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Act 5, Scene 1
Macbeth Translation Act 5, Scene 2
MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS, LENNOX, and soldiers enter along with a drummer and flag.
MENTEITH
The English power is near, led on by Malcolm, His uncle Siward and the good Macduff. Revenges burn in them, for their dear causes Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm Excite the mortified man.
MENTEITH
The English army is near, led by Malcolm, his uncle Siward, and the good Macduff. The desire for revenge burns in them. Their reasons for wanting revenge would cause even dead men to rise and rush to battle.
ANGUS
Near Birnam WoodShall we well meet them; that way are they coming.
ANGUS
We’ll meet them near Birnam Wood. That’s the way they’re coming.
CAITHNESS
Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?
CAITHNESS
Does anyone know if Donalbain is with his brother?
LENNOX
For certain, sir, he is not. I have a file Of all the gentry. There is Siward’s son, And many unrough youths that even now Protest their first of manhood.
LENNOX
Sir, it’s certain that he is not. I have a list of all the important men. Siward’s son is there, as well as many boys too young to even have beards who are ready to proclaim their manhood in battle.
MENTEITH
What does the tyrant?
MENTEITH
What is the tyrant Macbeth doing?
CAITHNESS
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies. Some say he’s mad, others that lesser hate him Do call it valiant fury. But, for certain, He cannot buckle his distempered cause Within the belt of rule.
CAITHNESS
He is fortifying his castle at Dunsinane with strong defenses. Some say he’s insane. Those who hate him less call it noble fury. One thing is certain: he can’t control himself or his anger.
ANGUS
Now does he feel His secret murders sticking on his hands. Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach. Those he commands move only in command, Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe Upon a dwarfish thief.
ANGUS
Now Macbeth feels the blood from his secret murders sticking to his hands. Now, each minute, rebel armies punish his treachery. The soldiers he commands are just following orders. They don’t fight for him out of love. Now his kingship seems to hang loosely on him, as if he’s a dwarf trying to wearing the robes of a giant.
MENTEITH
Who then shall blame His pestered senses to recoil and start, When all that is within him does condemn Itself for being there?
MENTEITH
Who can blame him for acting twitchy and jumpy, when everything inside him condemns itself for what it’s done?
CAITHNESS
Well, march we on, To give obedience where ’tis truly owed. Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, And with him pour we in our country’s purge Each drop of us.
CAITHNESS
Well, we march on to give our loyalty to the man to whom it is truly owed. We go to meet Malcolm, who is the medicine that will cure our sick country. And with him we will pour out all of our own blood to heal our nation.
LENNOX
Or so much as it needs, To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.Make we our march towards Birnam.
LENNOX
Or as much as we need to water the royal flower of Malcolm, and to drown the weed that is Macbeth. Let’s march to Birnam.
They exit, marching.
