Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Anthony Dawson
Not Peer Reviewed

Modern (Modern)

Enter Ross with an Old Man.
925Old 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
Hath trifled former knowings.
Ross
Ha, good father,
930Thou 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.
Is't night's predominance or the day's shame
That darkness does the face of earth entomb
935When living light should kiss it?
Old Man
'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.
And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience as they would
945Make war with mankind.
Old Man
'Tis said they ate each other.
They did so, to th'amazement of mine eyes
That looked upon't.
Enter Macduff.
950Here comes the good Macduff.
How goes the world, sir, now?
Macduff
Why, see you not?
Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?
Macduff
Those that Macbeth hath slain.
955Ross
Alas the day,
What good could they pretend?
Macduff
They were suborned.
Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's two sons,
Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them
960Suspicion of the deed.
Ross
'Gainst nature still--
Thriftless ambition that will ravin up
Thine own life's means. Then 'tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
965Macduff
He is already named and gone to Scone
To be invested.
Where is Duncan's body?
Macduff
Carried to Colmkill,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
970And guardian of their bones.
Ross
Will you to Scone?
Macduff
No, cousin, I'll to Fife.
Ross
Well, I will thither.
Macduff
Well may you see things well done there. Adieu,
975Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.
Farewell, father.
Old Man
God's benison go with you, and with those
That would make good of bad and friends of foes.
Exeunt.