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Act 3, Scene 2
Macbeth Translation Act 3, Scene 3
Three MURDERERS enter.
FIRST MURDERER
But who did bid thee join with us?
FIRST MURDERER
But who told you to come here and join us?
THIRD MURDERER
Macbeth.
THIRD MURDERER
Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER
He needs not our mistrust, since he deliversOur offices and what we have to do To the direction just.
SECOND MURDERER
We can trust him, since he’s stated his instructions and they are identical to the ones that we were given.
FIRST MURDERER
Then stand with us. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day. Now spurs the lated traveler apace To gain the timely inn, and near approaches The subject of our watch.
FIRST MURDERER
Then stay with us. The western sky is still lit with streaks of daylight. Now all the late travelers are hurrying to reach their inns, and the one we were sent to watch for should be coming near.
THIRD MURDERER
Hark, I hear horses.
THIRD MURDERER
Listen! I hear horses.
BANQUO
[within] Give us a light there, ho!
BANQUO
[Offstage] Hey, give us some light!
SECOND MURDERER
Then ’tis he: the restThat are within the note of expectationAlready are i’ th’ court.
SECOND MURDERER
That is him. All of the other expected guests are already inside the castle.
FIRST MURDERER
His horses go about.
FIRST MURDERER
You can hear his horses being taken to the stables.
THIRD MURDERER
Almost a mile; but he does usually— So all men do—from hence to the palace gateMake it their walk.
THIRD MURDERER
It’s almost a mile to the castle gate. But Banquo, like everybody else, usually walks from here.
BANQUO and FLEANCE enter with a torch.
SECOND MURDERER
A light, a light!
SECOND MURDERER
Here comes a light! A light!
THIRD MURDERER
‘Tis he.
THIRD MURDERER
It’s him.
FIRST MURDERER
Stand to ’t.
FIRST MURDERER
Get ready.
BANQUO
It will be rain tonight.
BANQUO
It will rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER
Let it come down.
FIRST MURDERER
Then let it rain.
The MURDERERS attack BANQUO.
BANQUO
O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou may ’st revenge —O slave!
BANQUO
Oh, treachery! Run, good Fleance, run, run, run! Maybe one day you can get revenge.
[To one of the MURDERERS] Oh, you villain!
BANQUO dies. FLEANCE escapes.
THIRD MURDERER
Who did strike out the light?
THIRD MURDERER
Who put out the light?
FIRSTMURDERER
Was ’t not the way?
FIRST MURDERER
Wasn’t that what we were supposed to do?
THIRD MURDERER
There’s but one down. The son is fled.
THIRD MURDERER
But there’s only one body here. The son escaped.
SECOND MURDERER
We have lost best half of our affair.
SECOND MURDERER
We failed half of our mission.
FIRST MURDERER
Well, let’s away and say how much is done.
FIRST MURDERER
Well, let’s get out of here and tell Macbeth what we managed to do.
They exit.
