Hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us? Let's away; Our tears are not yet brew'd. MAL. [Aside to DoN.] Nor our strong sorrow Upon the foot of motion. BAN. Look to the lady: [LADY MACBETH is carried out. And when we have our naked frailties hid, And question this most bloody piece of work, Of treasonous malice. MACD. ALL. And so do I. So all. MACB. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, And meet i' the hall together. ALL. Well contented. [Exeunt all but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN. MAL. 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. DON. 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. MAL. This murderous shaft that's shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way D Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse; SCENE IV. Outside MACBETH's castle. Enter Ross and an Old Man. [Exeunt. OLD M. 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. Ah, good father, Ross. 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 M. '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 M. '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? MACD. Why, see you not? Ross. Is 't known who did this more than bloody 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. MACD. He is already named, and gone to Scone To be invested. Ross. Where is Duncan's body? MACD. Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones. Ross. Will you to Scone? MACD. No, cousin, I'll to Fife. Ross. Well, I will thither. MACD. Well, may you see things well done there: adieu! Lest our old robes sit easier than our new Ross. Farewell, father. OLD M. God's benison go with you; and with those That would make good of bad, and friends of foes! [Exeunt. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. Forres. The palace. Enter BANQUO. BAN. Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, But that myself should be the root and father And set me up in hope? But hush! no more. MACB. Here's our chief guest. LADY M. If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, MACB. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I'll request your presence. BAN. Let your highness Command upon me; to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie For ever knit. MACB. Ride you this afternoon? BAN. Ay, my good lord. MACB. 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. Is 't far you ride? BAN. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain. МАСВ. BAN. My lord, I will not. Fail not our feast. MACB. We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention: but of that to-morrow, When therewithal we shall have cause of state Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu, Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? BAN. Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon's. MACB. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; |