Page 25 - Macbeth Modern Translation

‘I’m sorry to trouble you,’ said Macduff as Macbeth took them to the bed
chambers.

‘It’s no trouble,’ said Macbeth. ‘There’s the door.’

‘I’ll just go and wake him,’ said Macduff. ‘That’s what he told me to do.’ He

went in.

‘Is the King leaving today?’ said Lennox.

‘He is. Or so he intends.’

‘It was a wild night where we stayed,’ said Lennox. ‘Our chimneys were
blown down. And they say wails and strange ghostly screams were heard in
the air. And there were prophesies of dreadful civil war and all sorts of terrible
things. Owls flew about all night and there’s been talk of earthquakes.’

‘It was a rough night,’ said Macbeth.

‘I can’t remember anything like it,’ said Lennox.

There was a sudden commotion, a great clatter and banging. ‘Oh horror!’ It
was Macduff’s voice – screaming. ‘Horror! horror!’

Macbeth and Lennox rushed to the entrance. ‘What?’ ‘What’s the matter?’

Macduff stumbled out. ‘Chaos has broken out!’ he cried. ‘Someone’s stolen
the life from the Lord’s anointed temple!’

‘What’s that?’ said Macbeth. ‘The life?’

‘Do you mean his majesty?’ said Lennox.

‘Go and see,’ said Macduff. He covered his face with his hands. Don’t tell me
to speak. Go and look then speak yourselves.’ They hurried off up to the

King’s bedroom. ‘Wake up! Wake up!’ shouted Macduff. ‘Ring the alarm bell!
Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! Wake up! Ring the
bell!’

Lady Macbeth came out as the bell started tolling. ‘What’s going on? All this
noise! Tell me, tell me!’

‘Oh gentle lady,’ sobbed Macduff. ‘It’s not suitable for a woman to hear. It
would kill you.’ He embraced Banquo, who had also just come out. ‘Oh
Banquo! Banquo! Our royal master’s been murdered.’

‘What! In our house!’ exclaimed Lady Macbeth.

‘Too cruel anywhere,’ said Banquo. ‘Dear Duff, I beg of you, tell me it’s not
true.’

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