I conjure you, by that which you profess, Howe'er you come to know it, answer me: Though you untie the winds and let them fight Against the churches; though the yesty waves Confound and swallow navigation up; Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down; Though castles topple on their warders' heads; Though palaces and pyramids do slope Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure Of nature's germens tumble all together, Even till destruction sicken; answer me To what I ask you.

I conjure you, by that which you profess,
Howe’er you come to know it, answer me:
Though you untie the winds and let them fight
Against the churches; though the yesty waves
Confound and swallow navigation up;
Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down;
Though castles topple on their warders’ heads;
Though palaces and pyramids do slope
Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure
Of nature’s germens tumble all together,
Even till destruction sicken; answer me
To what I ask you.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1. Macbeth uses weather imagery, when he demands that the Witches employ their black magic to answer all his questions, even if it means unleashing the most destructive storm. Macbeth cares about no one but himself and wants answers, even if the world goes through hell as a result. To get what he wants, he is willing to see winds topple palaces and pyramids, waves swallow ships and crops destroyed.

William Shakespeare Quotes