Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Macbeth (1623 First Folio Edition)
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Act V
2092: Actus Quintus. Scena Prima.
2093: [ Enter a Doctor of Physicke, and a Wayting
Gentlewoman]
2095:
Doct.
I haue too Nights watch'd with you, but can
2096: perceiue no truth in your report. When was it shee last
2097: walk'd?
2098:
Gent.
Since his Maiesty went into the Field, I haue
2099: seene her rise from her bed, throw her Night-Gown vp-pon
2100: her, vnlocke her Closset, take foorth paper, folde it,
2101: write vpon't, read it, afterwards Seale it, and againe re-turne
2102: to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleepe.
2103:
Doct.
A great perturbation in Nature, to receyue at
2104: once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching.
2105: In this slumbry agitation, besides her walking, and other
2106: actuall performances, what (at any time) haue you heard
2107: her say?
2108:
Gent.
That Sir, which I will not report after her.
2109:
Doct.
You may to me, and 'tis most meet you should.
2110:
Gent.
Neither to you, nor any one, hauing no witnesse
2111: to confirme my speech. [ Enter Lady, with a Taper.]
2112: Lo you, heere she comes: This is her very guise, and vp-on
2113: my life fast asleepe: obserue her, stand close.
2114:
Doct.
How came she by that light?
2115:
Gent.
Why it stood by her: she ha's light by her con-tinually,
2116: 'tis her command.
2117:
Doct.
You see her eyes are open.
2118:
Gent.
I, but their sense are shut.
2119:
Doct.
What is it she do's now?
2120: Looke how she rubbes her hands.
2121:
Gent.
It is an accustom'd action with her, to seeme
2122: thus washing her hands: I haue knowne her continue in
2123: this a quarter of an houre.
2124:
Lad.
Yet heere's a spot.
2125:
Doct.
Heark, she speaks, I will set downe what comes
2126: from her, to satisfie my remembrance the more strongly.
2127:
La.
Out damned spot: out I say. One: Two: Why
2128: then 'tis time to doo't: Hell is murky. Fye, my Lord, fie,
2129: a Souldier, and affear'd? what need we feare? who knowes
2130: it, when none can call our powre to accompt: yet who
2131: would haue thought the olde man to haue had so much
2132: blood in him.
2133:
Doct.
Do you marke that?
2134:
Lad.
The Thane of Fife, had a wife: where is she now?
2135: What will these hands ne're be cleane? No more o'that
2136: my Lord, no more o'that: you marre all with this star-ting.
2137: _
2138:
Doct.
Go too, go too:
2139: You haue knowne what you should not.
2140:
Gent.
She ha's spoke what shee should not, I am sure
2141: of that: Heauen knowes what she ha's knowne.
2142:
La.
Heere's the smell of the blood still: all the per-fumes
2143: of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
2144: Oh, oh, oh.
2145:
Doct.
What a sigh is there? The hart is sorely charg'd.
2146:
Gent.
I would not haue such a heart in my bosome,
2147: for the dignity of the whole body.
2148:
Doct.
Well, well, well.
2149:
Gent.
Pray God it be sir.
2150:
Doct.
This disease is beyond my practise: yet I haue
2151: knowne those which haue walkt in their sleep, who haue
2152: dyed holily in their beds.
2153:
Lad.
Wash your hands, put on your Night-Gowne,
2154: looke not so pale: I tell you yet againe Banquo's buried;
2155: he cannot come out on's graue.
2156:
Doct.
Euen so?
2157:
Lady.
To bed, to bed: there's knocking at the gate:
2158: Come, come, come, come, giue me your hand: What's
2159: done, cannot be vndone. To bed, to bed, to bed.
2160: [ Exit Lady.]
2161:
Doct.
Will she go now to bed?
2162:
Gent.
Directly.
2163:
Doct.
Foule whisp'rings are abroad: vnnaturall deeds
2164: Do breed vnnaturall troubles: infected mindes
2165: To their deafe pillowes will discharge their Secrets:
2166: More needs she the Diuine, then the Physitian:
2167: God, God forgiue vs all. Looke after her,
2168: Remoue from her the meanes of all annoyance,
2169: And still keepe eyes vpon her: So goodnight,
2170: My minde she ha's mated, and amaz'd my sight.
2171: I thinke, but dare not speake.
2172:
Gent
Good night good Doctor. [ Exeunt.]
2173: Scena Secunda.
2174: [ Drum and Colours. Enter Menteth, Cathnes,
Angus, Lenox, Soldiers]
2176:
Ment.
The English powre is neere, led on by Malcolm,
2177: His Vnkle Seyward, and the good Macduff.
