Scene IV

[Outside Macbeth's castle.]

Enter Ross, with 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.

OLD MAN:

I can remember seventy years well.
Within that time, I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange. Only this painful night
Has made all those things trivial.

ROSS:

Ah, good father,(5)
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,(10)
When living light should kiss it?

ROSS:

Ah, good father,
You see the heavens, troubled with man's acting,
Threaten his bloody stage. By the clock, it is day,
And yet dark night puts the lamp we travel with out;
Is it night's superior influence, or the day's shame,
That darkness buries the face of earth,
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.(15)

OLD MAN:

It’s unnatural,
Even like the deed that's been done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was hawked at and killed by an owl that usually eats mice.

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.

ROSS:

And Duncan's horses, a thing most strange and certain,
Beautiful and swift, the darlings of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flew out,
Rebelling against obeying their masters, as if they would make
War with mankind.

OLD MAN:

’Tis said they eat each other.

OLD MAN:

It is said they ate each other.

ROSS:

They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
That look'd upon't.

Enter Macduff.

Here comes the good Macduff.(25)
How goes the world, sir, now?

ROSS:

They did, to the amazement of my eyes,
That saw it. Here comes the good Macduff.
How is the world going now, sir?

MACDUFF:

Why, see you not?

MACDUFF:

Why, don’t you see it?

ROSS:

Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?

ROSS:

Is it known who did this more than bloody deed?

MACDUFF:

Those that Macbeth hath slain.

MACDUFF:

Those guards that Macbeth has slain.

ROSS:

Alas, the day!(30)
What good could they pretend?

ROSS:

Alas, the day!
What good could they claim?

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.(35)

MACDUFF:

They were counterfeit.
Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons,
Are stolen away and fled; which puts them under
Suspicion of murder.

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.

ROSS:

Also against nature.
Thriftless ambition, that will plunder
Your own life's means! Then it is most likely that
The crown will fall upon Macbeth.

MACDUFF:

He is already named, and gone to Scone(40)
To be invested.

MACDUFF:

He is already named King; and gone to Scone
To be invested.

ROSS:

Where is Duncan's body?

ROSS:

Where is Duncan's body?

MACDUFF:

Carried to Colmekill,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
And guardian of their bones.(45)

MACDUFF:

Carried to Colme creek,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
And guardian of their bones.

ROSS:

Will you to Scone?

ROSS:

Will you be going to Scone?

MACDUFF:

No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

MACDUFF:

No, cousin, I'm going to Fife.

ROSS:

Well, I will thither.

ROSS:

Well, I’ll there.

MACDUFF:

Well, may you see things well done there, Adieu,
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!(50)

MACDUFF:

Well, I hope you see things are done well there, adieu!
In case our old uniforms fit better than our new ones!

ROSS:

Farewell, father.

ROSS:

Farewell, father.

OLD MAN:

God's benison go with you and with those
That would make good of bad and friends of foes!

OLD MAN:

God's blessings go with you; and with those
That would make a good situation out of a bad one and friends of foes!

Exeunt.