The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Three Sub Act Four

 

O, MY PROPHETIC SOUL! 

ACT THREE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT FOUR

 

“Ariel? Are you Ariel?” MacBeth called out. “Are you of Prospero’s.”

The King was recollecting the ancient tale of Tempest, where Ariel is the servant of Prospero.

“Take him away. Make haste.” Lady Elleanor felt the flashes of shame when the King was not in control himself. She looked at the gathered. They are all concerned and this sudden act of madness was unravelling the works of the King.

“Is he mad?” The murmurings of the gathered rippled and the King pushed the servants aside.

“Hey! What do you have to say? And what do I care? If you can nod, then speak. If the dead are going to return from their graves, then we might as well not bury anyone and let the birds eat them.” MacBeth recited the words that was from Tempest; a tale that he fancies.

“Banquo, you here. I can tell for we once studied the words from Shakespeare.” MacBeth was calling out. “Come out, Banquo. I will …... “

“Oh, utter nonsense! This is a hallucination brought on by fear.” Lennox held the King by his arms. “My King, you are drunk. Or in a hysteric state.”

“Who? Me?” The King looked at Lennox.

“Forgive me, my King I was out of line.” Lennox bowed to the King.

“No …... You are all ….” MacBeth pushed Lennox away, and was then held onto by the lady.

This panic attack cannot even be compared to real fear. It is more like a performance put on by a woman telling a scary story by the fireside in front of her grandmother.” Lady Elleanor addressed the gathered. She tried to take control of MacBeth’s raving then.

The gathered there stared at the lady. She felt anger at them, and lashed at them.

“Shame on you! Why are you making such faces? When the hallucination passes, you will see that you are looking at nothing but a stool.” Lady Elleanor cried out at the gathered. “Make your way out now.”

MacBeth was in his own realm then; his mind was only on the apparition he could only see. He then saw the gathered moving out.

“Please, look there. See? Look!” MacBeth appealed to those leaving. He then turned to look at the apparition.

“Hey! What do you have to say? Nothing?” MacBeth tried to get the apparition to speak.

“What do I care?” MacBeth was annoyed. “If you can nod, then speak. If the dead are going to return from their graves, then we might as well not bury anyone and let the birds eat them.”

It was then the apparition vanishes.

“What have you done?” Lady Elleanor could not hide her emotions to the King. “Has your foolishness destroyed your manhood?”

“As sure as I’m standing here, I saw him.” MacBeth ignored the lady and continued his ranting. “Where art thous, Banquo …...”

The King had assumed the apparition was the untold Banquo was dead.

“Nonsense! Shame on you!” Lady Elleanor cried out.

“In battles …... Oh, Banquo knew it well. In the battles, there are no fore humane laws’ only the urge to do the cleansing of the commonwealth and made it noble—much blood was shed.” MacBeth sighed. “Yes, and since then too, murders have been committed that are too terrible to mention.”

“It used to be that when you knocked a man’s brains out, he would die, and that was the end of it.” MacBeth held his hands over his head; protecting it from blows. “But now they rise again with twenty fatal wounds on their head and push us from our stools.”

“This returning from the dead is stranger than the original murder.” MacBeth called out. “We ……”

“My dear lord, your noble friends miss your company.” Lady Elleanor tried to calm the King.

“Do forget …… Do not muse at me. I hold a behaviour, my most noble friends. I have a strange condition, which no longer bothers those who know me well.”

“Give me a glass!” A glass of wine was handed by the servant. The King raised the glass of wine. Come: love and health to you all.”

The apparition re-appeared and stood next to the King’s seat.

“You returned. I will drink to the joy of all of you and …… all at the table. Everyone drinks to everyone else's health.”

“We drink to our allegiance to you, and to your toast.” The ones that had not left took the drink with the King..

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Three Sub Act Three

 

A HAUNTING COMETH

ACT THREE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT THREE

 

“MacBeth, you hoatching (Scottish slang for busy) here while the other tables called for you. Lady Elleanor approached the King. “If you do not regularly make clear that your guests are welcome, they will start to feel as if they’re paying for their meal”

Lady Elleanor saw the unfinished pudding and sighed.

“If you simply want to eat, itis best to do that at your other time. When you are eating out, you need some ceremony to act as an extra sauce for the meat. Without it, the party will be dull.”

“Thank you for reminding me!” The King got up from the table. He took up the glass of whiskey. “Good digestion requires a good appetite, and good health requires both those things.”

“To good appetite, good digestion, and good health!” The King gulped down the whiskey. The blended drink went down fast and then he grabbed another glass. He looked around and saw the apparition that was seated on the King’s seat. It was the same apparition that he saw at the river.

Headless.

“Father of all, who art thou?” The King was stunned. He recalled the words of another play that held the same fear as it was to him

“I am thy father’s spirit,
  Doomed for a certain term to walk the night
 And for the day confined to fast in fires
 Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
 Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid
 To tell the secrets of my prison house…...:”

(Act One Scene 5 HAMLET)

The King expression was white like the snow.

“King ….”  King MacBeth had a vision of the previous King seated there. As it was in Hamlet, he was visited by a ghost. “Nay, you cannot be.”

“Please sit, your Highness.” It was Lennox who aided MacBeth to be seated. “You may have one too many drinks, my Highness.”

