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86

Macbeth [Act IV 



The Third 
Murder Scene 



Scene II. Fife. Macduff's castle 
Enter Lady Macduff, her Son, and Ross 

Lady Macduff. What had he done, to make him 
fly the land? 

Ross. You must have patience, madam. 

Lady Macduff, 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, 

Lady Macduff. 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, 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. 

I pray you, school yourself : but, for your husband, 
He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows 
The fits o' the season. I dare not speak much 
further ;