On which I must fall down or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;50
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be52
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Exit.
KING DUNCAN
True, worthy Banquo: he is full so valiant,
And in his commendations I am fed;
It is a banquet to me. Let's after him,
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.
It is a peerless kinsman.
Flourish. Exeunt.
I.5Enter Macbeth's Wife, alone, with a letter.
LADY MACBETH[Reads.] "They met me in the day of 2 success; and I have learned by the perfect'st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I 6 stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed me Thane of Cawdor, by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time with 'Hail, king that shalt 10 be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou might'st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell."
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be
What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature.
It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness
17 To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without
19 The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, 20 That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'dst have, great Glamis, That which cries "Thus thou must do" if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valor of my tongue
All that imped
es thee from the golden round27
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem28
To have thee crowned withal.
Enter Messenger.29 What is your tidings?
MESSENGER
The king comes here tonight.30