Act 5, Scene 8 (Macduff confronts Macbeth)

Act 5, Scene 7


SCENE VII. Another part of the field.

    Alarums. Enter MACBETH

MACBETH

    They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly,
    But, bear-like, I must fight the course. What's he
    That was not born of woman? Such a one
    Am I to fear, or none.

    Enter YOUNG SIWARD

YOUNG SIWARD

    What is thy name?

MACBETH

    Thou'lt be afraid to hear it.

YOUNG SIWARD

    No; though thou call'st thyself a hotter name
    Than any is in hell.

MACBETH

    My name's Macbeth.

YOUNG SIWARD

    The devil himself could not pronounce a title
    More hateful to mine ear.

MACBETH

    No, nor more fearful.

YOUNG SIWARD

    Thou liest, abhorred tyrant; with my sword
    I'll prove the lie thou speak'st.

    They fight and YOUNG SIWARD is slain

MACBETH

    Thou wast born of woman
    But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,
    Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born.

    Exit

    Alarums. Enter MACDUFF

MACDUFF

    That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face!
    If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine,
    My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.
    I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms
    Are hired to bear their staves: either thou, Macbeth,
    Or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge
    I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be;
    By this great clatter, one of greatest note
    Seems bruited. Let me find him, fortune!
    And more I beg not.

    Exit. Alarums

    Enter MALCOLM and SIWARD

SIWARD

    This way, my lord; the castle's gently render'd:
    The tyrant's people on both sides do fight;
    The noble thanes do bravely in the war;
    The day almost itself professes yours,
    And little is to do.

MALCOLM

    We have met with foes
    That strike beside us.

SIWARD

    Enter, sir, the castle.

    Exeunt. Alarums