Page 2126 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Enter First Murderer.

MACBETH
See, they encounter thee with their hearts’ thanks;
Both sides are even. Here I’ll sit i’the midst. [10]
Be large in mirth. Anon we’ll drink a measure
The table round.

He rises and goes to the Murderer.
There’s blood upon thy face!

FIRST MURDERER
’Tis Banquo’s then.

MACBETH
’Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatched?

FIRST MURDERER
My lord, his throat is cut;

That I did for him.

MACBETH
Thou art the best o’the cut-throats.
Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance.
If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil.

FIRST MURDERER

Most royal sir − Fleance is scaped.

MACBETH

Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect, [20]
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air;
But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in

To saucy doubts and fears. − But Banquo’s safe?