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MacBeth

by William Shakespeare

previous: SCENE II. The palace.

SCENE III. A park near 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!

Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch

Third Murderer:
'Tis he.

First Murderer:
Stand to't.

BANQUO:
It will be rain to-night.

First Murderer:
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 Murderer:
Who did strike out the light?

First Murderer:
Wast 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

Turn to the next chapter: SCENE IV. The same. Hall in the palace.