Act 1 Scene 7 Soliloquy

Old English:

If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well

It were done quickly. If the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch

With his surcease success; that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here,

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here, that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice

Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice

To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

Who should against his murderer shut the door,

Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

So clear in his great office, that his virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

The deep damnation of his taking-off;

And pity, like a naked newborn babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed

Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on th' other



Lady Macbeth waiting for Duncan to arrive



Translation: If this was over when I was finished my job then it would of been done quickly. If this assassination could trammel up the consequences which works like a net sweeping up succesds and consequences, then this murder might be the be-all and end-all of the whole affair and we would risk our life to come. We still have judgement here, that we don't teach. By doing these awful bloody crimes we teach to the others which the students will return to plague us teachers. Justice is equal! Forcing us to drink the poisoned drink we prepared for others. He trusts me in two ways. First, I am his kinsman and his subject,  protecting him as a deed. Second, I am his host so I should be shutting the door in his murderer's face, not killing him myself. Besides, Duncan has been such a great leader, so free  of crime, that his virtues will speak for him when he's gone, angels playing trumpets against the outrage of his murder. And pity, like a newborn baby, will ride in the wind with the winged angels on invisible horses through the air to spread word of the horrible incident to everyone around the world. Tears will be heared everywhere. I can't put myself into action, but only thing motivating me is ambition, which makes people rush ahead towards failure.