TPTT The Tragedy of Macbeth: ACT II
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
SCENE I. Court of Macbeth's castle.
SCENE II. The same.
SCENE III. The same.
SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's 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
5     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,
10    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,
15    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
20    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
25    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
30    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!
35    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.
ROSS
40    Where is Duncan's body?
MACDUFF
      Carried to Colmekill,
      The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
      And guardian of their bones.
ROSS
      Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF
45    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
50    God's benison go with you; and with those
      That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!
Exeunt
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