Sec. Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, 44
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks.
Enter Macbeth.
Macb. How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! 48
What is 't you do?
All. A deed without a name.
Macb. I conjure you, by that which you profess,—
Howe'er you come to know it,—answer me:
Though you untie the winds and let them fight 52
Against the churches; though the yesty waves
Confound and swallow navigation up;
Though bladed corn be lodg'd and trees blown down;
Though castles topple on their warders' heads;
Though palaces and pyramids do slope 57
Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure
Of Nature's germens tumble all together,
Even till destruction sicken; answer me 60
To what I ask you.
First Witch. Speak.
Sec. Witch. Demand.
Third Witch. We'll answer.
First Witch. Say if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths,
Or from our masters'?
Macb. Call 'em: let me see 'em.
First Witch. Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten 64
Her nine farrow; grease, that's sweaten
50, 51 Cf. n.
53 yesty: foamy
55 bladed corn: grain not yet in the ear
lodg'd: beaten flat
58, 59 treasure . . . germens; cf. n.
65 farrow: young pigs
