Page 2158 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

ROSS

Well too.

MACDUFF
The tyrant has not battered at their peace?

ROSS
No. They were well at peace when I did leave ’em.

MACDUFF
Be not a niggard of your speech. How goes’t? [180]

ROSS
When I came hither to transport the tidings

Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour
Of many worthy fellows that were out,
Which was to my belief witnessed the rather
For that I saw the tyrant’s power afoot.
Now it the time of help.

[To Malcolm] Your eye in Scotland
Would create soldiers, make our women fight
To doff their dire distresses.

MALCOLM
Be’t their comfort

We are coming thither. Gracious England hath
Lent us good Seyward and ten thousand men − [190]
An older and a better soldier none
That Christendom gives out.

ROSS
Would I could answer

This comfort with the like. But I have words
That would be howled out in the desert air,
Where hearing should not latch them.

MACDUFF