Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/51

Macbeth, III. i

And champion me to the utterance! Who's there?

Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.

Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

Murderers. It was, so please your highness.

Macb. Well then, now

Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know

That it was he in the times past which held you

So under fortune, which you thought had been

Our innocent self. This I made good to you

In our last conference; pass'd in probation with you

How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,

Who wrought with them, and all things else that might

To half a soul and to a notion craz'd

Say, 'Thus did Banquo.'

First Mur. You made it known to us.

Macb. I did so; and went further, which is now

Our point of second meeting. Do you find

Your patience so predominant in your nature

That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd

To pray for this good man and for his issue,

Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave

And beggar'd yours for ever?

First Mur. We are men, my liege.

Macb. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;

As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs,

 72 champion: challenge

utterance: finish (i.e., death)

78 under fortune: in distress

80 pass'd in probation: I reviewed in argument

81 borne in hand: deluded with false hopes

83 notion: understanding

88 gospell'd: full of Christian spirit

92–101 Cf. n.

