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Scene IV] Macbeth 67 

The table round. [Approaching the door] 
There's blood upon thy face. 
Murderer. 'Tis Banquo's then. 
Macbeth. 'Tis better thee without than he 
within. 
Is he dispatch'd? 
Murderer. My lord, his throat is cut ; that I did 

for him. 
Macbeth. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats : 
yet he's good 
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it, 
Thou art the nonpareil. 

Murderer. Most royal sir, 

Fleance is 'scaped. 20 

Macbeth. [Aside] Then comes my fit again : 
I had else been perfect, - 
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, 
As broad and general as the casing air: 
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in 
To saucy doubts and fears. — But Banquo's safe? 
Murderer. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch 
he bides, 
With twenty trenched gashes on his head ; 
The least a death to nature. 

Macbeth. Thanks for that. 

[Aside] There the grown serpent lies ; the worm 

that's fled 
Hath nature that in time will venom breed, 30