MACBETH  5.1

		[Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman]

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 night-gown upon
		her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,	5
		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	10
		walking and other actual performances, what, at any
		time, have you heard her say?

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	15
		confirm my speech.
		[Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper]
		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	20
		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	25
		washing her hands: I have known her continue in
		this a quarter of an hour.

LADY MACBETH

Yet here's a spot.

Doctor		Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from
		her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.	30

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	35
		to have had so much blood in him.

Doctor

Do you mark that?

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	40
		this starting.

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	45
		perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
		hand. Oh, oh, oh!

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.	50

Doctor

Well, well, well,--

Gentlewoman

Pray God it be, sir.

Doctor		This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known
		those which have walked in their sleep who have died
		holily in their beds.	55

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

Even so?

LADY MACBETH		To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:	60
		come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's
		done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!
		[Exit]

Doctor

Will she go now to bed?

Gentlewoman

Directly.

Doctor		Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds	65
		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,	70
		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		Good night, good doctor.
		[Exeunt]