Page 51 - Macbeth Modern Translation

Macduff stood up and shook his head sadly. ‘Excessive behaviour has
brought many kings down. But you’ll still be preferable to him. You will still be
able to take your pleasure: there are enough willing women in Scotland. You
can’t be so insatiable that you’d get through all the women who’d be
prepared to give themselves to the king if he wanted them.’

‘Perhaps so,’ said Malcolm. ‘But in addition to that I have such a bottomless

greed that if I were king I would top the noblemen for their lands; I would
want this one’s jewels, that one’s house. And the more I had the more it
would make me want so that I would manufacture quarrels with the good
and loyal and destroy them just for their wealth.’

‘This greed is bad,’ said Macbeth. ‘Worse than a bit of lust: it’s brought many
of our kings to grief, but don’t worry: there’s enough wealth belonging to the

crown in Scotland to satisfy you. These two vices, weighed against your
virtues, can be accommodated.’

‘But I don’t have any virtues!’ exclaimed Malcolm. Not the virtues that would
make a good king, such as justice, honesty, temperance, stability, generosity,
perseverance, mercy, humility, devoutness, patience, courage, fortitude. I’ve
no taste for them: but I’ve got limitless variations on the vices. Indeed, if I had

power I would turn all peace into war and destroy all the harmony on earth.’

‘Oh Scotland! Scotland!’ Macduff shook his head.

‘If such a man is fit to govern, tell me,’ said Malcolm. ‘Because that’s what I
am.’

‘Fit to govern?’ Macduff was incredulous. ‘No, not to live. 0 unhappy nation!

When will you see your wholesome days again? Your royal father was a saint.
The queen who bore you, more often on her knees than on her feet, lived
every day as though it was going to be her last.’ He turned and began

walking to the palace. He stopped. ‘Farewell. The things you’ve told me have
banished me from Scotland. Oh, my heart, your hope ends here.’

‘Macduff,’ said Malcolm, coming towards him. ‘Your noble reaction has
removed my suspicion and convinced me of your honour. I’m placing myself
under your leadership and withdrawing my allegations against myself. I’m not
like that at all. I’ve never been with a woman; I’ve never perjured myself,

hardly ever coveted something that wasn’t my own and never broken a
promise. I’m truly yours and my poor country’s to command. And I can tell
you now. Even at this moment, Old Siward is setting out with ten thousand
men. So let’s go. Why are you so quiet?’

‘It’s hard to reconcile such welcome and unwelcome things at the same
time. Who’s this?’

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