Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.