Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Macbeth: Modern (Modern)
  • Editor: Anthony Dawson
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best
  • Research assistant: Katie Davion
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-528-5

    Copyright Anthony Dawson. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Anthony Dawson
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Modern (Modern)

    Enter three Murderers.
    1 Murderer
    But who did bid thee join with us?
    3 Murderer
    Macbeth.
    12202 Murderer
    He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
    Our offices and what we have to do
    To the direction just.
    1 Murderer
    Then stand with us.
    The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
    1225Now spurs the lated traveler apace
    To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
    The subject of our watch.
    3 Murderer
    Hark, I hear horses.
    Banquo
    (Within) Give us a light there, ho!
    12302 Murderer
    Then 'tis he.
    The rest that are within the note of expectation
    Already are i'th' court.
    1 Murderer
    His horses go about.
    3 Murderer
    Almost a mile; but he does usually,
    1235So all men do, from hence to th'palace gate
    Make it their walk.
    Enter Banquo and Fleance with a torch.
    2 Murderer
    A light, a light.
    3 Murderer
    'Tis he.
    12401 Murderer
    Stand to't.
    Banquo
    It will be rain tonight.
    1 Murderer
    Let it come down.
    [The Murderers attack Banquo. 1 Murderer strikes out the light.]
    Banquo
    Oh, treachery!
    Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
    1245Thou mayst revenge--O slave!
    [He dies. Fleance escapes.]
    3 Murderer
    Who did strike out the light?
    1 Murderer
    Was't not the way?
    3 Murderer
    There's but one down; the son is fled.
    2 Murderer
    We have lost 1250best half of our affair.
    1 Murderer
    Well, let's away, and say how much is done.
    Exeunt[, with Banquo's body].