“The Ghost ….” The King was interrupted by Lady Elleanor. “Your guests await your toast.”

“Toast?” The King was baffled.

“Yes, as King. You must say something/” Lady Elleanor looked at the other. “You have one too many.”

“Never enough.” The King pushed himself. He looked to the gathered and pulled his courage to the tone.

“All the nobility of Scotland would be gathered under one roof, united and unfearful of any. I will lead all of you …... better than before” MacBeth drew his courageous words to deny any claims done by Duncan or the King’s before Duncan.

“Banquo, where art thou? We rode far and wide but where are you now?” MacBeth roared in his voice. “We were to ride today.”

“He not here. If only the noble Banquo were also here. I hope I can scold him for rudeness, and not have to grieve because something may had happened to him.” The King took another wine of glass down his throat.

“Pour him no more.” Lady Elleanor stopped the servant. “He had one too many today.”

“Banquo’s absence means only that he has broken his promise to attend. If it pleases you, your Highness, won’t you sit and grace us with your royal company?” It was Ross who spoke.

“Your table is full, Ross.”

“Yours is not.” Lennox motioned to the King’s seat. The King saw what the others could not see; the apparition sat there.

“Here, my King. What is bothering you, your highness?” Lennox asked.

“Tell me. Which one of you did this?” The King looked at the gathered. “He sits there.”

“Did what, my good King? And who is seated there?” Lennox approached the King.
“The seat is yours and only yours.”

“You cannot say I did it. You were dead. Do not shake your bloody head at me.” The King looked at the seat. “I …”
 “My Lords and the gathered. His Highness is not well. We shall adjourn.” Ross took the gathered to his voice.

“Sit, noble friends. My King is at moments like this, and has been since childhood. Please, stay seated. This is a momentary fit. He will be well again in just a second. If you pay too much attention to him, you will offend him, which will prolong the fit. Eat, and pay no attention to him.” Lady Elleanor herself pale but tried to assure the guests to remain.

“Let me attend to him in the chamber.” Lady Elleanor told Ross. The latter nodded and arrange for the King to retire to his chamber but the King was unmoving.

 

 

 

 

An alluring tale in the works......

 

The barge sailed down the river towards the palace and there Caesar was met by the alluring half-sister of Ptolemy

“Lady Cleop, Caesar.” 

“My honour, Lady Cleop.” Caesar was stunned by the beautiful lady standing before in the silky gown and a wide necklace of gold and jewel stones. Lady Cleop had her hair design; thick shoulder-length bob followed by a tripartite style, where three separate sections of hair were arranged down the back and in front of the shoulders, and a voluminous style, which covered most of the upper body.

“It is my honour to be with you.” Lady Cleop smiled. Her slight smile accompanies her direct eye contact, with a slow glance away she looked away towards the left, but still holding the smile.

“My pleasure.” Caesar was taken in by her beauty and manners.

“Please enjoy our hospitality, Caesar.” Lady Cleop then walked to her assigned seat, with small steps and delicately seated there. She was accompanied by three maids who stood next to her at the rear.

“How was Rome?”

“Fine, Lady Cleop. It is not as grand as Egypt.” Caesar smiled and then turned to Ptolemy. “What do you do for fun here at Egypt.”

“Music and love.” Lady Cleop cut in. “My apologies there. I should not have interrupted.”

“Not at all. I am ever willing to listen.” Caesar leaned forward to listen to the lady. “Voltaire once said; Beauty pleases the eyes only; sweetness of disposition charms the soul."

I confess..... Shakespeare have me by my ....... in these words, I will quote.

Romeo: “Oh, she does teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear, beauty to rich for use, for earth too dear. - Did my heart love till now? Foreswear it sight for I never saw true beauty till this night.” Act 1, scene 5.

And it iat the half way marker now of 26K words......

Need I say more? Tally Ho.....

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Three Sub Act Two

 

MURDER DONE

ACT THREE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT TWO

 

Another banquet was held in the morning. The guests that had stayed on were entertained to another round. The round of applause when out when the King and the Queen; in the elegant yellow gown appeared. They were accompanied by Lennox and the other notable nobles.

“You know your own seats unless some of you were promoted or removed last night which I have no knowledge of. You know where to sit according to your order of importance. To both the highest and lowest of you, I bid you a hearty welcome.” The King addressed the gathered.

“Thank you, your Highness.” The gathered saluted the King.

“Ah, they served the Haggis. I was told that they made that fresh last night.” The King looked at the offerings. “And more black pudding. The larders must be filled to the brim with blood. Eat on as long as it is not our blood.”

The gathered laughed.

“It is a good day now. I will mingle with all of you, playing the humble host. My wife, the hostess, will stay on her royal throne, but in good time I will ask her to welcome you all.” The King took to the tables.

“My King” Lady Elleanor voiced out to the King. “Deliver my welcome to all of our friends for me, since they are all welcome in my heart.

“Most unfairly not. Your heart only has me. My Queen.” The King looked back at her. “I may allow them a glimpse of it at some day.”

The gathered cheered.

It was then the mercenaries arrived. Bonnie and Clyde took their seats at the far end at the hall. The King saw them but he continued his rounds with the gathered. The King soon arrived to the table where the two were seated.

“They respond to you with their hearts as well. The table is full on all sides.” Bonnie voiced out. “Our task done.”

