[Macbeth castle at Dunsinane. Enter Macbeth, Doctor, and Attendants]
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
All 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,
Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
[Enter a Servant]
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon.
Where got'st thou that goose look?
Servant
Macbeth
Servant
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 counsellors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?
Servant
The English force, so please you.
Macbeth
[Exit Servant]
Seyton! — I am sick at heart
When I behold — Seyton, I say! — This push
Will cheer me ever, or dis-seat me now.
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have — but, in their stead:
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
[Enter Seyton, Macbeth's military assistant, who helps him with his armor]
Seyton
What is your gracious pleasure?
Macbeth
Seyton
All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.
Macbeth
I'll fight till, from my bones, my flesh be hacked.
Seyton
Macbeth
Send out more horses; skirr the country round;
Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armor.
[Macbeth turns to the doctor]
How does your patient, doctor?
Doctor
As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies
That keep her from her rest.
Macbeth
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?
Doctor
Must minister to himself.
Macbeth
Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it.
Come, put mine armor on; give me my staff.
Seyton, send out. Doctor, the thanes fly from me.
Come, sir, dispatch. If thou couldst, doctor, cast
The water of my land, find her disease,
And purge it to a sound and pristine health,
I would applaud thee to the very echo,
That should applaud again. — Pull't off, I say. —
What rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug
Would scour these English hence? Hear'st thou of them?
Doctor
Ay, my good lord; your royal preparation
Macbeth
I will not be afraid of death and bane
Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.
Doctor
[Aside] Were I, from Dunsinane away and clear;
Profit again should hardly draw me here.
[Exit]
