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    Not Peer Reviewed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 Macbeth, Doctor, and attendants.
    2215Macbeth
    Bring me no more reports, let them fly all.
    Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane,
    I cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm?
    Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know
    All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:
    2220"Fear not, Macbeth, no man that's born of woman
    Shall e'er have power upon thee." Then fly false thanes
    And mingle with the English epicures.
    The mind I sway by and the heart I bear
    Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
    2225Enter Servant.
    The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon.
    Where got'st thou that goose-look?
    Servant
    There is ten thousand--
    Macbeth
    Geese, villain?
    2230Servant
    Soldiers, sir.
    Macbeth
    Go prick thy face and over-red thy fear,
    Thou lily-livered boy. What soldiers, patch?
    Death of thy soul, those linen cheeks of thine
    Are counselors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?
    2235Servant
    The English force, so please you.
    Macbeth
    Take thy face hence.
    Exit Servant.
    Seyton! --I am sick at heart
    When I behold-- Seyton, I say! --This push
    Will cheer me ever or disseat me now.
    I have lived long enough; my way of life
    2240Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf,
    And that which should accompany old age,
    As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
    I must not look to have, but in their stead
    Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath
    2245Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
    --Seyton!
    Enter Seyton.
    Seyton
    What's your gracious pleasure?
    Macbeth
    What news more?
    2250Seyton
    All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.
    Macbeth
    I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.
    Give me my armor.
    Seyton
    'Tis not needed yet.
    Macbeth
    I'll put it on.
    2255Send out more horses, skirr the country round,
    Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armor.
    How does your patient, Doctor?
    Doctor
    Not so sick, my lord,
    As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies
    2260That keep her from her rest.
    Macbeth
    Cure her of that.
    Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
    Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
    Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
    2265And with some sweet oblivious antidote
    Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
    Which weighs upon the heart?
    Doctor
    Therein the patient
    Must minister to himself.
    2270Macbeth
    Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.
    [To an attendant] Come, put mine armor on; give me my staff.
    --Seyton, send out. Doctor, the thanes fly from me.
    [To an attendant]Come, sir, dispatch. --If thou couldst, Doctor, cast
    The water of my land, find her disease,
    2275And purge it to a sound and pristine health,
    I would applaud thee to the very echo
    That should applaud again. --Pull't off, I say.
    --What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug
    Would scour these English hence? Hear'st thou of them?
    2280Doctor
    Ay, my good lord. Your royal preparation
    Makes us hear something.
    Macbeth
    --Bring it after me.
    I will not be afraid of death and bane
    Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane.
    [Exeunt all but Doctor.]
    2285Doctor
    Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,
    Profit again should hardly draw me here.
    Ex[i]t.