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Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Anthony Dawson
Not Peer Reviewed
148
The Tragedie of Macbeth.
But I must also feele it as a man;
I cannot but remember such things were
That were most precious to me: Did heauen looke on,
And would not take their part? Sinfull Macduff,
2075They were all strooke for thee: Naught that I am,
Not for their owne demerits, but for mine
Fell slaughter on their soules: Heauen rest them now.
Mal. Be this the Whetstone of your sword, let griefe
Conuert to anger: blunt not the heart, enrage it.
2080Macd. O I could play the woman with mine eyes,
And Braggart with my tongue. But gentle Heauens,
Cut short all intermission: Front to Front,
Bring thou this Fiend of Scotland, and my selfe
Within my Swords length set him, if he scape
2085Heauen forgiue him too.
Mal. This time goes manly:
Come go we to the King, our Power is ready,
Our lacke is nothing but our leaue. Macbeth
Is ripe for shaking, and the Powres aboue
2090Put on their Instruments: Receiue what cheere you may,
The Night is long, that neuer findes the Day.
Exeunt


Actus Quintus. Scena Prima.


Enter a Doctor of Physicke, and a Wayting
Gentlewoman.
2095Doct. I haue too Nights watch'd with you, but can
perceiue no truth in your report. When was it shee last
walk'd?
Gent. Since his Maiesty went into the Field, I haue
seene her rise from her bed, throw her Night-Gown vp-
2100pon her, vnlocke her Closset, take foorth paper, folde it,
write vpon't, read it, afterwards Seale it, and againe re-
turne to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleepe.
Doct. A great perturbation in Nature, to receyue at
once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching.
2105In this slumbry agitation, besides her walking, and other
actuall performances, what (at any time) haue you heard
her say?
Gent. That Sir, which I will not report after her.
Doct. You may to me, and 'tis most meet you should.
2110Gent. Neither to you, nor any one, hauing no witnesse
to confirme my speech.
Enter Lady, with a Taper.
Lo you, heere she comes: This is her very guise, and vp-
on my life fast asleepe: obserue her, stand close.
Doct. How came she by that light?
2115Gent. Why it stood by her: she ha's light by her con-
tinually, 'tis her command.
Doct. You see her eyes are open.
Gent. I but their sense are shut.
Doct. What is it she do's now?
2120Looke how she rubbes her hands.
Gent. It is an accustom'd action with her, to seeme
thus washing her hands: I haue knowne her continue in
this a quarter of an houre.
Lad. Yet heere's a spot.
2125Doct. Heark, she speaks, I will set downe what comes
from her, to satisfie my remembrance the more strongly.
La. Out damned spot: out I say. One: Two: Why
then 'tis time to doo't: Hell is murky. Fye, my Lord, fie,
a Souldier, and affear'd? what need we feare? who knowes
2130it, when none can call our powre to accompt: yet who

would haue thought the olde man to haue had so much
blood in him.
Doct. Do you marke that?
Lad. The Thane of Fife, had a wife: where is she now?
2135What will these hands ne're be cleane? No more o'that
my Lord, no more o'that: you marre all with this star-
ting.
Doct. Go too, go too:
You haue knowne what you should not.
2140Gent. She ha's spoke what shee should not, I am sure
of that: Heauen knowes what she ha's knowne.
La. Heere's the smell of the blood still: all the per-
fumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
Oh, oh, oh.
2145Doct. What a sigh is there? The hart is sorely charg'd.
Gent. I would not haue such a heart in my bosome,
for the dignity of the whole body.
Doct. Well, well, well.
Gent. Pray God it be sir.
2150Doct. This disease is beyond my practise: yet I haue
knowne those which haue walkt in their sleep, who haue
dyed holily in their beds.
Lad. Wash your hands, put on your Night-Gowne,
looke not so pale: I tell you yet againe Banquo's buried;
2155he cannot come out on's graue.
Doct. Euen so?
Lady. To bed, to bed: there's knocking at the gate:
Come, come, come, come, giue me your hand: What's
done, cannot be vndone. To bed, to bed, to bed.
2160
Exit Lady.
Doct. Will she go now to bed?
Gent. Directly.
Doct. Foule whisp'rings are abroad: vnnaturall deeds
Do breed vnnaturall troubles: infected mindes
2165To their deafe pillowes will discharge their Secrets:
More needs she the Diuine, then the Physitian:
God, God forgiue vs all. Looke after her,
Remoue from her the meanes of all annoyance,
And still keepe eyes vpon her: So goodnight,
2170My minde she ha's mated, and amaz'd my sight.
I thinke, but dare not speake.
Gent. Good night good Doctor.
Exeunt.

Scena Secunda.

Drum and Colours. Enter Menteth, Cathnes,
2175Angus, Lenox, Soldiers.

Ment. The English powre is neere, led on by Malcolm,
His Vnkle Seyward, and the good Macduff.
Reuenges burne in them: for their deere causes
Would to the bleeding, and the grim Alarme
2180Excite the mortified man.
Ang. Neere Byrnan wood
Shall we well meet them, that way are they comming.
Cath. Who knowes if Donalbane be with his brother?
Len. For certaine Sir, he is not: I haue a File
2185Of all the Gentry; there is Seywards Sonne,
And many vnruffe youths, that euen now
Protest their first of Manhood.
Ment. What do's the Tyrant.
Cath. Great Dunsinane he strongly Fortifies:
2190Some say hee's mad: Others, that lesser hate him,
Do call it valiant Fury, but for certaine
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