Libretto: Macbeth
Cast:
DUNCAN, King of Scotland (silent role)
MACBETH, general of King Duncan's army (Baritone)
BANQUO, general of King Duncan's army (Bass)
LADY MACBETH (Soprano)
LADY-IN-WAITING attendinng on Lady Macbeth (Mezzo soprano)
MACDUFF, nobleman of Scotland, thane of Fife (Tenor)
MALCOLM, Duncan's son (Tenor)
FLEANCE, Banquo's son (silent role)
DOCTOR (Bass)
SERVANT of Macbeth (Bass)
ASSASSIN (Bass)
3 APPARITIONS (Soprano / Bass)
CHORUS
witches, king's messengers, Scottish noblemen and exiles, assassins,
English soldiers, bards, aerial spiritsPrelude
ACT ONE
FIRST SCENE
A wood.
Three groups of witches appear one after the other amid thunder and lightning.
CHORUS OF WITCHES
Third group
What have you been doing? Tell us!
Second group
I have slit a boar's throat.
Third group
What have yoo done?
First group
I'm thinking of a
steersman's wife
who chased me to the devil,
but her husband has set sail
and I'll drown him with his ship.
Third group
I shall give you the north wind.
Second group
I shall raise the waves.
First group
I shall drag it across the shallows.
Drumming is heard
ALL
A drum! What can it be?
Macbeth is coming. He is here.
They group together and dance in a ring.
The wandering sisters
Fly through the air, sail over the waves;
they bind a circle
through land and sea.
Macbeth and Banquo
MACBETH
I have never seen a day so fine and fierce!
BANQUO
Nor so glorious!
MACBETH
noticing the witches
Oh, who are those?
BANQUO
Who are you? Are you from this world
or from some other place?
I should call you women, but your filthy beards
prevent me.
MACBETH
Come, speak!
WITCHES
Hail, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis!
Hail, Macbeth, Thane of'Cawdor!
Hail, Macbeth, King of Scotland!
Macbeth trembles
BANQUO
Do these happy prophecies make you tremble?
to the witches
Tell me as well about the future.
weird beings, if you can see it.
WITCHES
Hail! Hail! Hail!
You will be lesser than Macbeth and yet greater!
Not so happy as he, but happier!
Not king, but the father of kings!
Long live Macbeth and Banquo!
Long live Banquo and Macbeth!
They disappear.
MACBETH
They have vanished!
Your children will be kings.
BANQUO
And you will be king before them.
BANQUO and MACBETH
Mysterious words!
The Kinq’s messengers enter
MESSENGERS
Brave Macbeth, your lord
has made you Thane of Cawdor.
MACBETH
But that Thane is still living!
MESSENGERS
No! Struck down by the law
he has died on the block.
BANQUO
aside
Ah, the devil spoke the truth!
MACBETH
aside
Two prophecies are now fulfilled.
The third promises me a crown.
But why do I feel my hair standing on end?
Where has this thought of blood come from?
Fate offers me a crown which I will not
stretch out my hand to snatch.
BANQUO
aside
Oh, how the hope of a kingdom
fills him with pride!
But often the wicked spirit of hell
tells us truths and betrays us,
and, cursed, we are abandone
above that pit dug out for us.
MESSENGERS
aside
Why has Macbeth taken this news so coldly?
Why does he show no pleasure?
All leave. The witches return.
WITCHES
They have gone! We shall come together again
when we hear the crash of thunder.
They have gone. Let us go. We await
destiny's fulfilment amid the witches'sabbath.
Macbeth will return, we shall see him there
and our oracle will speak to him.
Let us go!
They leave.
SECOND SCENE
A hall in Macbeth’s castle, leading to other rooms.
LADY MACBETH
reading a letter
„I met them on the day of victory.
I was stunned at what I heard;
when the King's messengers hailed me
Thane of Cawdor, it fulfilled a prophecy
those seers had made.
They also predicted a crown for my head.
Keep this secret in your heart. Farewell.“
You are an
ambitious soul, Macbeth. You long for greatness,
but will you be wicked enough?
