TPTT The Tragedy of Macbeth: ACT V
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
SCENE I. Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.
SCENE II. The country near Dunsinane.
SCENE III. Dunsinane. A room in the castle.
SCENE IV. Country near Birnam wood.
SCENE V. Dunsinane. Within the castle.
SCENE VI. Dunsinane. Before the castle.
SCENE VII. Another part of the field.
SCENE VIII. Another part of the field.
About the Play
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SCENE I. Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.
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?
Gentlewoman
      Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen
      her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon
5     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.
Doctor
      A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once
      the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of
10    watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her
      walking and other actual performances, what, at any
      time, have you heard her say?
Gentlewoman
      That, sir, which I will not report after her.
Doctor
      You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.
Gentlewoman
15    Neither to you nor any one; having no witness to
      confirm my speech.

Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper

      Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise;
      and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.
Doctor
      How came she by that light?
Gentlewoman
20    Why, it stood by her: she has light by her
      continually; 'tis her command.
Doctor
      You see, her eyes are open.
Gentlewoman
      Ay, but their sense is shut.
Doctor
      What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.
Gentlewoman
25    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.
LADY MACBETH
      Yet here's a spot.
Doctor
      Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from
30    her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
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
35    account?--Yet who would have thought the old man
      to have had so much blood in him.
Doctor
      Do you mark that?
LADY MACBETH
      The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--
      What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o'
40    that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with
      this starting.
Doctor
      Go to, go to; you have known what you should not.
Gentlewoman
      She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of
      that: heaven knows what she has known.
LADY MACBETH
45    Here's the smell of the blood still: 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.
Gentlewoman
      I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the
50    dignity of the whole body.
Doctor
      Well, well, well,--
Gentlewoman
      Pray God it be, sir.
Doctor
      This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known
      those which have walked in their sleep who have died
55    holily 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.
Doctor
      Even so?
LADY MACBETH
60    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
Doctor
      Will she go now to bed?
Gentlewoman
      Directly.
Doctor
65    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;
70    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.
Gentlewoman
      Good night, good doctor.
Exeunt
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