Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 4

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.

I can clearly remember seventy years, and in all that stretch of time I have seen dreadful hours and strange things, but this terrible night has made everything I knew before seem trivial.

Ha, 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?

Ah, good father, you see how the heavens, as if disturbed by what man has done, threaten his bloody stage. By the clock it is daytime, and yet dark night is strangling the travelling lamp. Is it night's dominance, or the day's shame, that makes darkness bury the face of the earth when living light should be kissing it?

’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.

It is unnatural, just like the deed that has been done. Last Tuesday a falcon, soaring at the height of her pride, was attacked and killed by an owl that hunts mice.

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.

And Duncan's horses — a thing most strange, and certain — beautiful and swift, the finest of their breed, turned wild in their nature, broke out of their stalls, and burst free, fighting against all obedience, as if they meant to make war on mankind.

’Tis said they eat each other.

They say they ate each other.

They did so; to the amazement of mine eyes, That look’d upon’t. Here comes the good Macduff.

They did, to the astonishment of my own eyes, which watched it. Here comes the good Macduff.

How goes the world, sir, now?

How are things in the world now, sir?

Why, see you not?

Why, can't you see for yourself?

Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?

Is it known who did this more than bloody deed?

Those that Macbeth hath slain.

The men Macbeth has killed.

Alas, the day! What good could they pretend?

What a dreadful day! What advantage could they have hoped for?

They were suborn’d. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons, Are stol’n away and fled; which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed.

They were bribed to do it. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's two sons, have slipped away and fled, which casts suspicion of the deed on them.

’Gainst nature still: Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own life’s means!—Then ’tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.

Still against nature: wasteful ambition, that will devour the very means of your own life! Then it is most likely that the kingship will pass to Macbeth.

He is already nam’d; and gone to Scone To be invested.

He has already been named king, and has gone to Scone to be installed.

Where is Duncan’s body?

Where is Duncan's body?

Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones.

Carried to Colmekill, the sacred storehouse of his ancestors, and the guardian of their bones.

Will you to Scone?

Are you going to Scone?

No, cousin, I’ll to Fife.

No, cousin, I'm going to Fife.

Well, I will thither.

Well, I will go there.

Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu! Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

Well, may you see things done properly there. Goodbye! In case our old robes fit us more comfortably than our new ones!

Farewell, father.

Goodbye, father.

God’s benison go with you; and with those That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

God's blessing go with you, and with those who would make good out of bad, and friends out of enemies!