Banquo admits troubling thoughts about the witches, while Macbeth falsely claims not to think of them. Macbeth sees an imaginary dagger leading him toward Duncan's chamber. A bell signals that the preparations are complete, and Macbeth goes to kill Duncan.
SCENE II. The same.
Enter Lady Macbeth.
LADY MACBETH
That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold:What hath quench’d them hath given me fire.—Hark!—Peace!It was the owl that shriek’d, the fatal bellman,Which gives the stern’st good night. He is about it.The doors are open; and the surfeited groomsDo mock their charge with snores: I have drugg’d their possetsA hot drink of milk curdled with wine or ale, often sweetened and spiced.,That death and nature do contend about them,Whether they live or die.
MACBETH
Who’s there?—what, ho!
LADY MACBETH
Alack! I am afraid they have awak’d,And ’tis not done. Th’ attempt and not the deedConfounds us.—Hark!—I laid their daggers ready;He could not miss ’em.—Had he not resembledMy father as he slept, I had done’t.—My husband!
Enter Macbeth.
MACBETH
I have done the deed.—Didst thou not hear a noise?
LADY MACBETH
I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.Did not you speak?
MACBETH
When?
LADY MACBETH
Now.
MACBETH
As I descended?
LADY MACBETH
Ay.
MACBETH
Hark!—Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?
LADY MACBETH
DonalbainKing Duncan’s younger son and Malcolm’s brother..
MACBETH
This is a sorry sight.
Looking on his hands.
LADY MACBETH
A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
MACBETH
There’s one did laugh in’s sleep, and one cried, “Murder!”That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them.But they did say their prayers, and address’d themAgain to sleep.
LADY MACBETH
There are two lodg’d together.
MACBETH
One cried, “God bless us!” and, “Amen,” the other,As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands.List’ning their fear, I could not say “Amen,”When they did say, “God bless us.”
LADY MACBETH
Consider it not so deeply.
MACBETH
But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?I had most need of blessing, and “Amen”Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH
These deeds must not be thoughtAfter these ways; so, it will make us mad.
MACBETH
Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!Macbeth does murder sleep,”—the innocent sleep;Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleaveloose, soft, or tangled silk thread. of care,The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
LADY MACBETH
What do you mean?
MACBETH
Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house:“GlamisGlamis, a Scottish thanedom whose title is held by Macbeth at the beginning of the play. hath murder’d sleep, and therefore CawdorShall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more!”
LADY MACBETH
Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,You do unbend your noble strength to thinkSo brainsickly of things. Go get some water,And wash this filthy witness from your hand.—Why did you bring these daggers from the place?They must lie there: go carry them, and smearThe sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH
I’ll go no more:I am afraid to think what I have done;Look on’t again I dare not.
LADY MACBETH
Infirm of purpose!Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the deadAre but as pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhoodThat fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal,For it must seem their guilt.
Exit. Knocking within.
MACBETH
Whence is that knocking?How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?What hands are here? Ha, they pluck out mine eyes!Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand? No, this my hand will ratherThe multitudinous seas incarnadineto dye or stain blood-red.,Making the green one red.
Enter Lady Macbeth.
LADY MACBETH
My hands are of your color, but I shameTo wear a heart so white. I hear knockingAt the south entry:—retire we to our chamber.A little water clears us of this deed:How easy is it then! Your constancyHath left you unattended.— Hark, more knocking.Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call usAnd show us to be watchers. Be not lostSo poorly in your thoughts.
MACBETH
To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself.Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!
Exeunta stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage..