Forres. A Room in the Palace.
 Enter LENNOX and another LORD.

Lennox	My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
	Which can interpret further. Only, I say,
	Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan
	Was pitied of Macbeth: - marry, he was dead!
	And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late,
	Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance killed,
	For Fleance fled: - men must not walk too late.
	Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
	It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
	To kill their gracious father? Damnd fact,
	How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight,
	In pious rage, the two delinquents tear
	That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
	Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too,
	For't would have angered any heart alive
	To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,
	He has borne all things well; and I do think
	That had he Duncan's sons under his key-
	As, an't please heaven, he shall not - they should find
	What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
	But peace. For from broad words, and 'cause he failed
	His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
	Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell
	Where he bestows himself?

Lord								The son of Duncan,
	From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth,
	Lives in the English court, and is received
	Of the most pious Edward with such grace
	That the malevolence of fortune nothing
	Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff
	Is gone to pray the holy King upon his aid
	To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
	That, by the help of these - with Him above
	To ratify the work - we may again
	Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
	Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
	Do faithful homage, and receive free honours,
	All which we pine for now. And this report
	Hath so exasperate the king that he
	Prepares for some attempt of war.

Lennox										Sent he to Macduff?

Lord	He did, and with an absolute 'Sir, not I'
	The cloudy messenger turns me his back
	And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time
	That clogs me with this answer'.

Lennox									And that well might
	Advise him to a caution t' hold what distance
	His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
	Fly to the court of England and unfold
	His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
	May soon return to this our suffering country
	Under a hand accursed!

Lord								I'll send my prayers with him.
												[Exeunt.
