Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/71

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Macbeth, IV. i.
59

Thunder. Third Apparition, a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand.

What is this,
That rises like the issue of a king,
And wears upon his baby brow the round 88
And top of sovereignty?

All. Listen, but speak not to 't.

Third App. Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:
Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until 92
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
Shall come against him. Descends.

Macb. That will never be:
Who can impress the forest, bid the tree
Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good! 96
Rebellious dead, rise never till the wood
Of Birnam rise, and our high-plac'd Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath
To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart 100
Throbs to know one thing: tell me—if your art
Can tell so much,—shall Banquo's issue ever
Reign in this kingdom?

All. Seek to know no more.

Macb. I will be satisfied: deny me this, 104
And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know.
Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this?

Hautboys.

First Witch. Show!

Sec. Witch. Show! 108

Third Witch. Show!


95 impress: force into military service
96 bodements: predictions
97 Rebellious dead; cf. n.