The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: mm4v - Tragedies, p. 140

Left Column


The Tragedie of Macbeth. Know, that it was he, in the times past,
[1010]
Which held you so vnder fortune, Which you thought had been our innocent selfe. This I made good to you, in our last conference, Past in probation with you: How you were borne in hand, how crost:
[1015]
The Instruments: who wrought with them: And all things else, that might To halfe a Soule, and to a Notion craz'd, Say, Thus did Banquo.
1. Murth. You made it knowne to vs. Macb.
[1020]
I did so: And went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Doe you finde your patience so predominant, In your nature, that you can let this goe?
[1025]
Are you so Gospell'd, to pray for this good man, And for his Issue, whose heauie hand Hath bow'd you to the Graue, and begger'd Yours for euer?
1. Murth. We are men, my Liege. Macb.
[1030]
I, in the Catalogue ye goe for men, As Hounds, and Greyhounds, Mungrels, Spaniels, Curres, Showghes, Water‑Rugs, and Demy‑Wolues are clipt All by the Name of Dogges: the valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
[1035]
The House‑keeper, the Hunter, euery one According to the gift, which bounteous Nature Hath in him clos'd: whereby he does receiue Particular addition, from the Bill, That writes them all alike: and so of men.
[1040]
Now, if you haue a station in the file, Not i'th'worst ranke of Manhood, say't, And I will put that Businesse in your Bosomes, Whose execution takes your Enemie off, Grapples you to the heart; and loue of vs,
[1045]
Who weare our Health but sickly in his Life, Which in his Death were perfect.
2. Murth. I am one, my Liege, Whom the vile Blowes and Buffets of the World Hath so incens'd, that I am recklesse what I doe,
[1050]
To spight the World.
1. Murth. And I another, So wearie with Disasters, tugg'd with Fortune, That I would set my Life on any Chance, To mend it, or be rid on't. Macb.
[1055]
Both of you know Banquo was your Enemie.
Murth. True, my Lord. Macb. So is he mine: and in such bloody distance, That euery minute of his being, thrusts Against my neer'st of Life: and though I could
[1060]
With bare‑fac'd power sweepe him from my sight, And bid my will auouch it; yet I must not, For certaine friends that are both his, and mine, Whose loues I may not drop, but wayle his fall, Who I my selfe struck downe: and thence it is,
[1065]
That I to your assistance doe make loue, Masking the Businesse from the common Eye, For sundry weightie Reasons.
2. Murth We shall, my Lord, Performe what you command vs. 1. Murth.
[1070]
Though our Liues‑‑
Macb. Your Spirits shine through you. Within this houre, at most, I will aduise you where to plant your selues, Acquaint you with the perfect Spy o'th'time,

Right Column


[1075]
The moment on't, for't must be done to Night, And something from the Pallace: alwayes thought, That I require a clearenesse; and with him, To leaue no Rubs nor Botches in the Worke: Fleans, his Sonne, that keepes him companie,
[1080]
Whose absence is no lesse materiall to me, Then is his Fathers, must embrace the fate Of that darke houre: resolue your selues apart, Ile come to you anon.
Murth. We are resolu'd, my Lord. Macb.
[1085]
Ile call vpon you straight: abide within, It is concluded: Banquo, thy Soules flight, If it finde Heauen, must finde it out to Night.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda. [Act 3, Scene 2] Enter Macbeths Lady, and a Seruant. Lady. Is Banquo gone from Court? Seruant. I, Madame, but returnes againe to Night. Lady.
[1090]
Say to the King, I would attend his leysure, For a few words.
Seruant. Madame, I will. Exit. Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content:
[1095]
'Tis safer, to be that which we destroy, Then by destruction dwell in doubtfull ioy. Enter Macbeth. How now, my Lord, why doe you keepe alone ? Of sorryest Fancies your Companions making, Vsing those Thoughts, which should indeed haue dy'd
[1100]
With them they thinke on: things without all remedie Should be without regard: what's done, is done.
Macb. We haue scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it: Shee'le close, and be her selfe, whilest our poore Mallice Remaines in danger of her former Tooth.
[1105]
But let the frame of things dis‑ioynt, Both the Worlds suffer, Ere we will eate our Meale in feare, and sleepe In the affliction of these terrible Dreames, That shake vs Nightly: Better be with the dead,
[1110]
Whom we, to gayne our peace, haue sent to peace, Then on the torture of the Minde to lye In restlesse extasie. Duncane is in his Graue: After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he sleepes well,
[1115]
Treason ha's done his worst: nor Steele, nor Poyson, Mallice domestique, forraine Leuie, nothing, Can touch him further.
Lady. Come on: Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes,
[1120]
Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night.
Macb. So shall I Loue, and so I pray be you: Let your remembrance apply to Banquo, Present him Eminence, both with Eye and Tongue: Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue
[1125]
Our Honors in these flattering streames, And make our Faces Vizards to our Hearts, Disguising what they are.
Lady. You must leaue this. Macb. O, full of Scorpions is my Minde, deare Wife:
[1130]
Thou know'st, that Banquo and his Fleans liues.
Lady. But

