Macbeth 4.1

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Open, locks, whoever knocks! How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! What is’t you do?
A deed without a name 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 against the churches; though the yeasty waves confound and swallow navigation up; though palaces and pyramids do slope their heads to their foundations; though the treasure of nature’s germens tumble all together, even till destruction sicken; answer me to what I ask you.
Say, if thou’dst rather hear it from our mouths, or from our masters? Call ’em; let me see ’em.
Come, high or low; Thyself and office deftly show! Tell me, thou unknown power,–
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough. Whate’er thou art, for they good caution, thanks; Thou hast harp’d my fear aright: but one word more,–
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Had I three ears, I’ld hear thee.
Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. Then live Macduff.But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.What is this that rises like the issue of a king, and wears upon his baby-brow the round and top of sovereignty?
Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him. That will never be who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! Rebellion’s head, rise never till the wood of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom. Yet my heart throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art can tell so much: shall Banquo’s issue ever reign in this kingdom?
Seek to know no more. I will be satisfied: deny me this, and an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know. Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this?
Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; Come like shadows, so depart! Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo: down! Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. And thy hair, thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. A third is like the former. Filthy hags! Why do you show me this? A fourth! What, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom? Another yet! A seventh! I’ll see no more: and yet the eighth appears, who beats a glass which shows me man more; and some I see that two-fold balls and treble scepters carry: Horrible sight! Now, I see, ’tis true; For the blood-bolter’d Banquo smiles upon me, and points at them for his.What, is this so?
Ay, sir, all this is so: but why stands Macbeth thus amazedly? Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, and show the best of our delights: I’ll charm the air to give a sound, while you perform your antic round: That this great kind may kindly say, our duties did his welcome pay. Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour stand aye accursed in the calendar! Come in, without there!
What’s your grace’s will? Saw you the weird sisters?
No, my lord. Came they not by you?
No, indeed, my lord. Infected be the air whereon they ride; And damn’d all those that trust them! I did hear the galloping of horse: who was’t came by?
‘Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word Macduff is fled to England. Fled to England!
Ay, my good lord. Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits: The flighty purpose never is o’ertook unless the deed go with it; from this moment the very firstlings of my hear shall be the firstlings of my hand. The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; this deed I’ll do before this purpose cool. But no more sights!–Where are these gentlemen? Come, bring me where they are.
September 13, 2019