ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.
Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be 16
What thou art promis'd. Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way; thou wouldst be great,
Art not without ambition, but without 20
The illness should attend it; what thou wouldst highly
That thou wouldst holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win; thou 'dst have, great Glamis,
That which cries, 'Thus thou must do,' if thou have it; 24
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,
And chastise with the valour of my tongue 28
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown'd withal.
Enter Messenger.
What is your tidings?
Mess. The king comes here to-night.
Lady M. Thou 'rt mad to say it. 32
Is not thy master with him? who, were 't so,
Would have inform'd for preparation.
Mess. So please you, it is true: our thane is coming;
One of my fellows had the speed of him, 36
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more
Than would make up his message.
Lady M. Give him tending;
18 Cf. n.
21 should: which should
23–26 Cf. n.
29 round: circlet, i.e., crown
30 metaphysical: supernatural
31 withal: with
36 had the speed of: outspeeded
