‘Not long now, cousins,’ said Malcolm. ‘Scots will soon be able to sleep safely in their beds.’

‘We have no doubts at all,’ said Menteith.

‘What wood is that?’ said Siward.

‘Birnam Wood,’ said Menteith.

‘Right,’ said Malcolm. ‘Tell every soldier to cut down a branch and carry it in front of him. That will conceal our numbers.’

‘I hear the insolent tyrant has stayed in Dunsinane and doesn’t seem to mind our laying siege to it.’

‘There’s nothing else he can do,’ said Malcolm. Everyone’s deserted him: the ones who’ve stayed have been forced to and their hearts aren’t in it.’

‘There’s no point talking about it,’ said the impatient Macduff. ‘Let’s get on with it.

‘Macduff’s right,’ said Siward. ‘We can speculate as much as we like but the issue will only be settled by fighting. So let’s go.’