In the first act Lady Macbeth comes in reading her husband's letter, as follows:-- We met, 'twas on a heath, and on that day When victory had flushed us; really they Both turned our blood to _curds_ and stopped our _way_; Sally, report has said, and I have got A gothic notion, they know what is what; They called me, dear, all manner of rum things: While Cawdor's title in my noddle rings, Would you believe it? but a flunkey brings The news of Cawdor's death; I have to thank That queer old file for giving me his rank. One hailed me King--I pause to wipe my eye, For it's affecting.--Sally, dear, good-bye! Ever affectionately yours, till death Pops on his extinguisher, SAMUEL MACBETH. Lady Macbeth comments on this:-- Of all rum goes, this is about the rummest! Cawdor thou art, and shalt be--what thou'rt promised. Yet will thy scruples my intentions clog; To go at once the unadulterate hog Is not thy nature. Thou'rt the style of buck That has the _will_ to sin, but not the _pluck_. When Macbeth enters, she cries:-- Welcome, great Glamis!--welcome, worthy Cawdor! Nay greater! (_they embrace_). _Macb._ Ducky! Duncan comes to-night, To stay and sup with us. _Lady M._ Yes, that's all right. (_Significantly_) When _goes_ he hence? _Macb._ To-morrow he'll endeavour. _Lady M._ (_mysteriously_) Not if I knows it, Sammy-- trust me, never! _Macb._ What mean you? _Lady M._ Why, at such things you a muff are! _Macb._ You wouldn't have me spifflicate the buffer? I must think more of this. _Lady M._ Look (so thou wilt less Suspicion rouse) particularly guiltless-- Leave all the rest to me. _Macb._ The _rest_? Don't fret at all;-- If I do this, no _rest_ for me--you'll get it all. Then they sing a duet, to the tune of "There's a good time coming":-- _Lady M._ There's a good chance coming, Sam-- A good chance coming! If the King comes here to-day, We're not such flats as throw away The good chance coming! _Macb._ But, my love, it's very wrong-- Nothing could be wronger Than such a thing---- _Lady M._ Well, hold your tongue, And wait a little longer!