The road to power
is filled with crimes, and woe to him
who sets an uncertain foot upon it and retreats!
Come! Hurry! I wish
to light a fire in your cold heart!
I shall give you the courage
to carry out this bold undertaking.
The prophetesses promise you
the throne of Scotland.
Why delay? Accept the gift,
mount the throne and reign.
A servant enters.
SERVANT
The King will come here this evening.
LADY MACBETH
What? Is Macbeth with him?
SERVANT
He is accompanying him.
My lady, the news is certain.
LADY MACBETH
Let him find a reception which a king deserves.
The servant goes out.
LADY MACBETH
Duncan will be here?
Here? Spend the night here?
Arise, all the
agents of hell
that rouse mortals
to bloody acts!
Night, wrap us
In motionless darkness.
Do not let the knife see
The breast which it strikes.
Macbeth enters
MACBETH
Oh, my lady!
LADY MACBETH
Cawdor!
MACBETH
Soon you will see the King.
LADY MACBETH
And when will he leave?
MACBETH
Tomorrow.
LADY MACBETH
May the sun never bring that tomorrow.
MACBETH
What are you saying?
LADY MACBETH
Do you not understand?
MACBETH
I understand.
LADY MACBETH
Well?
MACBETH
And if the blow should fail?
LADY MACBETH
It will not fail if you do not waver.
Sounds of celebration are heard.
The King!
Now come and greet him cheerfully with me.
They go out. Sounds of folk-like music are heard, coming nearer, announcing the arrival of the king. He crosses the hall accompanied by Banquo, Macduff, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and courtiers.
MACBETH
to a servant
Tell my wife that as soon as
My night drink is ready
I wish to be alerted by a bell.
The servant leaves.
Is this a dagger I see before me?
The hilt turned to me?
If you are not a dream, let me grasp you.
You fly from me, and yet I can see you!
You run ahead of me
along the unclear path which my mind
intended to follow!
Horrid sight!
The blade is streaked with blood!
But now there’s nothing there.
Only my bloody imagination
gives it shape
and presents a dream to my eyes
as a reality.
On one half of the world
nature now is dead.
Now the murderer
creeps like a phantom
through the shadows.
Now the witches consummate their secrets.
Motionless earth!
Stay hushed at my steps.
A bell rings.
It is decided.
That bell invites me!
Do not hear it, Duncan.
It is a knell
That summons you to heaven or to hell.
He goes into the King’s chambers.
Lady Macbeth enters slowly, alone.
LADY MACBETH
Sleep reigns over everyone.
Ah, that moaning!
The owl responds
To his mournful farewell.
MACBETH
within
Who’s there?
LADY MACBETH
What if he was roused from his sleep
before the fatal blow?
MACBETH
His face contorted and a dagger in his hand
It is all over.
My fated lady, did you not hear
murmuring, as I did?
LADY MACBETH
I heard the shriek of an owl.
What did you say a moment ago?
MACBETH
I?
LADY MACBETH
I thought I heard you just now.
MACBETH
While I was coming down?
LADY MACBETH
Yes.
MACBETH
Tell me, who is sleeping
in the side room?
LADY MACBETH
The King's son.
MACBETH
looking at his hands
Oh, what an awful sight!
LADY MACBETH
Look away.
MACBETH
I heard the courtiers
praying in their sleep.
God be with us always.' they said.
I wanted to say Amen
but the rebellious word
froze on my lips.
LADY MACBETH
Madness!
MACBETH
Why could I not
say that Amen?
LADY MACBETH
Such foolishness, but the first light of day
will dispel it.
MACBETH
Then I heard a voice within me saying,
O Macbeth, you will have only thorns for a pillow.
Glamis, you have murdered sleep for ever.
Cawdor, you will never sleep again.
LADY MACBETH
But tell me, did you not seem to hear another voice?
You are bold, Macbeth, but have no daring.
You hesitate halfway, Glamis, and stop.
Cawdor, you are a conceited child.
MACBETH
I shall hear Duncan's holy virtues
thunder vengeance at me like angels of wrath.
LADY MACBETH
His spirit is trembling, struggling and raving.
