Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange;
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
126 In deepest consequence.-
127 Cousins, a word, I pray you.
MACBETH [Aside] Two truths are told, 128 As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme.-I thank you, gentlemen.-[Aside]
130 This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success
Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
136 And make my seated heart knock at my ribs 137 Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings:
139 My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, 140 Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smothered in surmise and nothing is
But what is not.
BANQUO Look how our partner's rapt.
MACBETH [Aside]
If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir.
BANQUO New honors come upon him,
Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold145
But with the aid of use.
MACBETH [Aside] Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.147
BANQUO
Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.
MACBETH
Give me your favor. My dull brain was wrought149
With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains150
Are registered where every day I turn
The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king.
[Aside to Banquo]