Act 4 Scene 2


MESSENGER Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect.16 I doubt17


If you will take a homely18


Macbeth


some danger does approach you nearly: man's advice,


Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage; To do worse to you were fell19 70 Which is too nigh20


cruelty, your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide21 no longer.


[Exit] LADYMACDUFF


Whither22 should I fly?


I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world; where to do harm Is often laudable,23


to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly.24 Why then, alas,


Do I put up that womanly defence, To say I have done no harm? [Enter Murderers]


What are these faces?


FIRSTMURDERER Where is your husband?


80


LADYMACDUFF I hope, in no place so unsanctified25 Where such as thou mayst find him.


FIRSTMURDERER He's a traitor.


SON Thou liest, thou shag-haired26


FIRSTMURDERER What, you egg!


[Stabbing him] Young fry27


SON He has killed me, mother:


Run away, I pray you! [Dies] [Exit LADY MACDUFF, crying 'Murder!' Exeunt Murderers, following her]


95 of treachery! 27 fry: spawn villain! 26


shag-haired: unkempt. Some editors think the intended phrase was ‘shag- eared’.


25 unsanctified: unholy 22 Whither: Where


23 laudable: commendable 24 folly: foolishness


Though in your…perfect: I know perfectly well how noble you are. 17 I doubt: I am worried/I suspect 18homely: ordinary/humble


16 19 fell: awful


20 nigh: near to 21 abide: stay


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