“Macbeth”

Characters

Duncan (King of Scotland) — Mime Macbeth (general in the King's army) — Baritone Banquo (general in the King's army) — Bass Lady Macbeth (Macbeth's wife) — Soprano Lady Macbeth's Attendant — Mezzo-soprano Macduff (Scottish nobleman, Thane of Fife) — Tenor Malcolm (Duncan's son) — Tenor Fleance (Banquo's son) — Mime Doctor — Bass Macbeth's Servant — Bass Assassin — Bass Herald — Bass Hecate (Goddess of the Night) — Dancer Witches, the King's Messengers, Scottish nobles and exiles, Assassins, English soldiers, Bards, Aerial Spirits, Apparitions, etc., etc. Time and Place The scene is laid in Scotland, chiefly at Macbeth's castle. At the beginning of Act IV, it is on the border between Scotland and England.

Act One

Scene 1 A wood. Three groups of witches appear one after another amid flashes of lightning and thunder. I. What have you been doing? Tell us! II. I have slit a boar's throat. And you? III. A steersman's wife crossed my mind: I sent her to the devil, but her husband has set sail, and I'll drown him with his ship. I. I'll send you a tempest. II. I'll stir up the waves. III. I'll drive it across the shoals. (A drum is heard.) All A drum! What can it be? Macbeth is coming. Here he is! (They mingle together and weave a wild dance.) The wandering sisters go through the air, go upon the waves, they know how to weave a circle that embraces both land and sea.

Scene 2 Macbeth and Banquo. The preceding. Macbeth Never have I seen a day so fair and foul! Banquo Nor one so glorious! Macbeth (He notices the witches.) Oh, who are these? Banquo Who are you? Are you of this world or of another realm? I would call you women, but your filthy beards forbid me. Macbeth Come, speak! Witches (in a prophetic tone) I. Hail, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis! II. Hail, Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor! III. Hail, Macbeth, King of Scotland! (Macbeth trembles.) Banquo (to Macbeth, in a low voice) Do such happy prophecies make you tremble? (to the witches) Speak to me as well, if the future is not hidden from you, fantastic creatures. Witches I. Hail! II. Hail! III. Hail! I. Less than Macbeth, yet greater! II. Not so happy as he, yet happier! III. Not a king, but the father of kings! All Long live Macbeth and Banquo! Long live Banquo and Macbeth! (They disappear.) Macbeth Gone... (thoughtfully) Your children shall be kings. Banquo And you, king before them. Banquo - Macbeth Mysterious words!

Scene 3 The King's Messengers. The preceding. Messengers Brave Macbeth! Your lord has made you Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth But that Thane still lives! Messengers No! Struck down by the law, he died upon the block. Banquo (with a shudder) (Ah, hell spoke the truth!) Macbeth (aside, in a low voice, almost in terror) Two prophecies are now fulfilled... The third promises me a throne... But why do I feel my hair stand on end? Bloody thought, whence were you born?... Though fate offers me a crown, I shall not raise a grasping hand to seize it. Banquo (aside) Oh, how hope of a royal throne fills him with pride! Yet often the wicked Spirit of Hell speaks truth, only to deceive us, then leaves us, accursed, upon the abyss it has dug for us. Messengers (Why did Macbeth hear us so coldly? Why did his face show no joy?) (All exit.)

Scene 4 The witches return. Witches They have gone! We shall gather again when we hear the crash of thunder. They have gone! Let us flee! We shall await the fulfilment of destiny at the witches' sabbath. There we shall see Macbeth rejoice, and our oracle will speak to him. Let us flee! Let us flee! (They leave.)

Scene 5 A hall in Macbeth's castle leading to other rooms. Lady Macbeth, reading a letter. "On the day of victory I met them... I was amazed by what I heard; when the King's messengers hailed me Thane of Cawdor, thus fulfilling the prophecy of those very seers who foretold a crown for my head. Keep this secret in your heart. Farewell." Ambitious spirit, you are Macbeth... You aspire to greatness, but will you be ruthless? The path to power is filled with crimes, and woe to him who sets a hesitant foot upon it, then draws back! Come, hurry! I long to kindle that cold heart! I shall give you the courage to accomplish this daring deed. The prophetesses promise you the throne of Scotland... Why delay? Accept the gift; ascend the throne and reign.

