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  • Title: Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Anthony Dawson

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-528-5

    Copyright Anthony Dawson. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Anthony Dawson
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Macbeth (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scena Quarta.
    Enter Rosse, with an Old man.
    925Old man. Threescore and ten I can remember well,
    Within the Volume of which Time, I haue seene
    Houres dreadfull, and things strange: but this sore Night
    Hath trifled former knowings.
    Rosse. Ha, good Father,
    930Thou seest the Heauens, as troubled with mans Act,
    Threatens his bloody Stage: byth'Clock 'tis Day,
    And yet darke Night strangles the trauailing Lampe:
    Is't Nights predominance, or the Dayes shame,
    That Darknesse does the face of Earth intombe,
    935When liuing Light should kisse it?
    Old man. 'Tis vnnaturall,
    Euen like the deed that's done: On Tuesday last,
    A Faulcon towring in her pride of place,
    Was by a Mowsing Owle hawkt at, and kill'd.
    940Rosse. And Duncans Horses,
    (A thing most strange, and certaine)
    Beauteous, and swift, the Minions of their Race,
    Turn'd wilde in nature, broke their stalls, flong out,
    Contending 'gainst Obedience, as they would
    945Make Warre with Mankinde.
    Old man. 'Tis said, they eate each other.
    Rosse. They did so:
    To
    The Tragedie of Macbeth. 139
    To th'amazement of mine eyes that look'd vpon't.
    Enter Macduffe.
    950Heere comes the good Macduffe.
    How goes the world Sir, now?
    Macd. Why see you not?
    Ross. Is't known who did this more then bloody deed?
    Macd. Those that Macbeth hath slaine.
    955Ross. Alas the day,
    What good could they pretend?
    Macd. They were subborned,
    Malcolme, and Donalbaine the Kings two Sonnes
    Are stolne away and fled, which puts vpon them
    960Suspition of the deed.
    Rosse. 'Gainst Nature still,
    Thriftlesse Ambition, that will rauen vp
    Thine owne liues meanes: Then 'tis most like,
    The Soueraignty will fall vpon Macbeth.
    965Macd. He is already nam'd, and gone to Scone
    To be inuested.
    Rosse. Where is Duncans body?
    Macd. Carried to Colmekill,
    The Sacred Store-house of his Predecessors,
    970And Guardian of their Bones.
    Rosse. Will you to Scone?
    Macd. No Cosin, Ile to Fife.
    Rosse. Well, I will thither.
    Macd. Well may you see things wel done there: Adieu
    975Least our old Robes sit easier then our new.
    Rosse. Farewell, Father.
    Old M. Gods benyson go with you, and with those
    That would make good of bad, and Friends of Foes.
    Exeunt omnes
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