Macbeth

by William Shakespeare


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ACT III - Scene III


A park near the palace.

Enter three Murtherers.

FIRST MURTHERER
But who did bid thee join with us?

THIRD MURTHERER
Macbeth.

SECOND MURTHERER
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.

FIRST MURTHERER
Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day;
Now spurs the lated traveler apace
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
The subject of our watch.

THIRD MURTHERER
Hark! I hear horses.

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

SECOND MURTHERER
Then 'tis he; the rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i' the court.

FIRST MURTHERER
His horses go about.

THIRD MURTHERER
Almost a mile, but he does usually-
So all men do -from hence to the palace gate
Make it their walk.

SECOND MURTHERER
A light, a light!

Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch.

THIRD MURTHERER
'Tis he.

FIRST MURTHERER
Stand to't.

BANQUO
It will be rain tonight.

FIRST MURTHERER
Let it come down.

They set upon Banquo.

BANQUO
O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou mayst revenge. O slave!

Dies. Fleance escapes.

THIRD MURTHERER
Who did strike out the light?

FIRST MURTHERER
Wast not the way?

THIRD MURTHERER
There's but one down; the son is fled.

SECOND MURTHERER
We have lost
Best half of our affair.

FIRST MURTHERER
Well, let's away and say how much is done.

Exeunt.

 

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