Read Macbeth Online

A Restoration Version of Act III 149 

La. Macb. Sir, your noble Friends do lack you. 

Macb. Wonder not at me my most worthy Friends, 
I have a strange Infirmity; 'tis nothing 
To those that know me. Give me some Wine, 
Here's to the general Joy of all the Table, 
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss, 
Wou'd he were here; to all, and him, we drink. 

Lords. Our Duties are to pledge it. 

(the Ghost of Ban. rises at his feet. 

Macb. Let the earth hide thee : thy blood is cold, 
Thou hast no use now of thy glaring Eyes. 

La. Macb. Think of this good my Lords, but as a thing 
of Custom : 'tis no other, 
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. 

Macb. What man can dare, I dare : 
Approach thou like the rugged Russian Bear, 
The Arm'd Rhinoceros, or the Hircanian Tigre : 
Take any shape but that ; and my firm Nerves 
Shall never tremble ; or revive a while, 
And dare me to the Desart with thy Sword, 
If any Sinew shrink, proclaim me then 
The Baby of a Girl. Hence horrible shadow. 

Ex. Ghost. 
So, now I am a man again : pray you sit still. 

La. Macb. You have disturb'd the Mirth; 
Broke the glad Meeting with your wild disorder. 

Macb. Can such things be without Astonishment. 
You make me strange, 
Even to the disposition that I owe, 
When now I think you can behold such sights, 
And keep the natural colour of your Cheeks, 
Whilst mine grew pale with fear. 

Seat. What sights? 

La. Macb. I pray you speak not, he'l grow worse and 
worse;