Page 24 - Macbeth Modern Translation

Macbeth Modern Translation: Act 2, Scene 3

The porter had been drinking all evening and it took his wife a long time to
wake him. As he staggered out into the misty morning he muttered to himself.

‘What a knocking this is! This is the gate of hell, this is. Knock, knock, knock!

Who’s there, in the name of Beelzebub? We’ve got all sorts here, I can tell
you. Here’s a farmer who hanged himself for being too greedy and losing
everything. Alright, alright, new inmate, I’m coming! I hope you ve got
enough towels: you’ll sweat enough in here! Knock, knock. Alright!. Here’s a
hypocrite who sat on both sides so well you didn’t know where he was.’

He shivered and began running. ‘It’s too cold to devil-porter it any longer.
Alright, alright!’ He drew back the enormous bolts to admit an impatient

Macduff, the great Thane of Fife, accompanied by Lennox.

‘What time did you go to bed that you’re having such a good lie in?’ said
Macduff.

‘Oh very late, Sir,’ said the porter. ‘Drinking all night. And now I’m suffering:
drink does three things to you.’

Macduff and Lennox walked towards the courtyard, followed by the porter.
‘And what are they?’ said Macduff.
‘It makes your nose red, it makes you sleep and it makes you piss. Lust, Sir, it
encourages and discourages: it makes you want it but it makes you unable

to do it. It makes you and breaks you. It turns you on and it turns you off. It
excites you and it dulls you. It makes you stand up to fight and it stops you
from standing up!’

‘I think you had too much last night.’

‘Yes, but I’ve thrown it all up.’

‘Is your master awake?’ said Macduff.

‘He is now, with all that knocking,’ said the porter. ‘Here he comes. Good
morning, noble Sir,’ said Lennox.

Macbeth wore a white robe and soft slippers. ‘Good morning to you both,’
he said.

‘Is the King up?’

‘Not yet.’

‘He told me to call for him very early. I’m almost late.’

‘I’ll take you to him.’

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