749
FTLN 0750
FTLN 0751
FTLN 0752
FTLN 0753
FTLN 0754
FTLN 0755
FTLN 0756
FTLN 0757
FTLN 0758
FTLN 0759
FTLN 0760
FTLN 0761
FTLN 0762
FTLN 0763
FTLN 0764
FTLN 0765
FTLN 0766
FTLN 0767
FTLN 0768
Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed
That you do lie so late?
PORTER Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second
cock, and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three
things.
MACDUFF What three things does drink especially
provoke?
PORTER Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine.
Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes
the desire, but it takes away the performance.
Therefore much drink may be said to be an
equivocator with lechery. It makes him, and it
mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it
persuades him and disheartens him; makes him
stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates
him in a sleep and, giving him the lie, leaves
him.
MACDUFF I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.
PORTER That it did, sir, i’ th’ very throat on me; but I
requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too
strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime,
yet I made a shift to cast him.
MACDUFF Is thy master stirring?
25
30
35
40
Enter Macbeth.
FTLN 0769
Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes.
Porter exits.
45
LENNOX
FTLN 0770
FTLN 0771
Good morrow, noble sir.
MACBETH
Good morrow, both.
MACDUFF
FTLN 0772
FTLN 0773
Is the King stirring, worthy thane?
MACBETH
Not yet.
MACDUFF
FTLN 0774
FTLN 0775
He did command me to call timely on him.
I have almost slipped the hour.
50
65
FTLN 0776
MACBETH
ACT 2. SC. 3
Macbeth
I’ll bring you to him.
MACDUFF
FTLN 0777
FTLN 0778
I know this is a joyful trouble to you,
But yet ’tis one.
MACBETH
FTLN 0779
FTLN 0780
FTLN 0781
FTLN 0782
FTLN 0783
FTLN 0784
The labor we delight in physics pain.
This is the door.
MACDUFF
I’ll make so bold to call,
For ’tis my limited service.
Macduff exits.
LENNOX Goes the King hence today?
MACBETH He does. He did appoint so.
55
60
LENNOX
FTLN 0785
FTLN 0786
FTLN 0787
FTLN 0788
FTLN 0789
FTLN 0790
FTLN 0791
FTLN 0792
FTLN 0793
FTLN 0794
The night has been unruly. Where we lay,
Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say,
Lamentings heard i’ th’ air, strange screams of
death,
And prophesying, with accents terrible,
Of dire combustion and confused events
New hatched to th’ woeful time. The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth
Was feverous and did shake.
MACBETH
’Twas a rough night.
65
70
LENNOX
FTLN 0795
FTLN 0796
My young remembrance cannot parallel
A fellow to it.
Enter Macduff.
FTLN 0797
FTLN 0798
FTLN 0799
O horror, horror, horror!
Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!
MACBETH AND LENNOX What’s the matter?
MACDUFF
MACDUFF
FTLN 0800
FTLN 0801
FTLN 0802
FTLN 0803
Confusion now hath made his masterpiece.
Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
The Lord’s anointed temple and stole thence
The life o’ th’ building.
75
67
FTLN 0804
MACBETH
FTLN 0805
LENNOX
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 3
What is ’t you say? The life?
Mean you his Majesty?
80
MACDUFF
FTLN 0806
FTLN 0807
FTLN 0808
FTLN 0809
FTLN 0810
FTLN 0811
FTLN 0812
FTLN 0813
FTLN 0814
FTLN 0815
FTLN 0816
Approach the chamber and destroy your sight
With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak.
See and then speak yourselves.
Macbeth and Lennox exit.
Awake, awake!
Ring the alarum bell.—Murder and treason!
Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm, awake!
Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit,
And look on death itself. Up, up, and see
The great doom’s image. Malcolm, Banquo,
As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites
To countenance this horror.—Ring the bell.
Bell rings.
85
90
Enter Lady Macbeth.
FTLN 0817
FTLN 0818
FTLN 0819
FTLN 0820
FTLN 0821
FTLN 0822
FTLN 0823
What’s the business,
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!
MACDUFF O gentle lady,
’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak.
The repetition in a woman’s ear
Would murder as it fell.
LADY MACBETH
95
Enter Banquo.
FTLN 0824
FTLN 0825
FTLN 0826
FTLN 0827
FTLN 0828
FTLN 0829
FTLN 0830
O Banquo, Banquo,
Our royal master’s murdered.
LADY MACBETH
Woe, alas!
What, in our house?
BANQUO
Too cruel anywhere.—
Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself
And say it is not so.
100
105
69
ACT 2. SC. 3
Macbeth
Enter Macbeth, Lennox, and Ross.
MACBETH
FTLN 0831
FTLN 0832
FTLN 0833
FTLN 0834
FTLN 0835
FTLN 0836
Had I but died an hour before this chance,
I had lived a blessèd time; for from this instant
There’s nothing serious in mortality.
All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead.
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.
110
Enter Malcolm and Donalbain.
FTLN 0837
FTLN 0838
FTLN 0839
FTLN 0840
What is amiss?
MACBETH You are, and do not know ’t.
The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood
Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped.
DONALBAIN
115
MACDUFF
FTLN 0841
FTLN 0842
Your royal father’s murdered.
MALCOLM
O, by whom?
LENNOX
FTLN 0843
FTLN 0844
FTLN 0845
FTLN 0846
FTLN 0847
Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done ’t.
Their hands and faces were all badged with blood.
So were their daggers, which unwiped we found
Upon their pillows. They stared and were distracted.
No man’s life was to be trusted with them.
120
MACBETH
FTLN 0848
FTLN 0849
FTLN 0850
O, yet I do repent me of my fury,
That I did kill them.
MACDUFF
Wherefore did you so?
125
MACBETH
FTLN 0851
FTLN 0852
FTLN 0853
FTLN 0854
FTLN 0855
FTLN 0856
FTLN 0857
Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious,
Loyal, and neutral, in a moment? No man.
Th’ expedition of my violent love
Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,
His silver skin laced with his golden blood,
And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature
For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there the murderers,
130
71
FTLN 0858
FTLN 0859
FTLN 0860
FTLN 0861
FTLN 0862
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 3
Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers
Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain
That had a heart to love, and in that heart
Courage to make ’s love known?
LADY MACBETH
Help me hence, ho!
135
MACDUFF
FTLN 0863
FTLN 0864
FTLN 0865
FTLN 0866
FTLN 0867
FTLN 0868
FTLN 0869
FTLN 0870
FTLN 0871
FTLN 0872
FTLN 0873
FTLN 0874
FTLN 0875
FTLN 0876
FTLN 0877
FTLN 0878
FTLN 0879
FTLN 0880
Look to the lady.
aside to Donalbain
Why do we hold our
tongues,
That most may claim this argument for ours?
DONALBAIN, aside to Malcolm
What should be spoken here, where our fate,
Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us?
Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed.
MALCOLM, aside to Donalbain
Nor our strong sorrow upon the foot of motion.
BANQUO Look to the lady.
Lady Macbeth is assisted to leave.
And when we have our naked frailties hid,
That suffer in exposure, let us meet
And question this most bloody piece of work
To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us.
In the great hand of God I stand, and thence
Against the undivulged pretense I fight
Of treasonous malice.
MACDUFF
And so do I.
ALL
So all.
MALCOLM,
140
145
150
155
MACBETH
FTLN 0881
FTLN 0882
FTLN 0883
Let’s briefly put on manly readiness
And meet i’ th’ hall together.
ALL
Well contented.
All but Malcolm and Donalbain exit.
MALCOLM
FTLN 0884
FTLN 0885
FTLN 0886
What will you do? Let’s not consort with them.
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the false man does easy. I’ll to England.
160
73
Macbeth
ACT 2. SC. 4
DONALBAIN
FTLN 0887
FTLN 0888
FTLN 0889
FTLN 0890
FTLN 0891
FTLN 0892
FTLN 0893
FTLN 0894
FTLN 0895
FTLN 0896
To Ireland I. Our separated fortune
Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are,
There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood,
The nearer bloody.
MALCOLM
This murderous shaft that’s shot
Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way
Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse,
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking
But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft
Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left.
They exit.
165
170
Scene 4
Enter Ross with an Old Man.
OLD MAN
FTLN 0897
FTLN 0898
FTLN 0899
FTLN 0900
FTLN 0901
FTLN 0902
FTLN 0903
FTLN 0904
FTLN 0905
FTLN 0906
FTLN 0907
FTLN 0908
FTLN 0909
FTLN 0910
FTLN 0911
FTLN 0912
Threescore and ten I can remember well,
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore
night
Hath trifled former knowings.
ROSS
Ha, good father,
Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act,
Threatens his bloody stage. By th’ clock ’tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.
Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame
That darkness does the face of earth entomb
When living light should kiss it?
OLD MAN
’Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last
A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.
ROSS
FTLN 0913
FTLN 0914
And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and
certain),
5
10
15
75
FTLN 0915
FTLN 0916
FTLN 0917
FTLN 0918
FTLN 0919
FTLN 0920
ACT 2. SC. 4
Macbeth
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would
Make war with mankind.
OLD MAN
’Tis said they eat each
other.
20
ROSS
FTLN 0921
FTLN 0922
They did so, to th’ amazement of mine eyes
That looked upon ’t.
25
Enter Macduff.
Here comes the good
FTLN 0923
FTLN 0924
FTLN 0925
FTLN 0926
Macduff.—
How goes the world, sir, now?
MACDUFF
Why, see you not?
30
ROSS
FTLN 0927
Is ’t known who did this more than bloody deed?
MACDUFF
FTLN 0928
FTLN 0929
FTLN 0930
FTLN 0931
FTLN 0932
FTLN 0933
FTLN 0934
FTLN 0935
FTLN 0936
FTLN 0937
FTLN 0938
Those that Macbeth hath slain.
ROSS
Alas the day,
What good could they pretend?
They were suborned.
Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons,
Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.
ROSS
’Gainst nature still!
Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up
Thine own lives’ means. Then ’tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
MACDUFF
35
40
MACDUFF
FTLN 0939
FTLN 0940
FTLN 0941
FTLN 0942
FTLN 0943
FTLN 0944
He is already named and gone to Scone
To be invested.
ROSS
Where is Duncan’s body?
MACDUFF Carried to Colmekill,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
And guardian of their bones.
45
77
FTLN 0945
ACT 2. SC. 4
Macbeth
ROSS
Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF
FTLN 0946
FTLN 0947
No, cousin, I’ll to Fife.
ROSS
50
Well, I will thither.
MACDUFF
FTLN 0948
FTLN 0949
FTLN 0950
Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu,
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.
ROSS Farewell, father.
OLD MAN
FTLN 0951
FTLN 0952
God’s benison go with you and with those
That would make good of bad and friends of foes.
55
All exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Banquo.
