Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Macbeth (1623 First Folio Edition)
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Scene ii
1150: Scena Secunda.
1151: [ Enter Macbeths Lady, and a Seruant.]
1152:
Lady.
Is Banquo gone from Court?
1153:
Seruant.
I, Madame, but returnes againe to Night.
1154:
Lady.
Say to the King, I would attend his leysure,
1155: For a few words.
1156:
Seruant
Madame, I will. [ Exit.]
1157:
Lady.
Nought's had, all's spent.
1158: Where our desire is got without content:
1159: 'Tis safer, to be that which we destroy,
1160: Then by destruction dwell in doubtfull ioy.
1161: [ Enter Macbeth.]
1162: How now, my Lord, why doe you keepe alone?
1163: Of sorryest Fancies your Companions making,
1164: Vsing those Thoughts, which should indeed haue dy'd
1165: With them they thinke on: things without all remedie
1166: Should be without regard: what's done, is done.
1167:
Macb.
We haue scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it:
1168: Shee'le close, and be her selfe, whilest our poore Mallice
1169: Remaines in danger of her former Tooth.
1170: But let the frame of things dis-ioynt,
1171: Both the Worlds suffer,
1172: Ere we will eate our Meale in feare, and sleepe
1173: In the affliction of these terrible Dreames,
1174: That shake vs Nightly: Better be with the dead,
1175: Whom we, to gayne our peace, haue sent to peace,
1176: Then on the torture of the Minde to lye
1177: In restlesse extasie.
1178: Duncane is in his Graue:
1179: After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he sleepes well,
1180: Treason ha's done his worst: nor Steele, nor Poyson,
1181: Mallice domestique, forraine Leuie, nothing,
1182: Can touch him further.
1183:
Lady.
Come on:
1184: Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes,
1185: Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night.
1186:
Macb.
So shall I Loue, and so I pray be you:
1187: Let your remembrance apply to Banquo,
1188: Present him Eminence, both with Eye and Tongue:
1189: Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue
1190: Our Honors in these flattering streames,
1191: And make our Faces Vizards to our Hearts,
1192: Disguising what they are.
1193:
Lady.
You must leaue this.
1194:
Macb.
O, full of Scorpions is my Minde, deare Wife:
1195: Thou know'st, that Banquo and his Fleans liues.
1196:
Lady.
But in them, Natures Coppie's not eterne.
1197:
Macb.
There's comfort yet, they are assaileable,
1198: Then be thou iocund: ere the Bat hath flowne
1199: His Cloyster'd flight, ere to black Heccats summons
1200: The shard-borne Beetle, with his drowsie hums,
1201: Hath rung Nights yawning Peale,
1202: There shall be done a deed of dreadfull note.
1203:
Lady.
What's to be done?
1204:
Macb.
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Chuck,
1205: Till thou applaud the deed: Come, seeling Night,
1206: Skarfe vp the tender Eye of pittifull Day,
1207: And with thy bloodie and inuisible Hand
1208: Cancell and teare to pieces that great Bond,
1209: Which keepes me pale. Light thickens,
1210: And the Crow makes Wing toth' Rookie Wood:
1211: Good things of Day begin to droope, and drowse,
1212: Whiles Nights black Agents to their Prey's doe rowse.
1213: Thou maruell'st at my words: but hold thee still,
1214: Things bad begun, make strong themselues by ill:
1215: So prythee goe with me. [ Exeunt.]