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Home > Macbeth > ACT II - SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.

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ACT II - SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.
Enter ROSS and an old Man

Old Man
1    Threescore and ten I can remember well:
2    Within the volume of which time I have seen
3    Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
4    Hath trifled former knowings.
ROSS
5    Ah, good father,
6    Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
7    Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
8    And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:
9    Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
10   That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
11   When living light should kiss it?
Old Man
12   'Tis unnatural,
13   Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
14   A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
15   Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.
ROSS
16   And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--
17   Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
18   Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
19   Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
20   War with mankind.
Old Man
21   'Tis said they eat each other.
ROSS
22   They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
23   That look'd upon't. Here comes the good Macduff.
Enter MACDUFF
24   How goes the world, sir, now?
MACDUFF
25   Why, see you not?
ROSS
26   Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?
MACDUFF
27   Those that Macbeth hath slain.
ROSS
28   Alas, the day!
29   What good could they pretend?
MACDUFF
30   They were suborn'd:
31   Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,
32   Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
33   Suspicion of the deed.
ROSS
34   'Gainst nature still!
35   Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up
36   Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like
37   The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
MACDUFF
38   He is already named, and gone to Scone
39   To be invested.
ROSS
40   Where is Duncan's body?
MACDUFF
41   Carried to Colmekill,
42   The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
43   And guardian of their bones.
ROSS
44   Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF
45   No, cousin, I'll to Fife.
ROSS
46   Well, I will thither.
MACDUFF
47   Well, may you see things well done there: adieu!
48   Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!
ROSS
49   Farewell, father.
Old Man
50   God's benison go with you; and with those
51   That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!
Exeunt

< (Previous) ACT II, SCENE IIIACT III, I (Next) >
Scene Index
ACT I
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V
  • SCENE VI
  • SCENE VII


  • ACT II
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV


  • ACT III
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V
  • SCENE VI


  • ACT IV
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III


  • ACT V
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V
  • SCENE VI
  • SCENE VII
  • SCENE VIII

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