BANQUO
FTLN 0953
FTLN 0954
FTLN 0955
FTLN 0956
FTLN 0957
FTLN 0958
FTLN 0959
FTLN 0960
FTLN 0961
FTLN 0962
Thou hast it now—king, Cawdor, Glamis, all
As the Weïrd Women promised, and I fear
Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them
(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine)
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.
5
10
Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady
Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.
MACBETH
FTLN 0963
FTLN 0964
FTLN 0965
FTLN 0966
Here’s our chief guest.
If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great feast
And all-thing unbecoming.
LADY MACBETH
MACBETH
FTLN 0967
FTLN 0968
FTLN 0969
Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,
And I’ll request your presence.
BANQUO
Let your Highness
81
15
83
FTLN 0970
FTLN 0971
FTLN 0972
FTLN 0973
FTLN 0974
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 1
Command upon me, to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
Forever knit.
MACBETH Ride you this afternoon?
BANQUO Ay, my good lord.
20
MACBETH
FTLN 0975
FTLN 0976
FTLN 0977
FTLN 0978
We should have else desired your good advice
(Which still hath been both grave and prosperous)
In this day’s council, but we’ll take tomorrow.
Is ’t far you ride?
25
BANQUO
FTLN 0979
FTLN 0980
FTLN 0981
FTLN 0982
FTLN 0983
FTLN 0984
As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
’Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better,
I must become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain.
MACBETH
Fail not our feast.
BANQUO My lord, I will not.
30
MACBETH
FTLN 0985
FTLN 0986
FTLN 0987
FTLN 0988
FTLN 0989
FTLN 0990
FTLN 0991
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention. But of that tomorrow,
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu,
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?
35
BANQUO
FTLN 0992
Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon ’s.
40
MACBETH
FTLN 0993
FTLN 0994
FTLN 0995
FTLN 0996
FTLN 0997
FTLN 0998
FTLN 0999
I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
And so I do commend you to their backs.
Farewell.
Banquo exits.
Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night. To make society
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you.
Lords and all but Macbeth and a Servant exit.
45
85
FTLN 1000
FTLN 1001
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 1
Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men
Our pleasure?
SERVANT
FTLN 1002
They are, my lord, without the palace gate.
50
MACBETH
FTLN 1003
FTLN 1004
FTLN 1005
FTLN 1006
FTLN 1007
FTLN 1008
FTLN 1009
FTLN 1010
FTLN 1011
FTLN 1012
FTLN 1013
FTLN 1014
FTLN 1015
FTLN 1016
FTLN 1017
FTLN 1018
FTLN 1019
FTLN 1020
FTLN 1021
FTLN 1022
FTLN 1023
FTLN 1024
FTLN 1025
FTLN 1026
FTLN 1027
FTLN 1028
FTLN 1029
Bring them before us.
Servant exits.
To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be feared. ’Tis much he
dares,
And to that dauntless temper of his mind
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear; and under him
My genius is rebuked, as it is said
Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me
And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like,
They hailed him father to a line of kings.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
And put a barren scepter in my grip,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,
For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings.
Rather than so, come fate into the list,
And champion me to th’ utterance.—Who’s there?
Enter Servant and two Murderers.
FTLN 1030
FTLN 1031
To the Servant. Now go to the door, and stay there
till we call.
Servant exits.
55
60
65
70
75
87
FTLN 1032
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 1
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
80
MURDERERS
FTLN 1033
FTLN 1034
FTLN 1035
FTLN 1036
FTLN 1037
FTLN 1038
FTLN 1039
FTLN 1040
FTLN 1041
FTLN 1042
FTLN 1043
FTLN 1044
FTLN 1045
FTLN 1046
It was, so please your Highness.
Well then, now
Have you considered of my speeches? Know
That it was he, in the times past, which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self. This I made good to you
In our last conference, passed in probation with you
How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the
instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that
might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say “Thus did Banquo.”
FIRST MURDERER
You made it known to us.
MACBETH
85
90
MACBETH
FTLN 1047
FTLN 1048
FTLN 1049
FTLN 1050
FTLN 1051
FTLN 1052
FTLN 1053
FTLN 1054
I did so, and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting. Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled
To pray for this good man and for his issue,
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave
And beggared yours forever?
FIRST MURDERER
We are men, my liege.
95
100
MACBETH
FTLN 1055
FTLN 1056
FTLN 1057
FTLN 1058
FTLN 1059
FTLN 1060
FTLN 1061
FTLN 1062
FTLN 1063
Ay, in the catalogue you go for men,
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept
All by the name of dogs. The valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
105
110
89
FTLN 1064
FTLN 1065
FTLN 1066
FTLN 1067
FTLN 1068
FTLN 1069
FTLN 1070
FTLN 1071
FTLN 1072
FTLN 1073
FTLN 1074
FTLN 1075
FTLN 1076
FTLN 1077
FTLN 1078
FTLN 1079
FTLN 1080
FTLN 1081
FTLN 1082
FTLN 1083
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 1
Particular addition, from the bill
That writes them all alike. And so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i’ th’ worst rank of manhood, say ’t,
And I will put that business in your bosoms
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.
SECOND MURDERER
I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Hath so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.
FIRST MURDERER
And I another
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,
That I would set my life on any chance,
To mend it or be rid on ’t.
MACBETH
Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy.
True, my lord.
MURDERERS
115
120
125
130
MACBETH
FTLN 1084
FTLN 1085
FTLN 1086
FTLN 1087
FTLN 1088
FTLN 1089
FTLN 1090
FTLN 1091
FTLN 1092
FTLN 1093
FTLN 1094
FTLN 1095
FTLN 1096
FTLN 1097
So is he mine, and in such bloody distance
That every minute of his being thrusts
Against my near’st of life. And though I could
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
For certain friends that are both his and mine,
Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall
Who I myself struck down. And thence it is
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
SECOND MURDERER
We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
FIRST MURDERER
Though our lives—
135
140
145
91
ACT 3. SC. 2
Macbeth
MACBETH
FTLN 1098
FTLN 1099
FTLN 1100
FTLN 1101
FTLN 1102
FTLN 1103
FTLN 1104
FTLN 1105
FTLN 1106
FTLN 1107
FTLN 1108
FTLN 1109
FTLN 1110
FTLN 1111
Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at
most
I will advise you where to plant yourselves,
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ th’ time,
The moment on ’t, for ’t must be done tonight
And something from the palace; always thought
That I require a clearness. And with him
(To leave no rubs nor botches in the work)
Fleance, his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart.
I’ll come to you anon.
We are resolved, my lord.
MURDERERS
150
155
MACBETH
FTLN 1112
FTLN 1113
FTLN 1114
I’ll call upon you straight. Abide within.
160
Murderers exit.
It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Macbeth’s Lady and a Servant.
FTLN 1115
LADY MACBETH
Is Banquo gone from court?
SERVANT
FTLN 1116
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1117
FTLN 1118
FTLN 1119
FTLN 1120
FTLN 1121
FTLN 1122
FTLN 1123
Say to the King I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
SERVANT Madam, I will.
LADY MACBETH Naught’s had, all’s spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
He exits.
5
93
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 2
Enter Macbeth.
FTLN 1124
FTLN 1125
FTLN 1126
FTLN 1127
FTLN 1128
How now, my lord, why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard. What’s done is done.
10
MACBETH
FTLN 1129
FTLN 1130
FTLN 1131
FTLN 1132
FTLN 1133
FTLN 1134
FTLN 1135
FTLN 1136
FTLN 1137
FTLN 1138
FTLN 1139
FTLN 1140
FTLN 1141
FTLN 1142
FTLN 1143
FTLN 1144
FTLN 1145
FTLN 1146
FTLN 1147
FTLN 1148
FTLN 1149
FTLN 1150
FTLN 1151
FTLN 1152
FTLN 1153
FTLN 1154
We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds
suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave.
After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.
Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
Can touch him further.
LADY MACBETH
Come on, gentle my lord,
Sleek o’er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial
Among your guests tonight.
MACBETH
So shall I, love,
And so I pray be you. Let your remembrance
Apply to Banquo; present him eminence
Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we
Must lave our honors in these flattering streams
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
LADY MACBETH
You must leave this.
MACBETH
FTLN 1155
FTLN 1156
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.
15
20
25
30
35
40
95
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 3
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1157
But in them nature’s copy’s not eterne.
MACBETH
FTLN 1158
FTLN 1159
FTLN 1160
FTLN 1161
FTLN 1162
FTLN 1163
FTLN 1164
There’s comfort yet; they are assailable.
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons
The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
LADY MACBETH
What’s to be done?
45
50
MACBETH
FTLN 1165
FTLN 1166
FTLN 1167
FTLN 1168
FTLN 1169
FTLN 1170
FTLN 1171
FTLN 1172
FTLN 1173
FTLN 1174
FTLN 1175
FTLN 1176
FTLN 1177
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed.—Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow
Makes wing to th’ rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do
rouse.—
Thou marvel’st at my words, but hold thee still.
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So prithee go with me.
They exit.
55
60
Scene 3
Enter three Murderers.
FIRST MURDERER
FTLN 1178
FTLN 1179
FTLN 1180
FTLN 1181
FTLN 1182
But who did bid thee join with us?
Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER, to the First Murderer
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.
THIRD MURDERER
5
97
FTLN 1183
FTLN 1184
FTLN 1185
FTLN 1186
FTLN 1187
FTLN 1188
FTLN 1189
FTLN 1190
FTLN 1191
FTLN 1192
FTLN 1193
ACT 3. SC. 3
Macbeth
Then stand with us.—
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
Now spurs the lated traveler apace
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
The subject of our watch.
THIRD MURDERER Hark, I hear horses.
BANQUO, within Give us a light there, ho!
SECOND MURDERER Then ’tis he. The rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i’ th’ court.
FIRST MURDERER His horses go about.
FIRST MURDERER
10
15
THIRD MURDERER
FTLN 1194
FTLN 1195
FTLN 1196
Almost a mile; but he does usually
(So all men do) from hence to th’ palace gate
Make it their walk.
Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch.
A light, a light!
’Tis he.
FIRST MURDERER Stand to ’t.
BANQUO, to Fleance
It will be rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER Let it come down!
The three Murderers attack.
FTLN 1197
SECOND MURDERER
FTLN 1198
THIRD MURDERER
FTLN 1199
FTLN 1200
FTLN 1201
20
BANQUO
FTLN 1202
FTLN 1203
O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou mayst revenge—O slave!
He dies. Fleance exits.
25
THIRD MURDERER
FTLN 1204
Who did strike out the light?
FTLN 1205
FIRST MURDERER
FTLN 1206
THIRD MURDERER
FTLN 1207
FTLN 1208
FTLN 1209
Was ’t not the way?
There’s but one down. The son is
fled.
