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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    2395Enter Macbeth.
    Macbeth
    They have tied me to a stake: I cannot fly,
    But bear-like I must fight the course. What's he
    That was not born of woman? Such a one
    Am I to fear, or none.
    2400Enter Young Siward.
    Young Siward
    What is thy name?
    Macbeth
    Thou'lt be afraid to hear it.
    Young Siward
    No, though thou call'st thyself a hotter name
    Than any is in hell.
    2405Macbeth
    My name's Macbeth.
    Young Siward
    The devil himself could not pronounce a title
    More hateful to mine ear.
    Macbeth
    No, nor more fearful.
    Young Siward
    Thou liest, abhorrèd tyrant: with my sword
    2410I'll prove the lie thou speak'st.
    Fight, and Young Siward slain.
    Macbeth
    Thou wast born of woman.
    But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,
    Brandished by man that's of a woman born.
    Exit [with Young Siward's body].
    2415Alarums. Enter Macduff.
    Macduff
    That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face.
    If thou be'st slain, and with no stroke of mine,
    My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.
    I cannot strike at wretched kerns whose arms
    2420Are hired to bear their staves. Either thou, Macbeth,
    Or else my sword with an unbattered edge
    I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be:
    By this great clatter, one of greatest note
    Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune,
    2425And more I beg not.
    Exit.
    Alarums. Enter Malcolm and Siward.
    Siward
    This way, my lord; the castle's gently rendered.
    The tyrant's people on both sides do fight,
    The noble thanes do bravely in the war.
    2430The day almost itself professes yours
    And little is to do.
    Malcolm
    We have met with foes
    That strike beside us.
    Siward
    Enter, sir, the castle.
    Exeunt. Alarum.