Act II, Scene ii:
The same. Without the Castle.

[Enter Ross and 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 night

Hath trifled former knowings.

ROSS:

Ah, good father,

Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,

Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock 'tis day,

And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp;

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 last,

A falcon, towering in her pride of place,

Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

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,

Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make

War with mankind.

OLD MAN:

'Tis said they eat each other.

ROSS:

They did so; to the amazement of mine eyes,

That look'd upon't.

Here comes the good Macduff.

[Enter Macduff.]

How goes the world, sir, now?

MACDUFF:

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:

They were suborn'd:

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:

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 nam'd; and gone to Scone

To be invested.

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?

MACDUFF:

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:

God's benison go with you; and with those

That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

[Exeunt.]