Banquo’s murderers gather to carry out their hit. No sooner do Banquo and his son arrive on the scene than Banquo is killed. His son manages to escape, and the murderers head off to tell Macbeth what happened.
First Murderer
Who told you to join us?
Third Murderer
Macbeth.
Second Murderer
There’s no reason not to trust him, he was given exactly the same orders we were to do the same thing.
First Murderer
Then wait with us. There are still glimmers from daylight and streaks of sun in the west. It’s getting to be the time of night when late travellers go faster to reach the nearest inn before it’s dark, and the man we’re waiting for must be getting near.
Third Murderer
Listen! I hear horses.
Banquo
[Inside] Hey, give us some light here!
Second Murderer
That’s him: the rest of the expected guests are already inside the court.
First Murderer
His horses are milling around, he’s dismounted.
Third Murderer
It’s about a mile back to the palace gate, but he usually walks back from here like most men do.
Second Murderer
A light! There’s a light!
Third Murderer
It’s him.
First Murderer
Get ready.
Banquo
It’s going to rain tonight.
First Murderer
Let it pour.
Banquo
Oh, it’s treachery! Run, dear Fleance, get away, run, run! You can get revenge for me. You bastard!
Third Murderer
Who put out the light?
First Murderer
Wasn’t that the plan?
Third Murderer
We only got one, the son got away.
Second Murderer
We failed the more important half of our mission.
First Murderer
Well, let's get out of here, and tell Macbeth what we did get done.