2178: Reuenges burne in them: for their deere causes
2179: Would to the bleeding, and the grim Alarme
2180: Excite the mortified man.
2181:
Ang.
Neere Byrnan wood
2182: Shall we well meet them, that way are they comming.
2183:
Cath.
Who knowes if Donalbane be with his brother?
2184:
Len.
For certaine Sir, he is not: I haue a File
2185: Of all the Gentry; there is Seywards Sonne,
2186: And many vnruffe youths, that euen now
2187: Protest their first of Manhood.
2188:
Ment.
What do's the Tyrant.
2189:
Cath.
Great Dunsinane he strongly Fortifies:
2190: Some say hee's mad: Others, that lesser hate him,
2191: Do call it valiant Fury, but for certaine
2192: He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause
2193: Within the belt of Rule.
2194:
Ang.
Now do's he feele
2195: His secret Murthers sticking on his hands,
2196: Now minutely Reuolts vpbraid his Faith-breach:
2197: Those he commands, moue onely in command,
2198: Nothing in loue: Now do's he feele his Title
2199: Hang loose about him, like a Giants Robe
2200: Vpon a dwarfish Theefe.
2201:
Ment.
Who then shall blame
2202: His pester'd Senses to recoyle, and start,
2203: When all that is within him, do's condemne
2204: It selfe, for being there.
2205:
Cath.
Well, march we on,
2206: To giue Obedience, where 'tis truly ow'd:
2207: Meet we the Med'cine of the sickly Weale,
2208: And with him poure we in our Countries purge,
2209: Each drop of vs.
2210:
Lenox.
Or so much as it needes,
2211: To dew the Soueraigne Flower, and drowne the Weeds:
2212: Make we our March towards Birnan. [ Exeunt marching.]
2213: Scaena Tertia.
2214: [ Enter Macbeth, Doctor, and Attendants.]
2215:
Macb.
Bring me no more Reports, let them flye all:
2216: Till Byrnane wood remoue to Dunsinane,
2217: I cannot taint with Feare. What's the Boy Malcolme?
2218: Was he not borne of woman? The Spirits that know
2219: All mortall Consequences, haue pronounc'd me thus:
2220: Feare not Macbeth, no man that's borne of woman
2221: Shall ere haue power vpon thee. Then fly false Thanes,
2222: And mingle with the English Epicures,
2223: The minde I sway by, and the heart I beare,
2224: Shall neuer sagge with doubt, nor shake with feare.
2225: [ Enter Seruant.]
2226: The diuell damne thee blacke, thou cream-fac'd Loone:
2227: Where got'st thou that Goose-looke.
2228:
Ser.
There is ten thousand.
2229:
Macb.
Geese Villaine?
2230:
Ser.
Souldiers Sir.
2231:
Macb.
Go pricke thy face, and ouer-red thy feare
2232: Thou Lilly-liuer'd Boy. What Soldiers, Patch?
2233: Death of thy Soule, those Linnen cheekes of thine
2234: Are Counsailers to feare. What Soldiers Whay-face?
2235:
Ser.
The English Force, so please you.
2236:
Macb.
Take thy face hence. Seyton, I am sick at hart,
2237: When I behold: Seyton, I say, this push
2238: Will cheere me euer, or dis-eate me now.
2239: I haue liu'd long enough: my way of life
2240: Is falne into the Seare, the yellow Leafe,
2241: And that which should accompany Old-Age,
2242: As Honor, Loue, Obedience, Troopes of Friends,
2243: I must not looke to haue: but in their steed,
2244: Curses, not lowd but deepe, Mouth-honor, breath
2245: Which the poore heart would faine deny, and dare not.
2246: Seyton?
2247: [ Enter Seyton.]
2248:
Sey.
What's your gracious pleasure?
2249:
Macb.
What Newes more?
2250:
Sey.
All is confirm'd my Lord, which was reported.
2251:
Macb.
Ile fight, till from my bones, my flesh be hackt.
2252: Giue me my Armor.
2253:
Seyt.
'Tis not needed yet.
2254:
Macb.
Ile put it on:
2255: Send out moe Horses, skirre the Country round,
2256: Hang those that talke of Feare. Giue me mine Armor:
2257: How do's your Patient, Doctor?
2258:
Doct.
Not so sicke my Lord,
2259: As she is troubled with thicke-comming Fancies
2260: That keepe her from her rest.
2261:
Macb.
Cure of that:
2262: Can'st thou not Minister to a minde diseas'd,
2263: Plucke from the Memory a rooted Sorrow,
2264: Raze out the written troubles of the Braine,
2265: And with some sweet Obliuious Antidote
2266: Cleanse the stufft bosome, of that perillous stuffe
2267: Which weighes vpon the heart?