SECOND MURDERER
30
We have lost best half of our
affair.
FIRST MURDERER
FTLN 1210
Well, let’s away and say how much is done.
They exit.
99
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 4
Scene 4
Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth,
Ross, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants.
MACBETH
FTLN 1211
FTLN 1212
FTLN 1213
You know your own degrees; sit down. At first
And last, the hearty welcome.
They sit.
LORDS Thanks to your Majesty.
MACBETH
FTLN 1214
FTLN 1215
FTLN 1216
FTLN 1217
Ourself will mingle with society
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome.
5
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1218
FTLN 1219
Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
For my heart speaks they are welcome.
Enter First Murderer to the door.
MACBETH
FTLN 1220
FTLN 1221
FTLN 1222
FTLN 1223
FTLN 1224
FTLN 1225
See, they encounter thee with their hearts’ thanks.
Both sides are even. Here I’ll sit i’ th’ midst.
Be large in mirth. Anon we’ll drink a measure
The table round. He approaches the Murderer. There’s
blood upon thy face.
MURDERER ’Tis Banquo’s then.
10
15
MACBETH
FTLN 1226
FTLN 1227
’Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatched?
MURDERER
FTLN 1228
My lord, his throat is cut. That I did for him.
MACBETH
FTLN 1229
FTLN 1230
FTLN 1231
Thou art the best o’ th’ cutthroats,
Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance.
If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil.
MURDERER
FTLN 1232
Most royal sir, Fleance is ’scaped.
aside
Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect,
MACBETH,
FTLN 1233
20
101
FTLN 1234
FTLN 1235
FTLN 1236
FTLN 1237
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 4
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air.
But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears.—But Banquo’s safe?
25
MURDERER
FTLN 1238
FTLN 1239
FTLN 1240
FTLN 1241
FTLN 1242
FTLN 1243
FTLN 1244
FTLN 1245
FTLN 1246
FTLN 1247
FTLN 1248
FTLN 1249
FTLN 1250
FTLN 1251
Ay, my good lord. Safe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenchèd gashes on his head,
The least a death to nature.
MACBETH
Thanks for that.
There the grown serpent lies. The worm that’s fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
No teeth for th’ present. Get thee gone. Tomorrow
We’ll hear ourselves again.
Murderer exits.
LADY MACBETH
My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer. The feast is sold
That is not often vouched, while ’tis a-making,
’Tis given with welcome. To feed were best at home;
From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without it.
30
35
40
Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth’s place.
FTLN 1252
FTLN 1253
FTLN 1254
FTLN 1255
MACBETH,
to Lady Macbeth
Sweet remembrancer!—
Now, good digestion wait on appetite
And health on both!
LENNOX
May ’t please your Highness sit.
45
MACBETH
FTLN 1256
FTLN 1257
FTLN 1258
FTLN 1259
FTLN 1260
FTLN 1261
FTLN 1262
FTLN 1263
Here had we now our country’s honor roofed,
Were the graced person of our Banquo present,
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance.
ROSS
His absence, sir,
Lays blame upon his promise. Please ’t your
Highness
To grace us with your royal company?
MACBETH
FTLN 1264
The table’s full.
50
103
FTLN 1265
LENNOX
FTLN 1266
MACBETH
ACT 3. SC. 4
Macbeth
Here is a place reserved, sir.
55
Where?
LENNOX
FTLN 1267
FTLN 1268
Here, my good lord. What is ’t that moves your
Highness?
MACBETH
FTLN 1269
FTLN 1270
Which of you have done this?
LORDS
What, my good lord?
60
MACBETH,
FTLN 1271
FTLN 1272
to the Ghost
Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake
Thy gory locks at me.
ROSS
FTLN 1273
Gentlemen, rise. His Highness is not well.
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1274
FTLN 1275
FTLN 1276
FTLN 1277
FTLN 1278
FTLN 1279
FTLN 1280
Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus
And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat.
The fit is momentary; upon a thought
He will again be well. If much you note him
You shall offend him and extend his passion.
Feed and regard him not.
Drawing Macbeth aside.
Are you a man?
65
70
MACBETH
FTLN 1281
FTLN 1282
FTLN 1283
FTLN 1284
FTLN 1285
FTLN 1286
FTLN 1287
FTLN 1288
FTLN 1289
FTLN 1290
FTLN 1291
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appall the devil.
LADY MACBETH
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 flaws and starts,
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman’s story at a winter’s fire,
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces? When all’s done,
You look but on a stool.
MACBETH
FTLN 1292
FTLN 1293
Prithee, see there. Behold, look! To the Ghost. Lo,
how say you?
75
80
105
FTLN 1294
FTLN 1295
FTLN 1296
FTLN 1297
FTLN 1298
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 4
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.—
If charnel houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites.
Ghost exits.
LADY MACBETH What, quite unmanned in folly?
85
MACBETH
FTLN 1299
FTLN 1300
If I stand here, I saw him.
LADY MACBETH
Fie, for shame!
90
MACBETH
FTLN 1301
FTLN 1302
FTLN 1303
FTLN 1304
FTLN 1305
FTLN 1306
FTLN 1307
FTLN 1308
FTLN 1309
FTLN 1310
FTLN 1311
FTLN 1312
FTLN 1313
FTLN 1314
FTLN 1315
FTLN 1316
FTLN 1317
Blood hath been shed ere now, i’ th’ olden time,
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;
Ay, and since too, murders have been performed
Too terrible for the ear. The time has been
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
And there an end. But now they rise again
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns
And push us from our stools. This is more strange
Than such a murder is.
LADY MACBETH
My worthy lord,
Your noble friends do lack you.
MACBETH
I do forget.—
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends.
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me. Come, love and health to
all.
Then I’ll sit down.—Give me some wine. Fill full.
95
100
105
Enter Ghost.
FTLN 1318
FTLN 1319
FTLN 1320
FTLN 1321
FTLN 1322
FTLN 1323
FTLN 1324
I drink to th’ general joy o’ th’ whole table
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss.
Would he were here! To all, and him we thirst,
And all to all.
LORDS
Our duties, and the pledge.
They raise their drinking cups.
MACBETH, to the Ghost
Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee.
Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;
110
107
FTLN 1325
FTLN 1326
FTLN 1327
FTLN 1328
FTLN 1329
FTLN 1330
FTLN 1331
FTLN 1332
FTLN 1333
FTLN 1334
FTLN 1335
FTLN 1336
FTLN 1337
FTLN 1338
FTLN 1339
FTLN 1340
FTLN 1341
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 4
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with.
LADY MACBETH
Think of this, good
peers,
But as a thing of custom. ’Tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.
MACBETH, to the Ghost
What man dare, I dare.
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The armed rhinoceros, or th’ Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble. Or be alive again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword.
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mock’ry, hence!
Ghost exits.
Why so, being gone,
I am a man again.—Pray you sit still.
115
120
125
130
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1342
FTLN 1343
FTLN 1344
FTLN 1345
FTLN 1346
FTLN 1347
FTLN 1348
FTLN 1349
FTLN 1350
FTLN 1351
FTLN 1352
FTLN 1353
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good
meeting
With most admired disorder.
MACBETH
Can such things be
And overcome us like a summer’s cloud,
Without our special wonder? You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe
When now I think you can behold such sights
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks
When mine is blanched with fear.
ROSS
What sights, my
lord?
135
140
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1354
FTLN 1355
FTLN 1356
FTLN 1357
FTLN 1358
FTLN 1359
I pray you, speak not. He grows worse and worse.
Question enrages him. At once, good night.
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
LENNOX
Good night, and better health
Attend his Majesty.
145
109
FTLN 1360
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 4
A kind good night to all.
Lords and all but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exit.
LADY MACBETH
150
MACBETH
FTLN 1361
FTLN 1362
FTLN 1363
FTLN 1364
FTLN 1365
FTLN 1366
FTLN 1367
It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.
Stones have been known to move, and trees to
speak.
Augurs and understood relations have
By maggot pies and choughs and rooks brought
forth
The secret’st man of blood.—What is the night?
155
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1368
Almost at odds with morning, which is which.
MACBETH
FTLN 1369
FTLN 1370
FTLN 1371
How say’st thou that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding?
LADY MACBETH
Did you send to him, sir?
160
MACBETH
FTLN 1372
FTLN 1373
FTLN 1374
FTLN 1375
FTLN 1376
FTLN 1377
FTLN 1378
FTLN 1379
FTLN 1380
FTLN 1381
FTLN 1382
I hear it by the way; but I will send.
There’s not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant fee’d. I will tomorrow
(And betimes I will) to the Weïrd Sisters.
More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know
By the worst means the worst. For mine own good,
All causes shall give way. I am in blood
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er.
Strange things I have in head that will to hand,
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.
165
170
LADY MACBETH
FTLN 1383
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
MACBETH
FTLN 1384
FTLN 1385
FTLN 1386
Come, we’ll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use.
We are yet but young in deed.
They exit.
175
111
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 5
Scene 5
Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1387
Why, how now, Hecate? You look angerly.
HECATE
FTLN 1388
FTLN 1389
FTLN 1390
FTLN 1391
FTLN 1392
FTLN 1393
FTLN 1394
FTLN 1395
FTLN 1396
FTLN 1397
FTLN 1398
FTLN 1399
FTLN 1400
FTLN 1401
FTLN 1402
FTLN 1403
FTLN 1404
FTLN 1405
FTLN 1406
FTLN 1407
FTLN 1408
FTLN 1409
FTLN 1410
FTLN 1411
FTLN 1412
FTLN 1413
FTLN 1414
FTLN 1415
FTLN 1416
FTLN 1417
Have I not reason, beldams as you are?
Saucy and overbold, how did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death,
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never called to bear my part
Or show the glory of our art?
And which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now. Get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i’ th’ morning. Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.
I am for th’ air. This night I’ll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.
Great business must be wrought ere noon.
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vap’rous drop profound.
I’ll catch it ere it come to ground,
And that, distilled by magic sleights,
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear.
5
10
15
20
25
30
113
FTLN 1418
FTLN 1419
FTLN 1420
FTLN 1421
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 6
And you all know, security
Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.
Music and a song.
Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.
Hecate exits.
Sing within “Come away, come away,” etc.
35
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1422
Come, let’s make haste. She’ll soon be back again.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Lennox and another Lord.
LENNOX
FTLN 1423
FTLN 1424
FTLN 1425
FTLN 1426
FTLN 1427
FTLN 1428
FTLN 1429
FTLN 1430
FTLN 1431
FTLN 1432
FTLN 1433
FTLN 1434
FTLN 1435
FTLN 1436
FTLN 1437
FTLN 1438
FTLN 1439
FTLN 1440
FTLN 1441
FTLN 1442
FTLN 1443
FTLN 1444
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret farther. Only I say
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious
Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead.
