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58 Macbeth [Act III 

They hail'd him father to a line of kings : 
Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown, 60 

And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, 
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, 
No son of mine succeeding. If't be so, 
For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind ; 
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd ; 
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace 
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel 
Given to the common enemy of man, 
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings ! 
Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, 70 

And champion me to the utterance! Who's 
there ? 



Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers 

Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. 

[Exit Attendant. 
Was it not yesterday we spoke together? 

First Murderer. It was, so please your highness. 

Macbeth. Well then, now 

Have you considerd of my speeches? Know 
That it was he in the times past which held you 
So under fortune, which you thought had been 
Our innocent self: this I made good to you 
In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, 

47-71. Contrast the character of Macbeth as seen in 
this soliloquy and as seen in Act 1, Scene VII.