THE
PENALTY OF LOYALTY
ACT
FOUR
SCENE
THREE
SUB
ACT FOUR
“I
know that face. He is from our land.” MacDuff smiled.
“He
is dressed like a Highlander but I don’t know him.” Malcolm said, while MacDuff
invited the other over to their table.
“My
always noble kinsman, welcome.” MacDuff took the hand extended. “My prince,
please welcome Ross of Cambria.”
“I
recognize him now. Dear God, may you quickly change the circumstances that keep
us apart!” Malcolm smiled. “Is the Highland as it has been?
“My
prince.” Ross bowed to the other. “Our poor land, indeed! It is almost too
scared to even recognize itself. Our Highlands is no longer our
motherland. Its surroundings are marked by graves, and the welcome we once
gaily offered are people who smile and says they know nothing. There may
be sighs, groans, and shrieks that splits the air, but no one pays attention.”
“It
is better not to get involved, or thy mortal life ends there. Where
violent sorrow is a common emotion. When the funeral bells ring, people no
longer ask who died. They already knew that good men’s lives are shorter
than the time it takes the flowers in their caps to wilt. They die before they
even fall sick.”
“Oh,
your report is too precise and too true!” MacDuff sighed.
“What
is the latest bad news?” Malcolm asked.
“Every
hour brings new bad news. Every minute gives birth to some new bad thing.” Ross
replied.
“How
is my wife?” MacDuff had to ask.
“Oh
…… She is well.”
“And
my child?” MacDuff asked,
“He
is well too.”
“Speak
real, Ross. The tyrant MacBeth has not come after them?” MacDuff was
disbelieving. “Do not be coy with what you are saying. What has happened?”
“I
am unsure. When I left them to leave for safety, they were well. I had arranged
their safety before I left but no words were returned to me. When I was to
here, more news that has weighed me down, I heard rumours that many good men
are armed and moving to fight MacBeth.”
“The
tyrant was in danger of a revolt. I knew the rumours were true when I saw
MacBeth’s army on the move; they were seen marching around. They were at war on
the land. Now is the time when we need your help.” Ross looked at Malcolm. “Your
presence at home would inspire more men …… and women …… to fight against MacBeth’s
tyranny.”
“Women?”
MacDuff was still the rationalist in the gender contribution.
“Let
them be comforted ……… I ……… We are returning to home. Gracious King Edward
has lent us noble Lord Siward and ten thousand soldiers. No soldier is
more experienced or successful than Siward in all of the lands.” Malcolm
assured Ross.
“I
wish I could respond to this good news with good news of my own. But I do
have news that should be howled out into the sky of a barren desert, where
nobody could hear it.” Ross looked at MacDuff. “It just arrived to me before we
meet.”
“What
is the news about? Does it concern everyone, or is it a grief belonging to just
one person?”
“No
honest man could stop himself from sharing in the sorrow, but my news relates
to you alone.” Ross sighed.
“If
it is for me, do not keep it from me. Quickly, tell me.” MacDuff got up and
held his arms towards Ross.
“Cousin,
I hope your ears would not hate my tongue forever for saying these things, the
saddest news they have ever heard.” Ross had tears in his eyes.
“Oh
no! I can guess what you are going to say.” MacDuff sat himself back.
“Your
castle was ambushed. Your wife and children were savagely slaughtered. If
I described their murders, it would kill you too, and add your body to the
pile.” Ross cried out. “I just got to know just now. Merciful heaven!”
“Come,
man, do not hide your grief. Put your sorrow into words. A grief that
hides in silence will whisper in your heart and break it.” Malcolm comforted
the other. “I had my father done the same, and I had grief.”
“My
child too?”
“Beryl,
your son, and your servants …… everyone they could find.”
“Take
comfort. Let us make a medicine out of revenge to ease your dreadful grief.”
Malcolm tried to assure the grieving man.
“He
does not have any children. My son? The others too? Oh, hawk from hell! All of
them? What, all these children and their mother killed in one deadly
swoop?”
“Fight
it like a man.” Malcolm called up.
“I
will do that. But I must also feel it like a man.” MacDuff said. “I cannot help
remembering those things that were most precious to me.”
“Did
heaven just watch my family die, and refuse to help them?” MacDuff looked to
the top of him. “Sinful Macduff, they were killed because of you! As
wicked as I am, they were slaughtered not because of their own flaws, but
because of mine. I should had taken with me. May they rest in heaven now.”
“Let
all this sharpen your sword. Let grief become anger. Do not hold back your
heart. Let it rage.” Malcolm was fighting the rage in him.
“Oh,
I could weep like a woman while bragging about taking revenge!” MacDuff tears
flowed then. “But, gentle heavens, cut short any delay. Bring me face to
face with the devil of my land, so that he’s within reach of my sword. If
he escapes, may heaven forego him there. He deserved Hell as his place!”
“Now
you sound like a man. Come, we will go see King Edward.” Malcolm rallied his
own men. “Our army is ready, and we can leave once we get King Edward's
permission. MacBeth is ripe for the taking, with the powers above are
armed and on our side. Take heart, as much as you can. A new day will
dawn.”
“Aye.”
MacDuff uttered.
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