And the right valiant Banquo walked too late,
Whom you may say, if ’t please you, Fleance killed,
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact,
How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely, too,
For ’twould have angered any heart alive
To hear the men deny ’t. So that I say
He has borne all things well. And I do think
That had he Duncan’s sons under his key
(As, an ’t please heaven, he shall not) they should
find
What ’twere to kill a father. So should Fleance.
5
10
15
20
115
FTLN 1445
FTLN 1446
FTLN 1447
FTLN 1448
FTLN 1449
FTLN 1450
FTLN 1451
FTLN 1452
FTLN 1453
FTLN 1454
FTLN 1455
FTLN 1456
FTLN 1457
FTLN 1458
FTLN 1459
FTLN 1460
FTLN 1461
FTLN 1462
FTLN 1463
FTLN 1464
FTLN 1465
FTLN 1466
Macbeth
ACT 3. SC. 6
But peace. For from broad words, and ’cause he
failed
His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?
LORD
The son of Duncan
(From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth)
Lives in the English court and is received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
That, by the help of these (with Him above
To ratify the work), we may again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
Do faithful homage, and receive free honors,
All which we pine for now. And this report
Hath so exasperate the King that he
Prepares for some attempt of war.
LENNOX Sent he to Macduff?
25
30
35
40
LORD
FTLN 1467
FTLN 1468
FTLN 1469
FTLN 1470
FTLN 1471
FTLN 1472
FTLN 1473
FTLN 1474
FTLN 1475
FTLN 1476
FTLN 1477
FTLN 1478
He did, and with an absolute “Sir, not I,”
The cloudy messenger turns me his back
And hums, as who should say “You’ll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer.”
LENNOX
And that well might
Advise him to a caution t’ hold what distance
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed.
LORD I’ll send my prayers with him.
They exit.
45
50
55
ACT 4
Scene 1
Thunder. Enter the three Witches.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1479
Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed.
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 1480
Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined.
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 1481
Harpier cries “’Tis time, ’tis time!”
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1482
FTLN 1483
FTLN 1484
FTLN 1485
FTLN 1486
FTLN 1487
Round about the cauldron go;
In the poisoned entrails throw.
Toad, that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Sweltered venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’ th’ charmèd pot.
The Witches circle the cauldron.
5
ALL
FTLN 1488
FTLN 1489
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
10
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 1490
FTLN 1491
FTLN 1492
FTLN 1493
FTLN 1494
Fillet of a fenny snake
In the cauldron boil and bake.
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork and blindworm’s sting,
119
15
121
FTLN 1495
FTLN 1496
FTLN 1497
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 1
Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL
FTLN 1498
FTLN 1499
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
20
THIRD WITCH
FTLN 1500
FTLN 1501
FTLN 1502
FTLN 1503
FTLN 1504
FTLN 1505
FTLN 1506
FTLN 1507
FTLN 1508
FTLN 1509
FTLN 1510
FTLN 1511
FTLN 1512
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witch’s mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravined salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digged i’ th’ dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew,
Gall of goat and slips of yew
Slivered in the moon’s eclipse,
Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips,
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-delivered by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron
For th’ ingredience of our cauldron.
25
30
ALL
FTLN 1513
FTLN 1514
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
35
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 1515
FTLN 1516
Cool it with a baboon’s blood.
Then the charm is firm and good.
Enter Hecate to the other three Witches.
HECATE
FTLN 1517
FTLN 1518
FTLN 1519
FTLN 1520
FTLN 1521
O, well done! I commend your pains,
And everyone shall share i’ th’ gains.
And now about the cauldron sing
Like elves and fairies in a ring,
Enchanting all that you put in.
Music and a song: “Black Spirits,” etc. Hecate exits.
40
123
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 1
SECOND WITCH
FTLN 1522
FTLN 1523
FTLN 1524
FTLN 1525
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks.
45
Enter Macbeth.
MACBETH
FTLN 1526
FTLN 1527
FTLN 1528
How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags?
What is ’t you do?
ALL
A deed without a name.
50
MACBETH
FTLN 1529
FTLN 1530
FTLN 1531
FTLN 1532
FTLN 1533
FTLN 1534
FTLN 1535
FTLN 1536
FTLN 1537
FTLN 1538
FTLN 1539
FTLN 1540
FTLN 1541
FTLN 1542
FTLN 1543
FTLN 1544
FTLN 1545
I conjure you by that which you profess
(Howe’er you come to know it), answer me.
Though you untie the winds and let them fight
Against the churches, though the yeasty waves
Confound and swallow navigation up,
Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown
down,
Though castles topple on their warders’ heads,
Though palaces and pyramids do slope
Their heads to their foundations, though the
treasure
Of nature’s germens tumble all together
Even till destruction sicken, answer me
To what I ask you.
FIRST WITCH
Speak.
SECOND WITCH
Demand.
THIRD WITCH
We’ll answer.
55
60
65
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1546
FTLN 1547
FTLN 1548
Say if th’ hadst rather hear it from our mouths
Or from our masters’.
MACBETH
Call ’em. Let me see ’em.
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1549
FTLN 1550
Pour in sow’s blood that hath eaten
Her nine farrow; grease that’s sweaten
70
125
FTLN 1551
FTLN 1552
FTLN 1553
FTLN 1554
ACT 4. SC. 1
Macbeth
From the murderers’ gibbet throw
Into the flame.
ALL
Come high or low;
Thyself and office deftly show.
75
Thunder. First Apparition, an Armed Head.
MACBETH
FTLN 1555
FTLN 1556
FTLN 1557
FTLN 1558
Tell me, thou unknown power—
He knows thy
FIRST WITCH
thought.
Hear his speech but say thou naught.
80
FIRST APPARITION
FTLN 1559
FTLN 1560
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff!
Beware the Thane of Fife! Dismiss me. Enough.
He descends.
MACBETH
FTLN 1561
FTLN 1562
FTLN 1563
Whate’er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks.
Thou hast harped my fear aright. But one word
more—
85
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1564
FTLN 1565
He will not be commanded. Here’s another
More potent than the first.
Thunder. Second Apparition, a Bloody Child.
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!—
Had I three ears, I’d hear thee.
FTLN 1566
SECOND APPARITION
FTLN 1567
MACBETH
SECOND APPARITION
FTLN 1568
FTLN 1569
FTLN 1570
Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth.
He descends.
90
MACBETH
FTLN 1571
FTLN 1572
FTLN 1573
FTLN 1574
FTLN 1575
Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee?
But yet I’ll make assurance double sure
And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live,
That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies,
And sleep in spite of thunder.
95
127
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 1
Thunder. Third Apparition, a Child Crowned, with a tree
in his hand.
FTLN 1576
FTLN 1577
FTLN 1578
FTLN 1579
FTLN 1580
What is this
That rises like the issue of a king
And wears upon his baby brow the round
And top of sovereignty?
ALL Listen but speak not to ’t.
100
THIRD APPARITION
FTLN 1581
FTLN 1582
FTLN 1583
FTLN 1584
FTLN 1585
FTLN 1586
FTLN 1587
FTLN 1588
FTLN 1589
FTLN 1590
FTLN 1591
FTLN 1592
FTLN 1593
FTLN 1594
FTLN 1595
FTLN 1596
Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are.
Macbeth shall never vanquished be until
Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him.
He descends.
MACBETH
That will never be.
Who can impress the forest, bid the tree
Unfix his earthbound root? Sweet bodements, good!
Rebellious dead, rise never till the Wood
Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath
To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart
Throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your art
Can tell so much: shall Banquo’s issue ever
Reign in this kingdom?
ALL
Seek to know no more.
105
110
115
MACBETH
FTLN 1597
FTLN 1598
FTLN 1599
FTLN 1600
FTLN 1601
FTLN 1602
I will be satisfied. Deny me this,
And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know!
Cauldron sinks. Hautboys.
Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this?
FIRST WITCH Show.
SECOND WITCH Show.
THIRD WITCH Show.
120
ALL
FTLN 1603
FTLN 1604
Show his eyes and grieve his heart.
Come like shadows; so depart.
125
129
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 1
A show of eight kings, the eighth king with a glass in
his hand, and Banquo last.
MACBETH
FTLN 1605
FTLN 1606
FTLN 1607
FTLN 1608
FTLN 1609
FTLN 1610
FTLN 1611
FTLN 1612
FTLN 1613
FTLN 1614
FTLN 1615
FTLN 1616
FTLN 1617
FTLN 1618
Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo. Down!
Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And thy hair,
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.
A third is like the former.—Filthy hags,
Why do you show me this?—A fourth? Start, eyes!
What, will the line stretch out to th’ crack of doom?
Another yet? A seventh? I’ll see no more.
And yet the eighth appears who bears a glass
Which shows me many more, and some I see
That twofold balls and treble scepters carry.
Horrible sight! Now I see ’tis true,
For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me
And points at them for his.
The Apparitions disappear.
What, is this so?
130
135
140
FIRST WITCH
FTLN 1619
FTLN 1620
FTLN 1621
FTLN 1622
FTLN 1623
FTLN 1624
FTLN 1625
FTLN 1626
Ay, sir, all this is so. But why
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?
Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites
And show the best of our delights.
I’ll charm the air to give a sound
While you perform your antic round,
That this great king may kindly say
Our duties did his welcome pay.
Music. The Witches dance and vanish.
145
MACBETH
FTLN 1627
FTLN 1628
FTLN 1629
Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour
Stand aye accursèd in the calendar!—
Come in, without there.
Enter Lennox.
FTLN 1630
LENNOX
What’s your Grace’s will?
150
131
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 1
MACBETH
FTLN 1631
FTLN 1632
Saw you the Weïrd Sisters?
LENNOX
No, my lord.
MACBETH
FTLN 1633
FTLN 1634
Came they not by you?
LENNOX
155
No, indeed, my lord.
MACBETH
FTLN 1635
FTLN 1636
FTLN 1637
Infected be the air whereon they ride,
And damned all those that trust them! I did hear
The galloping of horse. Who was ’t came by?
LENNOX
FTLN 1638
FTLN 1639
FTLN 1640
FTLN 1641
FTLN 1642
FTLN 1643
FTLN 1644
FTLN 1645
FTLN 1646
FTLN 1647
FTLN 1648
FTLN 1649
FTLN 1650
FTLN 1651
FTLN 1652
FTLN 1653
FTLN 1654
FTLN 1655
’Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word
Macduff is fled to England.
MACBETH
Fled to England?
LENNOX Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH, aside
Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits.
The flighty purpose never is o’ertook
Unless the deed go with it. From this moment
The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand. And even now,
To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and
done:
The castle of Macduff I will surprise,
Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;
This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.
But no more sights!—Where are these gentlemen?
Come bring me where they are.
