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Modern English
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret further: only, I say, Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead: And the right-valiant Banquo walk’d too late; Whom, you may say, if’t please you, Fleance kill’d, For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought how monstrous It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain To kill their gracious father? damned fact! How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear, That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too; For ’twould have anger’d any heart alive To hear the men deny’t. So that, I say, He has borne all things well: and I do think That had he Duncan’s sons under his key-- As, an’t please heaven, he shall not--they should find What ’twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. But, peace! for from broad words and ’cause he fail’d His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell Where he bestows himself?
My previous words have probably matched your thoughts, Which can explain more: I only say, Things have been handled strangely. The kind-hearted Duncan Was mourned by Macbeth: but, indeed, he was dead: And the brave Banquo came too late; You might say, if you like, that Fleance killed him, Because Fleance ran away: men shouldn’t be out too late. Who doesn’t think it’s monstrous That Malcolm and Donalbain Killed their kind father? A terrible deed! How much it upset Macbeth! Didn’t he immediately Tear apart the two guilty men, Who were drunk and asleep? Wasn’t that noble? Yes, and wise too; Because it would’ve made anyone angry To hear those men deny it. So I say, He’s handled everything well: and I believe That if he had Duncan’s sons locked away-- As, God willing, he does not--they Would understand What it means to kill a father; and so would Fleance. But enough! Because of his harsh words and the fact he failed To show up at the tyrant’s feast, I hear Macduff is in disgrace: sir, can you tell Where he’s hiding?
The son of Duncan, From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth Lives in the English court, and is received Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of fortune nothing Takes from his high respect: thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward: That, by the help of these--with Him above To ratify the work--we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, Do faithful homage and receive free honours: All which we pine for now: and this report Hath so exasperate the king that he Prepares for some attempt of war.
The son of Duncan, From whom this tyrant usurps the rightful throne, Lives in the English court, and is welcomed By the noble Edward with such respect That the bad luck of fortune does nothing To lessen his honor: there Macduff Has gone to ask the holy king for help To rally Northumberland and the warrior Siward: So, with their aid--and Heaven above To confirm the plan--we may again Put food on our tables, sleep at night, Free from our feasts and banquets filled with bloody knives, Show true loyalty, and receive honors freely: All of which we long for now: and this news Has so enraged the king that he Is preparing for war.
Sent he to Macduff?
Did he send for Macduff?
He did: and with an absolute ’Sir, not I,’ The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums, as who should say ’You’ll rue the time That clogs me with this answer.’
He did: and with a definite "No, not me," The mysterious messenger turns his back on me, And hums, almost as if saying "You’ll regret the time That forces me to give you this answer."
And that well might Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accursed!
And that might Advise him to be careful, to keep his distance As far as his wisdom allows. Some heavenly angel Should fly to the court of England and deliver His message before he arrives, so a swift blessing Can quickly return to our suffering country Under this cursed hand!
I’ll send my prayers with him.
I’ll send my prayers with him.