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Act VScene IDunsinane. Ante-room in the castleEnter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-GentlewomanDoctorI have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?GentlewomanSince his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.DoctorA great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say?GentlewomanThat, sir, which I will not report after her.DoctorYou may to me: and ’tis most meet you should.GentlewomanNeither to you nor any one; having no witness to confirm my speech.Enter Lady Macbeth, with a taperLo you, here she comes! This is her very guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.DoctorHow came she by that light?GentlewomanWhy, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; ’tis her command.DoctorYou see, her eyes are open.GentlewomanAy, but their sense is shut.DoctorWhat is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.GentlewomanIt is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands: I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.Lady MacbethYet here’s a spot.DoctorHark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.Lady MacbethOut, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why, then, ’tis time to do’t.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.DoctorDo you mark that?Lady MacbethThe thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?— What, will these hands ne’er be clean?—No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that: you mar all with this starting.DoctorGo to, go to; you have known what you should not.GentlewomanShe has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known.Lady MacbethHere’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!DoctorWhat a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.GentlewomanI would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.DoctorWell, well, well,—GentlewomanPray God it be, sir.DoctorThis disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.Lady MacbethWash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale.—I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.DoctorEven so?Lady MacbethTo bed, to bed! there’s knocking at the gate: come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone.—To bed, to bed, to bed!ExitDoctorWill she go now to bed?GentlewomanDirectly.DoctorFoul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets: More needs she the divine than the physician. God, God forgive us all! Look after her; Remove from her the means of all annoyance, And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night: My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight. I think, but dare not speak.GentlewomanGood night, good doctor.Exeunt

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William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act II, Scene III

  • William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act II, Scene III

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

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The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

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Current Events This Week: January 2023

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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses
  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales