The Tragedy of Macbeth — Act 5, Scene 6: Dunsinane. Before the castle.

Near Dunsinane, Malcolm leads the advancing army with branches still covering them, then orders the soldiers to throw down their leafy screens and show themselves. He organizes the attack, placing Siward and Siward’s son in charge of the first battle while he and Macduff take responsibility for the rest. Siward says farewell and declares that if they reach the tyrant’s power that night, they must fight even if they are beaten. Macduff answers by urging the trumpets to sound, using them as a loud signal of war and death. The army then moves forward toward the castle.

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Now near enough: your leafy screens throw down.

And show like those you are. You, worthy uncle,

Shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son,

Lead our first battle: worthy Macduff and we

Shall take upon 's what else remains to do,

According to our order.

Fare you well.

Do we but find the tyrant's power to-night,

Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.

Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath,

Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death.