2268:
Doct.
Therein the Patient
2269: Must minister to himselfe.
2270:
Macb.
Throw Physicke to the Dogs, Ile none of it.
2271: Come, put mine Armour on: giue me my Staffe:
2272: Seyton, send out: Doctor, the Thanes flye from me:
2273: Come sir, dispatch. If thou could'st Doctor, cast
2274: The Water of my Land, finde her Disease,
2275: And purge it to a sound and pristine Health,
2276: I would applaud thee to the very Eccho,
2277: That should applaud againe. Pull't off I say,
2278: What Rubarb, Cyme, or what Purgatiue drugge
2279: Would scowre these English hence: hear'st y of them?
2280:
Doct.
I my good Lord: your Royall Preparation
2281: Makes vs heare something.
2282:
Macb.
Bring it after me:
2283: I will not be affraid of Death and Bane,
2284: Till Birnane Forrest come to Dunsinane.
2285:
Doct.
Were I from Dunsinane away, and cleere,
2286: Profit againe should hardly draw me heere. [ Exeunt]
2287: Scena Quarta.
2288: [ Drum and Colours. Enter Malcolme, Seyward, Macduffe,
Seywards Sonne, Menteth, Cathnes, Angus,
and Soldiers Marching]
2291:
Malc.
Cosins, I hope the dayes are neere at hand
2292: That Chambers will be safe.
2293:
Ment.
We doubt it nothing.
2294:
Seyw.
What wood is this before vs?
2295:
Ment.
The wood of Birnane.
2296:
Malc.
Let euery Souldier hew him downe a Bough,
2297: And bear't before him, thereby shall we shadow
2298: The numbers of our Hoast, and make discouery
2299: Erre in report of vs.
2300:
Sold.
It shall be done.
2301:
Syw.
We learne no other, but the confident Tyrant
2302: Keepes still in Dunsinane, and will indure
2303: Our setting downe befor't.
2304:
Malc.
'Tis his maine hope:
2305: For where there is aduantage to be giuen,
2306: Both more and lesse haue giuen him the Reuolt,
2307: And none serue with him, but constrained things,
2308: Whose hearts are absent too.
2309:
Macd.
Let our iust Censures
2310: Attend the true euent, and put we on
2311: Industrious Souldiership.
2312:
Sey.
The time approaches,
2313: That will with due decision make vs know
2314: What we shall say we haue, and what we owe:
2315: Thoughts speculatiue, their vnsure hopes relate,
2316: But certaine issue, stroakes must arbitrate,
2317: Towards which, aduance the warre. [ Exeunt marching]
2318: Scena Quinta.
2319: [ Enter Macbeth, Seyton, & Souldiers, with
Drum and Colours]
2321:
Macb.
Hang out our Banners on the outward walls,
2322: The Cry is still, they come: our Castles strength
2323: Will laugh a Siedge to scorne: Heere let them lye,
2324: Till Famine and the Ague eate them vp:
2325: Were they not forc'd with those that should be ours,
2326: We might haue met them darefull, beard to beard,
2327: And beate them backward home. What is that noyse?
2328: [ A Cry within of Women.]
2329:
Sey.
It is the cry of women, my good Lord.
2330:
Macb.
I haue almost forgot the taste of Feares:
2331: The time ha's beene, my sences would haue cool'd
2332: To heare a Night-shrieke, and my Fell of haire
2333: Would at a dismall Treatise rowze, and stirre
2334: As life were in't. I haue supt full with horrors,
2335: Direnesse familiar to my slaughterous thoughts
2336: Cannot once start me. Wherefore was that cry?
2337:
Sey.
The Queene (my Lord) is dead.
2338:
Macb.
She should haue dy'de heereafter;
2339: There would haue beene a time for such a word:
2340: To morrow, and to morrow, and to morrow,
2341: Creepes in this petty pace from day to day,
2342: To the last Syllable of Recorded time:
2343: And all our yesterdayes, haue lighted Fooles
2344: The way to dusty death. Out, out, breefe Candle,
2345: Life's but a walking Shadow, a poore Player,
2346: That struts and frets his houre vpon the Stage,
2347: And then is heard no more. It is a Tale
2348: Told by an Ideot, full of sound and fury
2349: Signifying nothing. [ Enter a Messenger.]
2350: Thou com'st to vse thy Tongue: thy Story quickly.
2351:
Mes.
Gracious my Lord,
2352: I should report that which I say I saw,
2353: But know not how to doo't.
2354:
Macb.
Well, say sir.
2355:
Mes.