“And I will sit here in the middle. Be happy. Soon we will have a toast to the full table.” The King whispered to Bonnie. “And there is blood on your face.”

“It is Banquo’s blood.” Bonnie whispered back. Clyde was gulping the pudding with them drooling off his lips.

“It is better that you have his blood on your face than Banquo having his lifeblood still coursing in his veins.” The King said. “Is he dead?”

“I had stabbed him …...or we both did but the fatal stab was from your messenger. Aye, who is …...”

“My aide? He was to tell you of the ambush but I did not know he was to partake in it.”

“My King, the other died with his heart pierced. Your messenger did that hat for him.” Bonnie added. “Who is your messenger, my King?”

“Huh? A mere loyal subject.” The King was baffled. He had told the aide’s name Bruce to take the duo to the ambush place. The place was selected by the aide, and he was to watch the kill. He did not expect Bruce to kill for he had seen the former as a weakling and best suited to take messages.

“You are the best of the cutthroats.” The King smiled. He must reward Bruce; perhaps the same thrust into  the heart.

“Was there any …… witnesses?”

“There was the voice but we could not make out the person. The dead one did call out a name.” Clyde whoofed down the pudding in his reply.

“It was ……... Fleance I think. It sounded like my cousin’s name Flounders.” Clyde continued. “We could not find the person.”

“Clumsy of you. Find Fleance to complete your task.” The King said. “Whoever did the same to Fleance is just as good. If you cut Fleance’s throat, then you are a cutthroat without compare.”

“If not, the dungeon below could still have space.” The King looked at Clyde. “I am not clear of my torment. The other must die.”

“Otherwise, I would have been perfect: solid as a piece of marble, as firm as a rock, as free as the air which surrounds everything. But now I am all confined and bound in doubts and fears.” The King had doubts.

“Did the messenger not tell you that Banquo’s been killed?” Bonnie asked.

“Last we saw him, he was in the ditch, with twenty deep gashes in his head—the least of which would have been enough to kill him.” Clyde exaggerated his claims.

“Thanks for that. The adult serpent lies in the ditch but you left out the young one. He escaped will in time and in time he will become poisonous.”

“We will find him, my King.” Bonnie assured the King.

“For now, he has no fangs and in time he will strike.” The King looked at Bonnie. “. Be gone now. I will talk to you again tomorrow.”

“Bampot (Scottish for idiots.)” The King mumbled at Bonnie.

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Three Sub Act One

 

THE MURDER 

ACT THREE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT ONE

 

The road to the castle was quiet and dark, though the King had commanded those lights be placed along. It would have illuminated the road but the in the Highlands, there was the fog and nightly breeze that covered the road in most of it stretches. The ones that braved it were the Lords and Thanes, with their armed guards, and on occasions the lonely traveller that was in need to get home.

There were a trio that night, standing at the road, not too far from the castle. They were dressed like the guards, but their intentions were not. They were armed with sabres and blasters.

“We got the instruction but why do you have to join us?” The lady asked. “We are a duo who can do the task assigned.”

“You were a trio but you killed the other. I did wonder why? I thoughts villains have their oath of loyalty.” The one standing at the left asked.

“That was a convenience.” The one next to the lady’s right spoke. “He was one of us, but his ability had been compromised. We had to save his ……”

“Hush, Clyde. We are not paid to tell.” The lady cut in. “Who are you?”

“Me? I am the King’s messenger. I was told to bring you here and watch you do the task.” The third figure spoke. “He prefers to know the task was done when reported.”

“We can trust him, since he had stated his instructions and they are identical to the ones that we were given.” Clyde said.

“I may but I am not sharing my bounty with him.” The lady looked at the third figure.

“Bonnie, we did not say anything about sharing.” Clyde looked at the third figure.

“I am not included. I am here on the King’s request.” The third figure spoke.

“Then stay with us. The western sky is still lit with streaks of daylight. Now all the late travellers are hurrying to reach their inns, and the one we were sent to watch for should be coming near.” Clyde looked at the road.

“Listen! I hear vehicles.” Bonnie hushed the others. There it was as told; the vehicle was seen. It was a standard vehicle for the Thane, unarmed and it was alone. Inside the vehicle was Banquo and his son. He was piloting the vehicle then.

“It is an older design but sturdy to the controls.” Banquo assured his son. “

“It is an old jalopy, Father. Why can we not travel like the others? The hovercars are chic and less bumpy on the ride.” Fleance said. “No wonder Mother said you are vain.”

“Son, you need to have some adventure in your life. You will not experience this at home.” Banquo went over the uneven road, and it was not a comfortable ride but fun.

“I have to acquire my knowledge ion those boring subjects when what I wanted was to run free.” Fleance sighed. “It was Mother’s instruction that I shall be knowledgeable. And not like you.”

“I am knowledgeable. I has mastered the stratagem of warfare and above all, I am accomplished at the skills of sabre.” Banquo laughed.

“Father, the weapons today are blasters they could kill you from a distance.”

“True, but in battle, most times we are at proximity to each other. And with my sabre, I was able to deflect the blasts.” The vehicle bumped over the road and the engine creaked.

“I think we got an issue to contend with.” Banquo slowed the vehicle. He stopped at the side of the road. “I need to check the vehicle.”