Who would ever call him the unconquered man he was?
Take the knife back there.
Smear his guards with blood
so that they will be accused.
MACBETH
I go there? I cannot go back in!
LADY MACBETH
Give me the knife.
She takes the knife from Macbeth’s hands and goes into the King's chambers. There is loud knocking at the castle gate.
MACBETH
Every noise alarms me!
Oh, this hand!
The ocean could not
wash my hands clean!
LADY MACBETH
returning
See! My hands are stained too.
A sprinkle of water and they will be c1ean again.
The deed too will pass into oblivion.
There is more knocking
MACBETH
Do you hear? They're knocking louder.
LADY MACBETH
Come away! We must remove
all suspicion from the murderer.
Be yourself, Macbeth. Have courage!
Don't be defeated by fear.
MACBETH
Oh, if only I could wipe my crime
from my mind!
O murdered King, if only I could
rouse you from your deep sleep.
Lady Macbeth drags him off.
Macduff and Banquo.
MACDUFF
The King ordered me to waken him early,
and it is already late.
Wait here for me, Banquo.
He goes into the King's chamber.
BANQUO
Oh what an awful night!
Mourning voices were heard
in the blind air, voices of death.
The bird of ill omen moaned gloomily
and the earth was felt to shake.
MACDUFF
coming back appalled
Horror! Horror! Horror!
BANQUO
What has happened?
MACDUFF
In there,
see for yourself.
I cannot say it!
Banquo rushes into the King's chamber
Hurry! Ho there!
Everyone come here!
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, her Gentlewoman, Malcolm and servants all enter.
Murder! Murder!
Treason!
MACBETH and LADY MACBETH
What sudden confusion!
BANQUO
coming back, stunned
We are lost!
ALL
What is it? Speak!
What has happened?
BANQUO
King Duncan has been murdered!
ALL
Open your mouth, hell
and swallow all creation in your womb.
Heaven, let your flames fall
on the unknown, detestable murderer.
God, you can look into our hearts,
aid us, we trust in you alone.
We look to you for light and counsel
to tear through the veil of darkness.
Deadly castigator let your formidable,
ready anger take the villain
and mark his head as you marked
that of the first murderer.
ACT TWO
SCENE ONE
A room in the castle.
Macbeth enters, deep in thought, followed by LadyMacbeth.
LADY MACBETH
Why are you avoiding me, and why
do I always see you sunk deep in thought?
The deed cannot he undone.
The sorceresses spoke the truth and you are king.
Because of his sudden flight to England
Duncan's son has been accused
of parricide
and the throne was left
empty for you.
MACBETH
But the witches predicted
that Banquo would father kings.
So will his sons reign?
Will Duncan have died for them?
LADY MACBETH
He and his son are alive, it is true.
MACBETH
But they are not immortal.
LADY MACBETH
No, they are not!
MACBETH
My lady, more blood must flow!
LADY MACBETH
Where? When?
MACBETH
Tonight.
LADY MACBETH
Will you be firm in what you intend?
MACBETH
Banquo, eternity opens its realm to you.
He rushes out.
LADY MACBETH
The light is fading, the beacon
that eternally crosses the wide sky has gone out.
O longed-for night, throw a veil
over the guilty murderous hand.
A new crime! It must be so!
The fatal deed must be done.
Power means nothing to the dead;
for them a requiem and eternity.
Oh, desire of the throne!
Oh, sceptre, at last you are mine!
Every living desire
is quieted and calmed in you.
The man who was prophesied king
will soon fall lifeless.
SCENE TWO
A park. In the distance is Macbeth's castle.
Two groups of assassins enter from several directions.
ASSASSINS
First group:
Who commanded you to join us?
Second group:
It was Macbeth.
First group:
To do what?
Second group:
We are to slaughter Banquo.
First group:
When? Where?
Second group:
Together with you.
He will come here with his son.
First group:
Stay. All is well.
ALL
The sun has disappeared, now let night reign,
wicked and bloodstained.
Blind night, hurry to extinguish
all light on earth and in heaven.
The time is near, now let us hide.
We shall wait for him in silence.
