Page 46 - Macbeth Modern Translation

Lennox had come with him and he was still waiting where Macbeth had told
him to.

‘Did you see the weird sisters?’ said Macbeth. Lennox frowned. ‘No, my Lord.’

‘They must have come past you.

‘No, I saw no-one.’

Macbeth remembered how they had vanished into the air the first time he
had seen them. He wasn’t going to take any notice of them. ‘I thought I

heard the galloping of horses. Who was it?’

‘Messengers, my Lord, bringing you word that Macduff has fled to England.’

‘Fled to England?’

‘Yes, my Lord.’

Macbeth was furious. He should have done it before it was too late! If you
want to do something you should do it at once. From that moment there
would be no hesitating: he would act as soon as he had the idea. And he
had an idea right now: he would surprise Macduff’s castle and put his wife

and children and anyone else he could find there to the sword. He wouldn’t
brag about it like a fool, he would give the order right away, before his anger
could cool. And no more spirits!

‘Where are these messengers?’ he asked Lennox. ‘Come on, take me to
them.’

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Macbeth Modern Translation: Act 4, Scene 2

‘What’s he done, that he’s had to flee to England?’ said Lady Macduff.

‘You must try and understand,’ said Ross. ‘And have patience.’

‘He had none! It’s madness. I know he’s not a traitor but now it will look like it!’

‘You don’t know what’s in his mind,’ said Ross. ‘There may be some wisdom in
it.’

‘Wisdom! To leave his wife, his babies, his castle, all his possessions, in a place
he’s fleeing from? He doesn’t love us. Where’s his fatherly instinct? Even the
tiny wren, the smallest of birds will stay and fight an owl to save her chickens.

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