Mac. Ride you this afternoon? Ban. Ay, my good lord. Mac. We should have else desir'd your good advice (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,) In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. Is't far you ride? Ban. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night, For a dark hour, or twain. Mac. Ban. My lord, I will not. Fail not our feast. Mac. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England, and in Ireland; not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention: But of that to-morrow; When, therewithal, we shall have cause of state, Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: Adieu, Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? Ban. Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon us. Mac. I wish your horses swift, and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewel. Let every man be master of his time [Exit Banquo. Till seven at night; to make society Sirrah, a word: Attend those men our pleasure? Atten. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Mac. Bring them before us.-[Exit Atten.] To be thus, is nothing; But to be safely thus:-Our fears in Banquo Reigns that, which would be fear'd: 'Tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! And champion me to the utterance!--Who's there? Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. Now to the door, and stay there till we call. [Exit Attendant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? Well then, now you, How you were borne in hand; how cross'd; the instruments; Who wrought with them; and all things else, that might, To half a soul, and to a notion craz'd, Say, Thus did Banquo. 1 Mur. You made it known to us. Mac. I did so; and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature, That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd, Το pray for this good man, and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave, And beggar'd yours for ever? 1 Mur. We are men, my liege. Mac. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; As hounds, and greyhounds, mungrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are cleped All by the name of dogs: the valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, According to the gift which bounteous nature That writes them all alike: and so of men. And not in the worst rank of manhood, say it; 2 Mur. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world. Have so incens'd, that I am reckless what I do, to spite the world. 1 Mur. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, To mend it, or be rid on't. Mac. Both of you Know, Banquo was your enemy. 2 Mur. True, my lord. Mac. So is he mine: and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life: And though I could With bare-fac'd power sweep him from my sight, And bid my will avouch it; yet I must not, For certain friends that are both his and mine, Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Whom I myself struck down: and thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love; Masking the business from the common eye, 2 Mur. We shall, my lord, Though our lives Perform what you command us. 1 Mur. Mac. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour, at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves. Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father's, must embrace the fate I'll come to you anon. Mur. We are resolv'd, my lord. Mac. I'll call upon you straight; abide within. It is concluded:--Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. SCENE II. THE SAME. ANOTHER ROOM. [Exeunt. Enter Lady Macbeth, and a Servant. Lady M. Is Banquo gone from court? Sero. Ay, madam; but returns again to-night. |