Original Text |
Translated Text |
| Source: Folger Shakespeare Library |
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Flourish. Enter King Duncan, Lennox, Malcolm,
Donalbain, and Attendants. DUNCAN
Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not
Those in commission yet returned? MALCOLM My liege,
They are not yet come back. But I have spoke
With one that saw him die, who did report 5
That very frankly he confessed his treasons,
Implored your Highness’ pardon, and set forth
A deep repentance. Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it. He died
As one that had been studied in his death 10
To throw away the dearest thing he owed
As ’twere a careless trifle. | Back to Duncan, who wants to know if the Thane of Cawdor is dead. Duncan's son, Malcolm, says he is, and he confessed to being a traitor right before he died. |
DUNCAN There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.
He was a gentleman on whom I built 15
An absolute trust. Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus. O worthiest cousin,
The sin of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow 20
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine! Only I have left to say,
More is thy due than more than all can pay. | Duncan muses that it's impossible to tell what's going on in someone's mind just by looking at their face. He trusted the Thane of Cawdor implicitly and had no idea he was capable of such treason. Ah well. When Macbeth and company enter, Duncan expresses his gratitude for their excellent fighting in the battle. He wishes he could pay them more—they certainly deserve a lot. |
MACBETH
The service and the loyalty I owe 25
In doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part
Is to receive our duties, and our duties
Are to your throne and state children and servants,
Which do but what they should by doing everything
Safe toward your love and honor. 30 DUNCAN Welcome hither.
I have begun to plant thee and will labor
To make thee full of growing.—Noble Banquo,
That hast no less deserved nor must be known
No less to have done so, let me enfold thee 35
And hold thee to my heart. BANQUO There, if I grow,
The harvest is your own. | As Duncan continues to express his gratitude, Macbeth and Banquo both pledge their loyalty; group hugs all around. |
DUNCAN My plenteous joys,
Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves 40
In drops of sorrow.—Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
And you whose places are the nearest, know
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland; which honor must 45
Not unaccompanied invest him only,
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
On all deservers.—From hence to Inverness
And bind us further to you. | The King announces that his son Malcolm will be named Prince of Cumberland, which is the last stop before being King of Scotland. They'll all celebrate the good news at Macbeth's place. |
MACBETH
The rest is labor which is not used for you. 50
I’ll be myself the harbinger and make joyful
The hearing of my wife with your approach.
So humbly take my leave. DUNCAN My worthy Cawdor. MACBETH, aside
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step 55
On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. 60 He exits. | Aloud, Macbeth says that sounds great. He and his wife are happy to host. He'll just run ahead and let her know everyone is coming so they can prepare. Quietly, to himself (and the audience), he says that Malcolm is all that stands in the way of his kingship. He's thinking naughty thoughts again and hopes nobody can tell that he's got "black and deep desires." |
DUNCAN
True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant,
And in his commendations I am fed:
It is a banquet to me.—Let’s after him,
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.
It is a peerless kinsman. 65 Flourish. They exit. | Duncan turns to Banquo and says, "Isn't he great?" about Macbeth. And then they all trot off to Macbeth's castle, Inverness. |