حرکت پنجم، سکانس پنجم

ACT FIVE SCENE FIVE

(In the courtyard of Dunsinane castle. Enter Macbeth and Seyton)

Macbeth: Hang all our flags on the high castle walls. Reports say that their armies are advancing, what do I care? The castle is too strong to be destroyed. Hunger and sickness will destroy their soldiers, before they take strong Dunsinane. If all my Scottish soldiers had been loyal, we could have fought the English, face to face and driven them from Scotland.

(The sound of women crying) What is that noise?

Seyton: The sound of crying women, my good lord.

(Exit Seyton)

Macbeth: I have forgotten what it means to be afraid. Not long ago, a cry at night would freeze my blood - my hair would stand on end. But I have seen and heard such evil things now nothing frightens me.

(Enter Seyton)

What was the reason for that cry?

Seyton: The Queen, my lord, has killed herself.

Macbeth: She had to die sometime, I suppose. There would have been a time to talk of death. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, day follows day with slow and tired steps until time ends. And all our days have shown fools the way to death, when all things end in dust. Blow out the candle life’s shadow disappears. The shadow of an actor who, for an hour, tries to pretend that what he does is real. And then his voice is heard no more. A man’s life is like a story, told badly by a fool, whose shouts and strong words make it seem important. But it means nothing.

More news? Then tell it quickly!

Messenger: My gracious lord, I come to tell you what I saw, I don’t know what to say.

Macbeth: Tell me at once.

Messenger: As I stood at watch upon the hill, I looked towards Birnam. And then it seemed to me, the wood began to move.

Macbeth: Liar and traitor!

Messenger: If I do not speak the truth, then you should be angry. See for yourself, the wood is moving nearer.

Macbeth: If you are lying, I’ll hang you from a tree until you die of hunger. If your report is true, I don’t care if you hang me up instead. I feel my courage weaken and I begin to doubt those devilish lies that sound like truth. ‘Macbeth shall never be defeated till Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall move against him.’ That’s what the spirit said. And now the wood is moving on towards me. To arms! To arms! We must go out and fight! If what he says is true, there’s no escape, whether I go or stay. I am already tired of life. The world itself could end, for all I care. Ring the alarm bell! Though the future’s black At least well die with armour on our back!

(Macbeth and his soldiers leave the castle to fight)