[00:01.48] Chapter four.
[00:03.98] The dark deed is done.
[00:07.90] It was a bleak night, that fatal night.
[00:12.09] No moon, no stars, a cruel wind and rain that drove into every cranny of Glaus castle.
[00:19.66] Banquo was awake with the night owls, afraid to fall asleep and dream dangerous fantasies.
[00:28.58] His nerve was shaken.
[00:31.59] At the sound of footsteps, he seized his sword.
[00:35.78] Who's there?
[00:37.41] He cried.
[00:39.65] A friend, replied Macbeth.
[00:43.79] Banquo relaxed a little at the sight of his old companion.
[00:48.69] Not yet asleep, he noted.
[00:52.63] I was making sure everything was all right with Duncan, replied Macbeth.
[00:59.18] Oh, he seems happy enough, said Banquo.
[01:07.75] There was an unsettled silence.
[01:15.57] I dreamt about the weird sisters last night, said Banquo.
[01:20.45] I've put them out of my mind, replied Macbeth.
[01:25.91] I wish I could, said Banquo.
[01:31.89] Another difficult silence.
[01:37.53] Banquo, began Macbeth softly.
[01:43.36] If you do throw your lot in with me, you will do well out of it.
[01:52.24] Certainly, replied Banquo, as long as I do nothing dishonest.
[02:00.46] It was not the reply Macbeth wanted.
[02:04.42] Banquo was just too honorable.
[02:07.75] He would never make a reliable ally.
[02:11.91] Well, concluded Macbeth.
[02:17.62] Sleep well.
[02:21.37] And you, replied Banquo.
[02:25.61] With that Banquo departed.
[02:29.53] The coast was clear.
[02:36.15] Macbeth awaited a signal from his wife, who at that very moment was handing the drunken guards a little night cap.
[02:45.52] Hot spiced milk, mixed with a little something to help them get a good night's rest.
[02:53.79] The mixture did its work quickly.
[02:58.12] Both men slumped into a sleep so deep, they seemed more like the lifeless bodies on the battlefield.
[03:07.52] Calm and focused, Lady Macbeth removed their daggers and laid them ready for Macbeth.
[03:16.63] Then gave two rings on a bell.
[03:20.44] Her part was done.
[03:25.57] Macbeth was not so calm.
[03:29.50] As he had stood waiting, the vision of a dagger had appeared hovering before his eyes.
[03:39.06] Macbeth made to grasp it, but his hand closed on thin air.
[03:47.21] Back came the vision, this time clotted with blood.
[03:54.37] It was as if someone somewhere knew what was about to happen.
[04:03.75] The sound of the bell broke the dagger spell.
[04:07.83] Macbeth was like a trained beast.
[04:11.99] He moved ghostlike through the castle till he reached the sleeping guards.
[04:18.88] He secured both their blades beneath his belt.
[04:24.89] Then he lifted the latch on Duncan's bed chamber and slipped inside.
[04:33.35] The old king certainly was sleeping well.
[04:37.30] He lay on his back in the great oak bed, hair and beard spread out over the bed clothes, snoring gently.
[04:47.42] Macbeth approached in the dim light, heart pounding.
[04:52.54] In sleep, Duncan looked almost angelic.
[05:02.77] Macbeth slipped a guard's knife from his belt.
[05:07.56] It was best not to think too long.
[05:11.78] In one swift movement, Macbeth swept back his arm and landed the dagger full force.
[05:19.62] From the king, there came a last pitiful sigh as the life rushed out of his punctured soul.
[05:28.51] Then, out of nowhere, came the sound of laughter.
[05:34.33] Macbeth froze over the grizzly picture he had created.
[05:39.72] He heard a word, Murder.
[05:46.29] Hushed and urgent conversation, muttered prayers.
[05:52.75] God bless us, came a voice.
[05:55.88] Amen, came another.
[05:59.73] By instinct, Macbeth sought to add his own, Amen, but nothing would come.
[06:06.51] The word would not leave his throat.
[06:10.84] In haste, Macbeth backed out of the chamber of death and hurried to his own rooms, still bearing the daggers.
[06:20.15] Lady Macbeth met him with thirsty anxious eyes.
[06:25.99] Is it done?
[06:28.34] She demanded.
[06:32.09] Macbeth's mind was in chaos.
[06:36.37] Yes, yes, he gabbled.
[06:39.72] Did you hear a noise?
[06:42.79] An owl, replied his wife.
[06:46.48] No, human voices, snapped Macbeth.
[06:50.39] Who lies in the second chamber?
[06:54.48] Donald Bane, Duncan's younger son, replied Lady Macbeth.
[07:01.77] Macbeth stared at his bloody hands.
[07:07.30] This is a sorry sight, he muttered.
[07:12.66] Not for us, replied his wife.
[07:17.72] I heard someone laugh, hiss Macbeth.
[07:22.91] And someone cried murder.
[07:25.90] Then I heard prayers and God bless us, but I could not say amen.
[07:33.84] I, who have most need of blessing could not say amen.
[07:41.11] Enough of this, said Lady Macbeth.
[07:48.18] Then I swear I heard.
[07:52.95] Sleep no more.
[07:57.74] Macbeth have murdered sleep.
[08:02.48] Macbeth will sleep no more.
[08:08.61] Enough, cried Lady Macbeth.
[08:13.78] Now wash your hands.
[08:17.45] Why have you brought the daggers here?
[08:21.91] Put them back with the guards and smear them both with blood.
[08:28.16] I can't go back there, gasped Macbeth.
[08:33.23] For pity's sake, cried Lady Macbeth.
[08:37.68] Give them to me.
[08:40.06] I'll do it.
[08:46.54] So Lady Macbeth took charge, leaving her husband staring hopelessly at his hands, wondering if the stain could ever be washed from them.