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] |