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MacBeth

by William Shakespeare

previous: SCENE III. The same.

SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.

Enter ROSS and an old Man

Old Man:
Threescore and ten I can remember well:
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings.

ROSS:
Ah, good father,
Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?

Old Man:
'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

ROSS:
And Duncan's horses - a thing most strange and certain -
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind.

Old Man:
'Tis said they eat each other.

ROSS:
They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff.

Enter MACDUFF

How goes the world, sir, now?

MACDUFF:
Why, see you not?

ROSS:
Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?

MACDUFF:
Those that Macbeth hath slain.

ROSS:
Alas, the day!
What good could they pretend?

MACDUFF:
They were suborn'd:
Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,
Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.

ROSS:
'Gainst nature still!
Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up
Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

MACDUFF:
He is already named, and gone to Scone
To be invested.

ROSS:
Where is Duncan's body?

MACDUFF:
Carried to Colmekill,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
And guardian of their bones.

ROSS:
Will you to Scone?

MACDUFF:
No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

ROSS:
Well, I will thither.

MACDUFF:
Well, may you see things well done there: adieu!
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

ROSS:
Farewell, father.

Old Man:
God's benison go with you; and with those
That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

Exeunt

Turn to the next chapter: ACT III