Macbeth: Act 1, Scene 6



Hoboys and torches: Hoboys are the ancestors of oboes, and they are probably used here to create an ominous atmosphere. <More about this.> The torches indicate that it is dark.
           Hoboys and torches. Enter KING [DUNCAN],
           MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNOX,
           MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and Attendants.


      DUNCAN
1. seat: site, location.
  1   This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
  2   Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
  3   Unto our gentle senses.

      BANQUO
                                       This guest of summer,
4. martlet: martin. <Image> approve: prove, show
  4   The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,
5. mansionry: This is a poetic word for a collection of dwelling places. 6. jutty: any projection from a wall. frieze <Image> 7. coign of vantage: convenient corner [for building a nest].
  5   By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath
  6   Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze,
  7   Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird
8. pendant bed and procreant cradle: suspended bed and breeding cradle.
  8   Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle:
  9   Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed,
 10   The air is delicate.

            Enter LADY [MACBETH].

       DUNCAN
                                 See, see, our honour'd hostess!
11-12. The love ... as love: i.e., Sometimes I am troubled by the trouble to which others go to do things for me out of love, but I still thank them for their love. 12-14. Herein I teach you ... your trouble: i.e., By saying what I have just said I show you how you should ask God to reward me for the pains you take on my behalf, and how you should thank me for your trouble. —King Duncan is being humorously gracious.
 11   The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
 12   Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
 13   How you shall bid God 'ield us for your pains,
 14   And thank us for your trouble.

       LADY MACBETH
                                                   All our service
 15   In every point twice done and then done double
16-17. Were poor and single business to contend / Against: would be poor and negligible acts to weigh against. 18-20. for those of old ... your hermits: for those [honors] formerly given to us, and for the recent honors piled on top of them, we will forever be those who do nothing but gratefully pray for your well-being.
 16   Were poor and single business to contend
 17   Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
 18   Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,
 19   And the late dignities heap'd up to them,
 20   We rest your hermits.

      DUNCAN
                                Where's the Thane of Cawdor?
21-22. coursed him at the heels: followed him closely (trying to overtake him, as in a hunt). had a purpose / To be his purveyor: intended to be the one who prepared a welcome for him. King Duncan, still being very gracious, says that he meant to arrange everything for Macbeth's arrival, as though Macbeth were more important than himself. 23. holp: helped.
 21   We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose
 22   To be his purveyor: but he rides well;
 23   And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him
 24   To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,
 25   We are your guest tonight.

       LADY MACBETH
25-28. Your servants ever / Have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in compt, / To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, / Still to return your own: We, your servants, always have our servants, ourselves, and our possessions in trust, in order to make an accounting for everything whenever you please; [we are] always [ready to] return to you [what is really] your own.
                                               Your servants ever
 26   Have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in compt,
 27   To make their audit at your highness' pleasure,
 28   Still to return your own.

      DUNCAN
                                   Give me your hand;
 29   Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly,
 30   And shall continue our graces towards him.
 31   By your leave, hostess.

            Exeunt.