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- William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act IV, Scene II
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Scene IIFife. Macduff’s castleEnter Lady Macduff, her Son, and RossLady MacduffWhat had he done, to make him fly the land?RossYou must have patience, madam.Lady MacduffHe had none: His flight was madness: when our actions do not, Our fears do make us traitors.RossYou know not Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.Lady MacduffWisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes, His mansion and his titles in a place From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren, The most diminutive of birds, will fight, Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. All is the fear and nothing is the love; As little is the wisdom, where the flight So runs against all reason.RossMy dearest coz, I pray you, school yourself: but for your husband, He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o’ the season. I dare not speak much further; But cruel are the times, when we are traitors And do not know ourselves, when we hold rumour From what we fear, yet know not what we fear, But float upon a wild and violent sea Each way and move. I take my leave of you: Shall not be long but I’ll be here again: Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward To what they were before. My pretty cousin, Blessing upon you!Lady MacduffFather’d he is, and yet he’s fatherless.RossI am so much a fool, should I stay longer, It would be my disgrace and your discomfort: I take my leave at once.ExitLady MacduffSirrah, your father’s dead; And what will you do now? How will you live?SonAs birds do, mother.Lady MacduffWhat, with worms and flies?SonWith what I get, I mean; and so do they.Lady MacduffPoor bird! thou’ldst never fear the net nor lime, The pitfall nor the gin.SonWhy should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for. My father is not dead, for all your saying.Lady MacduffYes, he is dead; how wilt thou do for a father?SonNay, how will you do for a husband?Lady MacduffWhy, I can buy me twenty at any market.SonThen you’ll buy ’em to sell again.Lady MacduffThou speak’st with all thy wit: and yet, i’ faith, With wit enough for thee.SonWas my father a traitor, mother?Lady MacduffAy, that he was.SonWhat is a traitor?Lady MacduffWhy, one that swears and lies.SonAnd be all traitors that do so?Lady MacduffEvery one that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged.SonAnd must they all be hanged that swear and lie?Lady MacduffEvery one.SonWho must hang them?Lady MacduffWhy, the honest men.SonThen the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang up them.Lady MacduffNow, God help thee, poor monkey! But how wilt thou do for a father?SonIf he were dead, you’ld weep for him: if you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father.Lady MacduffPoor prattler, how thou talk’st!Enter a MessengerMessengerBless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: If you will take a homely man’s advice, Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage; To do worse to you were fell cruelty, Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer.ExitLady MacduffWhither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world; where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence, To say I have done no harm?Enter MurderersWhat are these faces?First MurdererWhere is your husband?Lady MacduffI hope, in no place so unsanctified Where such as thou mayst find him.First MurdererHe’s a traitor.SonThou liest, thou shag-hair’d villain!First MurdererWhat, you egg!Stabbing himYoung fry of treachery!SonHe has kill’d me, mother: Run away, I pray you! [Dies]Exit Lady Macduff, crying ‘Murder!’ Exeunt Murderers, following her
William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act IV
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William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act III, Scene IV
- William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Act III, Scene IV
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
