[Exeunt.]

 SCENE IV. The same. A Room of state in the Palace.

A banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, Lennox, Lords and Attendants.

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, Lennox,

 MACBETH. You know your own degrees, sit down. At first And last the hearty welcome. 

 LORDS. Thanks to your Majesty. 

 MACBETH. Ourself will mingle with society, And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state; but, in best time, We will require her welcome. 

 LADY MACBETH. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks they are welcome. 

Enter first Murderer to the door.

Murderer

 MACBETH. See, they encounter thee with their hearts’ thanks. Both sides are even: here I’ll sit i’ th’ midst. 

 Be large in mirth; anon we’ll drink a measure The table round. There’s blood upon thy face. 

 MURDERER. ’Tis Banquo’s then. 

 MACBETH. ’Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatch’d? 

 MURDERER. My lord, his throat is cut. That I did for him. 

 MACBETH. Thou art the best o’ th’ cut-throats; Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance: If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil. 

 MURDERER. Most royal sir, Fleance is ’scap’d. 

 MACBETH. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air: But now I am cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d, bound in To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo’s safe? 

 MURDERER. Ay, my good lord. Safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on 

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