FX:  Drum beat distant.

 

 

Witch 3 /

A drum, a drum!   Macbeth does come.

 

 

 

FX:  They circle the cauldron chanting

 

 

Witches /

The Witch sisters, hand in hand,

Travelers of the sea and land,

Now do go around, around.

Thrice to yours and thrice to mine,

And thrice again, to make it nine.

That's it!  The spell is done.

 

 

 

FX:  2 horses enter

 

 

Macbeth /

I've never seen such a good and such an evil day, Banquo

 

 

Banquo /

How far is it to Forres Macbeth?

(he sees witches)  What are these creatures, so withered, so wild in their attire that they don't look like inhabitants of this earth, and yet they are on it?

(to witches) Are you alive?  Or are you just spirits that men may question?  You seem to understand me, by the way you each put your craggy finger on your shriveled lips.  You should be women,  but your beards prevent me from saying that you are.

 

 

Macbeth /

Speak, if you can.  Who are you?

 

 

Witch 1 /

All praise Macbeth!  Praise be to you, Lord of Glamis!

 

 

Witch 2 /

All praise Macbeth!  Praise be to you, Lord of Cawdor!

 

 

Witch 3 /

All praise Macbeth!  You shall be King!

 

 

Banquo /

Good sir, why do you stare and seem to fear what sounds so good?

(to witches) In the name of God, are you spirits?  Or as mortal as your appearance suggests?

You greet my noble partner, Macbeth, with the respect of his noble title, but then predict the hope of further titles, and even the Royal title.  So now he is lost in confused thought.  But you say nothing to me.  If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which seed will grow, and which will not, then tell me my future.  I ask nothing more of you and nor do I fear your words.

 

 

Witch 1 /

Praise!

 

 

Witch 2 /

Praise!

 

 

Witch 3 /

Praise!

 

 

Witch 1 /

You will be lesser than Macbeth .... and greater.

 

 

Witch 2 /

Not so happy ... yet happier.

 

 

Witch 3 /

You will sire Kings, though you won't be one.

So all praise, Macbeth and Banquo!

 

 

Witch 1 /

Banquo and Macbeth, all praise!

 

 

Macbeth /

Wait, you have not explained yourselves! Tell me more!

I know I am Lord of Glamis, since my father died, but how Lord of Cawdor?  The Lord of Cawdor lives a healthy, prosperous life.  And the prospect of being King is beyond my belief, as is being Cawdor.  Tell me how you came by this knowledge, and why, upon this god forsaken heath, you stop us with such prophetic words?

Speak, I order you!

 

 

Witches /

(cackling as they fade away)

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