Lady Macbeth confesses that gaining the crown has not brought contentment. Macbeth reveals his fear of Banquo and Fleance but withholds the details of his plan from his wife. Macbeth invokes darkness to hide the violent deed he has arranged.
SCENE III. The same. A Park or Lawn, with a gate leading to the Palace.
Enter three Murderers.
FIRST MURDERER
But who did bid thee join with us?
THIRD MURDERER
Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER
He needs not our mistrust; since he deliversOur offices and what we have to doTo the direction just.
FIRST MURDERER
Then stand with us.The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.Now spurs the latedBelated or overtaken by night. traveller apace,To gain the timely inn; and near approachesThe subject of our watch.
THIRD MURDERER
Hark! I hear horses.
BANQUO
Give us a light there, ho!
SECOND MURDERER
Then ’tis he; the restThat are within the note of expectationAlready are i’ th’ court.
FIRST MURDERER
His horses go about.
THIRD MURDERER
Almost a mile; but he does usually,So all men do, from hence to the palace gateMake it their walk.
Enter Banquo and Fleance with a torch.
SECOND MURDERER
A light, a light!
THIRD MURDERER
’Tis he.
FIRST MURDERER
Stand to’t.
BANQUO
It will be rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER
Let it come down.
Assaults Banquo.
BANQUO
O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!Thou mayst revenge—O slave!
Dies. Fleance escapes.
THIRD MURDERER
Who did strike out the light?
FIRST MURDERER
Was’t not the way?
THIRD MURDERER
There’s but one down: the son is fled.
SECOND MURDERER
We have lost best half of our affair.
FIRST MURDERER
Well, let’s away, and say how much is done.
Exeunta stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage..