Act VScene VII
The same. Another part of the Plain
Alarums. Enter Macbeth.
Macbeth
They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,But, bear-like I must fight the course.—What’s heThat was not born of woman? Such a oneAm I to fear, or none.
Enter young Siward.
Young Siward
What is thy name?
Macbeth
Thou’lt be afraid to hear it.
Young Siward
No; though thou call’st thyself a hotter nameThan any is in hell.
Macbeth
My name’s Macbeth.
Young Siward
The devil himself could not pronounce a titleMore hateful to mine ear.
Macbeth
No, nor more fearful.
Young Siward
Thou liest, abhorred tyrant. With my swordI’ll prove the lie thou speak’st.
They fight, and young Siward is slain.
Macbeth
Thou wast born of woman.But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn,Brandish’d by man that’s of a woman born.
Exit.
Alarums. Enter Macduff.
Macduff
That way the noise is.—Tyrant, show thy face!If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine,My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose armsAre hired to bear their staves. Either thou, Macbeth,Or else my sword, with an unbatter’d edge,I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be;By this great clatter, one of greatest noteSeems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune!And more I beg not.
Exit. Alarums.
Enter Malcolm and old Siward.
Siward
This way, my lord;—the castle’s gently render’d:The tyrant’s people on both sides do fight;The noble thanes do bravely in the war,The day almost itself professes yours,And little is to do.
Malcolm
We have met with foesThat strike beside us.
Siward
Enter, sir, the castle.
Exeunt. Alarums.