Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Scena Quinta.
    Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting
    1430Hecat.
    1. Why how now Hecat, you looke angerly?
    Hec. Haue I not reason (Beldams) as you are?
    Sawcy, and ouer-bold, how did you dare
    To Trade, and Trafficke with Macbeth,
    1435In Riddles, and Affaires of death;
    And
    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.