Page:Macbeth (1918) Yale.djvu/46

34

And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,

But shift away: there's warrant in that theft

Which steals itself when there's no mercy left.

Exeunt.

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. Ah! good father,

Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,

Threatens his bloody stage: by the 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 hawk'd at and kill'd.

Ross. And Duncan's horses,—a thing most strange and certain,—

Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,

Turn'd 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.

 151 dainty: formal

152 shift: steal  4 trifled: made trifles of

7 travelling lamp: sun

8 predominance: supremacy

12 towering: circling upward

pride of place: highest elevation

