Act 4 — Scene II. Fife. Macduff's castle.[4386]

L. Macd. What had he done, to make him fly the land?[4388] Ross. You must have patience, madam. L. Macd. He had none: His flight was madness: when our actions do not, Our fears do make us traitors. Ross. You know not Whether it was his wisdom or his fear. 5 L. Macd. Wisdom! 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,[4389] 10 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. Ross. My dearest coz,[4390] I pray you, school yourself: but, for your husband, 15 He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows[4391] The fits o' the season. I dare not speak much further:[4392] But cruel are the times, when we are traitors And do not know ourselves; when we hold rumour[4393][4394] From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,[4394] 20 But float upon a wild and violent sea[4395] Each way and move. I take my leave of you:[4396] Shall not be long but I'll be here again:[4397] Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward To what they were before. My pretty cousin, 25 Blessing upon you![4398] L. Macd. Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless.[4398][4399] Ross. I am so much a fool, should I stay longer,[4398] It would be my disgrace and your discomfort:[4398] I take my leave at once.[4398] [Exit. L. Macd. Sirrah, your father's dead:[4400] 30 And what will you do now? How will you live? Son. As birds do, mother. L. Macd. What, with worms and flies?[4401] Son. With what I get, I mean; and so do they.[4402] L. Macd. Poor bird! thou'ldst never fear the net nor lime,[4403] The pitfall nor the gin.[4404] 35 Son. Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for.[4404][4405] My father is not dead, for all your saying.[4404][4406] L. Macd. Yes, he is dead: how wilt thou do for a father?[4404][4407] Son. Nay, how will you do for a husband?[4404] L. Macd. Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.[4404] 40 Son. Then you'll buy 'em to sell again.[4404][4408] L. Macd. Thou speak'st with all thy wit, and yet, i' faith,[4404][4409][4410] With wit enough for thee.[4404][4410] Son. Was my father a traitor, mother? L. Macd. Ay, that he was. 45 Son. What is a traitor? L. Macd. Why, one that swears and lies. Son. And be all traitors that do so?[4411] L. Macd. Every one that does so is a traitor, and must[4412] be hang'd.[4412] 50 Son. And must they all be hang'd that swear and lie? L. Macd. Every one. Son. Who must hang them? L. Macd. Why, the honest men.[4413] Son. Then the liars and swearers are fools; for there 55 are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and[4414] hang up them. L. Macd. Now, God help thee, poor monkey! But how[4415][4416] wilt thou do for a father?[4416] Son. If he were dead, you'd weep for him: if you would 60 not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father. L. Macd. Poor prattler, how thou talk'st![4417]

Mess. Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. 65 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.[4418] To fright you thus, methinks I am too savage;[4418] To do worse to you were fell cruelty,[4419] 70 Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer. [Exit.[4420] L. Macd. Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now[4421] I am in this earthly world, where to do harm[4422] Is often laudable, to do good sometime 75 Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence, To say I have done no harm?—What are these faces?[4423]

First Mur. Where is your husband?[4424] L. Macd. I hope, in no place so unsanctified 80 Where such as thou mayst find him. First Mur. He's a traitor. Son. Thou liest, thou shag-ear'd villain![4425] First Mur. What, you egg!

Young fry of treachery! Son. He has kill'd me, mother:[4426] Run away, I pray you![4427] [Dies.