Scene 6 A Servant and the preceding. Servant At nightfall the King arrives here. Lady Macbeth What did you say? Is Macbeth with him? Servant He accompanies him. The news, my lady, is certain. Lady Macbeth May he receive the welcome that befits a king. (The Servant exits.)

Scene 7 Lady Macbeth alone. Lady Macbeth Duncan will be here?... Here?... Here tonight?... Arise, all you ministers of hell, who steel mortals for deeds of blood! Night, envelop us in your motionless darkness; let not the dagger see the breast it strikes.

Scene 8 Macbeth and the preceding. Macbeth Oh, my lady! Lady Macbeth Cawdor! Macbeth Soon you will see the King. Lady Macbeth And will he leave? Macbeth Tomorrow. Lady Macbeth May the sun never bring us such a tomorrow. Macbeth What are you saying? Lady Macbeth And you do not understand?... Macbeth I understand, I understand! Lady Macbeth Well? Macbeth And if the blow should fail? Lady Macbeth It will not fail... if you do not tremble. (Joyful sounds are heard, gradually drawing nearer.) The King! Now come and greet him joyfully with me. (They exit.)

Scene 9 Rustic music is heard, gradually drawing nearer, announcing the King's arrival. He crosses the stage, accompanied by Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and their attendants.

Scene 10 Macbeth and a Servant. Macbeth Let my wife know that, as soon as my evening drink is ready, I wish to be notified by the tolling of a bell. (The Servant exits.)

Scene 11 Macbeth alone. Macbeth Is this a dagger before me? Its hilt turned toward me? If you are no phantom, let me grasp you. You elude me, yet I see you! You lead me on along the uncertain path my mind had resolved to follow! Horrid vision! Your blade is streaked with blood! But nothing is there yet. My bloodstained thoughts alone give it shape and present an illusion to my eyes as though it were real. Over half the world nature now lies dead; now the murderer creeps like a phantom through the shadows; now the witches perform their mysteries. Motionless earth! Be silent beneath my steps. (The tolling of a bell is heard.) It is decided. That bell now summons me! Do not hear it, Duncan! It is the fatal knell that calls you to heaven or to hell. (He enters the King's chamber.)

Scene 12 Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth Sleep reigns over all. Ah, what a cry! The owl replies to his mournful farewell. Macbeth (from within) Who's there? Lady Macbeth What if he had awakened before the fatal blow?

Scene 13 Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, distraught, with a dagger in his hand. Macbeth It is all over! (He approaches Lady Macbeth and says to her in a low voice:) My fatal lady! Did you not hear a murmur, as I did? Lady Macbeth I heard the owl shriek... What was it you said just now? Macbeth I? Lady Macbeth I thought I heard you. Macbeth While I was coming down? Lady Macbeth Yes! Yes! Macbeth Tell me, in the adjoining room, who sleeps? Lady Macbeth The King's son... Macbeth (looking at his hands) O dreadful, dreadful sight! Lady Macbeth Turn your eyes away from it... Macbeth I heard the courtiers praying in their sleep, "May God always help us," they said. I too wished to say Amen, but the stubborn word froze upon my lips. Lady Macbeth Madness! Macbeth Why could I not repeat that Amen? Lady Macbeth Foolish thoughts! Foolish thoughts that the first light of day will scatter. Macbeth Then I heard this voice within me: "You shall have only thorns for your pillow, O Macbeth! Glamis, you have murdered sleep forever! For you, Cawdor, there shall be wakefulness alone!"

