[The Macbeth castle located at Dunsinane Hill. Enter a Doctor and a Gentlewoman who waits on the queen.]
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 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.
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,
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
[Enter Lady Macbeth, with a candle]
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
Ay, 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
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'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?
Doctor
Lady Macbeth
The 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
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
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
Gentlewoman
Doctor
This disease is beyond my practice; yet I have known
those which have walked in their sleep, who have died
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's grave.
Doctor
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
Gentlewoman
Doctor
Foul 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.
Gentlewoman
[Exit]
