No. The whole moral significancy of the Witches only then appears, when we are assured that they address themselves only to those who already have been tampering with their conscience. "Good sir! why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?" That question put to Macbeth by Banquo turns our eyes to his face--and we see Guilt. There was no start at "Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor,"--but at the word "King" well might he start; for ---- eh? TALBOYS. We must look up the Scene. NORTH. No need for that. You have it by heart--recite it. TALBOYS. "_Macbeth._ So foul and fair a day I have not seen. _Banquo._ How far is't call'd to Forres?--What are these, So wither'd, and so wild in their attire; That look not like the inhabitants of the earth, And yet are on't? Live you? or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me, By each at once her choppy finger laying Upon her skinny lips:--You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. _Macbeth._ Speak, if you can;--What are you? _1st Witch._ All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! _2d Witch._ All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! _3d Witch._ All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter. _Banquo._ Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?--I' the name of truth, Are ye fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner You greet with present grace, and great prediction Of noble having, and of royal hope, That he seems rapt withal; to me you speak not: If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow, and which will not; Speak then to me, who neither beg, nor fear Your favours nor your hate. _1st Witch._ Hail! _2d Witch._ Hail! _3d Witch._ Hail! _1st Witch._ Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. _2d Witch._ Not so happy, yet much happier. _3d Witch._ Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So, all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! _1st Witch._ Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! _Macbeth._ Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel's death, I know, I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman; and to be king, Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say, from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting?--Speak, I charge you. [_Witches vanish._ _Banquo._ The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them:--Whither are they vanish'd? _Macbeth._ Into the air, and what seem'd corporal, melted As breath into the wind. 'Would they had staid! _Banquo._ Were such things here, as we do speak about? Or have we eaten of the insane root, That takes the reason prisoner.