Was once thought honest; you have loved him well;
He hath not touched
you yet. I am young, but something You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom15
To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb
T' appease an angry god.
MACDUFF
I am not treacherous.
MALCOLM But Macbeth is.
A good and virtuous nature may recoil19
In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon.20
That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose:21
Angels are bright still though the brightest fell;22
23 Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.
MACDUFF I have lost my hopes.
MALCOLM
Perchance even there where I did find my doubts.
26 Why in that rawness left you wife and child, Those precious motives, those strong knots of love, Without leave-taking? I pray you,
29 Let not my jealousies be your dishonors, 30 But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just Whatever I shall think.
MACDUFF Bleed, bleed, poor country!
32 Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee; wear thou thy wrongs, 34 The title is affeered! Fare thee well, lord.
I would not be the villain that thou think'st
For the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp
And the rich East to boot.
MALCOLM Be not offended.
38 I speak not as in absolute fear of you.
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke,
40 It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash 41 Is added to her wounds. I think withal There would be hands uplifted in my right;
43 And here from gracious England have I offer Of goodly thousands. But, for all this,
When I shall tread upon the tyrant's head
Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country