Lady Macbeth But tell me, did you hear no other voice? You are vain, Macbeth, but lack courage. Halfway through the deed, Glamis, you falter and stop. Cawdor, you are a conceited child. Macbeth Duncan's holy virtues will thunder vengeance upon me like angels of wrath. Lady Macbeth (His spirit trembles, struggles, raves... Who would believe this is the man once thought invincible?) (to Macbeth) Take the dagger back there. Stain his guards with blood, so that the blame may fall upon them. Macbeth I go there?... I cannot go back! Lady Macbeth Give me the dagger. (She snatches the dagger from Macbeth's hands and enters the King's chamber.)

Scene 14 Macbeth alone. (There is loud knocking at the castle gate.) Macbeth Every sound frightens me! (He looks at his hands.) Oh, this hand! Not even the ocean could wash these hands clean!

Scene 15 Lady Macbeth and the preceding. Lady Macbeth (returning) See! My hands are stained as well. A little water, and they are clean. This deed too shall pass into oblivion... (They knock again.) Macbeth Do you hear? The knocking grows louder! Lady Macbeth Come away! Let us remove all suspicion from the murderer. Come to your senses! Take courage, Macbeth! Do not yield to cowardly fear. Macbeth Oh, if only I could wipe my crime from my mind! Ah, if only I could, O murdered King, restore your deep sleep! (Lady Macbeth leads him away.)

Scene 16 Macduff and Banquo. Macduff The King ordered me to wake him early, and it is already late. Wait here for me, Banquo. (He enters the King's chamber.)

Scene 17 Banquo alone. Banquo Oh, what a dreadful night! Mournful voices were heard through the darkened air, voices of death. The bird of ill omen moaned mournfully, and the earth was felt to tremble.

Scene 18 Macduff and Banquo. Macduff (utterly distraught) Horror! Horror! Horror! Banquo What has happened? Macduff (breathlessly) In there... See for yourself... I cannot tell it! (Banquo rushes into the King's chamber.) Run!... Ho there!... Everyone, come here! Everyone! Oh, murder! Oh, murder! Oh, treason!

Scene 19 Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Malcolm, Macduff, Banquo, Gentlewoman, Servants. Lady Macbeth What sudden turmoil! Banquo (coming out in terror) We are lost! All What is it? Speak! What has happened? Banquo (with horror) King Duncan has been murdered! (General astonishment.) All Open, hell, your mouth, and swallow all creation into your womb. Upon the unknown, accursed murderer let your flames descend, O Heaven. O mighty God, who searches every heart, help us; in You alone we trust. From You we seek light and counsel to tear away the veil of darkness. May Your dreadful, swift anger strike the wicked one, O righteous Judge, and mark his face with the same sign You set upon the first murderer.

Act Two

Scene 1 A room in the castle. Macbeth, deep in thought, followed by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth Why do you avoid me? And why do I always see you lost in deep thought? The deed cannot be undone! The witches spoke the truth, and you are king. Because of his sudden flight to England, Duncan's son was declared a parricide, and the throne was left empty for you. Macbeth But the witches foretold that Banquo would father kings... So shall his sons reign? Did Duncan die for them? Lady Macbeth He and his son are alive, it is true... Macbeth But they do not possess immortal life... Lady Macbeth Ah, no, they do not! Macbeth My lady, another blood must be shed! Lady Macbeth Where? When? Macbeth When night falls. Lady Macbeth Will you remain steadfast in your purpose? Macbeth Banquo! Eternity opens its kingdom to you... (He rushes out.)

Scene 2 Lady Macbeth alone. Lady Macbeth The light is fading; the beacon that forever courses through the boundless heavens grows dim. O longed-for night, cast your kindly veil over the guilty hand that is about to strike. A new crime! It is necessary! The fatal deed must be accomplished. The dead care nothing for reigning; for them there is only a requiem and eternity. (with fervor) O rapture of the throne! O sceptre, at last you are mine! Every mortal desire falls silent and is stilled in you. He who was foretold king will soon fall lifeless.

Scene 3 A park. In the distance, Macbeth's castle. Chorus of Assassins I. Who ordered you to join us? II. Macbeth did. I. And for what? II. We are to kill Banquo. I. When?... Where?... II. Here, together with you. He will come this way with his son. I. Stay. All is well. All The sun has vanished... Now let night reign, wicked and bloodstained. Blind night, hasten and extinguish every light on earth and in heaven. The hour is near!... Now let us hide; in silence we shall wait for him. Tremble, Banquo! At your side waits the point of a dagger! (They leave.)