“Father, could we next take the hovercar. And please have the guards with us. If they are …….” Fleance groaned to his father.

Banquo ignored the young lad and proceeded to the outside of the vehicle. It was dark out there, and the vehicle lights was dimmed.

“Darn! I should had maintained the lights then.” Banquo inspected the vehicle.

“Old jalopy, they called you but to me, you are my precious dame.” Banquo said to the vehicle. He maintained a garage of these vintage cars and even blend his own fuel for the engines. He had the contraption that acted in cushioning the vehicle with synthetic material and buoyed by the compressed air.

“I am indeed of need for help.” Banquo sighed.

At a distance, Clyde looked towards the damaged vehicle.

“That is him. All the other expected guests are already still inside the castle or already past us to their home.”

“His vehicle had stalled.” Bonnie smiled. “Most convenient.”

“An arrangement that done. It is almost a mile from the castle gate. Poor Banquo may walk to the castle, but he feared his son may not like it.” The messenger said. “Let us shed a light to their plight.”

“Silence is the mode.” Bonnie told Clyde. She does not want anyone near there to be alerted.

“It will be rain tonight.” Banquo called out to his son. “We cannot walk back. We must remain here till dawn.”

Banquo saw the light that was shone onto him. The light blinded his eyes then.

“Who are you? Put your light lower. I cannot see you.” Banquo shield his eyes. He was unarmed and was not expecting any issues on the way home. After all, they are in the vicinity of the castle.

The first attack was by Bonnie. She had aimed at the heart with her sabre but Bonguo had moved on instinct when he saw the move. The blade had struck him on the left shoulder.

“Oh, treachery! Run, good Fleance, run, run, run! Maybe one day you can get revenge.” Banquo called out while his right hand grabbed the blade.

Next was Clyde who thrusted the sabre into Banquo’s lower chest. That caused Banquo to scream out but there was the fatal move later. The blade held by the messenger had stabbed into Banquo from the rear into his heart.

“Die, traitor.” The messenger hissed out. “For Duncan.”

It was then the lights went off.

“Who put out the light?” Bonnie cried out. In the darkness, their eyes were blinded then.

“Was there anyone here we are not aware.” Clyde called out.

“There was …… It cannot be.” The messenger called out. “Maybe his son must be in the vehicle. He did called to his son.  We must kill him.”

They searched the vehicle but there was no one there.

“Have we failed?” Clyde asked.

“No, we did not. Our target is dead.” Bonnie turned to leave. “We will handle any accusations with the blade.”

 

Tony and Cleop Act One Scene Two Sub-Scene Two

 

Act One

Scene Two

Sub-Scene Two

Que Sera Sera

 

“No one knows what is in your bed but yourself.” Iras soothes Charmian. “She tells...”

“Yeah, do tell. Do tell Iras her fortune.” Charmian wanted to get her vengeance on the other.

“We will all have our fortunes told. I have paid Maria her dues.” Alexas smiled. “I will collect later from all of you.”

“My fortune; better than ever since I arrived here, and most of ours too, tonight will be my fortune that we go to bed drunk.” Enobarbus laughed.

“No fuck?” Iras cut in.

“Diddle yourself. It is more satisfying.” Alexas said.

“Look at my palm, soothsayer. It tells you that I am chaste, if nothing else.” Iras offered her palms. “

“Yes, I will believe that when the Nile tells you that there will be a famine when it overflows.” Charmian hit back.

“Go away, you lusty friend; you cannot tell fortunes.” Iras said to Charmian.

“No, if I do not know the meaning of it, but your palms are sweaty. Or were you diddling yourself just now?" Charmian laughed. “Please, just tell her an ordinary, everyday kind of fortune. She might get an orgasm if you tell her more.” 

“Both of you hold the same fortunes.” Maria spoke out.

“But how, but how? Give me details. You mean I will get many children too?” Iras was curious. “I will be a sow too.”

“I have said what was there. I cannot tell more.” Maria said.

“Tell me, soothsayer. Do I get a better or least over her in fortune?” Iras pressed on

“An inch more, perhaps. Where would you want it? Perhaps Ralph the stable hand measured to it.”

“Not in my arse; he would not.” Iras snapped back.

“Oh. He has not, then. Bloody swine was aiming at mine.” Charmian laughed. “He cannot reach me with his.”

“May God correct our inappropriate thoughts. Charmian! Iras!” Alexas sounded out the caution to the ladies. She then turned to the soothsayer.

“Come on, Maria. Perhaps less fortune; tell us more! Oh, a woman who is infertile, sweet lass, I pray, and let her die too, and then have him marry a worse wife.” Alexas was referring to Mark Antony. She had known more news from Rome than the messenger will tell. It was easy to match him to a willing lover and be done with his load of secrets.

“Let every wife be worse after that, until the very worst one laughs next to his grave after she has cuckolded him fifty times! Good mother of love, hear this prayer of mine, even if you do not grant my prayers about more important things. Good mother, I beg you!”

“Amen, dear mother, hear that prayer from us! Because, just as it is a tragedy to see a handsome man with an unfaithful wife, it is also a tragedy to see an ugly scoundrel with a faithful wife. Therefore, Good Mother of Love, respect what's appropriate and treat him accordingly.”

“Amen” Charmian also added her prayers.

“What is with you, ladies?” Enobarbus cut in. “Are you...”

