62 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Macbeth. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it : 

 She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice 

 Remains in danger of her former tooth. 

 But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, 

 Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep 

 In the affliction of these terrible dreams 

 That shake us nightly ; better be with the dead, 

 Whom we, to gain our place, have sent to peace, 

 Than on the torture of the mind to lie 

 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave ; 

 After life's fitful fever he sleeps well ; 

 Treason has done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, 

 Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, 

 Can touch him further. 



Lady. Come on ; 



Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks ; 

 Be bright and jovial^ among your guests to-night. 



Macbeth. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife ! 

 Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, live. 



Lady. 49 But in them nature's copy's not eterne. 



There are no further remarks on this scene. 



In Scene 4, where at the banquet Macbeth speaks to the 

 murderers, the remark is written : ' During all this a growing 

 uneasiness in her ; at last she rises and speaks.' Full notes are 

 resumed towards the end of the scene, as follows : 



[The Ghost of BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH'S place. 



Macbeth. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, 

 Were the graced person of our Banquo present ; 

 Who may I rather challenge for unkindness 

 Than pity for mischance ! 



jRoss. His absence, sir, 



Lays blame upon his promise. Please ; t your highness 

 To grace us with your royal company. 



Macbeth. 50 The table's full. 



Lennox. Here is a place reserved, sir. 



intense love of her husband should animate every word. It should not be 

 contemptuous reproach, but deep sorrow and sympathy with his melancholy. 

 45 Mournful : a forced cheerfulness breaking through it. 



49 A flash of her former spirit and energy. 



50 Her secret uneasiness very fine. Suppressed, but agitating her whole 

 frame. 



