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14

ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.

Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'

Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be

What thou art promis'd. Yet do I fear thy nature;

It is too full o' the milk of human kindness

To catch the nearest way; thou wouldst be great,

Art not without ambition, but without

The illness should attend it; what thou wouldst highly

That thou wouldst holily; wouldst not play false,

And yet wouldst wrongly win; thou 'dst have, great Glamis,

That which cries, 'Thus thou must do,' if thou have it;

And that which rather thou dost fear to do

Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,

And chastise with the valour of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round,

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem

To have thee crown'd withal.

What is your tidings?

Mess. The king comes here to-night.

Lady M. Thou 'rt mad to say it.

Is not thy master with him? who, were 't so,

Would have inform'd for preparation.

Mess. So please you, it is true: our thane is coming;

One of my fellows had the speed of him,

Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more

Than would make up his message.

Lady M. Give him tending;

 18 Cf. n.

21 should: which should

23–26 Cf. n.

29 round: circlet, i.e., crown

30 metaphysical: supernatural

31 withal: with

36 had the speed of: outspeeded

