ACT II
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]




 MACBETH


ACT III