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The Tragedy of Macbeth

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Act V, Scene 2

The country near Dunsinane.

       
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[Drum and colours. Enter MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS,] [p]LENNOX, and Soldiers]

  • Menteith. The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,
    His uncle Siward and the good Macduff:
    Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes
    Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm 2210
    Excite the mortified man.
  • Angus. Near Birnam wood
    Shall we well meet them; that way are they coming.
  • Caithness. Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?
  • Lennox. For certain, sir, he is not: I have a file 2215
    Of all the gentry: there is Siward's son,
    And many unrough youths that even now
    Protest their first of manhood.
  • Caithness. Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies: 2220
    Some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him
    Do call it valiant fury: but, for certain,
    He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause
    Within the belt of rule.
  • Angus. Now does he feel 2225
    His secret murders sticking on his hands;
    Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach;
    Those he commands move only in command,
    Nothing in love: now does he feel his title
    Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe 2230
    Upon a dwarfish thief.
  • Menteith. Who then shall blame
    His pester'd senses to recoil and start,
    When all that is within him does condemn
    Itself for being there? 2235
  • Caithness. Well, march we on,
    To give obedience where 'tis truly owed:
    Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal,
    And with him pour we in our country's purge
    Each drop of us. 2240
  • Lennox. Or so much as it needs,
    To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.
    Make we our march towards Birnam.

[Exeunt, marching]