No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth: Act 2, scene i

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Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a torch before him

BANQUO enters with FLEANCE, who lights the way with a torch.

	BANQUO
	How goes the night, boy?

BANQUO

How's the night going, boy?

	FLEANCE
	The moon is down. I have not heard the clock.

FLEANCE

The moon has set. The clock hasn't struck yet.

	BANQUO
	And she goes down at twelve.

BANQUO

The moon sets at twelve, right?

	FLEANCE
	I take 't 'tis later, sir.

FLEANCE

I think it's later than that, sir.

	BANQUO
	Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;
5	Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
	A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
	And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
	Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature
	Gives way to in repose.

BANQUO

Here, take my sword. The heavens are being stingy with their light. Take this, too. I'm tired and feeling heavy, but I can't sleep. Merciful powers, keep away the nightmares that plague me when I rest!

Enter MACBETH and a SERVANT with a torch

MACBETH enters with a SERVANT, who carries a torch.

Give me my sword. Who's there?

	MACBETH
10	A friend.

MACBETH

A friend.

	BANQUO
	What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed.
	He hath been in unusual pleasure, and
	Sent forth great largess to your offices.
	This diamond he greets your wife withal,
15	By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up
	In measureless content.

BANQUO

You're not asleep yet, sir? The king's in bed. He's been in an unusually good mood and has granted many gifts to your household and servants. This diamond is a present from him to your wife for her boundless hospitality. (he hands MACBETH a diamond)

	MACBETH
	Being unprepared,
	Our will became the servant to defect,
	Which else should free have wrought.

MACBETH

Because we were unprepared for the king's visit, we

weren't able to entertain him as well as we would have wanted to.


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