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!