1    My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
2    Which can interpret further: only, I say,
3    Things have been strangely borne. The
4    gracious Duncan
5    Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
6    And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;
7    Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
8    For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.
9    Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
10   It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
11   To kill their gracious father? damned fact!
12   How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight
13   In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
14   That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
15   Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
16   For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive
17   To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,
18   He has borne all things well: and I do think
19   That had he Duncan's sons under his key--
20   As, an't please heaven, he shall not--they
21   should find
22   What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
23   But, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd
24   His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
25   Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell
26   Where he bestows himself?

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

43   Sent he to Macduff?

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

48   And that well might
49   Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance
50   His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
51   Fly to the court of England and unfold
52   His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
53   May soon return to this our suffering country
54   Under a hand accursed!

55   I'll send my prayers with him.