As I did stand my watch vpon the Hill
2356: I look'd toward Byrnane, and anon me thought
2357: The Wood began to moue.
2358:
Macb.
Lyar, and Slaue.
2359:
Mes.
Let me endure your wrath, if't be not so:
2360: Within this three Mile may you see it comming.
2361: I say, a mouing Groue.
2362:
Macb.
If thou speak'st false,
2363: Vpon the next Tree shall thou hang aliue
2364: Till Famine cling thee: If thy speech be sooth,
2365: I care not if thou dost for me as much.
2366: I pull in Resolution, and begin
2367: To doubt th' Equiuocation of the Fiend,
2368: That lies like truth. Feare not, till Byrnane Wood
2369: Do come to Dunsinane, and now a Wood
2370: Comes toward Dunsinane. Arme, Arme, and out,
2371: If this which he auouches, do's appeare,
2372: There is nor flying hence, nor tarrying here.
2373: I 'ginne to be a-weary of the Sun,
2374: And wish th' estate o'th' world were now vndon.
2375: Ring the Alarum Bell, blow Winde, come wracke,
2376: At least wee'l dye with Harnesse on our backe. [ Exeunt]
2377: Scena Sexta.
2378: [ Drumme and Colours.
Enter Malcolme, Seyward, Macduffe, and their Army,
with Boughes]
2381:
Mal.
Now neere enough:
2382: Your leauy Skreenes throw downe,
2383: And shew like those you are: You (worthy Vnkle)
2384: Shall with my Cosin your right Noble Sonne
2385: Leade our first Battell. Worthy Macduffe, and wee
2386: Shall take vpon's what else remaines to do,
2387: According to our order.
2388:
Sey.
Fare you well:
2389: Do we but finde the Tyrants power to night,
2390: Let vs be beaten, if we cannot fight.
2391:
Macd.
Make all our Trumpets speak, giue the[m] all breath
2392: Those clamorous Harbingers of Blood, & Death. [ Exeunt]
2393: [ Alarums continued.]
2394: Scena Septima.
2395: [ Enter Macbeth.]
2396:
Macb.
They haue tied me to a stake, I cannot flye,
2397: But Beare-like I must fight the course. What's he
2398: That was not borne of Woman? Such a one
2399: Am I to feare, or none.
2400: [ Enter young Seyward.]
2401:
Y.Sey.
What is thy name?
2402:
Macb.
Thou'lt be affraid to heare it.
2403:
Y.Sey.
No: though thou call'st thy selfe a hoter name
2404: Then any is in hell.
2405:
Macb.
My name's Macbeth.
2406:
Y.Sey.
The diuell himselfe could not pronounce a Title
2407: More hatefull to mine eare.
2408:
Macb.
No: nor more fearefull.
2409:
Y.Sey.
Thou lyest abhorred Tyrant, with my Sword
2410: Ile proue the lye thou speak'st.
2411: [ Fight, and young Seyward slaine.]
2412:
Macb.
Thou was't borne of woman;
2413: But Swords I smile at, Weapons laugh to scorne,
2414: Brandish'd by man that's of a Woman borne. [ Exit.]
2415: [ Alarums. Enter Macduffe.]
2416:
Macd.
That way the noise is: Tyrant shew thy face,
2417: If thou beest slaine, and with no stroake of mine,
2418: My Wife and Childrens Ghosts will haunt me still:
2419: I cannot strike at wretched Kernes, whose armes
2420: Are hyr'd to beare their Staues; either thou Macbeth,
2421: Or else my Sword with an vnbattered edge
2422: I sheath againe vndeeded. There thou should'st be,
2423: By this great clatter, one of greatest note
2424: Seemes bruited. Let me finde him Fortune,
2425: And more I begge not. [ Exit. Alarums.]
2426: [ Enter Malcolme and Seyward.]
2427:
Sey.
This way my Lord, the Castles gently rendred:
2428: The Tyrants people, on both sides do fight,
2429: The Noble Thanes do brauely in the Warre,
2430: The day almost it selfe professes yours,
2431: And little is to do.
2432:
Malc.
We haue met with Foes
2433: That strike beside vs.
2434:
Sey
Enter Sir, the Castle. [ Exeunt. Alarum]
2435: [ Enter Macbeth.]
2436:
Macb.
Why should I play the Roman Foole, and dye
2437: On mine owne sword? whiles I see liues, the gashes
2438: Do better vpon them.
2439: [ Enter Macduffe.]
2440:
Macd.
Turne Hell-hound, turne.
2441:
Macb.
Of all men else I haue auoyded thee:
2442: But get thee backe, my soule is too much charg'd
2443: With blood of thine already.