Scene 4 Banquo and Fleance. Banquo Quicken your pace, my son... Let us leave these shadows... A strange feeling rises within my heart, filled with dark foreboding and suspicion. How from heaven the darkness falls ever deeper! On such a night as this my lord Duncan was struck down. A thousand anxious visions foretell disaster, and fill my thoughts with phantoms and terror. (They disappear into the park.) (Banquo's voice is heard from within:) Alas!... Fly, my son!... Treachery! (Fleance crosses the stage pursued by an assassin.)

Scene 5 A magnificent hall. A banquet table is laid. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Lady Macbeth's Gentlewoman, Ladies and Knights. Chorus Hail, O King! Macbeth Hail to you as well, most noble lords. Chorus Hail, my lady! Lady Macbeth Accept my thanks for your homage. Macbeth Let each take the honoured seat chosen for his rank. I am pleased to welcome such guests to my banquet. Let my consort take the throne appointed for her, but first may she propose a toast in your honour. Lady Macbeth At your royal bidding, my lord, I am ready. Chorus And you shall hear us answer as our hearts inspire us. Lady Macbeth Let the goblet be filled with the choicest wine. Let pleasure be born, let sorrow die. Let hatred and resentment take flight from us; let love alone revel and reign here. Let us taste the balm for every wound, which restores new life to the heart. Let us banish troubled cares from our hearts. Let pleasure be born, let sorrow die. All (They repeat.) Let us banish troubled cares from our hearts. Let pleasure be born, let sorrow die.

Scene 6 The preceding. An Assassin appears at a side door. Macbeth approaches him. Macbeth (in a low voice) Your face is stained with blood. Assassin Banquo's. Macbeth Do I hear the truth? Assassin Yes. Macbeth But his son? Assassin He escaped! Macbeth Heavens!... And Banquo? Assassin He is dead. (Macbeth signals to the Assassin, who leaves.)

Scene 7 The preceding, except the Assassin. Lady Macbeth (approaching Macbeth) What draws you, my royal husband, away from the joy of the banquet?... Macbeth Banquo is missing! That valiant man would complete the noble circle of all that is most worthy in our entire kingdom. Lady Macbeth He said he would come, yet he has failed us. Macbeth I shall sit in his place. (Macbeth goes to sit down. Banquo's ghost, visible only to him, occupies the seat.) Which of you has done this? All What are you saying? Macbeth (to the ghost) Do not tell me, do not tell me that I did it!... Do not shake your bloody locks at me... All (rising) Macbeth is unwell! Let us go... Lady Macbeth Stay!... It is a passing illness... (softly to Macbeth) Are you a man? Macbeth I am, and a bold one, if I can look upon such a thing as would frighten the devil himself... There... there... do you not see it? (to the ghost) Oh, since you are permitted to shake your locks, speak! Can the grave return the dead? (The Ghost vanishes.)

Lady Macbeth (softly to Macbeth) You are mad! Macbeth These eyes have seen him... Lady Macbeth (loudly) Sit down, my husband! Every guest is saddened. Revive the merriment! Macbeth Let everyone forgive me. Let the joyful toast resound once more, and do not forget Banquo, who is still away. Lady Macbeth Let the goblet be filled with the choicest wine. Let pleasure be born, let sorrow die. Let hatred and resentment take flight from us; let love alone revel and reign here. Let us taste the balm for every wound, which restores new life to the heart. Let us drain our glasses to illustrious Banquo! Flower of warriors, honour of Scotland! All (They repeat.) (The Ghost reappears.)

