Macbeth is confident that he can withstand any siege from Malcolm’s forces. He is then told of Lady Macbeth’s death and of the apparent movement of Birnam Wood toward Dunsinane Castle, where he waits. He desperately resolves to abandon the castle and give battle to Malcolm in the field.
Enter Macbeth, Seyton, and Soldiers, with Drum and Colors.
MACBETH 2260Hang out our banners on the outward walls. 2261The cry is still “They come!” Our castle’s strength 2262Will laugh a siege to scorn. Here let them lie 2263Till famine and the ague eat them up. 22645Were they not forced with those that should be 2265ours, 2266We might have met them dareful, beard to beard, 2267And beat them backward home. A cry within of women. 2268What is that noise? SEYTON 226910It is the cry of women, my good lord.⌜He exits.⌝ MACBETH 2270I have almost forgot the taste of fears. 2271The time has been my senses would have cooled 2272To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair 2273Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir 227415As life were in ’t. I have supped full with horrors. 2275Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, 2276Cannot once start me.
⌜Enter Seyton.⌝
2277Wherefore was that cry? SEYTON2278
The Queen, my lord, is dead. MACBETH227920She should have died hereafter. 2280There would have been a time for such a word. 2281Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow 2282Creeps in this petty pace from day to day 2283To the last syllable of recorded time, 228425And all our yesterdays have lighted fools 2285The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
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2286Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player 2287That struts and frets his hour upon the stage 2288And then is heard no more. It is a tale 228930Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, 2290Signifying nothing.
Enter a Messenger.
2291Thou com’st to use thy tongue: thy story quickly. MESSENGER2292
Gracious my lord, 2293I should report that which I say I saw, 229435But know not how to do ’t. MACBETH2295Well, say, sir. MESSENGER 2296As I did stand my watch upon the hill, 2297I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought 2298The Wood began to move. MACBETH229940Liar and slave! MESSENGER 2300Let me endure your wrath if ’t be not so. 2301Within this three mile may you see it coming. 2302I say, a moving grove. MACBETH2303If thou speak’st false, 230445Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive 2305Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth, 2306I care not if thou dost for me as much.— 2307I pull in resolution and begin 2308To doubt th’ equivocation of the fiend, 230950That lies like truth. “Fear not till Birnam Wood 2310Do come to Dunsinane,” and now a wood 2311Comes toward Dunsinane.—Arm, arm, and out!— 2312If this which he avouches does appear, 2313There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. 231455I ’gin to be aweary of the sun 2315And wish th’ estate o’ th’ world were now 2316undone.—
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2317Ring the alarum bell!—Blow wind, come wrack, 2318At least we’ll die with harness on our back. They exit.