Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Anthony Dawson
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed

    Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scena Secunda.
    Drum and Colours. Enter Menteth, Cathnes,
    2175Angus, Lenox, Soldiers.
    Ment. The English powre is neere, led on by Malcolm,
    His Vnkle Seyward, and the good Macduff.
    Reuenges burne in them: for their deere causes
    Would to the bleeding, and the grim Alarme
    2180Excite the mortified man.
    Ang. Neere Byrnan wood
    Shall we well meet them, that way are they comming.
    Cath. Who knowes if Donalbane be with his brother?
    Len. For certaine Sir, he is not: I haue a File
    2185Of all the Gentry; there is Seywards Sonne,
    And many vnruffe youths, that euen now
    Protest their first of Manhood.
    Ment. What do's the Tyrant.
    Cath. Great Dunsinane he strongly Fortifies:
    2190Some say hee's mad: Others, that lesser hate him,
    Do call it valiant Fury, but for certaine
    He
    The Tragedie of Macbeth. 149
    He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause
    Within the belt of Rule.
    Ang. Now do's he feele
    2195His secret Murthers sticking on his hands,
    Now minutely Reuolts vpbraid his Faith-breach:
    Those he commands, moue onely in command,
    Nothing in loue: Now do's he feele his Title
    Hang loose about him, like a Giants Robe
    2200Vpon a dwarfish Theefe.
    Ment. Who then shall blame
    His pester'd Senses to recoyle, and start,
    When all that is within him, do's condemne
    It selfe, for being there.
    2205Cath. Well, march we on,
    To giue Obedience, where 'tis truly ow'd:
    Meet we the Med'cine of the sickly Weale,
    And with him poure we in our Countries purge,
    Each drop of vs.
    2210Lenox. Or so much as it needes,
    To dew the Soueraigne Flower, and drowne the Weeds:
    Make we our March towards Birnan. Exeunt marching.