That rises like the issue of a king, And wears upon his baby brow the round And top of sovereignty ? The Three Witches. Listen, but speak not to 't. App. Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care Shall come against him. That will never be: Macbeth. [Descends.- Thunder. Who can impress the forest; bid the tree Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good! 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 ? The Three Witches. [They rise and go to R. Seek to know no more. Macbeth. I will be satisfied: deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! [Macbeth descends from rocks. The cauldron sinks. Thunder and discordant sounds, shrieks, etc.; are heard. Let me know: Why sinks that cauldron, and what noise is this? Show! First Witch. [Passing from R. to L. МАСВЕТΗ. Second Witch. Show! [The same. Third Witch. Show! [The same. The Three Witches. Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; Come like shadows, so depart! [Eight kings appear, and pass over in order, the last with a glass in his hand; Banquo following. Macbeth. [As they pass. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo; down! Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first : - Why do you show me this? - A fourth? - Start, eyes! - Another yet? - A seventh? - I 'll see no more: And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass Which shows me many more; Horrible sight!- Now, I see, 't is true; [The Witches vanish as Banquo appears. For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me, And points at them for his. - What! is this so ? Where are they? Gone? - Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar! Come in, without there! [Enter Seyton, above. Sey. What's your grace's will? Macbeth. Saw you the weird sisters ? Sey. No, my lord. Macbeth, Came they not by you ? 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 ? Sey. 'T is two or three, my lord, that bring you word Macduff is fled to England. Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits: The firstlings of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword But no more sights! - Where are these gentlemen ? Scene Second.-A WOOD IN ENGLAND. [Scene closes, [Enter Malcolm and Macduff, Mal. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there Let us rather МАСВЕТН. Macduff. Hold fast the mortal sword; and, like good men, As if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out Like syllable of dolour. What I believe, I'll wail; Mal. What know, believe; and what I can redress, 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 You may discern of him through me; and wisdom To appease an angry god. A good and virtuous nature may recoil In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon; 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 dishonours, 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. Be not offended: Mal. I speak not as in absolute fear of you. I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It is myself I mean: in whom I know All the particulars of vice so grafted, |