Act 2

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.