First Murderer
Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:
Now spurs the lated traveller apace
To gain the timely inn; and near approaches
The subject of our watch.

Third Murderer ( SEYTON )
Hark! I hear horses.

BANQUO
Within
Give us a light there, ho!

Second Murderer
Then 'tis he: the rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i' the court.

First Murderer
His horses go about.

Third Murderer ( SEYTON )
Almost a mile: but he does usually,
So all men do, from hence to the palace gate
Make it their walk.

Second Murderer
A light, a light!

Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch

Notes and Glossary
NOTES [Three Murderers] The identity of the third murderer has fascinated critics. Johnson thought tha he was 'the perfect spy of the time' to whom Macbeth referred (III.I.129), while others have suggested that he represents 'destiny', or is Macbeth himself -but in that case Macbeth would have known of the escape of Fleance before the next scene. His appearance suggests the nervous uncertainty in which Macbeth lives, unable to trust his own two assassins. ACT 3 Scene 3 Line 1134 He needs not our mistrust. The "he" here seems to refer to "Macbeth;" but it is said about the third murderer by the second murderer to his associate, the first murderer. The meaning of the speech is, 'We need not mistrust him, since he brings us word what we have to do, exactly according to our employer's direction.' That this is the true interpretation is shown by the first murderer's rejoinder addressed to the third murderer, "Then stand with us." As this brief dialogue is managed, however, the effect is included of the two men's sense of Macbeth's mistrust of themselves, by thus sending a third to join them and keep them to their pledged deed. ACT 3 Scene 3 Line 1145 The rest that are within the note of expectation. 'The remainder of those who are included in the list of expected guests. ' There is evidence that it was the custom to make out a written list of the persons invited to a festive banquet from the passages referred to in Act I "Romeo and Juliet. " ACT 3 Scene 3 Line 1150 Make it their walk This small speech serves most naturally to account for Banquo and Fleance ' s being on foot when their attackers lie in wait for them. ACT 3 Scene 3 Line 1155 Let it come down. It won't matter to you. Fleance escapes. He fled into Wales, where, by the daughter of the prince of that country, he had a son named Walter, who afterwards became Lord High Steward of Scotland, and from thence assumed the name of Walter Steward. From him in a direct line King James I was descended; in compliment to whom Shakespeare made Banquo innocent of the murder of Duncan, although, historically, he was a participator in Macbeth's crime. Moreover, this suited the dramatist's purpose, enabling him to give the moral contrast of the two characters-the one man striving against evil temptation to which the other yielded.

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