1    If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
2    It were done quickly: if the assassination
3    Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
4    With his surcease success; that but this blow
5    Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
6    But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
7    We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases
8    We still have judgment here; that we but teach
9    Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
10   To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
11   Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
12   To our own lips. He's here in double trust;
13   First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
14   Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
15   Who should against his murderer shut the door,
16   Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
17   Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
18   So clear in his great office, that his virtues
19   Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
20   The deep damnation of his taking-off;
21   And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
22   Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
23   Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
24   Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
25   That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
26   To prick the sides of my intent, but only
27   Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
28   And falls on the other.
Enter LADY MACBETH
29   How now! what news?

30   He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber?

31   Hath he ask'd for me?

32   Know you not he has?

33   We will proceed no further in this business:
34   He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought
35   Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
36   Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
37   Not cast aside so soon.

38   Was the hope drunk
39   Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since?
40   And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
41   At what it did so freely? From this time
42   Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
43   To be the same in thine own act and valour
44   As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
45   Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
46   And live a coward in thine own esteem,
47   Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
48   Like the poor cat i' the adage?

49   Prithee, peace:
50   I dare do all that may become a man;
51   Who dares do more is none.

52   What beast was't, then,
53   That made you break this enterprise to me?
54   When you durst do it, then you were a man;
55   And, to be more than what you were, you would
56   Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
57   Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
58   They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
59   Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
60   How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:
61   I would, while it was smiling in my face,
62   Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
63   And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you
64   Have done to this.

65   If we should fail?

66   We fail!
67   But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
68   And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep--
69   Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
70   Soundly invite him--his two chamberlains
71   Will I with wine and wassail so convince
72   That memory, the warder of the brain,
73   Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
74   A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep
75   Their drenched natures lie as in a death,
76   What cannot you and I perform upon
77   The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
78   His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
79   Of our great quell?

80   Bring forth men-children only;
81   For thy undaunted mettle should compose
82   Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
83   When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
84   Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
85   That they have done't?

86   Who dares receive it other,
87   As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
88   Upon his death?

89   I am settled, and bend up
90   Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
91   Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
92   False face must hide what the false heart doth know.