Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Anthony Dawson
Not Peer Reviewed

Modern (Modern)

Enter three Murderers.
1 Murderer
But who did bid thee join with us?
3 Murderer
Macbeth.
12202 Murderer
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.
1 Murderer
Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
1225Now spurs the lated traveler apace
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
The subject of our watch.
3 Murderer
Hark, I hear horses.
Banquo
(Within) Give us a light there, ho!
12302 Murderer
Then 'tis he.
The rest that are within the note of expectation
Already are i'th' court.
1 Murderer
His horses go about.
3 Murderer
Almost a mile; but he does usually,
1235So all men do, from hence to th'palace gate
Make it their walk.
Enter Banquo and Fleance with a torch.
2 Murderer
A light, a light.
3 Murderer
'Tis he.
12401 Murderer
Stand to't.
Banquo
It will be rain tonight.
1 Murderer
Let it come down.
[The Murderers attack Banquo. 1 Murderer strikes out the light.]
Banquo
Oh, treachery!
Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
1245Thou mayst revenge--O slave!
[He dies. Fleance escapes.]
3 Murderer
Who did strike out the light?
1 Murderer
Was't not the way?
3 Murderer
There's but one down; the son is fled.
2 Murderer
We have lost 1250best half of our affair.
1 Murderer
Well, let's away, and say how much is done.
Exeunt[, with Banquo's body].