Ser. Doubtful it stood;[3687]
As two spent swimmers, that do cling together[3688]
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald—[3689]
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that 10
The multiplying villanies of nature[3690]
Do swarm upon him—from the western isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;[3691]
And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,[3692]
Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:[3693] 15
For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,[3694]
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like valour's minion carved out his passage[3695][3696]
Till he faced the slave;[3695][3697] 20
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,[3698]
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,[3699]
And fix'd his head upon our battlements.
Dun. O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!
Ser. As whence the sun 'gins his reflection[3700] 25
Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,[3701]
So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come
Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark:[3702]
No sooner justice had, with valour arm'd,
Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels,[3703] 30
But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage,
With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men,[3704]
Began a fresh assault.
Dun. Dismay'd not this[3705]
Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?[3705][3706]
Ser. Yes;[3707]
As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.[3707] 35
If I say sooth, I must report they were
As cannons overcharged with double cracks;[3708]
So they[3709]
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:[3710]
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,[3711] 40
Or memorize another Golgotha,
I cannot tell—[3712][3713]
But I am faint; my gashes cry for help.[3712]
Dun. So well thy words become thee as thy wounds;[3714]
They smack of honour both. Go get him surgeons.[3715] 45
[Exit Sergeant, attended.
Who comes here?[3716]
Enter Ross.
Mal. The worthy thane of Ross.