Thou played'st most foully for 't. Yet it was
said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
5
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them—
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
10
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.
BANQUO
Now you have it all: you're the king, the thane of
Cawdor, and the thane of Glamis, just like the weird women promised
you. And I suspect you cheated to win these titles. But it was also
prophesied that the crown would not go to your descendants, and that
my sons and grandsons would be kings instead. If the witches tell
the truth—which they did about you—maybe
what they said about me will come true too. But shhh! I'll
shut up now.
Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as
king, LADY MACBETH, as queen, LENNOX,
ROSS, LORDS,
LADIES, and attendants
A trumpet plays. MACBETH enters dressed
as king, and LADY MACBETH enters dressed as queen,
together with LENNOX, ROSS,
LORDS, LADIES, and their
attendants
MACBETH
Here's our chief guest.
MACBETH
(indicating BANQUO) Here's
our most important guest.
LADY MACBETH
If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great feast,
And all-thing unbecoming.
LADY MACBETH
If we forgot him, our big celebration wouldn't be
complete, and that wouldn't be any good.
MACBETH
15
Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,
And I'll request your presence.
MACBETH
(to BANQUO) Tonight we're having a ceremonial banquet, and I
want you to be there.
BANQUO
Let
your highness
Command upon me, to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
Forever knit.
BANQUO
Whatever your highness commands me to do, it is always my duty to
do it.
