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26 Macbeth [Act I 

The sin of my ingratitude even now 

Was heavy on me; thou art so far before 

That swiftest wing of recompense is slow 

To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserv'd, 

That the proportion both of thanks and payment 

Might have been mine ! only I have left to say, 20 

More is thy due than more than all can pay. 

Macbeth. The service and the loyalty I owe, 
In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part 
Is to receive our duties : and our duties 
Are, to your throne and state, children and servants ; 
Which do but what they should, by doing every thing 
Safe toward your love and honour. 

Duncan. Welcome hither : 

I have begun to plant thee, and will labour 
To make thee full of growing. — Noble Banquo, 
That hast no less, deserv'd, nor must be known 30 
No less to have done so, let me infold thee 
And hold thee to my heart. 

Banquo. There if I grow, 

The harvest is your own. 

Duncan. My plenteous joys, 

Wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves 
In drops of sorrow. — Sons, kinsmen, thanes, 
And you whose places are the nearest, know 
We will establish our estate upon 
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter 

Contrast the characters of Macbeth and Duncan as 
viewed in this and in the foregoing scene.