SONG. Black spirits and white, You that mingle may. 2 Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:Open, locks, whoever knocks. Enter Macbeth. Macb. How now, you secret, black, and midnight bags? 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), auswer me : Though you untie the winds, and let them fight Against the churches; though the yesty* waves Confound and swallow navigation up; Though bladed corn be lodg'dt, and trees blown down; Though castles topple on their warders' heads; Their heads to their foundations; though the trea sure Of nature's germins § tumble all together, To what I ask you. 1 Witch. Say, if thoud'st rather hear it from our mouths, Or from our masters'? Macb. Call them, let me see them. 1 Witch. Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten Her nine farrow; grease, that's sweaten From the murderer's gibbet, throw Into the flame. All. Come, high, or low; Thyself, and office, deftly* show. Thunder. An Apparition of an armed Head rises. Macb. Tell me, thou unknown power,——— 1 Witch. He knows thy thought; Hear his speech, but say thou nought. App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife.Dismiss me :-Enough. [Descends. Macb. Whate'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks; Thou hast harp'dt my fear aright:-But one word more : 1 Witch. He will not be commanded: Here's another, - More potent than the first. Thunder. An Apparition of a bloody Child rises. App. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Macb. Had I three ears, I'd hear thee. App. Be bloody, hold, And resolute: laugh to scorn the power of man, For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. * Adroitly. [Descends. + Touched on a passion as a harper touches a string. Macb. Then live, Macduff; What need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; Thunder. An Apparition of a Child crowned, with a Tree in his Hand, rises. That rises like the issue of a king; And wears upon his baby brow the round All. Listen, but speak not. App. 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. Macb. [Descends. That will never be; Who can impress the forest+; bid the tree Unfix his earth-bound root? sweet bodements! good! Of Birnam rise, and our high-plac'd Macbeth All. Seek to know no more. Macb. 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? [Hautboys. The round is that part of a crown which encircles the head: the top is the ornament which rises above it. + Who can command the forest to serve him like a soldier impressed? + Musick. 1 Witch. Show! 2 Witch. Show! 3 Witch. Show! All. Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; Come like shadows, so depart. Eight Kings appear, and pass over the Stage in order; the last with a Glass in his Hand; Banquo following. Macb. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo; down! Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls:-And thy hair, Why do you show me this?-A fourth-Start, eyes! What! will the line stretch out to the crack of doom* ? Another yet?A seventh-I'll see no more:- I'll charm the air to give a sound, While you perform your antique round: That this great king may kindly say, Our duties did his welcome pay. [Musick. The Witches dance, and vanish. Macb. Where are they? Gone?-Let this perni cious hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar! Come in, without there! The dissolution of nature. + Besmeared with blood. ti. e. Spirits. No, indeed, my lord. Macb. 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? Len. 'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word, Macduff is fled to England. Macb. Len. Ay, my good lord. Fled to England? Mucb. Time, thou anticipat'st* my dread exploits: The flighty purpose never is o'ertook, Unless the deed go with it: From this moment, The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o'the sword * Preventest, by taking away the opportunity. + Follow. |