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 remember seventy years clearly, 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 old man, you see how the heavens, as if disturbed by what men have done, threaten this bloody stage of theirs. By the clock it is daytime, and yet dark night is choking the travelling lamp of the sun. Is it night's dominance, or the day's shame, that darkness buries 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 against nature, just like the deed that has been done. Last Tuesday a falcon, soaring at the height of her circling, was attacked and killed by an owl that usually 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 yet certain — beautiful and swift, the finest of their breed, turned wild, broke out of their stalls and burst free, refusing to be controlled, as if they meant to make war on mankind.

’Tis said they eat each other.

They say the horses 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 going 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 committed this more than bloody deed?

Those that Macbeth hath slain.

The men Macbeth killed.

Alas, the day! What good could they pretend?

What a terrible day! What advantage could they hope to gain?

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 throws the 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 source of its 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 crowned.

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 holy vault of the kings before him, and the keeper 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, I hope you see things done properly there. Goodbye! In case our old robes fit us more comfortably than our new ones!

Farewell, father.

Goodbye, old man.

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 turn bad into good, and enemies into friends.