Macbeth

by: William Shakespeare

Act 5 Scene 3

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter MACBETH, DOCTOR, and attendants	MACBETH, a DOCTOR, and attendants enter.
MACBETH Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all. Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane I cannot taint with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know 5All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: “Fear not, Macbeth. No man that’s born of woman Shall e'er have power upon thee.” Then fly, false thanes, And mingle with the English epicures. The mind I sway by and the heart I bear 10Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.	MACBETH Don’t bring me any more reports. I don’t care if all the thanes desert me. Until Birnam Wood gets up and moves to Dunsinane, I won’t be affected by fear. What’s the boy Malcolm? Wasn’t he born from a woman? The spirits that know the future have told me this: “Don’t be afraid, Macbeth. No man born from a woman will ever defeat you.” So get out of here, disloyal thanes, and join the weak and decadent English! My mind and courage will never falter with doubt or shake with fear.
Enter a SERVANT	A SERVANT enters.
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! Where got’st thou that goose look?	May the devil turn you black, you white-faced fool! Why do you look like a frightened goose?
SERVANT There is ten thousand—	SERVANT There are ten thousand—
MACBETH Geese, villain?	MACBETH Geese, you idiot?
SERVANT 15Soldiers, sir.	SERVANT Soldiers, sir.
MACBETH Go, prick thy face and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-livered boy. What soldiers, patch? Death of thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine Are counselors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?	MACBETH Go pinch your cheeks and bring some color back into your face, you cowardly boy. What soldiers, fool? Curse you! That pale face of yours will frighten the others as well. What soldiers, milk-face?
SERVANT 20The English force, so please you.	SERVANT The English army, sir.
MACBETH Take thy face hence.	MACBETH Get out of my sight.
Exit SERVANT	The SERVANT exits.

Read the Summary of Act 5, scenes 1–11

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