Page 2092 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

To prick the sides of my intent but only
Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself
And falls on the other.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

How now? What news?

LADY

He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me?

LADY
Know you not he has? [30]

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business.
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people

Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.

LADY
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?

And wakes it now to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour [40]

As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would’,

Like the poor cat i’the adage?

MACBETH