Page 35 - Macbeth Modern Translation

‘It’s Banquo’s then.’

‘It’s better outside you than inside him. Has he been dealt with?’

‘My Lord, his throat is cut. I did that for him.’

‘You’re the best of the cut-throats. But whoever did the same for Fleance
would be even better. If you did that you would be the best of them all.’

‘Most Royal Sir.’ The murderer came closer. ‘Fleance escaped.’

Macbeth stared at him. He felt one of his fits of terror coming on. Just when
everything was going perfectly: when he was feeling safe – as firm as marble,
as solid as rock, as free as air. Now, suddenly, he was enclosed, cramped, full
of the most painful fears and doubts.

‘But Banquo’s safe?’

‘Yes, my Lord, quite safe, buried in a ditch with twenty deep gashes in his
head – each one of them enough to kill him.’

‘Thanks for that,’ said Macbeth.

Banquo’s death was all very well but Fleance was the issue: he was the
mature snake – his escape breeding venom in time – even though it had no
teeth at present. There was only one thing in the world to be feared – the
seed of Banquo.

‘Go now,’ he said. ‘We’ll talk again tomorrow.’

Lady Macbeth watched him and became concerned when he stopped
halfway to his chair and seemed to be lost in thought. She got up and went
to him. ‘My royal Lord,’ she said. ‘You’re neglecting your guests. They might
as well be at an inn, paying for their meal, without the warmth of your
hospitality. If it was just food they wanted they could have stayed at home.
Ceremony adds flavour to the meat: without it it’s tasteless.’

‘Thanks for reminding me,’ said Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth went back to her place and Macbeth clapped his hands
loudly. ‘Now!’ he said. ‘Bon appetite! And your good health!’ He took a
tankard from a table and raised it. They all stood up and drank.

Lennox, who sat at the top end of the table, signaled him to return and sit. He
walked towards his old friend who was seated beside Ross.

‘All the greatest in the land would be under one roof if we had been
honoured with Banquo’s presence,’ he said. ‘I hope I’ll have cause to
confront him for his discourtesy rather than pity him for any accident.’
‘He is at fault for breaking his promise,’ said Ross. Ross indicated the vacant

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