“Macbeth” – Act 4

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