Tremble, Banquo, the point of a dagger
is stuck in your side!
They leave.
Enter Banquo and Fleance
BANQUO
Hurry, my son, let us escape
from these shadows.
I can feel an unknown sensation rising in my heart,
filled with sad foreboding and suspicion.
How the gloom falls
more and more darkly from heaven!
It was on a night like this
that they stabbed my lord Duncan.
A thousand feverish images
foretell misfortune to me
and cloud my thoughts
with phantoms and fears.
They go off into the park
Alas! Fly, my son! Treachery!
Fleance crosses the scene pursued by one of the assassins.
SCENE THREE
A magnificent hall with a table laid for a banquet.
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, her Gentlewoman, Macduff, Knights and Ladies.
CHORUS
Hail, King!
MACBETH
Hail to you, most noble lords.
CHORUS
Hail, madam!
LADY MACBETH
Accept my thanks for your praise.
MACBETH
Let everyone take his place
according to his rank.
I am pleased to greet
such guests at the banquet.
Let my consort take
her appointed place on the throne.
But first let her offer
a toast in your honour.
LADY MACBETH
I am ready to answer
your royal request, my lord.
ALL
And you will hear our reply,
prompted by our hearts.
LADY MACBETH
Fill the cup
with the choicest wine.
Give life to pleasure
And death to sorrow.
Let hate and scorn
fly from us
and let love alone
reign here.
Let us savour the balm
for every wound
which gives new life
to the heart.
Let us cast dull care
from our hearts;
give life to pleasure
and death to sorrow.
ALL
Let us cast dull care, etc.
An assassin appears at a side door. Macbeth goes up to him.
MACBETH
You have blood on your face..
ASSASSIN
It is Banquo's.
MACBETH
Is this the truth?
ASSASSIN
Yes.
MACBETH
What about his son?
ASSASSIN
He fled.
MACBETH
Heavens! But Banquo?
ASSASSIN
He is dead.
Macbeth dismisses the assassin, who leaves.
LADY MACBETH
My royal husband, what has drawn you away
from the delights of the banquet?
MACBETH
Banquo is not here. That courageous man
who would complete the chosen circle
of the most worthy
in all our kingdom.
LADY MACBETH
He said he would be here but he has failed us.
MACBETH
I shall sit in his place.
Macbeth goes to sit down, but Banquo’s ghost, which only he can see, is in his place.
Which of you has done this?
ALL
What?
MACBETH
to the ghost
Do not say that it was I! Do not
shake your bloody locks at me!
ALL
getting up
Macbeth is ill.
Let us go.
LADY MACBETH
Stay! His sickness is passing.
softly, to Macbeth
Are you a man?
MACBETH
I am, and a bold man if I can
look at such a thing which might frighten
the devil himself.
There … there … can't you see it?
to the ghost
Since you can nod your head,
tell me, can the dead come back from the grave?
The ghost vanishes.
LADY MACBETH
softly, to Macbeth
You are mad!
MACBETH
I saw him with my own eyes.
LADY MACBETH
Sit down, my husband!
All our guests are unhappy.
Re?awaken enjoyment!
MACBETH
Forgive me, everyone.
Let the cheering toast be sung again,
and let us not forget Banquo
who is not with us.
LADY MACBETH
Fill the cup
with choicest wine.
Give life to pleasure
and death to sorrow.
Let hate and scorn
fly from us
and let love alone
reign here.
Let us savour the balm
for every wound
which gives new life
to the heart.
Let us empty our glasses
to illustrious Banquo!
The flower of warriors,
The pride of Scotland.
ALL
Let us empty our glasses, etc.
The ghost reappears.
MACBETH
Go, spirit of hell!
Earth, open a ditch
and swallow him.
Those bones are burning,
that steaming blood
sprays in my face!
That look is turned on me
And pierces my heart!
ALL
Oh misfortune! Terror!
MACBETH
I am as daring as any man!
You may become a tiger, a threatening lion,
you may snatch me, but you will not see Macbeth tremble.
You will discover if I feel fear!
But leave me!
Leave me, awesome ghost!
The ghost disappears.
