The scene opens with Lady Macbeth reading a letter she received from her husband regarding the witches prediction that he might ascend to the throne.
She starts plotting to make this come true...

Lady Macbeth

These She-Hags... none could call them less,
had perfect knowledge of what was to come,
then vanished into foggy haze.
We in wonder stood amazed.
Then of a sudden did they appear once more
and hailed me thane of all cawdor.
No sooner had these sibyl's spoke
was this honor thrust upon me
then they did roar
thrice times more, King! King! King!

SHE SINGS OUT IN DEEP CONVICTION

O yes my Lord, I always knew your
greatness was but a jot away!

THEN, BACK TO THE LETTER

This message I post on to you my dearest partner mine,
So you may rejoice in my hopeful state.
Read and know this twist in fate.

THEN MUSIC FOR THE ARIA

OOOOOOOOOO Macbeth
Yet do I fear thy nature.
Too full are thee of human kindness
to catch the nearest way to power.
Come, my husband, come fly to me here
that I may instruct your tongue and ear
to win the crown, no thought of fear.

ENTER MESSENGER ROSS

Messenger - Ross

Madam, the King comes tonight!

Lady Macbeth

Tonight?
How came this news?

Messenger - Ross

Sent ahead, to out speed the King's arrival.

HE EXITS

Lady Macbeth

Duncan... comes here... to sleep?
Under our protection?

MUSIC FOR ARIA

OOOOOOO Come ye visiting moon.
Come unsex me here.
Avaunt, remorse and compassion
squeeze tight your eyes and ears.
Let my woman's breast pour forth only sickly gull.
Heaven's tears will not save him
once he tread within these walls.
Once he tread within our walls.

DRUMS SOUND AS MACBETH ENTERS

Macbeth

My dearest wife,

A LONG PASSIONATE KISS

Duncan comes tonight!

Lady Macbeth

Worthy cawdor!
When goes he hence?

Macbeth

Tomorrow!

Lady Macbeth

Never!
Never... shall his eyes see morning sun!

SHE GAZES INTO HIS EYES

Your face, my Lord, is an open ledger.
You must put away your voice, eyes, truth
and seem the innocent flower
that hides the serpent's tooth.

SHE CAN SEE HE IS NOT UP TO IT

Tush, tush... leave all to me.
I know the course.
Duncan comes, but goes not forth!

TRUMPETS AND DRUMS SOUND
FOR THE KING’S ARRIVAL

The King comes. I shall greet and feast his entourage.
Purpose your face and steel your resolve.

THEY KISS AGAIN, SHE EXITS

[Music for Aria]

Macbeth

If it were done, when it were done
that this would be the all, and end all.
Not plunge me down a muddy road
to my regret. All of this to steal a coronet!

MOMENT OF DOUBT

No No No No No No Nooooooooooooo
I should bar the door 'gainst all
who would take his blessed life
not be the intrument that
wields the knife.
I have no spur to prick me on
'cept vaulting ambition and a loving wife
'cept vaulting ambition and a loving wife

LADY MACBETH ENTERS EXCITED

Lady Macbeth

The King asks for you!

Macbeth

We shall proceed no further in this business
he honors me of late...

Lady Macbeth

Peace! Hold! What beast was that
who broached this enterprise to me?
Now recants his words and destiny,
to makes you less than the man I see.

Macbeth

Hold woman!
Enough!
I dare do all that a man may do!
and more... and more!!!
Once I have sworn.
Once I have sworn.

MUSIC OF FEAR

But what if we fail?

Lady Macbeth

We fail?
We cannot fail.
Screw your courage to the sticking place
We shall not fail!

SHE SLOWLY PLOTS

When Duncan sleeps
his guards will I invite to drink
too much of potent wine and ale
then we send them straight to hell

DUET

then we send them straight to hell
Then we send them straight to hell
Then I send them straight to hell
Then you send them straight to hell.
Smear his gore on their tunics red
Then we retire, to our bed.

Macbeth

And await the anguished cries of those
who find him dead in his sleeping robes

Lady Macbeth

His drunken guards shall beg and plea
Cry out their innocence and GOD's mercy.
Then you cut their throats for treachery

Macbeth

I'll cut their throats

Lady Macbeth

You'll cut their throats

Macbeth

I'll cut their throats

DUET

Then cut their throats for treachery!

Macbeth

As you shall clamber, cry and make a show
My face must hide what the false heart doth know.

THIS DUET IS SOFT AND FAST

Your face must hide what the false heart doth know.
Your face must hide what the false heart doth know.
Our face must hide what the false heart doth know.
what the false heart doth know
what the false heart doth know
what the false heart doth know
what the false heart... what the false heart
Doth know
Doth know
Doth know.
Our heart's must hide what the false heart doth know.

AS THEY EXIT

END OF ACT 1 SCENE 2

Macbeth by Gene Tyburn ©2005, all rights reserved.