That suffer in exposure, let us meet, And question this most bloody piece of work, Of treasonous malice. IIO Macduff. All. And so do I. So all. Macbeth. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, And meet i' the hall together. All. Well contented. [Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain. Malcolm. What will you do? Let's not consort with them: To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I'll to England. Donalbain. To Ireland, I; our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer: where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood, The nearer bloody. Malcolm. This murderous shaft that's shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse; * And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift away: there's warrant in that theft 120 Which steals itself when there's no mercy left. [Exeunt. Old Man. SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle. Enter Ross and an 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 Ross. Ah, good father, Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp: 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. ΙΟ 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, Old Man. 'Tis said they eat each other. Ross. They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes That look'd upon 't. Ross. Is't known who did this more than bloody deed? Macduff. Those that Macbeth hath slain. Ross. What good could they pretend? Macduff. Alas, the day! They were suborn'd: Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them 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. 30 Ross. Where is Duncan's body? Macduff. Carried to Colme-kill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors And guardian of their bones. Ross. Will you to Scone ? Well, I will thither. Macduff. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. Ross. 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! 39 [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. Forres. The palace. Enter BANQUO. Banquo. Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and, I fear, Thou play'dst most foully for 't: yet it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them- And set me up in hope? But hush! no more. ΙΟ Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king; LADY MACBETH, as queen; LENNOX, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. Macbeth. Here's our chief guest. Lady Macbeth. If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, Macbeth. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. Banquo. Let your highness Command upon me; to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. Macbeth. Ride you this afternoon? Banquo. Ay, my good lord. 19 Macbeth. We should have else desired your good advice, Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. Banquo. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time For a dark hour or twain. Macbeth. Fail not our feast. Banquo. My lord, I will not. Macbeth. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? 30 Banquo. Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon's. Macbeth. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; And so I do commend you to their backs. Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you! Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men [Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant. Our pleasure? Attendant. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Macbeth. Bring them before us. [Exit Attendant. To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares, 50 And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none but he My Genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony's was by Cæsar. He chid the sisters, Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; 60 To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings: 70 Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers. Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. [Exit Attendant. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? Well then, now Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know |