Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Anthony Dawson
Not Peer Reviewed

Modern (Modern)

[5.9]
Retreat and flourish. Enter with drum and colors Malcolm, Siward, Ross, Thanes, and Soldiers.
2480Malcolm
I would the friends we miss were safe arrived.
Siward
Some must go off, and yet by these I see
So great a day as this is cheaply bought.
Malcolm
Macduff is missing, and your noble son.
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt;
2485He only lived but till he was a man,
The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed
In the unshrinking station where he fought
But like a man he died.
Siward
Then he is dead?
Ay, and brought off the field. Your cause of sorrow
Must not be measured by his worth, for then
It hath no end.
Siward
Had he his hurts before?
Ay, on the front.
2495Siward
Why then, God's soldier be he.
Had I as many sons as I have hairs,
I would not wish them to a fairer death;
And so his knell is knolled.
Malcolm
He's worth more sorrow,
2500And that I'll spend for him.
Siward
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 Macduff with Macbeth's head.
2505Macduff
Hail, King, for so thou art. Behold where stands
Th'usurper's cursèd head. The time is free.
I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl
That speak my salutation in their minds,
2510Whose voices I desire aloud with mine:
Hail, King of Scotland!
All
Hail, King of Scotland!
Flourish.
Malcolm
We shall not spend a large expense of time
Before we reckon with your several loves
2515And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen,
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland
In such an honor named. What's more to do,
Which would be planted newly with the time--
As calling home our exiled friends abroad
2520That fled the snares of watchful tyranny,
Producing forth the cruel ministers
Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen,
Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands
Took off her life--this and what needful else
2525That calls upon us, by the grace of Grace
We will perform in measure, time, and place.
So, thanks to all at once and to each one
Whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.
Flourish. Exeunt.