They exit.
160
165
170
175
133
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Macduff’s Wife, her Son, and Ross.
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1656
What had he done to make him fly the land?
ROSS
FTLN 1657
FTLN 1658
FTLN 1659
FTLN 1660
FTLN 1661
FTLN 1662
You must have patience, madam.
He had none.
His flight was madness. When our actions do not,
Our fears do make us traitors.
ROSS
You know not
Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.
LADY MACDUFF
5
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1663
FTLN 1664
FTLN 1665
FTLN 1666
FTLN 1667
FTLN 1668
FTLN 1669
FTLN 1670
FTLN 1671
FTLN 1672
FTLN 1673
FTLN 1674
FTLN 1675
FTLN 1676
FTLN 1677
FTLN 1678
FTLN 1679
FTLN 1680
FTLN 1681
FTLN 1682
FTLN 1683
FTLN 1684
FTLN 1685
Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes,
His mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not;
He wants the natural touch; for the poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.
All is the fear, and nothing is the love,
As little is the wisdom, where the flight
So runs against all reason.
ROSS
My dearest coz,
I pray you school yourself. But for your husband,
He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows
The fits o’ th’ season. I dare not speak much
further;
But cruel are the times when we are traitors
And do not know ourselves; when we hold rumor
From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,
But float upon a wild and violent sea
Each way and move—I take my leave of you.
Shall not be long but I’ll be here again.
Things at the worst will cease or else climb upward
To what they were before.—My pretty cousin,
Blessing upon you.
10
15
20
25
30
135
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 2
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1686
Fathered he is, and yet he’s fatherless.
ROSS
FTLN 1687
FTLN 1688
FTLN 1689
FTLN 1690
FTLN 1691
I am so much a fool, should I stay longer
It would be my disgrace and your discomfort.
I take my leave at once.
Ross exits.
LADY MACDUFF Sirrah, your father’s dead.
And what will you do now? How will you live?
35
SON
FTLN 1692
FTLN 1693
As birds do, mother.
LADY MACDUFF
What, with worms and flies?
SON
FTLN 1694
With what I get, I mean; and so do they.
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1695
FTLN 1696
Poor bird, thou ’dst never fear the net nor lime,
The pitfall nor the gin.
40
SON
FTLN 1697
FTLN 1698
FTLN 1699
Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set
for.
My father is not dead, for all your saying.
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1700
FTLN 1701
Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for a father?
Nay, how will you do for a husband?
45
SON
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1702
FTLN 1703
FTLN 1704
FTLN 1705
FTLN 1706
FTLN 1707
FTLN 1708
FTLN 1709
FTLN 1710
FTLN 1711
FTLN 1712
FTLN 1713
Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.
SON Then you’ll buy ’em to sell again.
LADY MACDUFF Thou speak’st with all thy wit,
And yet, i’ faith, with wit enough for thee.
SON Was my father a traitor, mother?
LADY MACDUFF Ay, that he was.
SON What is a traitor?
LADY MACDUFF Why, one that swears and lies.
SON And be all traitors that do so?
LADY MACDUFF Every one that does so is a traitor
and must be hanged.
SON And must they all be hanged that swear and lie?
50
55
137
FTLN 1714
FTLN 1715
FTLN 1716
FTLN 1717
FTLN 1718
FTLN 1719
FTLN 1720
FTLN 1721
FTLN 1722
FTLN 1723
FTLN 1724
FTLN 1725
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 2
Every one.
SON Who must hang them?
LADY MACDUFF Why, the honest men.
SON Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there
are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest
men and hang up them.
LADY MACDUFF Now God help thee, poor monkey! But
how wilt thou do for a father?
SON If he were dead, you’d weep for him. If you would
not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a
new father.
LADY MACDUFF Poor prattler, how thou talk’st!
LADY MACDUFF
60
65
70
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
FTLN 1726
FTLN 1727
FTLN 1728
FTLN 1729
FTLN 1730
FTLN 1731
FTLN 1732
FTLN 1733
FTLN 1734
FTLN 1735
FTLN 1736
FTLN 1737
FTLN 1738
FTLN 1739
FTLN 1740
FTLN 1741
FTLN 1742
Bless you, fair dame. I am not to you known,
Though in your state of honor I am perfect.
I doubt some danger does approach you nearly.
If you will take a homely man’s advice,
Be not found here. Hence with your little ones!
To fright you thus methinks I am too savage;
To do worse to you were fell cruelty,
Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve
you!
I dare abide no longer.
Messenger exits.
LADY MACDUFF
Whither should I fly?
I have done no harm. But I remember now
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm
Is often laudable, to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas,
Do I put up that womanly defense
To say I have done no harm?
Enter Murderers.
FTLN 1743
FTLN 1744
MURDERER
What are these faces?
Where is your husband?
75
80
85
139
ACT 4. SC. 3
Macbeth
LADY MACDUFF
FTLN 1745
FTLN 1746
FTLN 1747
I hope in no place so unsanctified
Where such as thou mayst find him.
90
He’s a traitor.
MURDERER
SON
FTLN 1748
FTLN 1749
FTLN 1750
FTLN 1751
FTLN 1752
FTLN 1753
Thou liest, thou shag-eared villain!
What, you egg?
Stabbing him. Young fry of treachery!
SON
He has killed
me, mother.
Run away, I pray you.
Lady Macduff exits, crying “Murder!” followed by the
Murderers bearing the Son’s body.
MURDERER
95
Scene 3
Enter Malcolm and Macduff.
MALCOLM
FTLN 1754
FTLN 1755
FTLN 1756
FTLN 1757
FTLN 1758
FTLN 1759
FTLN 1760
FTLN 1761
FTLN 1762
FTLN 1763
FTLN 1764
FTLN 1765
FTLN 1766
FTLN 1767
FTLN 1768
FTLN 1769
FTLN 1770
Let us seek out some desolate shade and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty.
MACDUFF
Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword and, like good men,
Bestride our downfall’n birthdom. Each new morn
New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows
Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds
As if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out
Like syllable of dolor.
MALCOLM What I believe, I’ll wail;
What know, believe; and what I can redress,
As I shall find the time to friend, I will.
What you have spoke, it may be so, perchance.
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues,
Was once thought honest. You have loved him well.
He hath not touched you yet. I am young, but
something
5
10
15
141
FTLN 1771
FTLN 1772
FTLN 1773
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom
To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb
T’ appease an angry god.
20
MACDUFF
FTLN 1774
FTLN 1775
FTLN 1776
FTLN 1777
FTLN 1778
FTLN 1779
FTLN 1780
FTLN 1781
FTLN 1782
FTLN 1783
FTLN 1784
I am not treacherous.
But Macbeth is.
A good and virtuous nature may recoil
In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your
pardon.
That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose.
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.
Though all things foul would wear the brows of
grace,
Yet grace must still look so.
MACDUFF
I have lost my hopes.
MALCOLM
25
30
MALCOLM
FTLN 1785
FTLN 1786
FTLN 1787
FTLN 1788
FTLN 1789
FTLN 1790
FTLN 1791
FTLN 1792
FTLN 1793
FTLN 1794
FTLN 1795
FTLN 1796
FTLN 1797
FTLN 1798
FTLN 1799
FTLN 1800
FTLN 1801
FTLN 1802
FTLN 1803
FTLN 1804
Perchance even there where I did find my doubts.
Why in that rawness left you wife and child,
Those precious motives, those strong knots of love,
Without leave-taking? I pray you,
Let not my jealousies be your dishonors,
But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just,
Whatever I shall think.
MACDUFF
Bleed, bleed, poor country!
Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure,
For goodness dare not check thee. Wear thou thy
wrongs;
The title is affeered.—Fare thee well, lord.
I would not be the villain that thou think’st
For the whole space that’s in the tyrant’s grasp,
And the rich East to boot.
MALCOLM
Be not offended.
I speak not as in absolute fear of you.
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke.
It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash
Is added to her wounds. I think withal
35
40
45
50
143
FTLN 1805
FTLN 1806
FTLN 1807
FTLN 1808
FTLN 1809
FTLN 1810
FTLN 1811
FTLN 1812
FTLN 1813
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
There would be hands uplifted in my right;
And here from gracious England have I offer
Of goodly thousands. But, for all this,
When I shall tread upon the tyrant’s head
Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country
Shall have more vices than it had before,
More suffer, and more sundry ways than ever,
By him that shall succeed.
MACDUFF
What should he be?
55
60
MALCOLM
FTLN 1814
FTLN 1815
FTLN 1816
FTLN 1817
FTLN 1818
FTLN 1819
FTLN 1820
FTLN 1821
FTLN 1822
FTLN 1823
FTLN 1824
FTLN 1825
FTLN 1826
FTLN 1827
FTLN 1828
FTLN 1829
FTLN 1830
FTLN 1831
FTLN 1832
FTLN 1833
FTLN 1834
FTLN 1835
FTLN 1836
FTLN 1837
FTLN 1838
FTLN 1839
It is myself I mean, in whom I know
All the particulars of vice so grafted
That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth
Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state
Esteem him as a lamb, being compared
With my confineless harms.
MACDUFF
Not in the legions
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned
In evils to top Macbeth.
MALCOLM
I grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name. But there’s no bottom, none,
In my voluptuousness. Your wives, your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids could not fill up
The cistern of my lust, and my desire
All continent impediments would o’erbear
That did oppose my will. Better Macbeth
Than such an one to reign.
MACDUFF
Boundless intemperance
In nature is a tyranny. It hath been
Th’ untimely emptying of the happy throne
And fall of many kings. But fear not yet
To take upon you what is yours. You may
Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty
And yet seem cold—the time you may so hoodwink.
65
70
75
80
85
145
FTLN 1840
FTLN 1841
FTLN 1842
FTLN 1843
FTLN 1844
FTLN 1845
FTLN 1846
FTLN 1847
FTLN 1848
FTLN 1849
FTLN 1850
FTLN 1851
FTLN 1852
FTLN 1853
FTLN 1854
FTLN 1855
FTLN 1856
FTLN 1857
FTLN 1858
FTLN 1859
Macbeth
We have willing dames enough. There cannot be
That vulture in you to devour so many
As will to greatness dedicate themselves,
Finding it so inclined.
MALCOLM
With this there grows
In my most ill-composed affection such
A stanchless avarice that, were I king,
I should cut off the nobles for their lands,
Desire his jewels, and this other’s house;
And my more-having would be as a sauce
To make me hunger more, that I should forge
Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,
Destroying them for wealth.
MACDUFF
This avarice
Sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root
Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been
The sword of our slain kings. Yet do not fear.
Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will
Of your mere own. All these are portable,
With other graces weighed.
