Page 2117 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown [60]
And put a barren sceptre in my grip,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If it be so,

For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind,
For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace,
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel

Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list [70]
And champion me to the utterance! Who’s there?

Enter Servant and two Murderers.
Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.
Exit Servant.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

MURDERERS
It was, so please your highness.

MACBETH
Well then now,

Have you considered of my speeches? Know
That it was he in the times past which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been

Our innocent self. This I made good to you
In our last conference; passed in probation with you
How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the instruments, [80]
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
To half a sould and to a notion crazed

Say, ‘Thus did Banquo.’

FIRST MURDERER
You made it known to us.

MACBETH
I did so; and went further, which is now