“Naked in bed, Iago, and do not mean harm! It is hypocrisy against the devil. They that mean virtuously, and yet do so, the devil tempts, and they tempt heaven.” (Othello, Act Four, Scene One, Line 10). Maria spoke as though she was in a trance. “They are doomed.”

“Hush! Here comes Antony.” Enobarbus saw the arriving figure.

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Two Sub Act Two

 NARRY A WORRY THERE 

ACT THREE

SCENE TWO

SUB ACT TWO

 

Lady Elleanor as she preferred to call that instead of Queen, took to her chamber with the chambermaid at her side. They took the stairs to the upper level and then the Lady asked the maid.

“Has Banquo left the castle?”

“Yes, my Lady but he will return tonight. The servants told me that.” The chambermaid replied.

“Is that so? I wondered why.” Lady Elleanor then decided that she will go the King’s chamber.

“Do tell the King that I would like to speak with him when he has a moment.” Lady Elleanor told the maid.

“As you wished, my Lady.” The maid bowed to the lady. “Shall I prepare the bedding?”

“That will not be necessary. I …...” The lady replied.

“I am sorry, my Lady. I meant your own.” The maid blushed and then excused herself. Lady Elleanor ignored the maid’s words and entered the King’s chamber. It was not usual for her to be there, but the King had wanted to be at her chamber. He said it was more pleasant there.

“Duncan’s eyes are onto me there.” MacBeth had confessed. “I cannot sleep well with his spirit watching me.”

Lady Elleanor had ignored his concern for he was also welcomed to her bedding. She had laid there listening to the deep breaths of the King.

“The King is rested.” Elleanor smiled to herself. “Even when you are King, when you get what you want but have no peace of mind, then you’ve gotten nothing, and spent everything.”

“It is better to be the person who was murdered than to be the murderer and have to live with doubt and anxiety.” Lady Elleanor sighed. It was then the King arrived at his chamber.

“You may remain here as guards.” The King told his guards. “I need to be alone.”

The King have taken extra precaution with his safety. He was only alone when he was with Elleanor.

“Oh, you are here.” The King smiled. He was high in his spirit from the volume of drinks that he took. “I got your message from the maid.”

The King staggered to the bedding.

“Shall we begin? I am as good as any other nights.” The King pulled at his royale cloak. “Darn cloak is more stubborn than my grand aunty, Betty. God bless her soul; she was whiter than the snow when she was laid to the ground.”

“It was winter then, my King.” Lady Elleanor reminded the King. “Let me help.”

“Yes, undressing is your better skills.” The King laughed. “I am as clumsy as the mule getting onto the road.”

“How are you, MacBeth?” Lady Elleanor asked. She used the name when she was to get personal with him.

“Me? I am fine. Never felt better, my love.” The King smiled. “I will feel better when I am inside of you.”

Men will make fun of anything when they think they are something.

“Seriously, MacBeth. Why do you keep to yourself, with only your sad thoughts for company? Those sad thoughts should have died along with the men you are Thinking about like Duncan. You should not think about things you cannot change. What is done is done.”

The serpent is not dead. We have merely slashed it, not killed it. The serpent will heal and we will once more be threatened by its fangs.” The King turned to look at the lady. “Let the universe fall apart, and heaven and earth collapse, before I eat my meals in fear or spend my nights troubled by the nightmares. They come nightly to me.  It is better to be dead … Duncan for one whom we sent to eternal peace in order to gain our own peace of mind …… he tortured me by nightmares and anxiety.”

“Duncan is in his grave, no longer troubled by life, and sleeping well.” Lady Elleanor assured him. She took his hands to lay on her bosom. “I am here now. I am real.”

“Our treason has put him beyond reach of any other pain or hurt, whether from steel, poison, rebellion, invasion, or anything else.” Lady Elleanor comforted the King. “Come on, my noble lord. Hide your troubled thoughts behind a happy face. Be friendly and cheerful with me tonight.”

“I will, my love. And I hope you will do the same.” The King smiled. “But pray do be careful on one named Banquo.”

“Speak to him and look at him so that he feels proud and important. We are unsafe if we must flatter him, hiding our true feelings behind a friendly face.” The King looked away

“You must stop Thinking like this, MacBeth.” Lady Elleanor held her hands onto MacBeth’s face. “Look at me.”

“I cannot. My mind is full of scorpions, my dear! You know that Banquo and his son Fleance are still alive.”

“But they would not live forever. Every mortal dies.” Lady Elleanor assured the King.

“Aye, that is a comfort. They can be killed. So be joyful. Before the bat flies in the darkness, and before the beetle obeys the summons of Donn ……. His whine with his droning hum announces the arrival of night …... do you know that a dreadful deed will be done.”

“MacBeth, what will be done?” Lady Elleanor had her fear in her.

“My dearest one, you are better off not knowing about it until you can celebrate the finished deed.” MacBeth smiled. “Come, night had fallen and we have much to accomplish.”

The King had his hands on to the shoulder of the lady but she resisted.

“I must be told.” Lady Elleanor pushed him away.

“I will tell. I will not blindfold you on this kind hearted day. I have arranged with invisible hands; they will destroy Banquo’s hold on my life and his. In which what had kept me fearful will be gone.” The King smiled, “As the sky darkens, and the crow flies’ home to roost in the forest. The gentle creatures of the day fall asleep, while night’s predators wake to hunt for prey.”

