“Macbeth” – Act 1

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.

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev