Lady M. What beast was't then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And, to be more than what you were, you would 50
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place[3912]
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:[3913]
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now[3914]
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: 55
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you[3915][3916]
Have done to this.[3915][3917]
Macb. If we should fail?
Lady M. We fail!
But screw your courage to the sticking-place, 60
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep—
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey[3918]
Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince[3919]
That memory, the warder of the brain, 65
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbec only: when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a death,[3920]
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon 70
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?
Macb. Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose[3921]
Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two 75
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done't?
Lady M. Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death?
Macb. I am settled, and bend up[3922]
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. 80
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:[3923]
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.[3923]
[Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[3668] Act i. Scene i.] Actus Primus. Scæna Prima. Ff.
A desert place.] An open Heath. Rowe. An open place. Theobald. om Ff.