Aug. We are sent[3768] 100
To give thee, from our royal master, thanks;[3769][3770]
Only to herald thee into his sight,[3769]
Not pay thee.
Ross. And for an earnest of a greater honour,
He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor:[3771] 105
In which addition, hail, most worthy thane!
For it is thine.
Ban. What, can the devil speak true?
Macb. The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me[3772]
In borrow'd robes?[3772][3773]
Ang. Who was the thane lives yet,
But under heavy judgement bears that life 110
Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined[3774]
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel[3774][3775]
With hidden help and vantage, or that with both[3774][3776]
He labour'd in his country's wreck, I know not;[3774]
But treasons capital, confess'd and proved, 115
Have overthrown him.
Macb. [Aside] Glamis, and thane of Cawdor:[3777]
The greatest is behind.—Thanks for your pains.—[3778]
Do you not hope your children shall be kings,[3779]
When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me
Promised no less to them?
Ban. That, trusted home,[3780] 120
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange:
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's[3781] 125
In deepest consequence.[3782]
Cousins, a word, I pray you.[3782]
Macb. [Aside] Two truths are told,[3783]
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme.—I thank you, gentlemen.
[Aside] This supernatural soliciting[3784] 130
Cannot be ill; cannot be good: if ill,[3785][3786]
Why hath it given me earnest of success,[3786]
Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor:[3787]
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair[3788] 135
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? Present fears[3789]
Are less than horrible imaginings:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,[3790]
Shakes so my single state of man that function[3791] 140
Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is[3791]
But what is not.[3791][3792]
Ban. Look, how our partner's rapt.
Macb. [Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,[3793]
Without my stir.