Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/58

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
46
The Tragedy of

We will require her welcome.

Lady M. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends;
For my heart speaks they are welcome. 8

Enter First Murderer [to the door].

Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks;
Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst:
Be large in mirth; anon, we'll drink a measure
The table round. [Approaching the door.] There's blood upon thy face. 12

Mur. 'Tis Banquo's, then.

Macb. 'Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatch'd?

Mur. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. 16

Macb. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats; yet he's good
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,
Thou art the nonpareil.

Mur. Most royal sir,
Fleance is 'scap'd. 20

Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect;
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in 24
To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?

Mur. Ay, my good lord; safe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenched gashes on his head;
The least a death to nature.

Macb. Thanks for that. 28

14 thee without: outside thee
19 nonpareil: unequaled one
23 casing: surrounding
25 saucy: insistent
27 trenched: cut