Macbeth
Act V, Scene 9
Dunsinane. Within Macbeth’s castle.
Scenery design for Macbeth
F. Fenton, circa 1844
- Retreat and flourish. Enter, with Drum and Colors, Malcolm,
- Siward, Rosse, Thanes, and Soldiers.
Malcolm
1- I would the friends we miss were safe arriv’d.
Siward
2 - 3- Some must go off; and yet, by these I see,
- So great a day as this is cheaply bought.
Malcolm
4- Macduff is missing, and your noble son.
Rosse
5 - 9- Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier’s debt.
- He only liv’d but till he was a man,
- The which no sooner had his prowess confirm’d
- In the unshrinking station where he fought,
- But like a man he died.
Siward
10- Then he is dead?
Rosse
11 - 13- Ay, and brought off the field. Your cause of sorrow
- Must not be measur’d by his worth, for then
- It hath no end.
Siward
14- Had he his hurts before?
Rosse
15- Ay, on the front.
Siward
16 - 19- 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 knoll’d.
Malcolm
20 - 21- He’s worth more sorrow,
- And that I’ll spend for him.
Siward
22 - 24- 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.
Macduff
25 - 30- Hail, King! For so thou art. Behold where stands
- Th’ usurper’s cursed head: the time is free.
- I see thee compass’d with thy kingdom’s pearl,
- That speak my salutation in their minds;
- Whose voices I desire aloud with mine:
- Hail, King of Scotland!
All
31- Hail, King of Scotland!
- Flourish.
King Malcolm
32 - 47- We shall not spend a large expense of time
- Before we reckon with your several loves,
- And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen,
- Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland
- In such an honor nam’d. What’s more to do,
- Which would be planted newly with the time,
- As calling home our exil’d friends abroad
- That 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
- That 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 crown’d at Scone.
- Flourish. Exeunt omnes.
