Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2

Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t

[Enter]

My husband?

I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?

I hear the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?

When?

Now.

As I descended?

Ay.

Hark!—Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?

Donalbain.

This is a sorry sight.

A foolish though, to say a sorry sight.

There’s one did laugh in ‘s sleep, and one cried “Murder!” that they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers and addressed them again to sleep.

There are two lodged together.

One cried “God bless us” and “Amen” the other, as they has seen me with these hangman’s hands, list’ning their fear. I could not say “Amen” when they did say “God bless us.”

Consider it not so deeply.

But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”? I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” stuck in my throat

These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad.

Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep, sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, the death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, balm of heart minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast.

What do you mean?

Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

Who was it that thus cried?… Go, carry them and smear the sleepy grooms with blood.

I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on it again I dare not.

Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers… I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt. [Lady Macbeth exits. Knock sounds]

Whence is that knocking? How is it with me when every noise appalls me? What hands are there! 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.

[enter Lady Macbeth] My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white… Be not lost so poorly in your thoughts.

To know my deed ‘twere best no know myself. [Knock.] Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst.