Mal.
Let's seek a spot where we may pipe our eye,
And in a corner have a jolly cry.

Macd.
Cry? Nonsense! If Macbeth you'd be restraining,
Practice your fisticuffs—go into training,—
Meet him and mill him like a man of metal.

Mal.
Agreed!—together his account we'll settle.
He is a bad 'un.

Macd.
Bad as half-crowns wrought
At Brummagem, or knives of pedlar, bought.

Mal.
Ah! who comes here? My countryman, and yet
I know him not. Enter Rosse L.

Macd.
You surely don't forget
My cousin Rosse? (to Rosse) This sad and downcast eye
Explain, my gentle coz, and say cos why?
Stands Scotland where it did?

Rosse.
Why, scarcely so:
That can't be said to stand which falls so low.

Mal.
I feared as much.

Macd. (to Rosse)
Oh! near relation, you,
Ain't over nice, but very much too true.
What grief's in newest cut?

Rosse
Sir, your expression
Suggests my answer—'tis ‘pain à discretion.’

Macd.
Quiet yet reigns within my private house?

Rosse.
Quiet that would not fright a nervous mouse.

Macd.
My wife and children guarded;

Rosse.
Without doubt,
Uncommon closely—

Macd.
Tell me all—speak out!

Rosse.
Alas! Macbeth, the tyrant of our nation,
Issued but yesterday this proclamation:—
“Considering James Macduff has gone away,
“Which his last quarter's rent he didn't pay,
“And while he thinks himself to roam at large able,
“Has left his family to the parish chargeable;
“Considering each separate why and wherefore,
“Considering everything beside them—therefore,
“To find for such a poser a solution,
“We in his house do put an execution.”

Macd.
And he did put one in?

Rosse.
Aye, in a jiffey.

Macd.
And seized the furniture I thought so spiffy,
My chairs and tables?

Rosse.
Sold up, every stick!

Macd.
My mattrass?

Rosse.
Got his money for your tick.

Macd.
And my American clock, that went so well?

Mal.
Without reserve it seems a regular sell!

Macd.
Where are my wife and children?

Rosse.
Under guard,
Stowed in the Union casual pauper ward.

Macd.
My furniture all gone at one fell swoop.
My wife and children fed on pauper soup,
Lettered and numbered on their several clothes
Like circulating novels?

Mal.
I propose
An early mill to sack him.

Macd.
So we will,
And play the game of more sacks to the mill. Draws his sword and rushes out L., followed by Malcolm and Rosse.

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