ARKCODEX
Act V, Scene 1
1Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.
2Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman.
3DoctorI have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?
4GentlewomanSince his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown 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.
5DoctorA 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?
6GentlewomanThat, sir, which I will not report after her.
7DoctorYou may to me: and ’tis most meet you should.
8GentlewomanNeither to you nor any one; having no witness to confirm my speech.
9Enter Lady Macbeth, with a taper.
10Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.
11DoctorHow came she by that light?
12GentlewomanWhy, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; ’tis her command.
13DoctorYou see, her eyes are open.
14GentlewomanAy, but their sense is shut.
15DoctorWhat is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.
16GentlewomanIt is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands: I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.
17Lady MacbethYet here’s a spot.
18DoctorHark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
19Lady 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.
20DoctorDo you mark that?
21Lady 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.
22DoctorGo to, go to; you have known what you should not.
23GentlewomanShe has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known.
24Lady MacbethHere’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
25DoctorWhat a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.
26GentlewomanI would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.
27DoctorWell, well, well—
28GentlewomanPray God it be, sir.
29DoctorThis disease is beyond my practice: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.
30Lady 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.
31DoctorEven so?
32Lady 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! Exit.
33DoctorWill she go now to bed?
34GentlewomanDirectly.
35DoctorFoul 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.
36GentlewomanGood night, good doctor. Exeunt.