Act 2 Scene 3
Ross, a thane, walks outside the castle with an old man. They discuss the strange and ominous happenings of the past few days: it is daytime, but dark outside; last Tuesday, an owl killed a falcon; and Duncan’s beautiful, well-trained horses behaved wildly and ate one another. Macduff emerges from the castle and tells Ross that Macbeth has been made king by the other lords, and that he now rides to Scone to be crowned. Macduff adds that the chamberlains seem the most likely murderers, and that they may have been paid off by someone to kill Duncan. Suspicion has now fallen on the two princes, Malcolm and Donalbain, because they have fled the scene. Macduff returns to his home late, and Ross departs for Scone to see the new king’s coronation.
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Original Text | Modern Text |
Enter ROSS with an OLD MAN | |
ROSS and an OLD MAN enter. |
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OLD MANThreescore and ten I can remember well,Within the volume of which time I have seenHours dreadful and things strange, but this sore nightHath trifled former knowings. | OLD MANI can remember the past seventy years pretty well, and in all that time I have seen dreadful hours and strange things. But last night’s horrors make everything that came before seem like a joke. |
ROSS Ha, good father,Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act,Threatens his bloody stage. By th' clock ’tis day,And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shameThat darkness does the face of Earth entombWhen living light should kiss it? | ROSSAh yes, old man. You can see the skies. They look like they’re upset about what mankind has been doing, and they’re threatening the Earth with storms. The clock says it’s daytime, but dark night is strangling the sun. Is it because night is so strong, or because day is so weak, that darkness covers the earth when it’s supposed to be light? |
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OLD MAN 'Tis unnatural,Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday...