Page 2121 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Naught’s had, all’s spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died [10]
With them they think on? Things without all remedy

Should be without regard; what’s done is done.

MACBETH
We have scorched the snake, not killed it;
She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.

But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly; better be with the dead

Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, [20]
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;
After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well;

Treason has done his worst. Nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
Can touch him further.

LADY
Come on,
Gentle my lord, sleek o’er your rugged looks,

Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.

MACBETH
So shall I, love; and so I pray be you.
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo, [30]
Present him eminence both with eye and tongue.

Unsafe the while that we