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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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
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