Table of Contents
ACT 1, SCENE 6
Setting: Before Macbeth's castle.
[Hautboys and torches. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and Attendants ]
DUNCAN | This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air | |
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself | ||
Unto our gentle senses. | ||
BANQUO | This guest of summer, | |
The temple–haunting martlet does approve, | ||
By his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath | ||
Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze, | ||
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird | ||
Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle: | ||
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed, | ||
The air is delicate. | ||
[Enter LADY MACBETH] | ||
DUNCAN | See, see our honoured hostess! | 10 |
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, | ||
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you | ||
How you shall bid God 'ild us for your pains, | ||
And thank us for your trouble. | ||
LADY MACBETH | All our service | |
In every point twice done and then done double | ||
Were poor and single business to contend | ||
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith | ||
Your majesty loads our house: for those of old, | ||
And the late dignities heap'd up to them, | ||
We rest your hermits. | 20 | |
DUNCAN | Where's the thane of Cawdor? | |
We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose | ||
To be his purveyor: but he rides well; | ||
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him | ||
To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, | ||
We are your guest to–night. | ||
LADY MACBETH | Your servants ever | |
Have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in compt, | ||
To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, | ||
Still to return your own. | ||
DUNCAN | Give me your hand; | |
Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly, | ||
And shall continue our graces towards him. | 30 | |
By your leave, hostess. | ||
[Exeunt] |