A murderer informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance escaped. Banquo's ghost occupies Macbeth's seat, provoking terrified outbursts visible only to him. Lady Macbeth dismisses the guests as the banquet collapses, and Macbeth resolves to consult the witches again.
SCENE V. The heath.
Thunder. Enter the three Witches meeting Hecate.
FIRST WITCH
Why, how now, Hecate? you look angerly.
HECATE
Have I not reason, beldams as you are,Saucy and overbold? How did you dareTo trade and traffic with MacbethIn riddles and affairs of death;And I, the mistress of your charms,The close contriver of all harms,Was never call’d to bear my part,Or show the glory of our art?And, which is worse, all you have doneHath been but for a wayward son,Spiteful and wrathful; who, as others do,Loves for his own ends, not for you.But make amends now: get you gone,And at the pit of AcheronA river of the classical underworld, invoked here as a place of infernal magic.Meet me i’ th’ morning: thither heWill come to know his destiny.Your vessels and your spells provide,Your charms, and everything beside.I am for th’ air; this night I’ll spendUnto a dismal and a fatal end.Great business must be wrought ere noon.Upon the corner of the moonThere hangs a vap’rous drop profound;I’ll catch it ere it come to ground:And that, distill’d by magic sleights,Shall raise such artificial sprites,As, by the strength of their illusion,Shall draw him on to his confusion.He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bearHis hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear.And you all know, securityIs mortals’ chiefest enemy.
Music and song within, “Come away, come away” &c.
HECATE
Hark! I am call’d; my little spirit, see,Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.
Exit.
FIRST WITCH
Come, let’s make haste; she’ll soon be back again.
Exeunta stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage..