Page 45 - Macbeth Modern Translation

‘Show!’

‘Show!’

‘Show his eyes and grieve his heart: Come like shadows, so depart.’

The grey light brightened until it was a white blaze. Music was playing and
what looked like a parade was taking place. There were several main figures,
wearing crowns and waving as though to adoring crowds. They came closer
and the leader waved specifically at Macbeth. Terror gripped him as he
recognized him.

‘You’re the image of Banquo!’ he cried. ‘Away!’ The golden crown caught
the light and Macbeth covered his eyes. ‘Ah! your crown’s searing my eye-
balls!’

The second figure was passing him now. He also looked like Banquo. The
same hair exactly. ‘And the third is like the others. Filthy bags! Why are you
showing me this?’

The fourth figure was just like the others. ‘Start! Eyes!’ cried Macbeth. ‘Does
this go on forever?’

There were a fifth and sixth and then a seventh. ‘I don’t want to see any
more! And still, an eighth.’ The eighth carried a mirror which reflected even

more, stretching back as far as his eyes could see.

‘And some of them are carrying triple scepters. Horrible sight! Now I can see
it’s true,’ he said as the bloody Banquo came into view and leered at him.
‘He points at the kings, claiming them as his issue. Can it be?’

‘Aye, Sir, all this is so: – but why
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?
Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites,
And show the best of our delights.
I’ll charm the air to give a sound,
While you perform your antic round:
That this great king may kindly say,
Our duties did his welcome pay.’

Macbeth was treated to a pageant of music and dance, with nothing dark
or unpleasant about it. Round and round the dancers went, making him feel
sleepy. He dozed and immediately found himself waking beside his horse in
the open air of the heath.

‘Where are they?’ he said, looking round to see only the white sky and the
flat heath. ‘Gone?’ He sat up. ‘Let this day be forever cursed in the
calendar.’

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