SECOND MURDERER. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Hath so incens’d that I am reckless what I do to spite the world. 

 FIRST MURDERER. And I another, So weary with disasters, tugg’d with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it or be rid on’t. 

 MACBETH. Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy. 

 BOTH MURDERERS. True, my lord. 

 MACBETH. So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near’st of life; and though I could With barefac’d power sweep him from my sight, And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, For certain friends that are both his and mine, Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down: and thence it is That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye For sundry weighty reasons. 

 SECOND MURDERER. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us. 

 FIRST MURDERER. Though our lives— 

 MACBETH. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most, I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ th’ time, The moment on’t; for’t must be done tonight And something from the palace; always thought That I require a clearness. And with him (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work) Fleance his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart. I’ll come to you anon. 

 BOTH MURDERERS. We are resolv’d, my lord. 

 MACBETH. I’ll call upon you straight: abide within. 

[Exeunt Murderers.]

Murderers

 It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. 

[Exit.]

 SCENE II. The same. Another Room in the Palace.

Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant.

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