Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/50

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38
The Tragedy of

Till supper-time alone; while then, God be with you!
Exeunt [all but Macbeth and a Servant].
Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men 45
Our pleasure?

Serv. They are, my lord, without the palace gate.

Macb. Bring them before us. Exit Servant.
To be thus is nothing; 48
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares,
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, 52
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear; and under him
My genius is rebuk'd, as it is said 56
Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him; then, prophet-like,
They hail'd him father to a line of kings. 60
Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so, 64
For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel 68
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list,

44 while then: till then
God be with you: i.e., good-bye
56 genius: guardian angel
rebuk'd: overawed
61 Fruitless: childless
65 fil'd: defiled
67 rancours: bitternesses
68 eternal jewel: soul
71 list: lists, tilting ground