MACBETH  3.6

		[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:	5
		And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;
		Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
		For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.
		Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
		It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain	10
		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;	15
		For 'twould have anger'd 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	20
		should find
		What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
		But, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd
		His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
		Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell	25
		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	30
		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	35
		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	40
		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,	45
		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, to hold what distance
		His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel	50
		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.	55
		[Exeunt]