1071Know, that it was he, in the times past,

1072Which held you so vnder fortune,

1073Which you thought had been our innocent selfe.

1074This I made good to you, in our last conference,

1075Past in probation with you:

1076How you were borne in hand, how crost:

1077The Instruments: who wrought with them:

1078And all things else, that might

1079To halfe a Soule, and to a Notion craz'd,

1080Say, Thus did Banquo.

10811.Murth. You made it knowne to vs.

1082Macb. I did so:

1083And went further, which is now

1084Our point of second meeting.

1085Doe you finde your patience so predominant,

1086In your nature, that you can let this goe?

1087Are you so Gospell'd, to pray for this good man,

1088And for his Issue, whose heauie hand

1089Hath bow'd you to the Graue, and begger'd

1090Yours for euer?

10911.Murth. We are men, my Liege.

1092Macb. I, in the Catalogue ye goe for men,

1093As Hounds, and Greyhounds, Mungrels, Spaniels, Curres,

1094Showghes, Water-Rugs, and Demy-Wolues are clipt

1095All by the Name of Dogges: the valued file

1096Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,

1097The House-keeper, the Hunter, euery one

1098According to the gift, which bounteous Nature

1099Hath in him clos'd: whereby he does receiue

1100Particular addition, from the Bill,

1101That writes them all alike: and so of men.

1102Now, if you haue a station in the file,

1103Not i'th' worst ranke of Manhood, say't,

1104And I will put that Businesse in your Bosomes,

1105Whose execution takes your Enemie off,

1106Grapples you to the heart; and loue of vs,

1107Who weare our Health but sickly in his Life,

1108Which in his Death were perfect.

11092.Murth. I am one, my Liege,

1110Whom the vile Blowes and Buffets of the World

1111Hath so incens'd, that I am recklesse what I doe,

1112To spight the World.

11131.Murth. And I another,

1114So wearie with Disasters, tugg'd with Fortune,

1115That I would set my Life on any Chance,

1116To mend it, or be rid on't.

1117Macb. Both of you know Banquo was your Enemie.

1118Murth. True, my Lord.

1119Macb. So is he mine: and in such bloody distance,

1120That euery minute of his being, thrusts

1121Against my neer'st of Life: and though I could

1122With bare-fac'd power sweepe him from my sight,

1123And bid my will auouch it; yet I must not,

1124For certaine friends that are both his, and mine,

1125Whose loues I may not drop, but wayle his fall,

1126Who I my selfe struck downe: and thence it is,

1127That I to your assistance doe make loue,

1128Masking the Businesse from the common Eye,

1129For sundry weightie Reasons.

11302.Murth. We shall, my Lord,

1131Performe what you command vs.

11321.Murth. Though our Liues--

1133Macb. Your Spirits shine through you.

1134Within this houre, at most,

1135I will aduise you where to plant your selues,

1136Acquaint you with the perfect Spy o'th' time,

1137The moment on't, for't must be done to Night,

1138And something from the Pallace: alwayes thought,

1139That I require a clearenesse; and with him,

1140To leaue no Rubs nor Botches in the Worke:

1141Fleans, his Sonne, that keepes him companie,

1142Whose absence is no lesse materiall to me,

1143Then is his Fathers, must embrace the fate

1144Of that darke houre: resolue your selues apart,

1145Ile come to you anon.

1146Murth. We are resolu'd, my Lord.

1147Macb. Ile call vpon you straight: abide within,

1148It is concluded: Banquo, thy Soules flight,

1149If it finde Heauen, must finde it out to Night. Exeunt.

1152Lady. Is Banquo gone from Court?

1153Seruant. I, Madame, but returnes againe to Night.

1154Lady. Say to the King, I would attend his leysure,

1155For a few words.

1156Seruant. Madame, I will. Exit.

1157Lady. Nought's had, all's spent,

1158Where our desire is got without content:

1159'Tis safer, to be that which we destroy,

1160Then by destruction dwell in doubtfull ioy.

1162How now, my Lord, why doe you keepe alone?

1163Of sorryest Fancies your Companions making,

1164Vsing those Thoughts, which should indeed haue dy'd

1165With them they thinke on: things without all remedie

1166Should be without regard: what's done, is done.

1167Macb. We haue scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it:

1168Shee'le close, and be her selfe, whilest our poore Mallice

1169Remaines in danger of her former Tooth.

1170But let the frame of things dis-ioynt,

1171Both the Worlds suffer,

1172Ere we will eate our Meale in feare, and sleepe

1173In the affliction of these terrible Dreames,

1174That shake vs Nightly: Better be with the dead,

1175Whom we, to gayne our peace, haue sent to peace,

1176Then on the torture of the Minde to lye

1177In restlesse extasie.

1178Duncane is in his Graue:

1179After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he sleepes well,

1180Treason ha's done his worst: nor Steele, nor Poyson,

1181Mallice domestique, forraine Leuie, nothing,

1182Can touch him further.

1183Lady. Come on:

1184Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes,

1185Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night.

1186Macb. So shall I Loue, and so I pray be you:

1187Let your remembrance apply to Banquo,

1188Present him Eminence, both with Eye and Tongue:

1189Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue

1190Our Honors in these flattering streames,

1191And make our Faces Vizards to our Hearts,

1192Disguising what they are.

1193Lady. You must leaue this.

1194Macb. O, full of Scorpions is my Minde, deare Wife:

1195Thou know'st, that Banquo and his Fleans liues.