Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1
Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle. Night.
The Original
Plain Modern English
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman.
Doctor
I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive
no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?
Doctor
I've kept watch with you two nights now, and I've seen
nothing to back up your story. When did she last sleepwalk?
Gentlewoman
Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen
her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown 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.
Gentlewoman
Since His Majesty rode off to war, I've watched her
get up from her bed, throw on her nightgown,
unlock her desk, take out paper, fold it,
write on it, read it, seal it, and go back
to bed — all of it in the deepest sleep.
Doctor
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?
Doctor
A serious breakdown in nature — to get the benefit of sleep
while doing everything you'd do
awake. In this restless sleep-state, besides
the walking and the other actions — have you
ever heard her say anything?
Gentlewoman
That, sir, which I will not report after her.
Gentlewoman
Things, sir, that I will not repeat.
Doctor
You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.
Doctor
You can tell me. In fact, you should.
Gentlewoman
Neither to you nor any one; having no witness to
confirm my speech.
Gentlewoman
Not to you, and not to anyone — I have no witness
to back up what I'd be saying. (Smart woman. In this castle, knowing things gets people killed.)
Enter Lady Macbeth, with a taper.
Gentlewoman
Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise;
and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.
Gentlewoman
Look — here she comes! Exactly like I told you,
and I swear on my life: fast asleep. Watch her. Stay hidden.
Doctor
How came she by that light?
Doctor
Where did she get that candle?
Gentlewoman
Why, it stood by her: she has light by her
continually; 'tis her command.
Gentlewoman
It was next to her bed. She keeps light beside her
at all times now. Her standing order. (The woman who prayed for thick night is now afraid of the dark.)
Doctor
You see, her eyes are open.
Doctor
Look — her eyes are open.
Gentlewoman
Ay, but their sense is shut.
Gentlewoman
Yes. But their seeing is shut.
Doctor
What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.
Doctor
What's she doing now? Look how she's rubbing her hands.
Gentlewoman
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.
Gentlewoman
She does this constantly — like she's
washing her hands. I've seen her keep at it
for a quarter of an hour straight.
Lady Macbeth
Yet here's a spot.
Lady Macbeth
There's still a spot here.
Doctor
Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from
her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
Doctor
Quiet — she's talking. I'll write down everything she says,
so I remember it exactly.
Lady Macbeth
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.
Lady Macbeth
Out, damned spot! Out, I say! — One. Two. Well then,
it's time to do it. — Hell is murky! — Shame, my lord,
shame! A soldier, and scared? Why should we fear
who finds out, when no one can hold our power
to account? — But who would have thought the old man
would have so much blood in him?
Doctor
Do you mark that?
Doctor
Are you hearing this?
Lady Macbeth
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.
Lady Macbeth
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'll ruin everything
with this flinching.
Doctor
Go to, go to; you have known what you should not.
Doctor
Well, well. You have known things you should not have.
Gentlewoman
She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of
that: heaven knows what she has known.
Gentlewoman
She's SAID things she shouldn't have — that much I'm sure of.
What she's known, only heaven knows.
Lady Macbeth
Here's the smell of the blood still: all the
perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. Oh, oh, oh!
Lady Macbeth
The smell of the blood is still here. All the
perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. Oh. Oh. Oh.
Doctor
What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.
Doctor
What a sigh. That heart is carrying a terrible load.
Gentlewoman
I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the
dignity of the whole body.
Gentlewoman
I wouldn't carry a heart like that in my chest
for all the queenly rank in the world.
Doctor
Well, well, well,—
Doctor
Well, well, well—
Gentlewoman
Pray God it be, sir.
Gentlewoman
Pray God it IS well, sir.
Doctor
This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known
those which have walked in their sleep who have died
holily in their beds.
Doctor
This disease is beyond my skill. Though I've known
sleepwalkers who died
peacefully and holy in their beds.
Lady Macbeth
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.
Lady Macbeth
Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Don't look so
pale. — I'm telling you again: Banquo is buried. He
cannot come out of his grave.
Doctor
Even so?
Doctor
So that's it, then?
Lady Macbeth
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!
Lady Macbeth
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 Lady Macbeth.
Doctor
Will she go now to bed?
Doctor
Will she go to bed now?
Gentlewoman
Directly.
Gentlewoman
Straight there.
Doctor
Foul whisperings 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 amazed my sight.
I think, but dare not speak.
Doctor
Terrible rumors are going around. Unnatural deeds
breed unnatural troubles; infected minds
will confess their secrets to their deaf pillows.
She needs a priest more than a doctor.
God, God forgive us all! Watch over her —
take away anything she could hurt herself with,
and keep your eyes on her at all times. So — good night.
She has checkmated my mind and stunned my eyes.
I have thoughts. I dare not say them.
Gentlewoman
Good night, good doctor.
Gentlewoman
Good night, good doctor.
Exeunt.