Macbeth (terrified) Go, spirit of the abyss! Open wide a grave, O earth, and swallow him! Those bones are aflame! That steaming blood spurts into my face! That gaze, fixed upon me, pierces my heart! All Misfortune! Terror! Macbeth I dare face any other! Become a tiger, a threatening lion; seize me—yet you shall not see Macbeth tremble! Then you shall know whether I feel fear. But flee! Ah, flee, dreadful phantom! (The Ghost disappears.) I live again! Lady Macbeth (softly to Macbeth) (Shame, my lord!) Macbeth That shade demands blood from me, and it shall have it, shall have it, I swear! I shall tear away the veil of the future from the witches. Lady Macbeth (to Macbeth) Cowardly spirit! Your terror has created empty phantoms. The crime is done: the dead cannot return. Macduff Sinister mysteries!... Let this land be abandoned: now that it is ruled by a cursed hand, only the guilty can live here. All Sinister mysteries! Terrified by phantoms, he has spoken! This land has become a den of thieves.

Act Three

Scene 1 A dark cave. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder and lightning. Witches I. Three times the cat in heat has mewed. II. Three times the hoopoe has lamented and wailed. III. Three times the porcupine has whimpered to the wind. All This is the moment! Come now! Quickly, let us stir the cauldron, mixing powerful ingredients into it in a circle. Sisters, to work! The water already steams, crackles and foams. (throwing into the cauldron) I. You, poisonous toad that sucks the aconite, you, thorn, you, root torn up at twilight, go, cook and bubble in the infernal vessel. II. You, viper's tongue, you, bat's hair, you, monkey's blood, you, mastiff's tooth, go, boil and writhe in the infernal broth. III. You, finger of an infant strangled at birth, you, lip of a Tartar, you, heart of a heretic, go in, and thicken the infernal brew. All (dancing around) And you, Spirits, black and white, red and blue, stir! You who know well how to mix, stir! Stir!

Scene 2 Macbeth and the preceding. Macbeth (at the entrance, speaking to some of his men) Wait for me in silence until I call. (He advances toward the Witches.) What are you doing, mysterious women? Witches (solemnly) A nameless deed. Macbeth By this infernal deed, I conjure you! Let me know my destiny, though heaven and earth should renew their ancient war. Witches Do you wish to hear it from the unknown powers whom we serve as ministers, or from us? Macbeth Summon them, if they can reveal to me the dark enigma of the future. Witches From the regions below and those above, wandering spirits, rise, descend! (A thunderbolt bursts, and a helmeted head rises from the ground.)

Macbeth Tell me, O spirit... Witches He has read your heart; be silent, and hear his secret words. Apparition O Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware of Macduff; be cautious. Macbeth You strengthen the suspicion I already felt! Just one word... (The Apparition vanishes.) Witches He will answer no questions. Here is another, more powerful than he. (Thunder: a bloodstained child appears.) Be silent, and hear his hidden words. Apparition O Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! You may be bloody and fierce: no one born of woman can harm you. (It vanishes.) Macbeth O Macduff, I spare your life... (fiercely) No!... You shall die! Upon my royal breast, your death shall be a double breastplate! (Thunder and lightning: a crowned child carrying a branch rises into view.) But what does that lightning, that thunder foretell?... A child wearing the crown of kings!

Witches Be silent and listen. Apparition Be of good courage: glorious and invincible you shall be until you see Birnam Wood set out and come against you. (It vanishes.) Macbeth Glad tidings! By no magic power has any forest ever been moved. (to the Witches) Now tell me: must Banquo's descendants ascend my throne? Witches Do not seek to know! Macbeth I will know! I will know! Or my sword shall fall upon you! (The cauldron sinks into the ground.) The cauldron has vanished! Why? (The sound of bagpipes is heard from underground.) What music is this? Speak! What is happening? Witches I. Appear! II. Appear! III. Appear! All Then, like mist, vanish again. (Eight Kings pass by, one after another. Last comes Banquo, holding a mirror.)

