No Fear Shakespeare
Macbeth
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 2, Page 4
Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter a MESSENGER
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A MESSENGER
enters. |
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MESSENGER
Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known,
Though in your state of honor I am perfect.
I doubt some danger does approach you nearly.
If you will take a homely man’s advice,
Be not found here. Hence with your little ones.
To fright you thus methinks I am too savage;
To do worse to you were fell cruelty,
Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you!
I dare abide no longer.
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MESSENGER
Bless you, fair lady! You don’t know me, but I know
you’re an important person. I’m afraid something
dangerous is coming toward you. If you’ll take a simple
man’s advice, don’t be here when it arrives. Go
away and take your children. I feel bad for scaring you like this,
but it would be much worse for me to let you come to harm. And harm
is getting close! Heaven keep you safe!
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Exit |
The MESSENGER
exits. |
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LADY MACDUFF
Whither should I fly?
I have done no harm. But I remember now
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm
Is often laudable, to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas,
Do I put up that womanly defense,
To say I have done no harm?
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LADY MACDUFF
Where should I go? I haven’t done anything wrong. But I
have to remember that I’m here on Earth, where doing evil
is often praised, and doing good is sometimes a stupid and dangerous
mistake. So then why should I offer this womanish defense that
I’m innocent?
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Enter MURDERERS
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The MURDERERS
enter. |
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What
are these faces?
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Who are these men?
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FIRST MURDERER
Where is your husband?
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FIRST MURDERER
Where is your husband?
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LADY MACDUFF
I hope, in no place so unsanctified
Where such as thou mayst find him.
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LADY MACDUFF
I hope he’s not anywhere so disreputable that thugs like
you can find him.
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FIRST MURDERER
He’s
a traitor.
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FIRST MURDERER
He’s a traitor.
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SON
Thou liest, thou shag-haired villain!
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SON
You’re lying, you shaggy-haired villain!
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