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Scena Secunda. [Act 3, Scene 2] Enter Macbeths Lady, and a Seruant. Lady. Is Banquo gone from Court? Seruant. I, Madame, but returnes againe to Night. Lady.
[1090]
Say to the King, I would attend his leysure, For a few words.
Seruant. Madame, I will. Exit. Lady. Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content:
[1095]
'Tis safer, to be that which we destroy, Then by destruction dwell in doubtfull ioy. Enter Macbeth. How now, my Lord, why doe you keepe alone ? Of sorryest Fancies your Companions making, Vsing those Thoughts, which should indeed haue dy'd
[1100]
With them they thinke on: things without all remedie Should be without regard: what's done, is done.
Macb. We haue scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it: Shee'le close, and be her selfe, whilest our poore Mallice Remaines in danger of her former Tooth.
[1105]
But let the frame of things dis‑ioynt, Both the Worlds suffer, Ere we will eate our Meale in feare, and sleepe In the affliction of these terrible Dreames, That shake vs Nightly: Better be with the dead,
[1110]
Whom we, to gayne our peace, haue sent to peace, Then on the torture of the Minde to lye In restlesse extasie. Duncane is in his Graue: After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he sleepes well,
[1115]
Treason ha's done his worst: nor Steele, nor Poyson, Mallice domestique, forraine Leuie, nothing, Can touch him further.
Lady. Come on: Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes,
[1120]
Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night.
Macb. So shall I Loue, and so I pray be you: Let your remembrance apply to Banquo, Present him Eminence, both with Eye and Tongue: Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue
[1125]
Our Honors in these flattering streames, And make our Faces Vizards to our Hearts, Disguising what they are.
Lady. You must leaue this. Macb. O, full of Scorpions is my Minde, deare Wife:
[1130]
Thou know'st, that Banquo and his Fleans liues.
Lady. But in them, Natures Coppie's not eterne. Macb. There's comfort yet, they are assaileable, Then be thou iocund: ere the Bat hath flowne His Cloyster'd flight, ere to black Heccats summons
[1135]
The shard‑borne Beetle, with his drowsie hums, Hath rung Nights yawning Peale, There shall be done a deed of dreadfull note.
Lady. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Chuck,
[1140]
Till thou applaud the deed: Come, seeling Night, Skarfe vp the tender Eye of pittifull Day, And with thy bloodie and inuisible Hand Cancell and teare to pieces that great Bond, Which keepes me pale. Light thickens,
[1145]
And the Crow makes Wing toth'Rookie Wood: Good things of Day begin to droope, and drowse, Whiles Nights black Agents to their Prey's doe rowse. Thou maruell'st at my words: but hold thee still, Things bad begun, make strong themselues by ill:
[1150]
So prythee goe with me.
Exeunt.
 