Macbeth (to the first) Away, royal phantom, you remind me of Banquo! Your crown is a bolt of lightning that sets my eyes aflame! (to the second) Away, terrifying image, your brow encircled with bands! (to the others) And still more appear?... (to the others) A third?... A fourth?... A fifth? Oh, what terror!... In the hand of the last a mirror gleams, and new Kings appear in succession within the mysterious glass... It is Banquo! Ah, horrible sight! Laughing, he points them out to me? Die, fated offspring! (He draws his sword and rushes at the spectres, then stops.) Ah, you have no life! (to the Witches) Will they live? Witches They will. Macbeth Oh, I am lost! (He loses consciousness.) Witches He has fainted!... Spirits of the air, restore consciousness to the fainting King!

Scene 3 The Spirits descend, and while they dance around Macbeth, the Witches sing the following. Chorus Undines and Sylphs with white wings, breathe upon that pallid brow. Weave your whirling harmonious dances, and restore his senses and his soul. (The Spirits and Witches disappear.)

Scene 4 Lady Macbeth, Macbeth and Herald. Macbeth (coming to) Where am I?... They have fled!... Oh, may this hour be cursed forever through all the ages! (A Herald enters.) Herald The Queen! Macbeth (What?) Lady Macbeth (entering) I have found you at last! What are you doing? Macbeth I questioned the Witches again. Lady Macbeth And what did they say? Macbeth Beware of Macduff. Lady Macbeth Go on. Macbeth No one born of woman shall kill you. Lady Macbeth Go on. Macbeth You shall be invincible until Birnam Wood moves against you. Lady Macbeth Go on. Macbeth But Banquo's line appeared to me... and it shall reign! Lady Macbeth A lie! Death and destruction upon that wicked race! Macbeth Yes, death! Let Macduff's castle burn! Let his wife and children perish! Lady Macbeth Let Banquo's son be found and die! Macbeth Let all blood hostile to us be shed! Lady Macbeth Now I recognize your old courage. Both Hour of death and vengeance, thunder, resound throughout the whole world, as the deafening, dark thought has stunned every fibre of the heart. Hour of death, hasten now! Fate has written an indelible decree: crime must bring the deed to completion, since it was begun with blood.

Act Four

Scene 1 A deserted place on the border between Scotland and England. In the distance, Birnam Wood. Scottish refugees, Men, Women, Children. Macduff stands apart, grieving. Chorus Oppressed homeland! No longer can you bear the sweet name of mother, now that for all your children you have become a tomb. From orphans and from those who mourn, some for husbands, some for children, with each new rising sun a cry goes up and strikes Heaven. To that cry Heaven responds, as though moved to pity, wishing to spread throughout infinity, oppressed homeland, your sorrow. The bell forever tolls for the dead, yet no one is so bold as even to offer a futile tear to those who suffer and those who die. Macduff O children, O my children! By that tyrant you were all murdered, and together with you your unfortunate mother!... Ah, in the claws of that tiger did I leave my wife and children? Ah, a father's hand was not there to shield you, my dear ones, from the treacherous assassins who struck you down! And you called for me in vain, a fugitive, in hiding, with your final gasp, with your final breath. Bring me face to face with the tyrant, O Lord! And if he escapes me, may I be able to open to him the arms of your forgiveness.

Scene 2 To the sound of drums, Malcolm enters, leading many English soldiers. Malcolm Where are we? What wood is that? Chorus The forest of Birnam! Malcolm Let each man break off and carry a branch before him, to conceal himself. (to Macduff) Let vengeance comfort you. Macduff I shall have none... He has no children! Malcolm Whoever does not hate his native land, take up arms and follow me. (Malcolm and Macduff draw their swords.) All Our betrayed homeland calls us through her tears! Brothers! Let us hasten to save the oppressed! Already divine wrath falls upon the wicked man; his horrible excesses have wearied the Eternal One.

Scene 3 A room in Macbeth's castle, as in Act I. Night. Doctor and Lady Macbeth's Gentlewoman. Doctor We have watched in vain for two nights. Gentlewoman She will appear tonight. Doctor What did she say in her sleep? Gentlewoman I must not repeat it to any living man... Here she is!

