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    Not Peer Reviewed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 Septima.
    2395 Enter Macbeth.
    Macb. They haue tied me to a stake, I cannot flye,
    But Beare-like I must fight the course. What's he
    That was not borne of Woman? Such a one
    Am I to feare, or none.
    2400 Enter young Seyward.
    Y. Sey. What is thy name?
    Macb. Thou'lt be affraid to heare it.
    Y. Sey. No: though thou call'st thy selfe a hoter name
    Then any is in hell.
    2405Macb. My name's Macbeth.
    Y. Sey. The diuell himselfe could not pronounce a Title
    More hatefull to mine eare.
    Macb. No: nor more fearefull.
    Y. Sey. Thou lyest abhorred Tyrant, with my Sword
    2410Ile proue the lye thou speak st.
    Fight, and young Seyward slaine.
    Macb. Thou was't borne of woman;
    But Swords I smile at, Weapons laugh to scorne,
    Brandish'd by man that's of a Woman borne. Exit.
    2415 Alarums. Enter Macduffe.
    Macd. That way the noise is: Tyrant shew thy face,
    If thou beest slaine, and with no stroake of mine,
    My Wife and Childrens Ghosts will haunt me still:
    I cannot strike at wretched Kernes, whose armes
    2420Are hyr'd to beare their Staues; either thou Macbeth,
    Or else my Sword with an vnbattered edge
    I sheath againe vndeeded. There thou should'st be,
    By this great clatter, one of greatest note
    Seemes
    The Tragedie of Macbeth. 151
    Seemes bruited. Let me finde him Fortune,
    2425And more I begge not. Exit. Alarums.
    Enter Malcolme and Seyward.
    Sey. This way my Lord, the Castles gently rendred:
    The Tyrants people, on both sides do fight,
    The Noble Thanes do brauely in the Warre,
    2430The day almost it selfe professes yours,
    And little is to do.
    Malc. We haue met with Foes
    That strike beside vs.
    Sey. Enter Sir, the Castle. Exeunt. Alarum