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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Retreat, and Flourish. Enter with Drumme and Colours,
    Malcolm, Seyward, Rosse, Thanes, & Soldiers.
    2480Mal. I would the Friends we misse, were safe arriu'd.
    Sey. Some must go off: and yet by these I see,
    So great a day as this is cheapely bought.
    Mal. Macduffe is missing, and your Noble Sonne.
    Rosse. Your son my Lord, ha's paid a souldiers debt,
    2485He onely liu'd but till he was a man,
    The which no sooner had his Prowesse confirm'd
    In the vnshrinking station where he fought,
    But like a man he dy'de.
    Sey. Then he is dead?
    2490Rosse. I, and brought off the field: your cause of sorrow
    Must not be measur'd by his worth, for then
    It hath no end.
    Sey. Had he his hurts before?
    Rosse. I, on the Front.
    2495Sey. Why then, Gods Soldier be he:
    Had I as many Sonnes, as I haue haires,
    I would not wish them to a fairer death:
    And so his Knell is knoll'd.
    Mal. Hee's worth more sorrow,
    2500And that Ile spend for him.
    Sey. He's worth no more,
    They say he parted well, and paid his score,
    And so God be with him. Here comes newer comfort.
    Enter Macduffe, with Macbeths head.
    2505Macd. Haile King, for so thou art.
    Behold where stands
    Th'Vsurpers cursed head: the time is free:
    I see thee compast with thy Kingdomes Pearle,
    That speake my salutation in their minds:
    2510Whose voyces I desire alowd with mine.
    Haile King of Scotland.
    All. Haile King of Scotland. Flourish.
    Mal. We shall not spend a large expence of time,
    Before we reckon with your seuerall loues,
    2515And make vs euen with you. My Thanes and Kinsmen
    Henceforth be Earles, the first that euer Scotland
    In such an Honor nam'd: What's more to do,
    Which would be planted newly with the time,
    As calling home our exil'd Friends abroad,
    2520That fled the Snares of watchfull Tyranny,
    Producing forth the cruell Ministers
    Of this dead Butcher, and his Fiend-like Queene;
    Who (as 'tis thought) by selfe and violent hands,
    Tooke off her life. This, and what needfull else
    2525That call's vpon vs, by the Grace of Grace,
    We will performe in measure, time, and place:
    So thankes to all at once, and to each one,
    Whom we inuite, to see vs Crown'd at Scone.
    Flourish. Exeunt Omnes.
    2530FINIS.