Enter Ross with 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 night5 Hath trifled former knowings.ROSS Ha, good father, Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody stage. By th’ clock ’tis day, And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.10 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 last15 A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.ROSS And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and certain),
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,20 Turned 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 25 They did so, to th’ amazement of mine eyes That looked upon ’t.Enter Macduff. Here comes the good Macduff.— How goes the world, sir, now?MACDUFF 30 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 35 They were suborned. 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!40 Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own lives’ means. Then ’tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.MACDUFF He is already named and gone to Scone To be invested.ROSS 45 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 50 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 55 God’s benison go with you and with those That would make good of bad and friends of foes.All exit.