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THE MISSING SCENE FROM MACBETH
by Michael Sattler

Act 5: New Scene 6

[Macbeth steps out onto a balcony of the castle.]

Macbeth:
I must see for myself this coming of Birnam Wood.
The witches' crowned child with tree in hand
Did prophesize I would be vanquished
When Birnam comes to Dunsinane Hill.
A preposterous occurrence
That no sane man would think to e'er witness,
For trees walk not upon the earth but stand,
Strong and steadfast, in the place of their birth,
Rooted and firm.

[He looks out over the battlement at the advancing army disguised as a grove of trees.]

Methinks I spoke too soon of fear.
My fell of hair doth rouse and stir at this sight.
The taste of fear is acrid in my mouth
And my eyes do water from it.
Would that these tears would erase this vision,
But lo, the trees remain and continue to advance.

Can this be another vision,
Brought to my eyes without request
By those wretched witches and their apparitions?
Or could it be the ghost of Duncan
Doth conjure this deception to wrench my guts?
If the spirits of those who have died
Do indeed have such powers
Then I call upon my wife, newly dead
To give me a sign as to the validity of this crazed illusion.

[Macbeth looks up and raises his arms in plea to the heavens.]

Oh Lady, my Lady,
I pray you hear me now.
Is this a vision false or true ?

[Thunder roars and lightning flashes.]

What is it now that I see?
The trees move, yea, but I could swear
I saw eyes among them.
What devilry is this?
Not only do my subjects rebel,
The very country has risen up in defiance of my crown.
Earth and tree are unleashed,
The trees to trample and the earth to bury me, body and soul.

Oh, that this night might end
And the sweet sun shine forth again
That I might die in the light
With the sweet sound of bird song
To drown this ruinous thunder.
I shall find no absolution with that golden globe
For night will surely take me.

[Macbeth stands up and unsheathes his sword.]

Be it this night, or some future eve,
Shall I meet my fortune and set to those trees.
Now, I go.

[Macbeth exits.]



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