ACT 4. SC. 3
90
95
100
105
MALCOLM
FTLN 1860
FTLN 1861
FTLN 1862
FTLN 1863
FTLN 1864
FTLN 1865
FTLN 1866
FTLN 1867
FTLN 1868
FTLN 1869
FTLN 1870
But I have none. The king-becoming graces,
As justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness,
Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
I have no relish of them but abound
In the division of each several crime,
Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,
Uproar the universal peace, confound
All unity on earth.
MACDUFF
O Scotland, Scotland!
110
115
MALCOLM
FTLN 1871
FTLN 1872
FTLN 1873
If such a one be fit to govern, speak.
I am as I have spoken.
MACDUFF
Fit to govern?
120
147
FTLN 1874
FTLN 1875
FTLN 1876
FTLN 1877
FTLN 1878
FTLN 1879
FTLN 1880
FTLN 1881
FTLN 1882
FTLN 1883
FTLN 1884
FTLN 1885
FTLN 1886
FTLN 1887
FTLN 1888
FTLN 1889
FTLN 1890
FTLN 1891
FTLN 1892
FTLN 1893
FTLN 1894
FTLN 1895
FTLN 1896
FTLN 1897
FTLN 1898
FTLN 1899
FTLN 1900
FTLN 1901
FTLN 1902
FTLN 1903
FTLN 1904
FTLN 1905
FTLN 1906
FTLN 1907
FTLN 1908
FTLN 1909
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
No, not to live.—O nation miserable,
With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered,
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,
Since that the truest issue of thy throne
By his own interdiction stands accursed
And does blaspheme his breed?—Thy royal father
Was a most sainted king. The queen that bore thee,
Oft’ner upon her knees than on her feet,
Died every day she lived. Fare thee well.
These evils thou repeat’st upon thyself
Hath banished me from Scotland.—O my breast,
Thy hope ends here!
MALCOLM
Macduff, this noble passion,
Child of integrity, hath from my soul
Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts
To thy good truth and honor. Devilish Macbeth
By many of these trains hath sought to win me
Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me
From overcredulous haste. But God above
Deal between thee and me, for even now
I put myself to thy direction and
Unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure
The taints and blames I laid upon myself
For strangers to my nature. I am yet
Unknown to woman, never was forsworn,
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,
At no time broke my faith, would not betray
The devil to his fellow, and delight
No less in truth than life. My first false speaking
Was this upon myself. What I am truly
Is thine and my poor country’s to command—
Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,
Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men,
Already at a point, was setting forth.
Now we’ll together, and the chance of goodness
Be like our warranted quarrel. Why are you silent?
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
149
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
MACDUFF
FTLN 1910
FTLN 1911
Such welcome and unwelcome things at once
’Tis hard to reconcile.
Enter a Doctor.
FTLN 1912
FTLN 1913
Well, more anon.—
Comes the King forth, I pray you?
MALCOLM
160
DOCTOR
FTLN 1914
FTLN 1915
FTLN 1916
FTLN 1917
FTLN 1918
FTLN 1919
Ay, sir. There are a crew of wretched souls
That stay his cure. Their malady convinces
The great assay of art, but at his touch
(Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand)
They presently amend.
MALCOLM
I thank you, doctor.
Doctor exits.
165
MACDUFF
FTLN 1920
FTLN 1921
FTLN 1922
FTLN 1923
FTLN 1924
FTLN 1925
FTLN 1926
FTLN 1927
FTLN 1928
FTLN 1929
FTLN 1930
FTLN 1931
FTLN 1932
FTLN 1933
FTLN 1934
What’s the disease he means?
’Tis called the evil:
A most miraculous work in this good king,
Which often since my here-remain in England
I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven
Himself best knows, but strangely visited people
All swoll’n and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,
The mere despair of surgery, he cures,
Hanging a golden stamp about their necks,
Put on with holy prayers; and, ’tis spoken,
To the succeeding royalty he leaves
The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,
And sundry blessings hang about his throne
That speak him full of grace.
MALCOLM
Enter Ross.
FTLN 1935
MACDUFF
See who comes here.
MALCOLM
FTLN 1936
My countryman, but yet I know him not.
170
175
180
151
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
MACDUFF
FTLN 1937
My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.
MALCOLM
FTLN 1938
FTLN 1939
FTLN 1940
I know him now.—Good God betimes remove
The means that makes us strangers!
ROSS
Sir, amen.
185
MACDUFF
FTLN 1941
FTLN 1942
FTLN 1943
FTLN 1944
FTLN 1945
FTLN 1946
FTLN 1947
FTLN 1948
FTLN 1949
FTLN 1950
FTLN 1951
Stands Scotland where it did?
Alas, poor country,
Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot
Be called our mother, but our grave, where nothing
But who knows nothing is once seen to smile;
Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rent the air
Are made, not marked; where violent sorrow seems
A modern ecstasy. The dead man’s knell
Is there scarce asked for who, and good men’s lives
Expire before the flowers in their caps,
Dying or ere they sicken.
ROSS
190
195
MACDUFF
FTLN 1952
FTLN 1953
O relation too nice and yet too true!
MALCOLM What’s the newest grief?
200
ROSS
FTLN 1954
FTLN 1955
FTLN 1956
FTLN 1957
FTLN 1958
FTLN 1959
That of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker.
Each minute teems a new one.
MACDUFF
How does my wife?
ROSS Why, well.
MACDUFF And all my children?
ROSS Well too.
205
MACDUFF
FTLN 1960
The tyrant has not battered at their peace?
ROSS
FTLN 1961
No, they were well at peace when I did leave ’em.
MACDUFF
FTLN 1962
Be not a niggard of your speech. How goes ’t?
ROSS
FTLN 1963
When I came hither to transport the tidings
210
153
FTLN 1964
FTLN 1965
FTLN 1966
FTLN 1967
FTLN 1968
FTLN 1969
FTLN 1970
FTLN 1971
FTLN 1972
FTLN 1973
FTLN 1974
FTLN 1975
FTLN 1976
FTLN 1977
FTLN 1978
FTLN 1979
FTLN 1980
FTLN 1981
FTLN 1982
FTLN 1983
FTLN 1984
FTLN 1985
FTLN 1986
FTLN 1987
FTLN 1988
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumor
Of many worthy fellows that were out;
Which was to my belief witnessed the rather
For that I saw the tyrant’s power afoot.
Now is the time of help. Your eye in Scotland
Would create soldiers, make our women fight
To doff their dire distresses.
MALCOLM
Be ’t their comfort
We are coming thither. Gracious England hath
Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men;
An older and a better soldier none
That Christendom gives out.
ROSS
Would I could answer
This comfort with the like. But I have words
That would be howled out in the desert air,
Where hearing should not latch them.
MACDUFF
What concern
they—
The general cause, or is it a fee-grief
Due to some single breast?
ROSS
No mind that’s honest
But in it shares some woe, though the main part
Pertains to you alone.
MACDUFF
If it be mine,
Keep it not from me. Quickly let me have it.
215
220
225
230
235
ROSS
FTLN 1989
FTLN 1990
FTLN 1991
FTLN 1992
Let not your ears despise my tongue forever,
Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound
That ever yet they heard.
MACDUFF
Hum! I guess at it.
ROSS
FTLN 1993
FTLN 1994
FTLN 1995
FTLN 1996
FTLN 1997
Your castle is surprised, your wife and babes
Savagely slaughtered. To relate the manner
Were on the quarry of these murdered deer
To add the death of you.
MALCOLM
Merciful heaven!—
240
155
FTLN 1998
FTLN 1999
FTLN 2000
FTLN 2001
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
What, man, ne’er pull your hat upon your brows.
Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak
Whispers the o’erfraught heart and bids it break.
MACDUFF My children too?
245
ROSS
FTLN 2002
Wife, children, servants, all that could be found.
MACDUFF
FTLN 2003
FTLN 2004
FTLN 2005
FTLN 2006
FTLN 2007
And I must be from thence? My wife killed too?
ROSS I have said.
MALCOLM Be comforted.
Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge
To cure this deadly grief.
250
MACDUFF
FTLN 2008
FTLN 2009
FTLN 2010
FTLN 2011
FTLN 2012
FTLN 2013
FTLN 2014
FTLN 2015
FTLN 2016
FTLN 2017
FTLN 2018
FTLN 2019
FTLN 2020
He has no children. All my pretty ones?
Did you say “all”? O hell-kite! All?
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop?
MALCOLM Dispute it like a man.
MACDUFF I shall do so,
But I must also feel it as a man.
I cannot but remember such things were
That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on
And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,
They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,
Not for their own demerits, but for mine,
Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now.
255
260
265
MALCOLM
FTLN 2021
FTLN 2022
Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief
Convert to anger. Blunt not the heart; enrage it.
MACDUFF
FTLN 2023
FTLN 2024
FTLN 2025
FTLN 2026
FTLN 2027
FTLN 2028
O, I could play the woman with mine eyes
And braggart with my tongue! But, gentle heavens,
Cut short all intermission! Front to front
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself.
Within my sword’s length set him. If he ’scape,
Heaven forgive him too.
270
275
157
FTLN 2029
FTLN 2030
FTLN 2031
FTLN 2032
FTLN 2033
FTLN 2034
FTLN 2035
Macbeth
ACT 4. SC. 3
This tune goes manly.
Come, go we to the King. Our power is ready;
Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth
Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above
Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you
may.
The night is long that never finds the day.
They exit.
MALCOLM
280
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman.
FTLN 2036
FTLN 2037
FTLN 2038
FTLN 2039
FTLN 2040
FTLN 2041
FTLN 2042
FTLN 2043
FTLN 2044
FTLN 2045
FTLN 2046
FTLN 2047
FTLN 2048
FTLN 2049
FTLN 2050
FTLN 2051
FTLN 2052
FTLN 2053
FTLN 2054
FTLN 2055
I have two nights watched with you but can
perceive no truth in your report. When was it she
last walked?
GENTLEWOMAN Since his Majesty went into the field, I
have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown
upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper,
fold it, write upon ’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and
again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast
sleep.
DOCTOR A great perturbation in nature, to receive at
once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of
watching. In this slumb’ry agitation, besides her
walking and other actual performances, what at any
time have you heard her say?
GENTLEWOMAN That, sir, which I will not report after
her.
DOCTOR You may to me, and ’tis most meet you
should.
GENTLEWOMAN Neither to you nor anyone, having no
witness to confirm my speech.
DOCTOR
Enter Lady Macbeth with a taper.
FTLN 2056
FTLN 2057
Lo you, here she comes. This is her very guise and,
upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.
