Speeches (Lines) for First Murderer
in "Macbeth"
Total: 21

1

III,1,1086

Macbeth. Bring them before us.
[Exit Attendant]
To be thus is nothing;
But to be safely thus.—Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear: and, under him,
My Genius is rebuked; as, it is said,
Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like
They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list.
And champion me to the utterance! Who's there!
[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]
Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.
[Exit Attendant]
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?

First Murderer. It was, so please your highness.

2

III,1,1098

Macbeth. Well then, now
Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know
That it was he in the times past which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self: this I made good to you
In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd,
the instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say 'Thus did Banquo.'

First Murderer. You made it known to us.

3

III,1,1106

Macbeth. I did so, and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting. Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd
To pray for this good man and for his issue,
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave
And beggar'd yours for ever?

First Murderer. We are men, my liege.

4

III,1,1128

Second Murderer. I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.

First Murderer. And I another
So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,
That I would set my lie on any chance,
To mend it, or be rid on't.

5

III,1,1134

Macbeth. Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy.

First Murderer. [with Second Murderer] True, my lord.

6

III,1,1148

Second Murderer. We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.

First Murderer. Though our lives—

7

III,1,1161

Macbeth. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most
I will advise you where to plant yourselves;
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,
The moment on't; for't must be done to-night,
And something from the palace; always thought
That I require a clearness: and with him—
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:
I'll come to you anon.

First Murderer. [With Second Murderer] We are resolved, my lord.

8

III,3,1234

(stage directions). [Enter three Murderers]

First Murderer. But who did bid thee join with us?

9

III,3,1239

Second Murderer. He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.

First Murderer. Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:
Now spurs the lated traveller apace
To gain the timely inn; and near approaches
The subject of our watch.

10

III,3,1249

Second Murderer. Then 'tis he: the rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i' the court.

First Murderer. His horses go about.

11

III,3,1256

Third Murderer. 'Tis he.

First Murderer. Stand to't.

12

III,3,1258

Banquo. It will be rain to-night.

First Murderer. Let it come down.

13

III,3,1264

Third Murderer. Who did strike out the light?

First Murderer. Wast not the way?

14

III,3,1268

Second Murderer. We have lost
Best half of our affair.

First Murderer. Well, let's away, and say how much is done.

15

III,4,1288

Macbeth. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.
Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst:
Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure
The table round.
[Approaching the door]
There's blood on thy face.

First Murderer. 'Tis Banquo's then.

16

III,4,1291

Macbeth. 'Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatch'd?

First Murderer. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.

17

III,4,1295

Macbeth. Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,
Thou art the nonpareil.

First Murderer. Most royal sir,
Fleance is 'scaped.

18

III,4,1302

Macbeth. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?

First Murderer. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenched gashes on his head;
The least a death to nature.

19

IV,2,1828

Lady Macduff. Whither 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, to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas,
Do I put up that womanly defence,
To say I have done no harm?
[Enter Murderers]
What are these faces?

First Murderer. Where is your husband?

20

IV,2,1831

Lady Macduff. I hope, in no place so unsanctified
Where such as thou mayst find him.

First Murderer. He's a traitor.

21

IV,2,1833

Son. Thou liest, thou shag-hair'd villain!

First Murderer. What, you egg!
[Stabbing him]
Young fry of treachery!