60 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



Lady. These deeds must not be thought 



After these ways ; so, it will make us mad '.38 



Macbeth. 39 Methought I heard a voice cry ' Sleep no more ! ' 



... to all the house 



* Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor 

 Shall sleep no more ; Macbeth shall sleep no more.' 39 



Lady. Who was it that thus cried ? Why, worthy thane, 



40 You do unbend your noble strength, to think 

 So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, 

 And wash this filthy witness from your hand. 40 



41 Why did you bring these daggers from the place ? 

 They must lie there : go carry them, and smear 

 The sleepy grooms with blood. 



Macbeth. I'll go no more : 



I am afraid to think what I have done ; 

 Look on't again I dare not. 



Lady. Infirm of purpose ! 



42 Give me the daggers : the sleeping and the dead 

 Are but as pictures : 'tis the eye of childhood 

 That fears a painted devil.42 If he do bleed^ 

 I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal ; 



For it must seem their guilt. [Exit. Knocking within 



Macbeth. Whence is that knocking ? 



How is't with me, when every noise appals me 1 

 What hands are here ? ha ! they pluck out mine eyes. 

 Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood 

 Clean from my hand ? No ; this my hand will rather 

 The multitudinous seas incarnadine, 

 Making the green one red. 



Re-enter LADY MACBETH. 



Lady. 44 My hands are of your colour ; but I shame 

 To wear a heart so white. [Knocking withinJ] I hear a knocking 



39 Her horror changes to agony and alarm at his derangement, uncertain 

 what to do ; calling up the resources of her spirit. 



40 She comes near him, attempts to call back his wandering thoughts to 

 ideas of common life. Strong emphasis on who. Speaks forcibly into his 

 ear, looks at him steadfastly. ' Why, worthy thane,' &c. : fine remonstrance, 

 tone fit to work on his mind. 



41 Now only at leisure to observe the daggers. 



42 Seizing the daggers very contemptuously. 



43 As stealing out she turns towards him stooping, and with the finger 

 pointed to him with malignant energy says, ' If he do bleed,' &c. 



44 Contempt. Kemble plays well here; stands motionless ; his bloody hands 