161
5
10
15
20
163
FTLN 2058
FTLN 2059
FTLN 2060
FTLN 2061
FTLN 2062
FTLN 2063
FTLN 2064
FTLN 2065
FTLN 2066
FTLN 2067
FTLN 2068
FTLN 2069
FTLN 2070
FTLN 2071
FTLN 2072
FTLN 2073
FTLN 2074
FTLN 2075
FTLN 2076
FTLN 2077
FTLN 2078
FTLN 2079
FTLN 2080
FTLN 2081
FTLN 2082
FTLN 2083
FTLN 2084
FTLN 2085
FTLN 2086
FTLN 2087
FTLN 2088
FTLN 2089
FTLN 2090
FTLN 2091
FTLN 2092
FTLN 2093
FTLN 2094
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 1
How came she by that light?
GENTLEWOMAN Why, it stood by her. She has light by
her continually. ’Tis her command.
DOCTOR You see her eyes are open.
GENTLEWOMAN Ay, but their sense are shut.
DOCTOR What is it she does now? Look how she rubs
her hands.
GENTLEWOMAN It is an accustomed action with her to
seem thus washing her hands. I have known her
continue in this a quarter of an hour.
LADY MACBETH Yet here’s a spot.
DOCTOR Hark, she speaks. I will set down what comes
from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more
strongly.
LADY MACBETH Out, damned spot, out, I say! One. Two.
Why then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my
lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear
who knows it, when none can call our power to
account? Yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him?
DOCTOR Do you mark that?
LADY MACBETH The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is
she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No
more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that. You mar all
with this starting.
DOCTOR Go to, go to. You have known what you should
not.
GENTLEWOMAN She has spoke what she should not,
I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has
known.
LADY MACBETH Here’s the smell of the blood still. All
the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. O, O, O!
DOCTOR What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely
charged.
GENTLEWOMAN I would not have such a heart in my
bosom for the dignity of the whole body.
DOCTOR
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
165
FTLN 2095
FTLN 2096
FTLN 2097
FTLN 2098
FTLN 2099
FTLN 2100
FTLN 2101
FTLN 2102
FTLN 2103
FTLN 2104
FTLN 2105
FTLN 2106
FTLN 2107
FTLN 2108
FTLN 2109
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 2
Well, well, well.
GENTLEWOMAN Pray God it be, sir.
DOCTOR This disease is beyond my practice. Yet I have
known those which have walked in their sleep,
who have died holily in their beds.
LADY MACBETH Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown.
Look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s
buried; he cannot come out on ’s grave.
DOCTOR Even so?
LADY MACBETH To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the
gate. Come, come, come, come. Give me your
hand. What’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to
bed, to bed.
Lady Macbeth exits.
DOCTOR Will she go now to bed?
GENTLEWOMAN Directly.
DOCTOR
60
65
70
DOCTOR
FTLN 2110
FTLN 2111
FTLN 2112
FTLN 2113
FTLN 2114
FTLN 2115
FTLN 2116
FTLN 2117
FTLN 2118
FTLN 2119
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.
More needs she the divine than the physician.
God, God forgive us all. Look after her.
Remove from her the means of all annoyance
And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night.
My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.
I think but dare not speak.
GENTLEWOMAN
Good night, good doctor.
They exit.
Scene 2
Drum and Colors. Enter Menteith, Caithness, Angus,
Lennox, and Soldiers.
MENTEITH
FTLN 2120
FTLN 2121
The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,
His uncle Siward, and the good Macduff.
75
80
167
FTLN 2122
FTLN 2123
FTLN 2124
FTLN 2125
FTLN 2126
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 2
Revenges burn in them, for their dear causes
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
Excite the mortified man.
ANGUS
Near Birnam Wood
Shall we well meet them. That way are they coming.
5
CAITHNESS
FTLN 2127
Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?
LENNOX
FTLN 2128
FTLN 2129
FTLN 2130
FTLN 2131
FTLN 2132
For certain, sir, he is not. I have a file
Of all the gentry. There is Siward’s son
And many unrough youths that even now
Protest their first of manhood.
MENTEITH
What does the tyrant?
10
CAITHNESS
FTLN 2133
FTLN 2134
FTLN 2135
FTLN 2136
FTLN 2137
FTLN 2138
FTLN 2139
FTLN 2140
FTLN 2141
FTLN 2142
FTLN 2143
FTLN 2144
FTLN 2145
FTLN 2146
FTLN 2147
FTLN 2148
FTLN 2149
FTLN 2150
FTLN 2151
FTLN 2152
FTLN 2153
FTLN 2154
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies.
Some say he’s mad; others that lesser hate him
Do call it valiant fury. But for certain
He cannot buckle his distempered cause
Within the belt of rule.
ANGUS
Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands.
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach.
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.
MENTEITH
Who, then, shall blame
His pestered senses to recoil and start
When all that is within him does condemn
Itself for being there?
CAITHNESS
Well, march we on
To give obedience where ’tis truly owed.
Meet we the med’cine of the sickly weal,
And with him pour we in our country’s purge
Each drop of us.
LENNOX
Or so much as it needs
15
20
25
30
35
169
FTLN 2155
FTLN 2156
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 3
To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.
Make we our march towards Birnam.
They exit marching.
Scene 3
Enter Macbeth, the Doctor, and Attendants.
MACBETH
FTLN 2157
FTLN 2158
FTLN 2159
FTLN 2160
FTLN 2161
FTLN 2162
FTLN 2163
FTLN 2164
FTLN 2165
FTLN 2166
FTLN 2167
Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all.
Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane
I cannot taint with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm?
Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know
All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:
“Fear not, Macbeth. No man that’s born of woman
Shall e’er have power upon thee.” Then fly, false
thanes,
And mingle with the English epicures.
The mind I sway by and the heart I bear
Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
5
10
Enter Servant.
FTLN 2168
FTLN 2169
FTLN 2170
FTLN 2171
FTLN 2172
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!
Where got’st thou that goose-look?
SERVANT There is ten thousand—
MACBETH Geese, villain?
SERVANT Soldiers, sir.
15
MACBETH
FTLN 2173
FTLN 2174
FTLN 2175
FTLN 2176
FTLN 2177
Go prick thy face and over-red thy fear,
Thou lily-livered boy. What soldiers, patch?
Death of thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine
Are counselors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?
SERVANT The English force, so please you.
MACBETH
FTLN 2178
FTLN 2179
FTLN 2180
Take thy face hence.
Servant exits.
Seyton!—I am sick at heart
When I behold—Seyton, I say!—This push
20
171
FTLN 2181
FTLN 2182
FTLN 2183
FTLN 2184
FTLN 2185
FTLN 2186
FTLN 2187
FTLN 2188
FTLN 2189
FTLN 2190
ACT 5. SC. 3
Macbeth
Will cheer me ever or disseat me now.
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have, but in their stead
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare
not.—
Seyton!
25
30
Enter Seyton.
SEYTON
FTLN 2191
FTLN 2192
What’s your gracious pleasure?
MACBETH
35
What news more?
SEYTON
FTLN 2193
All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.
MACBETH
FTLN 2194
FTLN 2195
FTLN 2196
FTLN 2197
FTLN 2198
FTLN 2199
FTLN 2200
FTLN 2201
FTLN 2202
FTLN 2203
FTLN 2204
FTLN 2205
FTLN 2206
FTLN 2207
FTLN 2208
FTLN 2209
FTLN 2210
FTLN 2211
I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.
Give me my armor.
SEYTON ’Tis not needed yet.
MACBETH I’ll put it on.
Send out more horses. Skirr the country round.
Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine
armor.—
How does your patient, doctor?
DOCTOR Not so sick, my lord,
As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies
That keep her from her rest.
MACBETH
Cure her of that.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?
40
45
50
55
173
FTLN 2212
FTLN 2213
ACT 5. SC. 4
Macbeth
DOCTOR
Therein the patient
Must minister to himself.
MACBETH
FTLN 2214
FTLN 2215
FTLN 2216
FTLN 2217
FTLN 2218
FTLN 2219
FTLN 2220
FTLN 2221
FTLN 2222
FTLN 2223
FTLN 2224
FTLN 2225
Throw physic to the dogs. I’ll none of it.—
Come, put mine armor on. Give me my staff.
Attendants begin to arm him.
Seyton, send out.—Doctor, the thanes fly from
me.—
Come, sir, dispatch.—If thou couldst, doctor, cast
The water of my land, find her disease,
And purge it to a sound and pristine health,
I would applaud thee to the very echo
That should applaud again.—Pull ’t off, I say.—
What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug
Would scour these English hence? Hear’st thou of
them?
60
65
DOCTOR
FTLN 2226
FTLN 2227
FTLN 2228
FTLN 2229
FTLN 2230
FTLN 2231
FTLN 2232
Ay, my good lord. Your royal preparation
Makes us hear something.
MACBETH
Bring it after me.—
I will not be afraid of death and bane
Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane.
DOCTOR, aside
Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,
Profit again should hardly draw me here.
70
75
They exit.
Scene 4
Drum and Colors. Enter Malcolm, Siward, Macduff,
Siward’s son, Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Soldiers,
marching.
MALCOLM
FTLN 2233
FTLN 2234
Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand
That chambers will be safe.
175
FTLN 2235
Macbeth
MENTEITH
ACT 5. SC. 4
We doubt it nothing.
SIWARD
FTLN 2236
FTLN 2237
What wood is this before us?
MENTEITH
The Wood of Birnam.
5
MALCOLM
FTLN 2238
FTLN 2239
FTLN 2240
FTLN 2241
FTLN 2242
Let every soldier hew him down a bough
And bear ’t before him. Thereby shall we shadow
The numbers of our host and make discovery
Err in report of us.
SOLDIER
It shall be done.
10
SIWARD
FTLN 2243
FTLN 2244
FTLN 2245
FTLN 2246
FTLN 2247
FTLN 2248
FTLN 2249
FTLN 2250
FTLN 2251
FTLN 2252
FTLN 2253
FTLN 2254
FTLN 2255
FTLN 2256
FTLN 2257
FTLN 2258
FTLN 2259
We learn no other but the confident tyrant
Keeps still in Dunsinane and will endure
Our setting down before ’t.
MALCOLM
’Tis his main hope;
For, where there is advantage to be given,
Both more and less have given him the revolt,
And none serve with him but constrainèd things
Whose hearts are absent too.
MACDUFF
Let our just censures
Attend the true event, and put we on
Industrious soldiership.
SIWARD
The time approaches
That will with due decision make us know
What we shall say we have and what we owe.
Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate,
But certain issue strokes must arbitrate;
Towards which, advance the war.
They exit marching.
15
20
25
177
ACT 5. SC. 5
Macbeth
Scene 5
Enter Macbeth, Seyton, and Soldiers, with Drum and
Colors.
MACBETH
FTLN 2260
FTLN 2261
FTLN 2262
FTLN 2263
FTLN 2264
FTLN 2265
FTLN 2266
FTLN 2267
FTLN 2268
Hang out our banners on the outward walls.
The cry is still “They come!” Our castle’s strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn. Here let them lie
Till famine and the ague eat them up.
