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									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 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 hawked at, and killed.

Ross	And Duncan's horses - a thing most strange and certain-
	Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
	Turned 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 th' amazement of mine eyes
	That looked upon't.

                              Enter MACDUFF.

								Here comes the good 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 suborned.
	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 will 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					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	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.
