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16 Macbeth [Act I 

Sergeant. Yes; 

As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. 
If I say sooth, I must report they were 
As cannons overcharged with double cracks; so 

they 
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe : 
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, 
Or memorize another Golgotha, 40 

I cannot tell — 
But I am faint; my gashes cry for help. 

Duncan. So well thy words become thee as thy 
wounds ; 
They smack of honour both. Go get him sur- 
geons. [Exit Sergeant, attended. 
Who comes here ? 

Enter Ross and Angus 

Malcolm. The worthy thane of Ross. 

Lennox. What a haste looks through his eyes! 
So should he look- 
That seems to speak things strange. 

Ross. God save the king ! 

Duncan. Whence earnest thou, worthy thane? 

Ross. From Fife, great king; 

Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky 
And fan our people cold. 
Norway himself with terrible numbers, 
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor 
The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict ; 
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,