[00:00.45]Chapter 7.
[00:02.21]Macbeth wades deeper into blood.
[00:06.19]Lady Macbeth had always wanted to host the most lavish banquets in the land.
[00:12.34]Now, at last, it was possible.
[00:15.98]The feast she had thrown for Duncan was nothing compared to the one planned to celebrate Macbeth's coronation.
[00:25.56]Every lord and lady in Scotland was invited to the banquet.
[00:31.98]Tables were laid with silver, new tapestries hung, hogs and deer slaughtered, butts of wine brought in by the dozen.
[00:43.17]If the queen was short of anything, she simply demanded it of her people.
[00:49.77]Such was the power of the crown.
[00:54.93]Every feast must have a chief guest, and who better than Macbeth's bravest ally, Banquo.
[01:05.64]Your attendance is expected, said Macbeth to his old friend in the presence of the other guests.
[01:16.84]I am at your majesty's command, replied Banquo.
[01:22.77]As always, he acted dutifully, but it was as if the two were playing a game.
[01:30.29]Banquo suspected Macbeth had blood on his hands, and Macbeth knew that Banquo suspected.
[01:39.38]But neither could speak honestly.
[01:43.54]We are so pleased, said Lady Macbeth with her false and charming smile.
[01:51.28]The table would seem empty without you.
[01:56.65]I'm flattered, replied Banquo.
[02:01.23]Macbeth's eyes narrowed.
[02:04.10]So, he said, will you be riding this afternoon?
[02:10.43]I, my good lord, replied Banquo.
[02:13.85]I was hoping to ask your opinion on a few matters today, said Macbeth, but never mind.
[02:21.29]It can wait till tomorrow.
[02:24.24]Tell me, are you riding far?
[02:29.82]As far as necessary, replied Banquo, to fill up the time between now and supper.
[02:39.51]After dark then, asked Macbeth.
[02:44.25]Indeed, replied Banquo.
[02:48.04]And your son, Fleance, continued Macbeth, will he be going?
[02:54.97]He will, replied Banquo.
[02:57.97]Excellent, said Macbeth.
[03:02.20]Well, enjoy your ride, and whatever you do, don't miss the feast.
[03:08.39]Never fear, my good Lord, replied Banquo, I shall be there.
[03:14.93]Macbeth watched Banquo exit, then turned to the others present.
[03:21.04]You must all amuse yourselves till supper, he said.
[03:25.13]I want some time alone.
[03:28.77]Then I shall enjoy your company all the more this evening.
[03:35.27]Lady Macbeth and the guests departed, leaving Macbeth alone with his attendant.
[03:42.45]The men I asked for, said Macbeth.
[03:46.96]Are they at the gate?
[03:49.84]They are, my Lord, replied the attendant.
[03:55.03]Bring them in, demanded Macbeth.
[03:59.19]Two grim-faced soldiers were brought before Macbeth.
[04:04.78]The attendant departed, Macbeth lowered his voice.
[04:11.71]Have you considered the things we spoke of earlier, asked Macbeth.
[04:19.24]The two men nodded.
[04:21.39]I read their faces and saw a deep grudge lurking there.
[04:27.98]You were promised promotion, continued Macbeth, but the promises came to nothing.
[04:37.88]You thought it was I who frustrated you, but you were wrong.
[04:42.79]The man who stood between you and your ambitions was Banquo.
[04:52.29]So you have said, replied Bell, the first man.
[04:58.87]I have, continued Macbeth, but I went further than that.
[05:04.39]I asked you to do something for me.
[05:07.52]That is the reason we meet today, is it not?
[05:12.71]The two men said nothing.
[05:15.55]Of course, said Macbeth with a sneer.
[05:19.96]You can always be good Christians and forgive Banquo for stabbing you in the back.
[05:29.09]We are men, replied Black, the second man.
[05:34.31]So you are, said Macbeth, as Greyhounds and Spaniels and flea-bitten mongrels are all dogs.
[05:43.95]The point is, what kind of men are you?
[05:52.79]Men who have been pushed too far, replied Bell.
[05:58.08]Men prepared to do anything, replied Black.
[06:02.38]Well, said Macbeth.
[06:06.01]We three have a common enemy.
[06:11.85]I could, of course, have Banquo swept from my sight.
[06:18.36]But I have friends who are also Banquo's friends.
[06:23.63]I don't want to fall out with them.
[06:27.52]For this reason, it is better that I am not seen to be involved in Banquo's misfortune.
[06:35.61]You understand?
[06:38.58]Your wishes are command, replied Black.
[06:44.45]Macbeth clamped his arms around the shoulders of the two veterans.
[06:50.65]You are good men, he pronounced.
[06:55.43]Within the hour, I'll advise you where to hide yourselves.
[07:00.49]You must be some distance from the palace and under cover of darkness.
[07:07.13]I expect a professional job.
[07:10.67]No butch ups.
[07:14.01]And remember, Fleance must be dealt with at the same time.
[07:21.69]We understand, said Bell.
[07:25.22]We're ready, added Black.
[07:28.80]Excellent, replied Macbeth.
[07:32.80]Await my call.
[07:39.75]For once, the sky was clear, as Banquo set out with Fleance that day.
[07:47.51]They would take the trail beside the Loch, then between the craggy hills and through the forest.
[07:55.69]Fleance led the way.
[07:58.49]Banquo glowed with pride at the expert horsemanship of his growing son.
[08:06.13]He had not forgotten the weird sister's prophecy that his sons would be kings.
[08:14.23]Like any good father, his hopes were high for his child.
[08:20.48]Back at the palace, meanwhile, Lady Macbeth was tormented with discontent.
[08:27.76]A great night lay ahead of her, but uncertainties lay all around her.
[08:36.40]Not that she would show any weakness to her husband, when she could find him.
[08:46.42]You're spending too much time alone, she said, thinking too much.
[08:54.44]Macbeth said nothing.
[08:57.49]It's no good dwelling on the past, continued his wife.
[09:03.87]What's done is done.
[09:10.12]But it isn't done, replied Macbeth.
[09:15.01]That's the problem.
[09:17.40]If it was done, maybe I could sleep without these damned nightmares.
[09:23.83]Better to be dead than to be tortured like this.
[09:29.01]Please, my Lord, said Lady Macbeth.
[09:32.91]Put a smile on your face.
[09:35.86]We don't want the guests seeing you like this.
[09:39.68]Don't worry, replied Macbeth.
[09:43.37]I shall put on a good act for them.
[09:47.18]And you, for your part, must be sure to give Banquo your best attention.
[09:56.54]These words came as a surprise to me.
[10:00.63]For a moment, I thought I had misunderstood Macbeth's conversation with the two veterans.
[10:09.30]But I soon realized that Lady Macbeth knew nothing of the plot to kill Banquo.
[10:17.48]It was better for her to remain ignorant.
[10:23.52]She would be grateful enough when the news broke.