“Macbeth” – Act 2

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.

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev