Shakespeare
Jose_sky223
Act1Scene7.docxMACBETH
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
5Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
10To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
15Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
20The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked newborn babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
25That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on th' other.
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Enter LADY MACBETH |
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How now! What news? |
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LADY MACBETH He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber? |
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MACBETH 30Hath he asked for me? |
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LADY MACBETH Know you not he has? |
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MACBETH We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, 35Not cast aside so soon. |
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LADY MACBETH Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard 40To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ” 45Like the poor cat i' th' adage? |
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MACBETH Prithee, peace: I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. |
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LADY MACBETH What beast was ’t, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; 50And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know 55How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this. |
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MACBETH If we should fail? |
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LADY MACBETH We fail? 60But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep— Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince 65That memory, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep Their drenchèd natures lie as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon 70The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? |
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MACBETH Bring forth men-children only, For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, 75When we have marked with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done ’t? |
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LADY MACBETH Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Upon his death? |
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MACBETH I am settled, and bend up 80Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. |
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Exeunt |
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