How do the witches respond to macbeths question about banquo?

When Macbeth asks if Banquo's offspring will also be kings, the witches become evasive. They refuse to answer the question directly and instead provide him with a series of cryptic prophecies:

"Lesser than Macbeth, and greater."

"Not so happy, yet much happier."

"Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none."

These prophecies are open to interpretation, and they allow Macbeth to believe that Banquo's descendants will not pose a threat to his rule. However, the witches' words are also a warning: Macbeth may be greater than Banquo, but he will not be as happy; he may father kings, but he will not be one himself.