MALCOLM I am yet
Unknown to woman, never was forsworn,
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,
At no time broke my faith, would not betray
The devil to his fellow, and delight
No less in truth than life. My first false speaking
Was this upon myself. What I am truly
Is thine and my poor country’s to command;
Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,
Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men,
Already at a point, was setting forth. (4.3.126-136)
Malcolm continues to undo all the things he just accused himself of, to reassure Macduff that he’s really a good guy, the true heir, that they’re on the same side, both wanting what’s best for Scotland: the ousting of Macbeth. I am yet unknown to woman, he says, it’s not just that I’m not sexually rapacious or deviant, I’m actually a virgin, innocent (but not naïve or unworldly, on the evidence of what he’s just done to Macduff)—morally and spiritually pure, in control of myself, and also not distracted by desire, or indeed by love. I’m not entangled with anyone, and my heart is my own. (That’s not the main implication here, but it’s an interesting spin to put on it, perhaps.) I never was forsworn, scarcely have coveted what was mine own, at no time broke my faith, would not betray the devil to his fellow, and delight no less in truth than life. Although the refutation of the charge of avarice is in there (I scarcely have coveted what was mine own: I’m not into stuff, I don’t care about wealth, possessions, the material side of my rightful inheritance isn’t what I’m in this for) the main point Malcolm’s making here is about his honesty and integrity. I keep my word, he says, I’m not an oath-breaker, I don’t make promises I can’t keep, I wouldn’t ever perjure myself or bear false witness. I’m loyal, fiercely loyal to my friends, but I wouldn’t even betray my enemy by subterfuge. I don’t do deceit. I’m not like Macbeth, is what he’s saying, in the things that matter most. My first false speaking was this upon myself: this is the only lie I’ve ever told. (Uncharitably, it’s a bit much. But in this psychologically and emotionally intense moment, it can ring true. It’s striking, in this post-Othello play, that he doesn’t once say that he’s honest. Iago’s made that word cheap.) Malcolm’s trusting Macduff now, and he desperately wants to be trusted by him, and so he’s going all in. Above all else, what I am truly is thine and my poor country’s to command. Tell me what to do, tell me how I can best serve Scotland. But he’s got news for Macduff now, too: even before Macduff arrived, the troops were moving from Northumberland, readying for an invasion over the border, led by Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, already at a point, all ready to go,was setting forth. Things are already underway.
