Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/30

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Macb. If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

It were done quickly; if the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here,

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor; this even-handed justice

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

To our own lips. He's here in double trust:

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door,

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels trumpet-tongu'd against

The deep damnation of his taking-off;

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

 Scene Seven S. d. Sewer: chief butler

1–7 Cf. n.

3 trammel up: fetter, hinder

4 his: its (referring to 'consequence')

surcease: cessation, end

5 here: in this present life

6 But: only

7 jump: risk

7–25 Cf. n.

14 Strong both: i.e., two strong arguments

17 faculties: powers

18 clear: blameless

22 cherubin: cherub

