Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 6

This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses.

This castle is pleasantly situated. The air moves lightly and sweetly, offering itself to our calm senses.

This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry, that the heaven’s breath Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ’d The air is delicate.

This summer visitor, the house martin that nests in churches, proves by the way it loves to build here that the breath of heaven smells enticingly in this place: there is no projecting ledge, decorated band, supporting pillar or convenient corner where this bird has not made its hanging bed and breeding cradle. Where they breed and gather most, I have noticed the air is fine.

See, see, our honour’d hostess!— The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you How you shall bid God ’ild us for your pains, And thank us for your trouble.

Look, look, our honoured hostess!— The love that follows us is sometimes a nuisance to us, yet we always thank it as love. By this I am teaching you how you should ask God to reward us for the trouble you have taken, and thank us for putting you to it.

All our service, In every point twice done, and then done double, Were poor and single business to contend Against those honours deep and broad wherewith Your Majesty loads our house: for those of old, And the late dignities heap’d up to them, We rest your hermits.

All the service we could give, done twice over in every detail and then doubled again, would be a poor, slight effort set against the deep and wide honours with which Your Majesty loads our house. For the old ones, and the recent titles piled on top of them, we remain your devoted servants, praying for you.

Where’s the Thane of Cawdor? We cours’d him at the heels, and had a purpose To be his purveyor: but he rides well; And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, We are your guest tonight.

Where is the Thane of Cawdor? We rode close behind him, meaning to arrive first and prepare his lodging for him; but he rides well, and his great love, as sharp as his spur, has helped him reach home before us. Fair and noble hostess, we are your guest tonight.

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.

Your servants always hold their own servants, themselves, and everything they own as a trust to be accounted for, ready to present their accounts whenever Your Highness pleases, and always to give you back what is your own.

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

Give me your hand; take me to my host. We love him greatly, and we will go on showing him our favour. With your permission, hostess.