Scene Seven
[A Room in the Castle]
Macb. If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly; if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow 4
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return 9
To plague the inventor; this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips. He's here in double trust: 12
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been 17
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongu'd against
The deep damnation of his taking-off; 20
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Scene Seven S. d. Sewer: chief butler
1–7 Cf. n.
3 trammel up: fetter, hinder
4 his: its (referring to 'consequence')
surcease: cessation, end
5 here: in this present life
6 But: only
7 jump: risk
7–25 Cf. n.
14 Strong both: i.e., two strong arguments
17 faculties: powers
18 clear: blameless
22 cherubin: cherub
