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Macbeth, Lines 1-28a
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Act 1,
Scene 7
Lines 1-28a

Macbeth performs a speech from Act 1, Scene 7 of myShakespeare's Macbeth. 

myShakespeare | Macbeth 1.7 Performance: Macbeth, Lines 1-28a

[Macbeth castle, near the dining hall. Torches indicate that it is evening. Servants carry dishes across the stage on their way to set up for dinner. Enter Macbeth.]

Macbeth

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly. If the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,
With his surcease, success, that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here —
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here — that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor. This even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He's here in double trust —
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides this, Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked newborn babe
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other...