Hecate, the goddess of witches, is pretty peeved that the three witches we met in Act I have been messing with Macbeth’s life—mainly because she thinks they’ve mucked it up. She tells them to meet with Macbeth in the morning, and they’ll tell him everything he wants to know about his future.
First Witch
What’s wrong, Hecate? You look angry.
Hecate
Don’t I have good reason, you impudent hags? How dare you trade in riddles and fatal matters and make deals with Macbeth without consulting me or asking me to show our dark powers? Me, the source of all your magic and all our evil plans. And, to make things worse, everything you’ve done has been for a disobedient, spiteful man, full of rage. Like most people, he loves only himself and his own ambition.
But you can make up for it. Get away from here, and meet me at the pit of Acheron in the morning. He’ll go there to find out his destiny. Bring your cauldrons, your spells, your charms and everything else you’ll need. I’m going to fly away now. I’ll spend tonight planning a terrible end for this business. Important things must be done before noon. Hanging on the tip of the moon, there’s a strong drop of vapor. I'll catch it before it falls to the ground. Distilled with my magic, that moondrop will raise spirits that will delude Macbeth.
He’ll reject his fate and laugh at death, and his hopes will outweigh his wisdom and fear of dying. As you know, overconfidence is mankind’s worst enemy.
Listen! I’m being called by my little spirit. It sits in the clouds and waits for me.
First Witch
Come on, let's hurry up. She'll be back again soon.
