MACBETH                              If we should fail. LADY             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, […]

LADY              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 […]

LADY                          Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would’, Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? MACBETH                              Prithee, peace. […]

MACBETH      We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honoured 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                          Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes […]

MACBETH                  I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself, And falls on th’other. Enter Lady How now? What news? LADY              He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber? MACBETH      Hath he asked for me? LADY              Know you not he has?           (1.7.25-30)   I […]

MACBETH                              Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against The deep damnation of his taking off; And pity, like a naked new-born babe Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, […]

MACBETH                  But in these cases We still have judgement 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; […]

Hautboys [within]. Torches. Enter a sewer and divers servants with dishes and service over the stage [and exeunt]. Then enter Macbeth MACBETH      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 […]

KING                           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                          Your servants ever Have theirs, […]

Enter Lady KING               See, see, our honoured hostess. [To Lady] The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you How you shall bid God yield us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble. LADY                          All our service In every point twice done, and […]