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Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.
[Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman]
DOCTOR
I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your
report. When was it she last walked?
GENTLEWOMAN
Since 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 it, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all
this while in a most fast sleep.
DOCTOR
A 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?
GENTLEWOMAN
That, sir, which I will not report after her.
DOCTOR
You may to me, and 'tis most meet you should.
GENTLEWOMAN
Neither to you, nor any one, having no witness to confirm my speech. Lo you,
here she comes: This is her very guise, and upon my life fast asleep: Observe her, stand close.
DOCTOR
How came she by that light?
GENTLEWOMAN
Why it stood by her: she has light by her continually, 'tis her command.
DOCTOR
You see her eyes are open.
GENTLEWOMAN
Aye but their sense is shut.
DOCTOR
What is it she does now?
Look how she rubs her hands.
GENTLEWOMAN
It 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 MACBETH
Yet here's a spot.
DOCTOR
Hark, she speaks, I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my
remembrance the more strongly.
LADY MACBETH
Out damned spot: out I say. One: two: why then 'tis time to do
it: 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.
DOCTOR
Do you mark that?
LADY MACBETH
The Thane of Fife, had a wife: where is she now? What will these hands
nere be clean? No more of that my lord, no more of that: you mar all with
this starting.
DOCTOR
Go to, go to:
You have known what you should not.
GENTLEWOMAN
She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: Heaven knows what she
has known.
LADY MACBETH
Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not
sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh.
DOCTOR
What a sigh is there? The heart is sorely charged.
GENTLEWOMAN
I would not have such a heart in my bosom, for the dignity of the whole body.
DOCTOR
Well, well, well.
GENTLEWOMAN
Pray God it be sir.
DOCTOR
This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have walked
in their sleep, who have died holily in their beds.
LADY MACBETH
Wash your hands, put on your nightgown, look not so pale: I tell you yet
again Banquo's buried; he cannot come out on his grave.
DOCTOR
Even so?
LADY MACBETH
To 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.
[Exit]
DOCTOR
Will she go now to bed?
GENTLEWOMAN
Directly.
DOCTOR
, , 2
, , 2
,
Foul whis/perings are | abroad:| unnat|ural deeds
, , 2
x , ,
Do breed | unnat|ural troubles:| infect|ed minds
??
2 , ,
, , ,
To their deaf | pillows | will dis|charge their
| secrets:
T T
T 2 , ,
2 ,
More needs she | the divine,| than the
phy|sician:
T T . T
, ,
,
God, God forgive | us all.| Look^aft|er her,
, , 2
, , ,
Remove | from her the | means of | all
an|noyance,
. T T T
, , ,
And still keep eyes | upon | her: So | good
night,
, , ,
2 , ,
My mind | she has | mated,| and amazed | my
sight.
,
, ,
I think,| but dare | not* speak.
GENTLEWOMAN
, x
Good night | good doctor. ??
[Exeunt]