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All Site ContentMacbethAct 1Scene 4
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Metaphor
Language
Act 1,
Scene 4
Lines 16-28

A metaphor about Duncan's relationship to Macbeth in myshakespeare's Macbeth, Act 1 Scene 4.

Duncan

Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before,
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine. Only I have left to say:
More is thy due, than more than all can pay.

Macbeth

The service and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itself.
Your highness' part is to receive our duties,
And our duties are, to your throne and state—
Children and servants, which do but what they should,
By doing every thing safe toward your love

Duncan is comparing his relationship with Macbeth to a race in which Macbeth is providing services to Duncan faster than he can reward Macbeth for them.