“You are shocked by my words, but you should not be. Things accomplished through bad deeds can only grow stronger through more bad deeds. So, please, come with me. Get into my bedding.” The King reached for her hands. “I am in need of you. Bear me a son.”

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene Two Sub Act One

 

THE MOUSE 

ACT THREE

SCENE TWO

SUB ACT ONE

 

The feast that evening went well; the knives were aplenty, slashing at the chunk of meat, the goblets filled to the brim, with the better men sloshing themselves with whiskey.

“Aye, the drink of the highlands is truly one.” The men celebrated their drink. At any feast among men, there were bound to be brawls, but the action of the guards and nobles clamped the cursing and exchange of fists. The King sat there by the long table laden with food and drinks; next to him was his queen, and then the adviser and the other nobles. He looked at the others seated on the long tables in front of him. They were all facing the roasting pit, where the prime cuts were hung over the fire. One noble stood on the long table and raised his goblet.

How high would I climb mountains?
If the mountains were where you hide
How far would I scale the valleys?
If you graced the other side

Another noble, not undone, took to the other end of the table and sang the following verse.

How long have I chased rivers?
From low seas to where they rise
Against the rush of grace descending
From the source of its supply

The others then called on the chorus.

In the Highlands and the Heartache
You’re neither more nor less inclined.
I would search and stop at nothing.
You’re just not that hard to find.

(https://hillsong.com/lyrics/highlands-song-of-ascent/).

“Aye, Mary Stewart. Wed thee to me.” A drunken Thane took to the tabletop and was booed off.

“Narry will she, Jonas MacCall? Let your breeches be soiled, but she would not let you soil her.” Another of the Thanes was heard calling.

It was taken in with Jest, and so was Banquo during it all. He was at the long table with the King, but when the evening moved on, he had done so with the other nobles at the rear.

“My King, Banquo, is with the others.” Lady Elleanor whispered to the King.

“I can see that too, my queen. He enjoys himself with the Thanes and nobles, and every name I have kept to heart. He will soon know the night was to be his... "Shall I say, final supper?”

“Drink, my King.” MacDuff, who was seated near the King, had appeared before him. He held a glass of whiskey to toast the King. The King obliged and then watched the feast with a steady focus on his friends and possible foes.

“Tell me a tale, Lennox. Tell me of the mouse.”

Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie,
O', what a panic’s in your breast!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickering brattle!
I would be laith to rin and’ chase thee,
Wi’ murdering pattle.

I’m truly sorry for man’s dominion.
Has broken nature’s social union,
An’ justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion
An’ fellow mortal!

I doubt na’ whyles, but thou may thieve.
What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen icker in a thr
‘S a sma’ request:
I’ll get a blessing with’ the lave,
And never miss’t!

https://sdhighlandgames.org/5-famous-poems-by-robert-burns/

In Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse,” the speaker addresses a mouse that he has disturbed while plowing a field. The speaker expresses sympathy for the mouse, acknowledging that both he and the mouse are subject to the whims of fate. The speaker also reflects on the human tendency to worry about the future, while the mouse lives in the present moment. The poem is written in Scots dialect, which adds to its charm and authenticity.

The people gathered there and roared out in laughter. Lennox stopped then while he thought of the words to continue.

“Aye, I seek your pardon, my King. I lost the words with the drinks.” Lennox bowed to the King.

“You are pardoned, my adviser." The King laughed.

“The Mouse? Surely, there are better words to talk of you. Lady Elleanor whispered to the King.

“I am perhaps like a mouse. I lived for the moment now.” The King smiled. “We do not know the future.”

“You did, my King.” Lady Elleanor reminded the King. “Your ….”

“Indeed, I have, but for now I will enjoy my present company. Including you.” The King smiled. It left Lady Elleanor to ask more, but the time and place were not right.

Tony and Cleop Act One Scene Two Sub-Scene One

 

Act One

Scene Two

Sub-Scene One

The future is not ours to...

 

The servants of the palace had their hiatus in the servant’s hall, seated at the long table or laying across the old divan there. The mood was to talk about their Queen. And the boss.

They were Enobarbus, the loyal servant and guard of Mark Antony; he was there on his own request; he had it with Rome and the nefarious Caesar. He joined Mark Antony to get a new life scene. He brought the three mutes from Rome, loyal guards of the Boss: Rannius, Lucillius, and Lamprius. They had sworn an oath of silence to their boss. Philo and Demetrius were of the old guard and were not part of his dedicated guards.

They were not alone, for there were the other servants of the Queen, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas, chambermaids of the Queen, and loyalty to the Queen was undisputed. It was then the return of Mardian to the hall upon the completion of his task. He will not disclose any details; his tongue was dedicated to the Queen, and his testicles were removed, making him a dedicated servant to the Queen.

“Sweet Alexas, you promised us a soothsayer, unheard of for many years. How good is she at the... sayings?” Enobarbus roared out. He had his servings of wine, and his mood was jubilant.

“Tell me, sweet Alexas. Where is she? You had me curious about those words you had said. “Was it the Queen and the... lover who was cuckolded? Or it cannot be a husband, for she has none. I thought it was only husbands who were to be cuckolded.”