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<div type="scene" n="2">
   <head rend="italic center">Scena Secunda.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 2]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Macbeths Lady, and a Seruant.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1088">Is<hi rend="italic">Banquo</hi>gone from Court?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-ser">
      <speaker rend="italic">Seruant.</speaker>
      <l n="1089">I, Madame, but returnes againe to Night.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1090">Say to the King, I would attend his leysure,</l>
      <l n="1091">For a few words.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-ser">
      <speaker rend="italic">Seruant.</speaker>
      <l n="1092">Madame, I will.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1093">Nought's had, all's spent,</l>
      <l n="1094">Where our desire is got without content:</l>
      <l n="1095">'Tis safer, to be that which we destroy,</l>
      <l n="1096">Then by destruction dwell in doubtfull ioy.</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Macbeth.</stage>
      <l n="1097">How now, my Lord, why doe you keepe alone<c rend="italic">?</c>
      </l>
      <l n="1098">Of sorryest Fancies your Companions making,</l>
      <l n="1099">Vsing those Thoughts, which should indeed haue dy'd</l>
      <l n="1100">With them they thinke on: things without all remedie</l>
      <l n="1101">Should be without regard: what's done, is done.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-mcb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Macb.</speaker>
      <l n="1102">We haue scorch'd the Snake, not kill'd it:</l>
      <l n="1103">Shee'le close, and be her selfe, whilest our poore Mallice</l>
      <l n="1104">Remaines in danger of her former Tooth.</l>
      <l n="1105">But let the frame of things dis‑ioynt,</l>
      <l n="1106">Both the Worlds suffer,</l>
      <l n="1107">Ere we will eate our Meale in feare, and sleepe</l>
      <l n="1108">In the affliction of these terrible Dreames,</l>
      <l n="1109">That shake vs Nightly: Better be with the dead,</l>
      <l n="1110">Whom we, to gayne our peace, haue sent to peace,</l>
      <l n="1111">Then on the torture of the Minde to lye</l>
      <l n="1112">In restlesse extasie.</l>
      <l n="1113">
         <hi rend="italic">Duncane</hi>is in his Graue:</l>
      <l n="1114">After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he sleepes well,</l>
      <l n="1115">Treason ha's done his worst: nor Steele, nor Poyson,</l>
      <l n="1116">Mallice domestique, forraine Leuie, nothing,</l>
      <l n="1117">Can touch him further.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1118">Come on:</l>
      <l n="1119">Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes,</l>
      <l n="1120">Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-mcb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Macb.</speaker>
      <l n="1121">So shall I Loue, and so I pray be you:</l>
      <l n="1122">Let your remembrance apply to<hi rend="italic">Banquo</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1123">Present him Eminence, both with Eye and Tongue:</l>
      <l n="1124">Vnsafe the while, that wee must laue</l>
      <l n="1125">Our Honors in these flattering streames,</l>
      <l n="1126">And make our Faces Vizards to our Hearts,</l>
      <l n="1127">Disguising what they are.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1128">You must leaue this.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-mcb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Macb.</speaker>
      <l n="1129">O, full of Scorpions is my Minde, deare Wife:</l>
      <l n="1130">Thou know'st, that<hi rend="italic">Banquo</hi>and his<hi rend="italic">Fleans</hi>liues.</l>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0751-0.jpg" n="141"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1131">But in them, Natures Coppie's not eterne.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-mcb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Macb.</speaker>
      <l n="1132">There's comfort yet, they are assaileable,</l>
      <l n="1133">Then be thou iocund: ere the Bat hath flowne</l>
      <l n="1134">His Cloyster'd flight, ere to black<hi rend="italic">Heccats</hi>summons</l>
      <l n="1135">The shard‑borne Beetle, with his drowsie hums,</l>
      <l n="1136">Hath rung Nights yawning Peale,</l>
      <l n="1137">There shall be done a deed of dreadfull note.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-lam">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lady.</speaker>
      <l n="1138">What's to be done?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mac-mcb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Macb.</speaker>
      <l n="1139">Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Chuck,</l>
      <l n="1140">Till thou applaud the deed: Come, seeling Night,</l>
      <l n="1141">Skarfe vp the tender Eye of pittifull Day,</l>
      <l n="1142">And with thy bloodie and inuisible Hand</l>
      <l n="1143">Cancell and teare to pieces that great Bond,</l>
      <l n="1144">Which keepes me pale. Light thickens,</l>
      <l n="1145">And the Crow makes Wing toth'Rookie Wood:</l>
      <l n="1146">Good things of Day begin to droope, and drowse,</l>
      <l n="1147">Whiles Nights black Agents to their Prey's doe rowse.</l>
      <l n="1148">Thou maruell'st at my words: but hold thee still,</l>
      <l n="1149">Things bad begun, make strong themselues by ill:</l>
      <l n="1150">So prythee goe with me.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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