Macbeth Act 2 Scene 1 Translation

2 Original Text | Modern Translation | Scene I | | [Inverness. Court of Macbeth's castle.] | | Enter Banquo, and Fleance, with a Torch* before him. | | BANQUO:How goes the night, boy? | BANQUO:How’s your night going, boy? | FLEANCE:The moon is down; I have not heard the clock. | FLEANCE:The moon’s down. I haven’t heard the clock chime. | BANQUO:And she goes down at twelve. | BANQUO:The moon goes down at twelve. | FLEANCE:I take't ’tis later, sir. | FLEANCE:I think it’s later than that, sir. | BANQUO:Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven,(5)
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!(10)
Enter Macbeth, and a Servant with a Torch.]Give me my sword.
Who's there? | BANQUO:Stop, take my sword. They are saving light in heaven.
Their candles are all out. You take that, too.
A serious calling lies on me like lead,
And still I couldn't sleep. Merciful powers,
Hold me back from the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to when we sleep! Give me my sword.
Who's there? | MACBETH:A friend. | MACBETH:A friend. | BANQUO:What, sir, not yet at rest? The King's a-bed.
He hath been in unusual pleasure and(15)
Sent forth great largess to your offices:
This diamond he greets your wife withal,
By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up
In measureless content. | BANQUO:What, sir, not in bed yet? The king's in bed.
He has been unusually pleased and
Sent great generous gifts to your officers.
He greets your wife with this diamond, calling her
By the name of “most kind hostess,” and he went to bed
Contented beyond measure. | MACBETH:Being unprepared,(20)
Our will became the servant to defect,
Which else should free have wrought. | MACBETH:Being unprepared,
Our wishes became the servants to what we lacked,
Which has worked out very well. |