Synthesized answer
According to the sergeant, the state of the revolt was "doubtful." It was like "two spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art" [1]. The rebel Macdonwald, supplied with forces from the Western Isles, was aided by Fortune, who smiled on his "damned quarrel" as if she were a "rebel’s whore" [1]. However, Macbeth's actions proved too strong for this opposition.
After the initial rebellion was quelled, the Norwegian lord, seeing an opportunity, launched a fresh assault with new supplies and men [2]. Despite these challenges, Macbeth and Banquo fought fiercely, described as being like "cannons overcharg’d with double cracks" [2]. The sergeant, wounded and faint, could only report that he was "faint, my gashes cry for help" [2].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
As thou didst leave it. SOLDIER. Doubtful it stood; As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald (Worthy to be a rebel, for to that The multiplying villainies of nature Do swarm upon him) from the Western Isles Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; And Fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, Show’d like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak; For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish’d steel, Which smok’d with bloody execution, Like Valour’s minion, carv’d out his passage, Till he fac’d the…
Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, So from that spring, whence comfort seem’d to come Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark: No sooner justice had, with valour arm’d, Compell’d these skipping kerns to trust their heels, But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, With furbish’d arms and new supplies of men, Began a fresh assault. DUNCAN. Dismay’d not this Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo? SOLDIER. Yes; As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. If I say sooth, I must report they were As cannons overcharg’d with double cracks; So they Doubly redoubled strokes…
in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would make War with mankind. OLD MAN. ’Tis said they eat each other. ROSS. They did so; to the amazement of mine eyes, That look’d upon’t. Here comes the good Macduff. Enter Macduff. How goes the world, sir, now? MACDUFF. Why, see you not? ROSS. Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed? MACDUFF. Those that Macbeth hath slain. ROSS. Alas, the day! What good could they pretend? MACDUFF. They were suborn’d. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons, Are stol’n away and fled; which puts upon them Suspicion…
im, Do call it valiant fury: but, for certain, He cannot buckle his distemper’d cause Within the belt of rule. ANGUS. Now does he feel His secret murders sticking on his hands; Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach; Those he commands move only in command, Nothing in love: now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe Upon a dwarfish thief. MENTEITH. Who, then, shall blame His pester’d senses to recoil and start, When all that is within him does condemn Itself for being there? CAITHNESS. Well, march we on, To give obedience where ’tis truly…
angers! ROSS. Sir, amen. MACDUFF. Stands Scotland where it did? ROSS. Alas, poor country, Almost afraid to know itself! It cannot Be call’d our mother, but our grave, where nothing, But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; Where sighs, and groans, and shrieks, that rent the air, Are made, not mark’d; where violent sorrow seems A modern ecstasy. The dead man’s knell Is there scarce ask’d for who; and good men’s lives Expire before the flowers in their caps, Dying or ere they sicken. MACDUFF. O, relation Too nice, and yet too true! MALCOLM. What’s the newest grief? ROSS. That of…