“Hold your words, Enobarbus.” Mardian was not to have his Queen insulted there.

“Hold your emotions, Mardian.” Enobarbus was to say ‘balls’ but he checked his tongue. “We are among friends and allies here. We will not shoot each other like dogs on the streets. Set yourself a drink and let us hear the soothsayer.”

Alexas was not to be undone and called on the soothsayer to step in. The soothsayer was a gypsy lady, young of age, and held a set of voluptuous chests with an off-shoulder blouse.

"Maria, here is the one I listened to. She is young but holds the gift of seeing the future.” Alexas introduced the soothsayer.

“What do you want?” Maria voiced out.

“Is this the person you were talking about? She is the soothsayer. I thought she was more of the barmaid from the tavern.” Enobarbus roared. He then looked at the lady. “Are you the one, girl, who has supernatural knowledge? You could tell my future too.”

“As the barmaid, I know a little about the world's many secrets. A drunk does not speak; he tells it all.” Maria looked at Enobarbus.

“Show him your hand. Your future lies there.” Alexas told Enobarbus.

“Bring in more wine to toast on. I will suggest Cleop ... Oops, I meant the Queen’s health.” The Roman guard averted the stare from Mardian. 

“Here is my hand. Give it a good rub, and give me a good fortune.” Enobarbus smiled.

“I do not give fortunes; I merely tell what is on the line for them and where they may end up.” 

“Then please tell me what mine is going to be. Leave the last part. I know I will die then.” Enobarbus smiled. “Better still, tell her future. She looked like someone who needed it.”

Enobarbus pushed Charmian’s hand forth. Maris took the hand forward. She traced her fingers over the palm of the chambermaid.

“Soft hands you have. And gentle to the touch. You will be more beautiful in the future than you are right now.” Maria smiled.

“You mean that I'll get fatter.” Charmian laughed.

“No, he means that you will use makeup when you get old. Your tits will sag.” Iras laughed. “Mine are.”

“God, forbid I ever get them that way. And I cannot have wrinkles!”

“Do not annoy this wise lady. Pay attention to her.” Alexas told her friends off.

“You will love other people more than they love you.” Maria looked at Charmian.

“I would rather drink than love.” Charmian laughed.

“Or get fucked.” Iras laughed, and Alexas hushed the other.

“Come on, tell me some good news now! Let me marry three kings in a single day, and let all of them die and leave me a rich widow.” Charmian said. “

“An organization, it will be. Who could outfuck you any day, Charmian?” Iras could not hold herself back.

“When I'm fifty years old, let me give birth to a child so great that even Alexander the Great will...”

“Does this nympho ever get satiated?” Iras laughed out loud.

“Look at my future and tell me that I am destined to marry Caesar and become as great as my Queen Cleop. I am sure he fucks better than Antony.” 

“Oh, we all know who fucks better.” Iras roared out. Mardian was so disgusted by the lewd talk of the ladies that he left the hall.

“Your love life I would not know, but your lifeline tells you will live longer... longer than your Queen.”

“Oh, excellent! I love long life even better than those fuckers.” Charmian laughed.

“Your life up until now has been happier than it will be in the future. And you will have...”

“Lovers …. Their seeds will be my children. perhaps illegitimate, but I do not care. Tell me, how many little boys and girls will I have?”

“If every one of your wishes were a child, you would have a million children.” Maria said. Those last words annoyed the maid.

“Get out of here, fool! Because you are a soothsayer for real, or I will bring charges of witchcraft against you.” Charmian pulled her hand away. “I am no sow with the litters.”

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene One Sub Act Four

 

THE MERCENARIES

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE

SUB ACT FOUR

 

“Now go to the door and stay there until I call you.” The King told the aide. The King looked at the three figures standing there. The King did not offer them the seats. They looked like any others you may meet at the square of the village—inconspicuous in appearance, but that can be deceiving.

The trio are assassins or hired-for-kill mercenaries. The middle one was an older man with the other two; one lady was younger.

“I heard of your skills.” The King studied them for their features. “You do not look like the ones I am to hire.”

“How may we lure you away from your doubts, King?” The reply was curt from one of the trios.

“Show me your skills. Kill one of you, you know.” The King laid down his request.

The one who spoke was the middle one and was stabbed in the throat by the one on the left, and the other stabbed him in the heart. The older man fell to his knees, trying to hold the blood from his chest. He was soon dead on the floor.

“Marvelous!” The King smiled. “Both of you knew the sacrifice needed. He was obviously not useful anymore.”

"Nevertheless, there was less than one person to share the bag of gold I had offered.” The King motioned to the bag of wealth at the side. “So then, have you thought about what I said?”

“Who are we to dispose?” The lady asked.

“Straight to the matter, young lady. I liked that.” The King smiled. “His name is Banquo.”

“You must know that there is only one named Banquo, the Colonel.” Banquo was not promoted by the King when he ascended. "He, should I say, had deceived me with his loyalty. He hid in plain sight with his intention to kill me. I can show you proof of how he tricked and deceived me and the others. Somehow, he did those vile acts himself, or by the agents who did the dirty work, and who they were worKing with, and enough other details that even a half-wit would say, “Banquo did it!”

“You needed him removed?” The lady asked.

“I do so, but I had to...” The King sighed, “I am his friend, or was once.”

