Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Anthony Dawson
Not Peer Reviewed

Modern (Modern)

Enter [Lady Macbeth] and a Servant.
Lady Macbeth
Is Banquo gone from court?
Servant
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
Lady Macbeth
Say to the King I would attend his leisure
1155For a few words.
Servant
Madam, I will.
Exit.
Lady Macbeth
Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
1160Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord, why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
1165With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard: what's done is done.
Macbeth
We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
1170But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
1175Whom we to gain our peace have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.
1180Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,
Can touch him further.
Lady Macbeth
Come on, gentle my lord,
Sleek o'er your rugged looks, 1185be bright and jovial
Among your guests tonight.
Macbeth
So shall I, love,
And so I pray be you. Let your remembrance
Apply to Banquo, present him eminence
Both with eye and tongue. Unsafe the while, that we
Must lave 1190our honors in these flattering streams
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
Lady Macbeth
You must leave this.
Macbeth
Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife.
1195Thou knowst that Banquo and his Fleance lives.
Lady Macbeth
But in them nature's copy's not eterne.
Macbeth
There's comfort yet--they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate's summons
1200The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
Lady Macbeth
What's to be done?
Macbeth
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
1205Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale. Light thickens,
1210And the crow makes wing to th'rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvel'st at my words, but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
1215So prithee go with me.
Exeunt.