E-Text

Macbeth

Act III, 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 delivers

Our offices and what we have to do

To the direction just.

FIRST MURDERER.

Then stand with us.

The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:

Now spurs the lated traveller apace,

To gain the timely inn; and near approaches

The subject of our watch.

THIRD MURDERER.

Hark! I hear horses.

BANQUO.

[Within.] Give us a light there, ho!

SECOND MURDERER.

Then 'tis he; the rest

That are within the note of expectation

Already are i' the 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 gate

Make it their walk.

SECOND MURDERER.

A light, a light!

THIRD MURDERER.

'Tis he.

FIRST MURDERER.

Stand to't.

[Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch.]

BANQUO.

It will be rain to-night.

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.

[Exeunt.]