I am coming back to life!
LADY MACBETH
softly to Macbeth
Shame, my lord!
ALL
Misfortune!
MACBETH
That shadow demands blood from me,
and it will have it, I swear it will have it!
I shall go to the witches
and pierce the veil of the future.
MACDUFF
Sinister mysteries! I shall leave
this land. Now that it is ruled
by a cursed hand,
only the wicked can remain.
KNIGHTS and LADIES
Sinister mysteries! He has spoken
terrified by phantoms.
This land has become
a den of thieves.
LADY MACBETH
to Macbeth
Cowardly spirit! Your fright
has created idle phantoms.
The crime is done.
The dead cannot return.
ACT THREE
A dark cave. In the middle is a boiling cauldron. Thunder and lightning.
WITCHES
Third group:
Three times the cat has mewed in heat.
Second group:
Three times the hoopoe has mourned and wailed.
First group:
Three times the porcupine has yelped to the wind.
ALL
This is the hour!
Come, let us dance quickly round the cauldron
and mix powerful brews in our circle.
Sisters, to work! The water is steaming,
crackling and bubbling.
THIRD GROUP
Poisonous toad,
which sucks wolfsbane,
thorn, root
plucked at twilight,
cook and bubble
in the devil's pot.
SECOND GROUP
Tongue of viper,
hair of bat,
blood of monkey,
tooth of dog,
boil and be swallowed up
in the infernal brew
FIRST GROUP
Finger of child
strangled at birth,
lip of Tartar,
heart of heretic,
thicken the
hellish broth.
ALL
Boil! Boil!
Sprits,
black and white,
red and blue
blend together!
You who well
know how,
blend together!
MACBETH
appearing at the entrance, addressing some of his men
Wait for me in silence until I call.
He goes towards the witches.
What are you doing, mysterious women?
WITCHES
A work with no name.
MACBETH
In the name of the infernal task I implore you,
let me know my destiny, even if
heaven and earth must renew their ancient struggle,
WITCHES
Do you wish to hear it from the unknown powers
whom we obey, or from us?
MACBETH
I invoke them,
if they can tell me
the dark secrets of the future.
WITCHES
Wandering spirits, arise from the depths,
descend from the heights.
There is a flash of lightning and a head wearing a helmet appears from out of the ground.
MACBETH
Tell me, spirit …
WITCHES
He has read what is in your heart
Stay quiet and hear his secret words.
APPARITION
O Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
Beware Macduff!
MACBETH
You confirm my suspicions at what I have heard!
Just one word …
The apparition vanishes.
WITCHES
He will not hear questions.
Here is another, more powerful.
Lightning: a bloodstained child appears.
Stay quiet and hear his mysterious words.
APPARITION
O Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
You may be bloody and fierce:
no man born of woman will harm you.
It disappears.
MACBETH
O Macduff, I forgive you your life.
No, you will die. Your death
will be a double shield on my royal breast!
Thunder and lightning. A child appears wearing a crown and carrying a sapling.
But what does this thunder and lightning mean?
A child with a king's crown!
WITCHES
Be quiet and listen.
APPARITION
Be strong:
you will be glorious and invincible
until you see Birnam wood
come marching towards you.
It disappears.
MACBETH
Oh, what a cheering prophecy! No wood
was ever moved by magic power.
Now tell me: will the descendants
of Banquo ever mount the throne?
WITCHES
Do not ask!
MACBETH
I must know!
Or else my sword will fall on you!
The cauldron sinks into the ground.
The cauldron has disappeared! Why?
What is this music? Speak! What is it?
WITCHES
Appear! Appear! Appear!
Then like mist vanish again.
Eight kings pass by, one after the other. Lastly comes Banquo, carrying a mirror in his hand.
MACBETH
to the first
Away, royal phantom!
You remind me of Banquo.
Your crown is a bolt of lightning
burning my eyes.
to the second
Away, frightening vision,
your brow is wrapped in bands!
Are there more?
to the others
A third? A fourth? A fifth?
Oh, horror! The last one
is carrying a mirror,
and new kings are endorsed
within the crystal.
