Page 12 - Macbeth Modern Translation

Macbeth Modern Translation: Act 1, Scene 4

Has Cawdor been executed yet?’ said Duncan. ‘Haven’t those I sent to do it
returned?’

‘My Liege, they haven’t,’ said Malcolm. ‘But I’ve spoken to someone who
witnessed it. He said the traitor confessed his treasons very frankly: he
implored your Highness’ pardon. He was deeply repentant. Nothing he ever
did in his life was as much a credit to him as the way he faced his execution.’

The King’s eyes showed his sorrow. He shook his head sadly. ‘There’s no way
of reading a man’s true intentions in his face. He was a gentleman on whom I
had built an absolute trust.’

There was excited shouting and the sound of horses in the courtyard. Duncan
went out on to the deck and looked down. ‘Oh worthiest cousin!’ he
exclaimed when he saw Macbeth dismounting.

Macbeth and Banquo hurried up the stairs and joined the King and his
advisers. Duncan embraced Macbeth then stood back and looked at him.

‘I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of a way of thanking you,’ he said.
‘It’s impossible. I wish you had done less – that would have made it easier to
thank you. I could never repay you.’

‘Having the chance to fulfill my duty to you is reward enough,’ said Macbeth.
‘Your Highness’ only role is to receive our duties. By protecting you we are
only doing what’s expected of us.’

‘Welcome,’ said Duncan. He turned to Banquo. ‘Noble Banquo, you’ve
deserved no less and no-one should think you have. Come, let me embrace
you and hold you to my heart.’

‘And if I grow there,’ said Banquo as Duncan embraced him, ‘the harvest is
all yours.’

The King invited everyone to be seated. He walked slowly to his chair of state.

His face was grave, now.
‘My undoubted good fortune and happiness must be tempered for a
moment with some serious business,’ he told them. He beckoned to Malcolm,
who rose and went to the chair beside his father’s.

‘Sons, kinsmen, thanes,’ said Duncan, ‘and all those close to me: you should
know that we are making our eldest, Malcolm, our heir, and from now on he

will be known as the Prince of Cumberland. It is an honour that carries
profound responsibilities.’

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