Saba translating Shakespeare

Umberto Saba, Machbett (sic) (incomplete effort), autograph manuscript, 1938-1947
On the paper folder enclosing it, Saba describes and reconstructs the document’s history:
“In 1938 I had begun a version and simplification of Shakespeare’s Machbett (sic). I wanted to see if it was possible to leave Shakespeare in his greatness, removing from the text the pomp and baroque which, personally at least, have always displeased me. The task was hopeless, and I realised it in time. All that remains of my attempt are these 15 papers (8 handwritten, the others typewritten) that I found by chance among the surviving books and documents in my private library (The possible purchase of the ms. does not entitle one to its publication). Trieste, 2/3/1947. Umberto Saba. The fragment is unpublished, and no other copies exist”.

Umberto Saba, incipit of the translation of Machbeth (sic)
Shakespeare’s play reappears in Saba’s writings in the form of a scorciatoia (“shortcut”) – the thirty-sixth – in his collection of prose Scorciatoie e raccontini:
“Macbeth was not a criminal: he was passionate. He hated Banco, as a competing brother; as a comrade-in-arms he also loved him. […] Love alone is creative; it was Macbeth’s surviving (and) reinforced love for Banco that created the spectre. But – alas! – the spectre knew what Macbeth had done to him; and his appearance was menacing. The criminal has no love; and he sees no spectre”.