Enter Lennox and another Lord.LENNOX My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret farther. Only I say Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan5 Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead. And the right valiant Banquo walked too late, Whom you may say, if ’t please you, Fleance killed, For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought how monstrous10 It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact, How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?15 Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely, too, For ’twould have angered any heart alive To hear the men deny ’t. So that I say He has borne all things well. And I do think That had he Duncan’s sons under his key20 (As, an ’t please heaven, he shall not) they should find What ’twere to kill a father. So should Fleance.
But peace. For from broad words, and ’cause he failed25 His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell Where he bestows himself?LORD The ⌜son⌝ of Duncan (From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth)30 Lives in the English court and is received Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of fortune nothing Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid35 To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward That, by the help of these (with Him above To ratify the work), we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,40 Do faithful homage, and receive free honors, All which we pine for now. And this report Hath so exasperate ⌜the⌝ King that he Prepares for some attempt of war.LENNOX Sent he to Macduff?LORD 45 He did, and with an absolute “Sir, not I,” The cloudy messenger turns me his back And hums, as who should say “You’ll rue the time That clogs me with this answer.”LENNOX And that well might50 Advise him to a caution ⌜t’ hold⌝ what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country55 Under a hand accursed.LORD I’ll send my prayers with him.They exit.