Were they not forced with those that should be
ours,
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard,
And beat them backward home.
A cry within of women.
What is that noise?
5
SEYTON
FTLN 2269
It is the cry of women, my good lord.
He exits.
10
MACBETH
FTLN 2270
FTLN 2271
FTLN 2272
FTLN 2273
FTLN 2274
FTLN 2275
FTLN 2276
I have almost forgot the taste of fears.
The time has been my senses would have cooled
To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
As life were in ’t. I have supped full with horrors.
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts,
Cannot once start me.
15
Enter Seyton.
FTLN 2277
FTLN 2278
FTLN 2279
FTLN 2280
FTLN 2281
FTLN 2282
FTLN 2283
FTLN 2284
FTLN 2285
Wherefore was that cry?
SEYTON The Queen, my lord, is dead.
MACBETH She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
20
25
179
FTLN 2286
FTLN 2287
FTLN 2288
FTLN 2289
FTLN 2290
Macbeth
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
ACT 5. SC. 5
30
Enter a Messenger.
FTLN 2291
FTLN 2292
FTLN 2293
FTLN 2294
FTLN 2295
Thou com’st to use thy tongue: thy story quickly.
MESSENGER Gracious my lord,
I should report that which I say I saw,
But know not how to do ’t.
MACBETH
Well, say, sir.
35
MESSENGER
FTLN 2296
FTLN 2297
FTLN 2298
FTLN 2299
As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought
The Wood began to move.
MACBETH
Liar and slave!
40
MESSENGER
FTLN 2300
FTLN 2301
FTLN 2302
FTLN 2303
FTLN 2304
FTLN 2305
FTLN 2306
FTLN 2307
FTLN 2308
FTLN 2309
FTLN 2310
FTLN 2311
FTLN 2312
FTLN 2313
FTLN 2314
FTLN 2315
FTLN 2316
Let me endure your wrath if ’t be not so.
Within this three mile may you see it coming.
I say, a moving grove.
MACBETH
If thou speak’st false,
Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive
Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth,
I care not if thou dost for me as much.—
I pull in resolution and begin
To doubt th’ equivocation of the fiend,
That lies like truth. “Fear not till Birnam Wood
Do come to Dunsinane,” and now a wood
Comes toward Dunsinane.—Arm, arm, and out!—
If this which he avouches does appear,
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here.
I ’gin to be aweary of the sun
And wish th’ estate o’ th’ world were now
undone.—
45
50
55
181
FTLN 2317
FTLN 2318
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 6/7
Ring the alarum bell!—Blow wind, come wrack,
At least we’ll die with harness on our back.
They exit.
Scene 6
Drum and Colors. Enter Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, and
their army, with boughs.
MALCOLM
FTLN 2319
FTLN 2320
FTLN 2321
FTLN 2322
FTLN 2323
FTLN 2324
FTLN 2325
FTLN 2326
FTLN 2327
Now near enough. Your leafy screens throw down
And show like those you are.—You, worthy uncle,
Shall with my cousin, your right noble son,
Lead our first battle. Worthy Macduff and we
Shall take upon ’s what else remains to do,
According to our order.
SIWARD
Fare you well.
Do we but find the tyrant’s power tonight,
Let us be beaten if we cannot fight.
5
MACDUFF
FTLN 2328
FTLN 2329
Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath,
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death.
They exit.
Alarums continued.
10
Scene 7
Enter Macbeth.
MACBETH
FTLN 2330
FTLN 2331
FTLN 2332
FTLN 2333
They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But, bear-like, I must fight the course. What’s he
That was not born of woman? Such a one
Am I to fear, or none.
Enter young Siward.
FTLN 2334
YOUNG SIWARD
What is thy name?
5
183
FTLN 2335
MACBETH
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 7
Thou ’lt be afraid to hear it.
YOUNG SIWARD
FTLN 2336
FTLN 2337
FTLN 2338
No, though thou call’st thyself a hotter name
Than any is in hell.
MACBETH
My name’s Macbeth.
YOUNG SIWARD
FTLN 2339
FTLN 2340
FTLN 2341
The devil himself could not pronounce a title
More hateful to mine ear.
MACBETH
No, nor more fearful.
10
YOUNG SIWARD
FTLN 2342
FTLN 2343
FTLN 2344
FTLN 2345
FTLN 2346
FTLN 2347
Thou liest, abhorrèd tyrant. With my sword
I’ll prove the lie thou speak’st.
They fight, and young Siward is slain.
MACBETH
Thou wast born of
woman.
But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,
Brandished by man that’s of a woman born.
He exits.
15
Alarums. Enter Macduff.
MACDUFF
FTLN 2348
FTLN 2349
FTLN 2350
FTLN 2351
FTLN 2352
FTLN 2353
FTLN 2354
FTLN 2355
FTLN 2356
FTLN 2357
That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face!
If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,
My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.
I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms
Are hired to bear their staves. Either thou, Macbeth,
Or else my sword with an unbattered edge
I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be;
By this great clatter, one of greatest note
Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune,
And more I beg not.
He exits. Alarums.
20
25
Enter Malcolm and Siward.
SIWARD
FTLN 2358
FTLN 2359
This way, my lord. The castle’s gently rendered.
The tyrant’s people on both sides do fight,
30
185
FTLN 2360
FTLN 2361
FTLN 2362
FTLN 2363
FTLN 2364
FTLN 2365
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 8
The noble thanes do bravely in the war,
The day almost itself professes yours,
And little is to do.
MALCOLM
We have met with foes
That strike beside us.
SIWARD
Enter, sir, the castle.
They exit. Alarum.
35
Scene 8
Enter Macbeth.
MACBETH
FTLN 2366
FTLN 2367
FTLN 2368
Why should I play the Roman fool and die
On mine own sword? Whiles I see lives, the gashes
Do better upon them.
Enter Macduff.
FTLN 2369
MACDUFF
Turn, hellhound, turn!
MACBETH
FTLN 2370
FTLN 2371
FTLN 2372
FTLN 2373
FTLN 2374
FTLN 2375
FTLN 2376
FTLN 2377
FTLN 2378
FTLN 2379
FTLN 2380
FTLN 2381
FTLN 2382
FTLN 2383
FTLN 2384
FTLN 2385
Of all men else I have avoided thee.
But get thee back. My soul is too much charged
With blood of thine already.
MACDUFF
I have no words;
My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain
Than terms can give thee out.
Fight. Alarum.
MACBETH
Thou losest labor.
As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed.
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;
I bear a charmèd life, which must not yield
To one of woman born.
MACDUFF
Despair thy charm,
And let the angel whom thou still hast served
Tell thee Macduff was from his mother’s womb
Untimely ripped.
5
10
15
20
187
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 8
MACBETH
FTLN 2386
FTLN 2387
FTLN 2388
FTLN 2389
FTLN 2390
FTLN 2391
FTLN 2392
FTLN 2393
FTLN 2394
FTLN 2395
FTLN 2396
FTLN 2397
FTLN 2398
FTLN 2399
FTLN 2400
FTLN 2401
FTLN 2402
FTLN 2403
FTLN 2404
Accursèd be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cowed my better part of man!
And be these juggling fiends no more believed
That palter with us in a double sense,
That keep the word of promise to our ear
And break it to our hope. I’ll not fight with thee.
MACDUFF Then yield thee, coward,
And live to be the show and gaze o’ th’ time.
We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,
Painted upon a pole, and underwrit
“Here may you see the tyrant.”
MACBETH
I will not yield
To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet
And to be baited with the rabble’s curse.
Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane
And thou opposed, being of no woman born,
Yet I will try the last. Before my body
I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,
And damned be him that first cries “Hold! Enough!”
They exit fighting. Alarums.
25
30
35
They enter fighting, and Macbeth is slain. Macduff
exits carrying off Macbeth’s body. Retreat and flourish.
Enter, with Drum and Colors, Malcolm, Siward, Ross,
Thanes, and Soldiers.
MALCOLM
FTLN 2405
I would the friends we miss were safe arrived.
40
SIWARD
FTLN 2406
FTLN 2407
Some must go off; and yet by these I see
So great a day as this is cheaply bought.
MALCOLM
FTLN 2408
Macduff is missing, and your noble son.
ROSS
FTLN 2409
FTLN 2410
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier’s debt.
He only lived but till he was a man,
45
189
FTLN 2411
FTLN 2412
FTLN 2413
FTLN 2414
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 8
The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed
In the unshrinking station where he fought,
But like a man he died.
SIWARD
Then he is dead?
ROSS
FTLN 2415
FTLN 2416
FTLN 2417
FTLN 2418
Ay, and brought off the field. Your cause of sorrow
Must not be measured by his worth, for then
It hath no end.
SIWARD
Had he his hurts before?
50
ROSS
FTLN 2419
FTLN 2420
FTLN 2421
FTLN 2422
FTLN 2423
Ay, on the front.
Why then, God’s soldier be he!
Had I as many sons as I have hairs,
I would not wish them to a fairer death;
And so his knell is knolled.
SIWARD
55
MALCOLM
FTLN 2424
FTLN 2425
FTLN 2426
FTLN 2427
FTLN 2428
FTLN 2429
He’s worth more sorrow, and that I’ll spend for
him.
SIWARD He’s worth no more.
They say he parted well and paid his score,
And so, God be with him. Here comes newer
comfort.
60
Enter Macduff with Macbeth’s head.
MACDUFF
FTLN 2430
FTLN 2431
FTLN 2432
FTLN 2433
FTLN 2434
FTLN 2435
FTLN 2436
Hail, King! for so thou art. Behold where stands
Th’ usurper’s cursèd head. The time is free.
I see thee compassed with thy kingdom’s pearl,
That speak my salutation in their minds,
Whose voices I desire aloud with mine.
Hail, King of Scotland!
ALL Hail, King of Scotland!
Flourish.
65
70
MALCOLM
FTLN 2437
FTLN 2438
FTLN 2439
FTLN 2440
We shall not spend a large expense of time
Before we reckon with your several loves
And make us even with you. My thanes and
kinsmen,
75
191
FTLN 2441
FTLN 2442
FTLN 2443
FTLN 2444
FTLN 2445
FTLN 2446
FTLN 2447
FTLN 2448
FTLN 2449
FTLN 2450
FTLN 2451
FTLN 2452
FTLN 2453
Macbeth
ACT 5. SC. 8
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland
In such an honor named. What’s more to do,
Which would be planted newly with the time,
As calling home our exiled friends abroad
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny,
Producing forth the cruel ministers
Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen
(Who, as ’tis thought, by self and violent hands,
Took off her life)—this, and what needful else
That calls upon us, by the grace of grace,
We will perform in measure, time, and place.
So thanks to all at once and to each one,
Whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.
Flourish. All exit.
80
85