Macbeth ACT V SCENE I Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle. [Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman] Doctor I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last coughed? Gentlewoman Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while coughing her bloody head off. Doctor A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once this great sickness of Covid 19, and do nothing towards the effects of it besides watching! In this contagious agitation, besides her coughing and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say? Gentlewoman That, sir, which I will not report after her. Doctor You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should. Gentlewoman Neither to you nor anyone; having no witness to confirm my speech, for I trust no one in these dark days. [Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper] Lo you, here she comes! See with your own eyes the depths of her decay. Observe her; stand close. Doctor How came she stay upright with all that hacking? Gentlewoman Why, it stood by her: she has Robitussin flowing through her continually; 'tis her command. Doctor You see, her bloodshot eyes are open in slits; she looks comatose. Gentlewoman Ay, but her sense of smell is shut. Doctor What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands. Gentlewoman It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands in sanitizer: I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour. LADY MACBETH Yet here's a spot. Doctor Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly. LADY MACBETH Out, damned contagion! out, I say!--One: two: why, then, 'tis time to do't.--Hell is murky!--Fie, Covid 19, fie! Disease, and virus be gone! What need I fear who knows it, when none can call our President to account?--Yet who would have thought I have so much of the germ on me. Doctor Do you mark that? LADY MACBETH The grocer at Giant had toilet paper: where is it now?-- What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o' that, my President, no more o' that: you mar all with this starting. Doctor Go to, go to; you have known what you should not. Gentlewoman She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that: heaven knows what she has known. LADY MACBETH Here's the smell of the sanitizer still: all the sanitizers of Arabia will not cure this little hand. Oh, oh, oh! Doctor What a sigh is there! The health is sorely charged. Gentlewoman I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body. Doctor Well, well, well,-- Gentlewoman Pray God it be, sir. Doctor This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have even coughed in their sleep who have died holily in their beds. LADY MACBETH Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale.--I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he cannot come out on's grave and spread the virus further. Doctor Even so? LADY MACBETH To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate: come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed! [Exit] Doctor Will she go now to bed? Gentlewoman Directly. Doctor Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds Do breed unnatural troubles: infected mouths To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets: More needs she the divine than the physician. God, God forgive us all! Look after her; Remove from her the means of all annoyance, And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night: My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight. I think, but dare not speak. Gentlewoman Good night, good doctor. Copyright 2020 John Dutton
Bio:
John Dutton isa middle school teacher of language arts in Prince William County. He is the founder and host of Spilled Ink VA. [www.SpilledInkVA.com] Spilled Ink is an open mic for writers, poets, and scribblers. It is held every fourth Friday at Jirani’s Coffeehouse in John Dutton has taught language arts to middle school students in Prince William County for more years than he can remember. Seeing that the life of a teacher is filled with stacks upon stacks of papers waiting to be graded, he prefers spending his time as a classroom scribe writing alongside his students. He enjoys writing poetry and stories because anything is possible when pencil hits paper! In January 2015, John began hosting Spilled Ink. Spilled Ink is an open microphone night celebrating the written word held on the fourth Friday of the month at Jirani Coffeehouse in Old Towne, Manassas. It is open to all writers, authors, poets, or scribblers. All are welcome to read or listen. Please see his website at www.SpilledInkVA.com. John has published two books: Armadillo Lost Her Pillow and Argument at the Airport. His third book, Billy Pug’s Worst Day, is now in its final stages, so look for it soon.
Donation Appeal:
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout.
As you view the work on this site each day, we would like to encourage you to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Their mission “ is to feed our neighbors in need by providing dignified access to supplemental groceries. AFAC is seeing a record number of families due to the COVID-19 pandemic as families who never thought they would ever be in need are now showing up at our doors for much needed food.” And, in keeping with our hunger-focused efforts, you may also want to visit the Poetry X Hunger website where poems by many poets are posted and are being used by anti-hunger organizations.”
Throughout June and July, we will be presenting on this web site work by poets and artists responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope you will find these works relevant, comforting and inspiring as we all cope with the economic and health-related fallout. Please consider donating to AFAC.
