Macbeth · Act 5, Scene 1

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Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman
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?

Doctor

I’ve been watching with you for two nights, but I can’t find any truth in what you’re telling me. When did she last sleepwalk?

Gentlewoman

Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon 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.

Gentlewoman

Since the king went off to battle, I’ve seen her get out of bed, put on her nightgown, unlock her drawer, take out paper, fold it, write on it, read it, then seal it, and go back to bed, all while still in a deep sleep.

Doctor

A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say?

Doctor

It’s a huge disturbance in nature, to get the benefits of sleep and yet do the actions of being awake! In this sleepy trance, aside from her walking and other actions, what have you ever heard her say?

Gentlewoman

That, sir, which I will not report after her.

Gentlewoman

Sir, there are things I won’t repeat that she’s said.

Doctor

You may to me: and ’tis most meet you should.

Doctor

You can tell me: and you should, it’s the right thing to do.

Gentlewoman

Neither to you nor any one; having no witness to confirm my speech.

Gentlewoman

No, I can’t tell you or anyone else; I have no proof to back up what I’d say.

Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper
Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper
Gentlewoman

Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise; and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.

Gentlewoman

Here she comes! This is exactly how she looks; and I swear, she’s sound asleep. Watch her closely; stay hidden.

Doctor

How came she by that light?

Doctor

How did she get that light?

Gentlewoman

Why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; ’tis her command.

Gentlewoman

It was right beside her: she always has light with her, it’s part of her orders.

Doctor

You see, her eyes are open.

Doctor

You see, her eyes are open.

Gentlewoman

Ay, but their sense is shut.

Gentlewoman

Yes, but she can’t actually see.

Doctor

What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.

Doctor

What is she doing now? Look, she’s rubbing her hands.

Gentlewoman

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.

Gentlewoman

It’s something she’s always done, pretending to wash her hands. I’ve seen her do this for a quarter of an hour.

Lady Macbeth

Yet here’s a spot.

Lady Macbeth

But there’s still a spot.

Doctor

Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.

Doctor

Listen! She’s speaking. I’ll write down what she says to help me remember it better.

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 account?--Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.

Lady Macbeth

Get out, damn spot! Get out, I say! One, two—well, it’s time to do it. Hell is dark! Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afraid? Why should we be afraid, when no one can question our power? Yet who would have thought the old man had so much blood in him?

Doctor

Do you mark that?

Doctor

Did you notice 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’ that, my lord, no more o’ that: you mar all with this starting.

Lady Macbeth

The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands never be clean? No more of that, my lord, no more of that. You’re ruining everything with your interruptions.

Doctor

Go to, go to; you have known what you should not.

Doctor

Go on, go on; you’ve heard things you shouldn’t have.

Gentlewoman

She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known.

Gentlewoman

She’s said things she shouldn’t have, I’m sure of that. Heaven knows what else she’s done.

Lady Macbeth

Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!

Lady Macbeth

I still smell the blood. All the perfumes of Arabia won’t make this little hand smell sweet. Oh, oh, oh!

Doctor

What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.

Doctor

What a heavy sigh! Her heart is weighed down with guilt.

Gentlewoman

I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.

Gentlewoman

I wouldn’t want such a burden in my heart for all the dignity in the world.

Doctor

Well, well, well,--

Doctor

Well, well, well...

Gentlewoman

Pray God it be, sir.

Gentlewoman

I hope so, sir.

Doctor

This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.

Doctor

This condition is beyond my skill, but I’ve heard of people who walked in their sleep and died peacefully 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.

Lady Macbeth

Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; don’t look so pale. I’m telling you again, Banquo’s buried; he can’t come out of his grave.

Doctor

Even so?

Doctor

Really?

Lady Macbeth

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!

Lady Macbeth

To bed, to bed! There’s someone knocking at the door: Come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What’s done can’t be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!

Exit
Exit
Doctor

Will she go now to bed?

Doctor

Will she go to bed now?

Gentlewoman

Directly.

Gentlewoman

Yes, right away.

Doctor

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; 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.

Doctor

Terrible rumors are spreading: unnatural actions Lead to unnatural problems: troubled minds Will spill their secrets to their pillows, which can’t hear them: She needs divine help more than a doctor. God, God forgive us all! Look after her; Take away anything that might hurt her, And keep watching her. So, good night: She’s troubled my mind and stunned my senses. I think I understand, but I’m too afraid to say it.

Gentlewoman

Good night, good doctor.

Gentlewoman

Good night, good doctor.

Exuent
Exit

End of Act 5, Scene 1

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