Page 53 - Macbeth Modern Translation

‘Concerning what?’ said Macduff. He looked tense. ‘Is it about the political
situation or something personal?’

‘Something shared,’ said Ross. He looked at his cousin now. ‘But mainly to do
with you.’

‘Quickly, let me have it,’ said Macduff.

‘Don’t hate me for ever,’ said Ross. ‘Because this is the worst news you’ve
ever heard.’

‘Ha! I’ve already guessed it,’ said Macduff.

‘Your castle was surprised; your wife and babes savagely slaughtered. If I
were to relate the details to you it would kill you.’

Macduff bent forward as though he had been hit in the stomach and stayed
unmoving for a long time.

‘Come on,’ said Malcolm at last. ‘Don’t muffle yourself. Say something. If you
don’t give expression to your grief it’ll break your heart.’

‘My children too?’ said Macduff.

‘Wife, servants, everyone they could find.’

‘And I had to be away at the time! My wife killed too?’

‘I’ve told you.’

Malcolm put his hand on Macduff’s shoulder. ‘There’s some comfort: we’re
going to get revenge.’

‘He has no children,’ said Macduff. He stared at Ross. ‘All my pretty ones? Did
you say all?’ He kicked the exposed root of an apple tree. ‘Oh hell-kite!’ He

turned back to Ross. ‘All? What? All my pretty chickens and their mother at
one fell swoop?’ He walked away from them and cried.

‘Take it like a man,’ said Malcolm.

‘I will,’ said Macduff. ‘But I must also feel it like a man. Nothing was as
precious to me. Did heaven watch and not come to their help? Oh, it’s my
fault. They were killed because of me! Not because of their faults but for
mine. Heaven rest them now.’

‘Let this sharpen your sword. Let grief turn into anger, ‘ said Malcolm.

‘I could waste time crying,’ said Macduff. ‘But gentle heavens, let’s not
delay. Bring this fiend of Scotland and me face to face. Bring him within my
sword’s length. If he escapes let my punishment be that heaven forgives
him.’

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