Page 52 - Macbeth Modern Translation

A man was walking towards them across the lawn.

‘He’s our countryman but I don’t recognize him,’ said Malcolm.

Macduff suddenly began running towards the newcomer. ‘Ross! My dear
cousin, welcome!’

‘I recognize him now,’ said Malcolm. ‘Pray God remove the circumstances
which makes us strangers.’

‘Amen to that, Sir,’ said Ross.

‘Are things still the same in Scotland?’ said Macduff.

‘Alas, poor country!’ said Ross. ‘Almost afraid to know itself. It can’t be called
our mother, but our grave – where no-one ever smiles anymore; where no-
one takes any notice of the groaning and shrieking of torture; where violent
sorrow is commonplace. No-one asks whose funeral the bell is tolling for and

good men’s lives are shorter than the flowers they wear in their hats – dying
even before they begin to fade!’

‘What’s the latest?’ said Malcolm.

‘News that’s only an hour old is already stale. There’s something new every
minute.’

‘How’s my wife?’ said Macduff.

Ross hesitated before he spoke. Then: ‘Why . . . she’s well.’

‘And all my children?’

‘Well too,’ said Ross. He bent down to smell a rose.

‘The tyrant hasn’t interfered with their peace?’

‘No, they were at peace when I left them.’

Macduff raised his voice. ‘You’re holding something back. Out with it.’ Ross

ignored him and spoke to Malcolm: ‘When I was on my way here everyone I
met said this is the moment. Your presence in Scotland would inspire
everyone to fight. Even our women would respond.’

‘Let them take comfort. We’re on our way. Gracious England has lent us
Siward and ten thousand men. You couldn’t find a more experienced and
better soldier.’

‘I wish I could answer that with similar comfort. But I have words that should
be howled out in the desert air where there are no ears to hear them.’

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