But I have none: the king-becoming graces,
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness,
Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
I have no relish of them, but abound
In the division of each several crime,
Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,
Uproar the universal peace, confound
All unity on earth.
– William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3. Malcolm pretends that he has none of the virtues that a good king should have, including courage. Listing out all the characteristics of an upright monarch, including justice and mercy, he is clearly not describing Macbeth. But Malcolm declares that he doesn’t have these virtues either. Using a metaphor, he declares that if he were on the throne, he would “pour the sweet milk of concord into hell” and replace it with disorder. This echoes Lady Macbeth when she refers to the “milk of human kindness” in Act 1. In this passage Malcolm is continuing his test of Macduff’s loyalty.