Page 38 - Macbeth Modern Translation

eyes. ‘And I wouldn’t turn a hair. Or come back to life and challenge me to
single combat. If I flinch then, you can call me a coward.’

He flung himself to his knees. Tears streamed down his cheeks. His red eyes
contrasted starkly with his white face. ‘Go, please go, horrible ghost. Unreal
thing! Go!’

Suddenly he looked round at the stunned guests. He stood up unsteadily. ‘It’s
gone. And I’m a man again.’ He was speaking haltingly, as though in pain.
‘Please,’ he said. ‘Sit down.’

‘It’s too late. You’ve ruined the atmosphere and destroyed the dinner with an
astonishing loss of control,’ whispered Lady Macbeth fiercely.

‘Can it be?’ he said. He was speaking softly, as though to himself. They were
all gazing at him in silence. ‘That something like that can happen without
your being amazed? You make me doubt my senses when you can see such
sights and keep your colour while I’m drained of mine.’

‘What sights, my Lord?’ said Ross.

‘I beg of you,’ said Lady Macbeth. ‘Don’t talk to him: he’s getting worse and
worse. I’ll say good night to you all at the same time. Go now.’

The lesser lords at the lower end of the table waited respectfully for the

thanes.

‘Ignore the order of going!’ Lady Macbeth almost screamed. ‘Just go as
quickly as you can!’

Lennox was reluctant to leave but Lady Macbeth told him with a look that his
presence wasn’t wanted. ‘Good night,’ he said. ‘I hope his Majesty will be
better soon.’

As the last one left Lady Macbeth dismissed the attendants and closed the
doors. Macbeth was slumped on the floor.

‘It will have blood,’ he said. ‘They say blood will have blood. Gravestones
have been known to tell on murderers and trees to speak their names.
Soothsayers have used birds as omens to reveal secret murderers.’ He stood
up. ‘What’s the time?’

‘Late.’

Macbeth sat on his chair and adjusted his crown. ‘What do you think of
Macduff, refusing to obey my command to come to our great banquet?’

‘Did you ask him why he wasn’t coming, Sir?’

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