“Is your nature so forgiving that you don’t feel the need for revenge?” The King looked at the two standing there. “Are you so religious that you’d pray for this “good” man and his children when he may force you into an early grave and make your entire family beggars?”

“We are good at what we do. We shed no tears for the ones we remove.”

“Yes, you are part of the species called men. Pardon my generalization, my dear.” The King looked toward the lady. “It was a manner of talking here.”

“Men are... just as hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, mutts, shaggy lapdogs, shaggy waterdogs, and half-wolves have differences in their breed but are still all dogs. By their breeds, you can distinguish which of these dogs are fast, slow, or clever; which are watchdogs; and which are real hunters. You can describe each dog based on the natural gifts that separate it and make it different from the general qualities that define a dog. It’s the same with men.” 

“They may flaunt their manhood, but nevertheless, they are still of the breed. I will tell you a secret plan that will get rid of your enemy and bring you closer to me. He is your enemy if you are my... mine.  So long as a certain man lives, I am sick. His death would cure me.” The King leaned back on the seat. “I can rest then.

“My King, I'm a man who has gotten so angry from the beatings that the world has given me that I don’t care what I do.” The man voiced out.

“Spoken like a man. I am also so sick of bad luck and being at the mercy of fate that I had to risk everything for a chance to either fix my life or end it.” The King said. “Well, I did then, but I cannot be doing it at every turn of the event. I need...”

“We are at your service, my King.” The lady cut in. “Your enemy is our enemy.”

“Indeed, both of you know Banquo is mine. And will be yours.” The King smiled.

“Yes, my King.” The lady affirmed her stand.

“Banquo was my friend. He did display that to me then.” The King repeated his words. “He had become to such a degree that every minute he’s alive threatens my own well-being.”

“I am King; I could just use my raw power to destroy him, but I cannot do that because we have mutual friends whom we hold, and they may judge me. I must be able to grieve and cry over his death, even though I am the one who will have him killed. It must be done by others. I have come to you asKing for your help. I must hide my real plans from the public eye for those many reasons.”

“We will do what you command, my King." The lady said it again.

“Though our lives...”

“Your resolve shines in your eyes. Within the hour, I will tell you where to go and advise you about exactly when to strike. Because it must be done tonight, some distance from the palace.” The King leaned forward to face the duo. “Always keep in mind that I must be free from suspicion.”

“Aye.” The duo said.

“For the job to be done right, you must kill both Banquo and his son, Fleance, who is with him. Fleance, the son whose absence is as important to me as his father's. They must also die during that dark hour.”

“You may decide the attack. Each of you should decide for himself whether you will do how and what.”

“We will do it, my King.” The duo bowed to the King.

“Take the gold and wait for me at the assigned chamber. A messenger of mine will give you the details.” The King dismissed them. 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Three Scene One Sub Act Three

 

THE DEADLY CONCERNS

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE

SUB ACT THREE

 

The King retired to the adjacent chamber and awaited his new guests. He took the glass of whiskey made available to him. He looked at the glass and smiled.

“Enchant to the King. I will hold your throne well.”

“They are here, my King.” The aide stepped into the chamber to announce the arrival of the guests.

“Bring them in to see me.” The King said. “And stand guard out there. Let no one intrude on us.”

“If my position is not safe, then being the King is worthless. Many Kings are in threat from rebellion or the dagger in the chest. Bloodline may not be relied on, for if not the princes, the others of the bloodline may even remove the King.” MacBeth had his thoughts.

“The King held power over others, but the power to kill the King may be even higher.” MacBeth smiled. "I, for one, knew of this.”

“To those who stand by me, I hold a varied eye on them. More so, my friend Banquo. You were there that day at the Citadel. You held your own prophecy—a natural nobility about him that makes him a threat to me. He is a brave soldier; he charges at the enemies without any consideration of his strength. Yes, he leads the men well and hard, but many have died in his charge.”

“Not that the total counts to that. Banquo also has the wisdom to act with care and forethought.” MacBeth sighed. He is one I truly admire and... I fear. In his presence, my angel is intimidated.”

“I feel what Mark Antony says—my fear of the gathered, but Banquo may not be Brutus. He can be more powerful than Octavius Caesar. He held a sword over my head with his prophecy. Indeed, he doubted the prophecy from the Citadel, but let no man deny that they will not be intrigued by their... destiny.”

“Not his, but his descendants would form a line of Kings. The angels placed the crown on my head and a sceptre in my hand, but then said that I would never pass them on.” MacBeth shook his head. “I cannot recall now, but I was to be King; I knew of that. I hold no heir, which may mean my crown and sceptre will be taken from me by someone from outside my family.”

“Not even a bastard, for I held no son of mine will succeed me as King. I am the first, and maybe the last. If what the angels said is true, then everything I have done has been for the benefit of others. Banquo’s children for one, as they are to be King. To be that, they may dishonour myself, as I have on gracious Duncan, destroying my peace of mind, all for them, and my sin... I will be eternally damned to the Devil while they become Kings.”

“Banquo’s sons, Kings! Rather than let that happen, I will invite fate to come into the battleground and fight it to the death. I will set the new path that others will find difficult to fulfil their destiny.”

“Who is there? Did I not say I was not disturbed?” The King called out. The aide enters along with two figures.

“Your guests, my King.”