Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/25

Macbeth, I. v

The hearing of my wife with your approach;

So, humbly take my leave.

Dun.My worthy Cawdor!

Macb. [Aside.] The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step

On which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap,

For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!

Let not light see my black and deep desires;

The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be

Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.

Dun. True, worthy Banquo; he is full so valiant,

And in his commendations I am fed;

It is a banquet to me. Let's after him,

Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome:

It is a peerless kinsman.

Lady M. 'They met me in the day of success;

and I have learned by the perfectest report, they

have more in them than mortal knowledge.

When I burned in desire to question them fur-

ther, they made themselves air, into which they

vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of

it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed

me, "Thane of Cawdor"; by which title, before,

these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me

to the coming on of time, with "Hail, king that

shalt be!" This have I thought good to deliver

thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou

mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being

 7 missives: messengers

13 dues of rejoicing: joy due you

