Act 1 Scene 2
SERGEANT As whence the sun 'gins his reflection Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break, So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come Discomfort swells.18
Mark, king of Scotland, mark: 30
No sooner justice had, with valour armed, Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels,19 But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage, With furbished arms and new supplies of men Began a fresh assault.20
DUNCAN Dismayed not this
Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo? SERGEANT
Yes – 40
As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.21 If I say sooth, I must report they were As cannons overcharged with double cracks,22 So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or memorise another Golgotha,23 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 surgeons. [Exit SERGEANT, attended] Who comes here? [Enter ROSS]
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 camest thou, worthy thane?
ROSS From Fife, great King; Where the Norweyan banners flout24 the sky 8 24 flout: flaunt/mock 8 22 21
As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion: As much as sparrows scare eagles or hares scare lions. The sergeant is being deliberately ironic here.
As cannons…cracks: like cannons charged with twice the normal amount of gunpowder
23
Golgotha: Calvary, the site of Christ’s crucifixion
19 20 18
Macbeth
As whence…Discomfort swells: Just like storms can come from the same direction as the rising sun, new threats can appear on the horizon when safety seems certain.
No sooner…their heels: No sooner had justice bravely forced the foot soldiers to retreat
But the Norweyan…fresh assault: than the Norwegian King saw the opportunity to launch a fresh attack
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