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  • Title: Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Anthony Dawson

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-528-5

    Copyright Anthony Dawson. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Anthony Dawson
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)

    The Tragedie of Macbeth. 143
    And I the Mistris of your Charmes,
    The close contriuer of all harmes,
    Was neuer call'd to beare my part,
    Or shew the glory of our Art?
    1440And which is worse, all you haue done
    Hath bene but for a wayward Sonne,
    Spightfull, and wrathfull, who (as others do)
    Loues for his owne ends, not for you.
    But make amends now: Get you gon,
    1445And at the pit of Acheron
    Meete me i'th'Morning: thither he
    Will come, to know his Destinie.
    Your Vessels, and your Spels prouide,
    Your Charmes, and euery thing beside;
    1450I am for th'Ayre: This night Ile spend
    Vnto a dismall, and a Fatall end.
    Great businesse must be wrought ere Noone.
    Vpon the Corner of the Moone
    There hangs a vap'rous drop, profound,
    1455Ile catch it ere it come to ground;
    And that distill'd by Magicke slights,
    Shall raise such Artificiall Sprights,
    As by the strength of their illusion,
    Shall draw him on to his Confusion.
    1460He shall spurne Fate, scorne Death, and beare
    His hopes 'boue Wisedome, Grace, and Feare:
    And you all know, Security
    Is Mortals cheefest Enemie.
    Musicke, and a Song.
    1465Hearke, I am call'd: my little Spirit see
    Sits in a Foggy cloud, and stayes for me.
    Sing within. Come away, come away, &c.
    1 Come, let's make hast, shee'l soone be
    Backe againe. Exeunt.


    1470 Scaena Sexta.


    Enter Lenox, and another Lord.

    Lenox. My former Speeches,
    Haue but hit your Thoughts
    Which can interpret farther: Onely I say
    1475Things haue bin strangely borne. The gracious Duncan
    Was pittied of Macbeth: marry he was dead:
    And the right valiant Banquo walk'd too late,
    Whom you may say (if't please you) Fleans kill'd,
    For Fleans fled: Men must not walke too late.
    1480Who cannot want the thought, how monstrous
    It was for Malcolme, and for Donalbane
    To kill their gracious Father? Damned Fact,
    How it did greeue Macbeth? Did he not straight
    In pious rage, the two delinquents teare,
    1485That were the Slaues of drinke, and thralles of sleepe?
    Was not that Nobly done? I, and wisely too:
    For 'twould haue anger'd any heart aliue
    To heare the men deny't. So that I say,
    He ha's borne all things well, and I do thinke,
    1490That had he Duncans Sonnes vnder his Key,
    (As, and't please Heauen he shall not) they should finde
    What 'twere to kill a Father: So should Fleans.
    But peace; for from broad words, and cause he fayl'd
    His presence at the Tyrants Feast, I heare
    1495Macduffe liues in disgrace. Sir, can you tell

    Where he bestowes himselfe?
    Lord. The Sonnes of Duncane
    (From whom this Tyrant holds the due of Birth)
    Liues in the English Court, and is receyu'd
    1500Of the most Pious Edward, with such grace,
    That the maleuolence of Fortune, nothing
    Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduffe
    Is gone, to pray the Holy King, vpon his ayd
    To wake Northumberland, and warlike Seyward,
    1505That by the helpe of these (with him aboue)
    To ratifie the Worke) we may againe
    Giue to our Tables meate, sleepe to our Nights:
    Free from our Feasts, and Banquets bloody kniues;
    Do faithfull Homage, and receiue free Honors,
    1510All which we pine for now. And this report
    Hath so exasperate their King, that hee
    Prepares for some attempt of Warre.
    Len. Sent he to Macduffe?
    Lord. He did: and with an absolute Sir, not I
    1515The clowdy Messenger turnes me his backe,
    And hums; as who should say, you'l rue the time
    That clogges me with this Answer.
    Lenox. And that well might
    Aduise him to a Caution, t hold what distance
    1520His wisedome can prouide. Some holy Angell
    Flye to the Court of England, and vnfold
    His Message ere he come, that a swift blessing
    May soone returne to this our suffering Country,
    Vnder a hand accurs'd.
    1525Lord. Ile send my Prayers with him. Exeunt


    Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.


    Thunder. Enter the three Witches.

    1 Thrice the brinded Cat hath mew'd.
    2 Thrice, and once the Hedge-Pigge whin'd.
    15303 Harpier cries, 'tis time, 'tis time.
    1 Round about the Caldron go:
    In the poysond Entrailes throw
    Toad, that vnder cold stone,
    Dayes and Nights, ha's thirty one:
    1535Sweltred Venom sleeping got,
    Boyle thou first i'th'charmed pot.
    All. Double, double, toile and trouble;
    Fire burne, and Cauldron bubble.
    2 Fillet of a Fenny Snake,
    1540In the Cauldron boyle and bake:
    Eye of Newt, and Toe of Frogge,
    Wooll of Bat, and Tongue of Dogge:
    Adders Forke, and Blinde-wormes Sting,
    Lizards legge, and Howlets wing:
    1545For a Charme of powrefull trouble,
    Like a Hell-broth, boyle and bubble.
    All. Double, double, toyle and trouble,
    Fire burne, and Cauldron bubble.
    3 Scale of Dragon, Tooth of Wolfe,
    1550Witches Mummey, Maw, and Gulfe
    Of the rauin'd salt Sea sharke:
    Roote of Hemlocke, digg'd i'th'darke:
    Liuer of Blaspheming Iew,
    Gall of Goate, and Slippes of Yew,
    1555Sliuer'd in the Moones Ecclipse:
    Nose
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