Quotes From Macbeth

Macbeth:

Act 4, Scene 1

The Witches are gathered around a fire, when Macbeth approaches.

Macbeth: I call upon the dark powers who roam and control this land. I don’t know how you came to know the things you know but I must hear more. The blood of innocents still dries upon your brow and yet I care no longer of consequences. Let the mountains tremble around us, let stones fall from the sky and oceans rise against us. The world may go as mad as you are, only tell me what I want to know.

First Witch: You play with fire, but speak and we will listen.

Second Witch: Ask your questions, the time is right.

Third Witch: Perhaps we’ll answer.

First Witch. Hold. We will call for our masters, stay if you so desire.

Macbeth: I will not leave now.

Though you speak of things that ought not to be bothered.
First Witch: In die vlamme , gooi die bloed van 'n bobbejaan . Ons wil die wysheid hou jy . Neem uit ons gewillige hande die as van 'n jong een onlangs deur vlamme verteer , vir sy toewyding aan ons spesie . Verteer vuur ons bereid aanbidding vir jou.

(Into the flames, pour the blood of a baboon. We desire the wisdom you hold. Take from our willing hands the ash of a young one recently devoured by flames, for his devotion to our arts. Consume fire, our willing worship to you.)

All: Let all believe!
Sound of tribal drums, the first apparition rises.

Macbeth: Deity of darkness, which appears before me, I command you to speak.
First Witch: A wiser man would keep firmer grasp on his tongue. The spirits know the thoughts you have before they are released to the wind.
First Apparition: Kgosi! Kgosi! I name you thusly. Keep your wits about you in this time. Watch for Macduff, he would have you ruined. Release my hold upon this world. I will say no more.
Macbeth: A word more!
First Witch: Those of that world do not head to your voice. A moment though, another rises, stronger than before.
Sound of tribal drums, A second apparition rises. A bloody child.
Second Apparition: Kgosi! Kgosi! Kgosi! The spirits hold you in their hand. Do what you will in this world. No one to whom a women has given birth to shall touch you from hence forth.
Macbeth: Then let those against me do as they like.

I shall fear nothing of this world. Yet for the sake of sleep, one cannot be too careful.

Sound of tribal drums. A third apparition. A child masked, swinging a club in his hand.

Macbeth: What comes now? I grow weary of these creatures.

First witch: Go if you wish.

Macbeth: I find myself entangled in your potions and blood. I could not end this now nor ever should I so desire.

All: Then one would be advised to speak less and listen further.

Third Apparition: Be a brave as a lion, oh great Macbeth. Fear not, those who lurk in the shadows of you rule. You shall stand firm, unless you find the huts of the once great tribe that stands many miles to the west, is instead standing within your eyesight.

Descends in cloud of smoke

Macbeth: I am assured. For how can a whole city find itself uprooted and transplanted as if it was a tree? It was good of me to come here. My power shall not diminish while my natural life is sustained. Yet if your spirits be so strong. Tell me of Banquo’s sons.

All: Yet be content with what you have already learned.

Macbeth: I am not under your control. Tell me what I want to know or a plague upon your warty faces. Where comes that music from? How came the fire to go

out?
All: Come into the light,
A line of tribal chief’s cross. Followed by the bloody ghost of Banque himself.
Macbeth: I knew not what I asked for. It is folly that caused me to so desire the answers I now see before. Banque descendants are numerous and I can bear it no longer. Depart from me, foul smoke and apparition. What despicable creatures you are to parade this in front of me. Clear the air, hags. If this is truth, I would know it not.
First Witch: Why stand you so afraid? Have we not entertained Macbeth this hour? Come my sisters, we should away.
Music. The Witches dance and vanish.