And Banquo, oh, awful sight,
you laugh while you point them out to me?
He draws his sword and strikes out at the ghosts.
Die, you deadly offspring!
He stops.
But you have no life!
Oh, terror!
to the witches
Will they live?
WITCHES
They will live.
MACBETH
Oh, I am lost!
He faints.
WITCHES
He has fainted. Spirits of the air,
bring the unconscious King back to his senses.
Spirits descend, and while they dance around Macbeth the witches sing.
WITCHES
Nymphs and white-winged sylphs,
blow upon that pallid brow,
weave a whirl of sweet songs
to comfort his body and soul.
The witches and spirits disappear.
MACBETH
coming to
Where am I?
They have gone! Oh, may this hour
be eternally damned!
A herald enters.
HERALD
The Queen!
MACBETH
What is it?
LADY MACBETH
entering
I have found you at last!
What were you doing?
MACBETH
I have been questioning the witches again.
LADY MACBETH
And what did they say?
MACBETH
To beware Macduff.
LADY MACBETH
What else?
MACBETH
That no man born of woman will kill me.
LADY MACBETH
What else?
MACBETH
I shall be unconquered until Birnam wood
marches against me.
LADY MACBETH
What else?
MACBETH
Yet Banquo’s line appeared to me,
and they will reign!
LADY MACBETH
Lies! Death and destruction to that wicked brood!
MACBETH
Yes, death! Macduff’s castle must burn!
His wife and children must perish!
LADY MACBETH
Let Banquo's son be found and put to death!
MACBETH
All our enemies' blood will be spilled.
LADY MACBETH
Now I see your old courage again.
MACBETH and LADY MACBETH
Hour of death and vengeance,
thunder and resound throughout the whole world,
bewildering, like the dark intention
that has shaken our hearts to their depths.
Come quickly, hour of death,
Fate's remorseless decree;
this business will end with crime
since it was begun with blood.
Vengeance!
ACT IV
SCENE ONE
A deserted p1ace on the border between Scotland and England. In the distance is Birnam wood. Scottish refugees - men, women and children. Macduff stands sorrowfully apart from them.
CHORUS
Oppressed land of ours! You cannot have
the sweet name of mother
now that you have become a tomb
for your sons.
From orphans, from those who mourne,
some for husbands, some for children,
at each new dawn a cry goes up
to outrage heaven.
To that cry heaven replies
as if moved to pity,
oppressed land, it would
proclaim your grief for ever.
The bell tolls constantly for death
but no-one is so bold
as to shed a vain tear
for the suffering and dying.
Oppressed land of ours!
My homeland, oh,my homeland!
MACDUFF
Oh my children! You have all been killed
by that tyrant, together with
your poor mother! Ah, did I
leave a mother and her children in the clutches of that beast?
Alas, a father's hand was not there
to shield you, my dear ones,
from the treacherous assassins
who put you to death.
And in vain you called on me,
a fugitive, in hiding,
with your last gasp,
with your last breath.
Lord, bring me face to face
with this tyrant, and if he escapes me
let your merciful arms
open to him.
Drums sound and Malcolm enters, leading a large number of English soldiers.
MALCOLM
Where are we? What wood is that?
CHORUS
Birnam wood.
MALCOLM
Let every man break off a branch
and carry it in front of
him to conceal himself.
to Macduff
Let vengeance comfort you.
MACDUFF
I cannot have it. He has no children.
MALCOLM
Whoever does not hate the land of his birth
let him take up arms and follow me.
ALL
Our betrayed homeland
calls us, in tears.
Brothers! Let us run
to rescue the oppressed!
The wrath of God
will destroy the villain.
God has grown tired
of his awful crimes.
SCENE TWO
A hall in Macbeth's castle.
Night.
A doctor and Lady Macbeth's gentlewoman
DOCTOR
We have waited in
vain for two nights,
GENTLEWOMAN
She will appear tonight.
DOCTOR
What was she talking about in her sleep?
GENTLEWOMAN
I must not repeat it to any living man.
Lady Macbeth enterswith a lamp.
Here she is!
DOCTOR
That lamp in her hand … ?
