SCENE I
Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman.
Doct.
I have two nights watched with you,
but can perceive no truth in your report.
When was it she last walked?
Gent.
Since his majesty went into the
field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw
her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet,
take forth paper, fold it, write upon't, read it,
afterwards seal it, and again return to bed;
yet all this while in a most fast sleep. (10)
Doct.
A great perturbation in nature, to
receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the
effects of watching! In this slumbery agitation,
besides her walking and other actual performances,
what, at any time, have you heard
her say?
Gent.
That, sir, which I will not report after her.
Doct.
You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.
Gent.
Neither to you nor any one; having
no witness to confirm my speech. Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper. (22)
Lo you, here she comes! This is her very
guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe
her; stand close.
Doct.
How came she by that light?
Gent.
Why, it stood by her; she has light by her continually; 'tis her command.
Doct.
You see, her eyes are open.
Gent.
Ay, but their sense is shut. (31)
Doct.
What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.
Gent.
It is an accustomed action with her,
to seem thus washing her hands: I have
known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.
Lady M.
Yet here's a spot.
Doct.
Hark! she speaks: I will set down
what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance
the more strongly.
Lady M.
Out, damned spot! out, I say!--
One: two: why, then 'tis time to do't.--Hell
is murky!--Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and
afeard? What need we fear who knows it,
when none can call our power to account?--
Yet who would have thought the old man to
have had so much blood in him.
Doct.
Do you mark that?
Lady M.
The thane of Fife had a wife:
where is she now?--What, will these hands
ne'er be clean?--No more o' that, my lord,
no more o' that: you mar all with this starting.
Doct.
Go to, go to; you have known what
you should not.
Gent.
She has spoke what she should not,
I am sure of that: heaven knows what she
has known.
Lady M.
Here's the smell of the blood
still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not
sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
Doct.
What a sigh is there! The heart is
sorely charged. (61)
Gent.
I would not have such a heart in my
bosom for the dignity of the whole body.
Doct.
Well, well, well,--
Gent.
Pray God it be, sir.
Doct.
This disease is beyond my practice:
yet I have known those which have walked in
their sleep who have died holily in their beds.
Lady M.
Wash your hands, put on your
nightgown; look not so pale.--I tell you yet
again, Banquo's buried; he cannot come out
on's grave. (71)
Doct.
Even so?
Lady M.
To bed, to bed! there's knocking
at the gate: come, come, come, come, give
me your hand. What's done cannot be undone.
--To bed, to bed, to bed! Exit.
Doct.
Will she go now to bed?
Gent.
Directly.
Doct.
Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:
More needs she the divine than the physician.
God, God forgive us all! Look after her;
Remove from her the means of all annoyance,
And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night:
My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.
I think, but dare not speak.
Gent.
Good night, good doctor. Exeunt.
