And champion me to the utterance! Who's there? 72
Enter Servant, and two Murderers.
Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. Exit Servant.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
Murderers. It was, so please your highness.
Macb. Well then, now
Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know 76
That it was he in the times past which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self. This I made good to you
In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you 80
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.'
First Mur. You made it known to us. 84
Macb. 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
To pray for this good man and for his issue, 89
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave
And beggar'd yours for ever?
First Mur. We are men, my liege.
Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; 92
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,
72 champion: challenge
utterance: finish (i.e., death)
78 under fortune: in distress
80 pass'd in probation: I reviewed in argument
81 borne in hand: deluded with false hopes
83 notion: understanding
88 gospell'd: full of Christian spirit
92–101 Cf. n.