2444:
Macd.
I haue no words,
2445: My voice is in my Sword, thou bloodier Villaine
2446: Then tearmes can giue thee out. [ Fight: Alarum]
2447:
Macb.
Thou loosest labour
2448: As easie may'st thou the intrenchant Ayre
2449: With thy keene Sword impresse, as make me bleed:
2450: Let fall thy blade on vulnerable Crests,
2451: I beare a charmed Life, which must not yeeld
2452: To one of woman borne.
2453:
Macd.
Dispaire thy Charme,
2454: And let the Angell whom thou still hast seru'd
2455: Tell thee, Macduffe was from his Mothers womb
2456: Vntimely ript.
2457:
Macb.
Accursed be that tongue that tels mee so;
2458: For it hath Cow'd my better part of man:
2459: And be these Iugling Fiends no more beleeu'd,
2460: That palter with vs in a double sence,
2461: That keepe the word of promise to our eare,
2462: And breake it to our hope. Ile not fight with thee.
2463:
Macd.
Then yeeld thee Coward,
2464: And liue to be the shew, and gaze o'th' time.
2465: Wee'l haue thee, as our rarer Monsters are
2466: Painted vpon a pole, and vnder-writ,
2467: Heere may you see the Tyrant.
2468:
Macb.
I will not yeeld
2469: To kisse the ground before young Malcolmes feet,
2470: And to be baited with the Rabbles curse.
2471: Though Byrnane wood be come to Dunsinane,
2472: And thou oppos'd, being of no woman borne,
2473: Yet I will try the last. Before my body,
2474: I throw my warlike Shield: Lay on Macduffe,
2475: And damn'd be him, that first cries hold, enough.
2476: [ Exeunt fighting. Alarums.]
2477: [ Enter Fighting, and Macbeth slaine.]
2478: [ Retreat, and Flourish. Enter with Drumme and Colours,
Malcolm, Seyward, Rosse, Thanes, & Soldiers]
2480:
Mal.
I would the Friends we misse, were safe arriu'd.
2481:
Sey.
Some must go off: and yet by these I see,
2482: So great a day as this is cheapely bought.
2483:
Mal.
Macduffe is missing, and your Noble Sonne.
2484:
Rosse.
Your son my Lord, ha's paid a souldiers debt,
2485: He onely liu'd but till he was a man,
2486: The which no sooner had his Prowesse confirm'd
2487: In the vnshrinking station where he fought,
2488: But like a man he dy'de.
2489:
Sey.
Then he is dead?
2490:
Rosse.
I, and brought off the field: your cause of sorrow
2491: Must not be measur'd by his worth, for then
2492: It hath no end.
2493:
Sey.
Had he his hurts before?
2494:
Rosse.
I, on the Front.
2495:
Sey.
Why then, Gods Soldier be he:
2496: Had I as many Sonnes, as I haue haires,
2497: I would not wish them to a fairer death:
2498: And so his Knell is knoll'd.
2499:
Mal.
Hee's worth more sorrow,
2500: and that Ile spend for him.
2501:
Sey.
He's worth no more,
2502: They say he parted well, and paid his score,
2503: And so God be with him. Here comes newer comfort.
2504: [ Enter Macduffe, with Macbeths head.]
2505:
Macd.
Haile King, for so thou art.
2506: Behold where stands
2507: Th' Vsurpers cursed head: the time is free:
2508: I see thee compast with thy Kingdomes Pearle,
2509: That speake my salutation in their minds:
2510: Whose voyces I desire alowd with mine.
2511: Haile King of Scotland.
2512:
All
Haile King of Scotland. [ Flourish.]
2513:
Mal.
We shall not spend a large expence of time,
2514: Before we reckon with your seuerall loues,
2515: And make vs euen with you. My Thanes and Kinsmen
2516: Henceforth be Earles, the first that euer Scotland
2517: In such an Honor nam'd: What's more to do,
2518: Which would be planted newly with the time,
2519: As calling home our exil'd Friends abroad,
2520: That fled the Snares of watchfull Tyranny,
2521: Producing forth the cruell Ministers
2522: Of this dead Butcher, and his Fiend-like Queene;
2523: Who (as 'tis thought) by selfe and violent hands,
2524: Tooke off her life. This, and what need full else
2525: That call's vpon vs, by the Grace of Grace,
2526: We will performe in measure, time, and place:
2527: So thankes to all at once, and to each one,
2528: Whom we inuite, to see vs Crown'd at Scone.
2529: [ Flourish. Exeunt Omnes.]
2530: FINIS.
2531: THE TRAGEDIE OF
2532: MACBETH