Scene 4 Lady Macbeth and the preceding. Doctor Is she carrying a light in her hand? Gentlewoman It is the lamp she always keeps beside her bed. Doctor Oh, how wide she opens her eyes! Gentlewoman And yet she does not see. (Lady Macbeth sets down the light and rubs her hands, as though trying to wipe something away.) Doctor Why does she rub her hands? Gentlewoman She thinks she is washing them! Lady Macbeth A spot is still here... Away, I tell you, accursed spot!... One... two... this is the hour! Are you trembling?... You dare not enter? A warrior so cowardly? Oh, shame!... Come, hurry!... Who could have imagined so much blood in that old man? Doctor What did she say?... Lady Macbeth Was not the Thane of Fife a husband and father only a short while ago?... What became of them?... (She looks at her hands.) And shall I never be able to clean these hands?... Gentlewoman - Doctor Oh, horror!... Lady Macbeth It always smells of human blood here... All Arabia cannot cleanse so small a hand with its perfumes. Alas!... Doctor Is she moaning? Lady Macbeth Put on your nightclothes... Come, away, be gone!... Banquo is dead, and from the grave the dead have never yet risen. Doctor This too?... Lady Macbeth To bed, to bed... You cannot undo what is done... Someone is knocking!... Come, Macbeth, let not your pallor betray you. Gentlewoman - Doctor Ah, have mercy on her, Lord!

Scene 5 A hall in the castle. Macbeth. Macbeth Traitors! You join with the English against me! The prophetic powers have foretold: "You may be bloody and fierce; no one born of woman can harm you." No, I fear neither you nor the boy who leads you! This assault must either secure me upon the throne or cast me down forever... And yet I feel the life within my veins withering away! Pity, respect, love, the comforts of declining years, will not scatter a single flower upon your grey old age. Nor upon your royal tomb can you hope for gentle words: only curses, alas! will be your funeral song! (Cries from within.) She is dead! Macbeth What cry is that?

Scene 6 The Queen's Gentlewoman and Macbeth. Gentlewoman The Queen is dead! Macbeth (with indifference and contempt) Life... what does it matter?... It is the tale of a poor idiot; wind and sound that signify nothing! (The Gentlewoman leaves.)

Scene 7 Chorus of Warriors and Macbeth. Chorus Sire! Ah, Sire! Macbeth What is it?... What news? Chorus The forest of Birnam is moving! Macbeth (astonished) You have deceived me, infernal prophet!... Bring my armor, my sword, my dagger! Warriors, to arms! Death or glory! Chorus Then to arms! Yes, death or victory! (The sound of trumpets is heard from within. Meanwhile, the scene changes, revealing a vast plain surrounded by hills and woods. In the background are English soldiers, slowly advancing, each carrying a branch before him.)

Scene 8 Malcolm, Macduff and Soldiers. Malcolm Away with the branches, and take up your arms! Follow me! (Malcolm, Macduff and the Soldiers leave.) All To arms! To arms! (The din of battle is heard from within.)

Scene 9 Macbeth, hard pressed by Macduff; then a Chorus of Women. Macduff Murderer of my children, I have caught you! Macbeth Flee! No one born of woman can kill me. Macduff I was not born; I was torn from my mother's womb. Macbeth Heavens! (They brandish their swords and, fighting desperately, leave the stage.)

Scene 10 Chorus (entering) Disastrous day! Let us pray for our children! The din has ceased! Voices from within Victory!... Women (joyfully) Victory!...

Final Scene The preceding. Malcolm enters, followed by English soldiers, who drag Macbeth's soldiers behind them as prisoners. Malcolm Where has the usurper hidden himself? Macduff There, struck down by my hand. (kneeling on one knee) Hail, O King! Chorus Hail, O King! Macbeth, Macbeth, where is he? Where is the usurper? With a breath, the God of victory struck him down. (to Macduff) He is the valiant hero who slew the traitor! He saved our homeland and our King; to him be honour and glory! Women Let my thanks rise to you, great God of vengeance; to him who set us free let us sing hymns of glory. Macduff Let everyone trust in the King restored to our love! The dawn that has broken will bring you peace and glory! Malcolm Trust in me, O Scotland; the oppressor has been destroyed! I shall make everlasting the joy of this victory. THE END

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev