[Forres. The royal 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? Damned 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 'twould 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
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 honors —
All which we pine for now. And this report
Hath so exasperated the king that he
Prepares for some attempt of war.
Lennox
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
Advise him to a caution, to 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
Lord
I'll send my prayers with him.
[Exit]
