Enter ROSS and an Old Man
Old Man
Threescore and ten I can remember well:
ROSS
Ah, good father,
Old Man
'Tis unnatural,
ROSS
And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--
Old Man
'Tis said they eat each other.
ROSS
They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
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!
MACDUFF
They were suborn'd:
ROSS
'Gainst nature still!
MACDUFF
He is already named, and gone to Scone
ROSS
Where is Duncan's body?
MACDUFF
Carried to Colmekill,
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!
ROSS
Farewell, father.
Old Man
God's benison go with you; and with those
Exeunt
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings.
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?
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.
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.
That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff.
What good could they pretend?
Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,
Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.
Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up
Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
To be invested.
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
And guardian of their bones.
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!
That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!