GENTLEWOMAN
It is the lamp which she
keeps always beside her bed.
DOCTOR
Oh, her eyes are wide open!
GENTLEWOMAN
Yet she cannot see.
Lady Macbeth puts down the lamp and rubs her hands as if washhig something off.
DOCTOR
Why is she rubbing her hands?
GENTLEWOMAN
She thinks that she's washing them.
LADY MACBETH
There's still a spot here.
Away, I tell you, curse you!
One, two, it is time!
Are you shaking? Don't you dare go in?
A soldier and so cowardly?
Shame! Come on, hurry!
Who would have thought that there would be
so much blood in that old man?
DOCTOR
What did she say?
LADY MACBETH
The Thane of Fife
was he not recently a husband and father?
What happened?
GENTLEWOMAN and DOCTOR
Oh, horror!
LADY MACBETH
looking at her hands
Shall I never be able
to clean these hands?
There's still
human blood here. Thee perfumes
of all Arabia could not clean
this little hand.
Alas!
DOCTOR
Is she moaning?
LADY MACBETH
Put on your
nightgown. Come on, wash yourself!
Banquo is dead and no-one
has ever come back from the grave.
DOCTOR
This too?
LADY MACBETH
To bed, to bed …
What's done cannot be undone.
Someone is knocking! Come on, Macbeth,
do not let your pallor accuse you.
GENTLEWOMAN and DOCTOR
Oh, horror!
Lord, have mercy on her!
SCENE THREE
A hall in the castle.
MACBETH
Traitors! You have joined with the English against me!
The powers that prophecy have foretold:
'You may be bloody and fierce,
no man born of woman will harm you.'
No. I am not afraid of you, nor of the boy
who leads you, This attack will
confirm my position on the throne
or push me off for ever. And yet
I feel the life drying up in my veins!
Mercy, respect, love,
the comfort of declining years,
these will place no flowers
on your old age.
Nor should you hope
for kind words on your royal tomb:
only curses, alas,
will be your funeral hymn.
DISTANT VOICES
She is dead!
MACBETH
What is that crying?
GENTLEWOMAN
rushing in
The Queen is dead!
MACBETH
Life... what does it matter?
It is the tale of a poor fool:
wind and sound signifying nothing.
The gentlewoman leaves.
Soldiers enter.
CHORUS
Sire!
MACBETH
What is it? What news?
CHORUS
Birnam wood is moving!
MACBETH
You have deceived me, hellish prophecy!
Bring my shield, my sword, my dagger!'
My valiant men, to arms! Death or victory!
CHORUS
To arms then! Death or victory!
SCENE FOUR
A vast plain surrounded by hills and woods.
In the background are English soldiers, advancing slowly, carrying branches in front of them.
MACDUFF
Throw away the branches and take up your arms!
Follow me!
ALL
To arms!
Malcolm, Macduff and the soldiers go off
Macbeth enters, pursued by Macduff.
MACDUFF
I have you, butcher of my children!
MACBETH
Away! No man born of woman can kill me.
MACDUFF
I was not born. I was plucked
from my mother's womb.
MACBETH
Oh God!
They brandish their swords and exit, battling desperately.
CHORUS OF WOMEN
entering
Unhappy day!
Let us pray for our sons !
Te clash of arms has stopped.
DISTANT CHORUS
Victory!
WOMEN'S CHORUS
Victory!
Malcolm enters, followed by English soldiers, bards and people
MALCOLM
Where has the usurper gone?
MACDUFF
He's there, run through by me.
Hail King!
CHORUS
Hail King!
Where is Macbeth?
Where is the usurper?
The God of victory struck him down
with a breath.
He is a valiant hero
who killed the traitor.
He has saved our homeland and our King,
honour and glory to him!
WOMEN
My thanks rise to you,
great God of vengeance.
Let us sing hymns of glory
to our liberator.
MACDUFF
Let all place their trust in the King
who has been given back to our love.
The new dawn
will bring you peace and glory!
MALCOLM
Scotland, trust in me.
The tyrant is dead.
I shall make everlasting
the joy of such a victory.
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