Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1
Original
Modern English
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman.
A Doctor of Medicine and a Waiting-Gentlewoman come in.
Doctor1
I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?
I have kept watch with you for two nights, but I can see no truth in what you report. When was the last time she walked?
Gentlewoman3
Since his Majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.
Since his Majesty went off to war, I have seen her get up from her bed, throw her dressing gown over herself, unlock her writing desk, take out paper, fold it, write on it, read it, then seal it, and go back to bed again; and all this time she was in the deepest sleep.
Doctor7
A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching. In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say?
It is a great disturbance in her nature, to get the benefit of sleep and at the same time act as if she were awake. In this restless sleeping state, besides her walking and the other things she actually does, what have you ever heard her say?
Gentlewoman11
That, sir, which I will not report after her.
Things, sir, that I will not repeat after her.
Doctor12
You may to me; and ’tis most meet you should.
You may tell me; and it is entirely fitting that you should.
Gentlewoman13
Neither to you nor anyone; having no witness to confirm my speech.
Not to you or to anyone, since I have no witness to back up what I say.
Enter Lady Macbeth with a taper.
Lady Macbeth comes in carrying a candle.
Gentlewoman14
Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.
Look, here she comes! This is exactly how she does it; and, on my life, she is fast asleep. Watch her; stay hidden.
Doctor16
How came she by that light?
How did she get that light?
Gentlewoman17
Why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; ’tis her command.
It was standing beside her: she has a light by her all the time; that is her order.
Doctor19
You see, her eyes are open.
You see, her eyes are open.
Gentlewoman20
Ay, but their sense are shut.
Yes, but they can't see anything.
Doctor21
What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands.
What is she doing now? Look how she rubs her hands.
Gentlewoman22
It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.
That is a habit with her, to seem to be washing her hands like this. I have known her to keep it up for a quarter of an hour.
Lady Macbeth24
Yet here’s a spot.
There is still a spot here.
Doctor25
Hark, she speaks. I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
Listen, she is speaking. I will write down what she says, so my memory holds it more firmly.
Lady Macbeth27
Out, damned spot! out, I say! One; two. Why, then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?
Get out, cursed spot! Out, I say! One; two. Well then, it's time to do it. Hell is dark! Shame on you, my lord, shame! A soldier, and frightened? Why should we be afraid of anyone knowing, when nobody can make us answer for what we do? Still, who would have thought the old man had so much blood in him?
Doctor31
Do you mark that?
Do you hear that?
Lady Macbeth32
The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that: you mar all with this starting.
The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands never be clean? No more of that, my lord, no more of that: you ruin everything with this flinching.
Doctor35
Go to, go to. You have known what you should not.
Enough, enough. You have learned things you shouldn't know.
Gentlewoman36
She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known.
She has said things she shouldn't say, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has learned.
Lady Macbeth38
Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
The smell of the blood is still here: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
Doctor40
What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.
What a sigh that is! Her heart is terribly burdened.
Gentlewoman41
I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.
I wouldn't have a heart like that in my chest for all the royal honour of her whole body.
Doctor43
Well, well, well.
Well, well, well.
Gentlewoman44
Pray God it be, sir.
I pray to God that it is well, sir.
Doctor45
This disease is beyond my practice: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep, who have died holily in their beds.
This illness is beyond my skill: yet I have known people who walked in their sleep and died holy deaths in their beds.
Lady Macbeth47
Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.
Wash your hands, put on your dressing gown; don't look so pale. I tell you once more, Banquo is buried; he cannot come out of his grave.
Doctor49
Even so?
Is that so?
Lady Macbeth50
To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.
To bed, to bed. There's knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.
Exit.
She leaves.
Doctor53
Will she go now to bed?
Will she go to bed now?
Gentlewoman54
Directly.
Straight away.
Doctor55
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. More needs she the divine than the physician.— God, God, forgive us all! Look after her; Remove from her the means of all annoyance, And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night: My mind she has mated, and amaz’d my sight. I think, but dare not speak.
Evil rumours are going around. Unnatural acts breed unnatural troubles: diseased minds will unload their secrets to their deaf pillows. She needs a priest more than a doctor.—God, God, forgive us all! Look after her; take away from her anything she could harm herself with, and keep your eyes on her always. So, good night: she has bewildered my mind and astonished my sight. I have my thoughts, but I dare not speak them.
Gentlewoman64
Good night, good doctor.
Good night, good doctor.
Exeunt.
They leave.
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