Lady

macbeth

LADY MACBETH  [Reads.]

         "They met me in the day of success: and I have

         learned by the perfect'st report, they have more in

         them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire

        to question them further, they made themselves air,

       into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in

       the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who

        all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor'; by which title,

         before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred

         me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that

        shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver

        thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou

        mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being

        ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it

        to thy heart, and farewell."

Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be

   What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature;

   It is too full o' the milk of human kindness

   To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great;

   Art not without ambition, but without

   The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly,

   That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,

   And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou dost have, great Glamis,   

   That which cries "Thus thou must do, if thou have it";

   And that which rather thou dost fear to do

   Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,

  That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;

   And chastise with the valour of my tongue

   All that impedes thee from the golden round,

   Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem

   To have thee crown'd withal.

Macbeth Navigator: Scene Index

• Act 1, Scene 1: The witches plan their meeting with Macbeth.

• Act 1, Scene 2: A sergeant tells of the heroic deeds of Macbeth. . . . King Duncan announces that Macbeth will be given the title of Thane of Cawdor.

• Act 1, Scene 3: The witches prophesy that Macbeth shall be king and Banquo...