Come, go with us; we'll look to that anon: [Exeunt Antipholus S. and E. Adr. and Luc. Dro. E. Methinks, you are my glass, and not my brother: I see by you, I am a sweet-fac'd youth. Dro. E. That's a question: how shall we try it? Dro. S. We will draw cuts for the senior: till then, lead thou first. Dro. E. Nay, then thus: We came into the world, like brother and brother; And now let's go hand in hand, not one before another. [Exeunt. On a careful revision of the foregoing scenes, I do not hesitate to pronounce them the composition of two very unequal writers. Shakspeare had undoubtedly a share in them; but that the entire play was no work of his, is an opinion which (as Benedick says) 'fire cannot melt out of me; I will die in it at the stake.' Thus, as we are informed by Aulus Gellius, Lib. III. Cap. 3. some plays were absolutely ascribed to Plautus, which in truth had only been (retractatæ et expolita) retouched and polished by him. In this comedy we find more intricacy of plot, than distinction of character; and our attention is less forcibly engaged, because we can guess in great measure how the denouement will be brought about. Yet the subject appears to have been reluctantly dismissed, even in this last and unnecessary scene; where the same mistakes are continued, till their power of affording entertainment is entirely lost.-STEEVENS. Fleance, son to Banquo. Siward, earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces: Young Siward, his son. Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth. Son to Macduff. An English Doctor. A Scotch Doctor. A Soldier. A Porter. An old Man. Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers. The Ghost of Banquo, and several other Apparitions. Scene, in the end of the fourth act, lies in England; through the rest of the play, in Scotland; and, chiefly, at Macbeth's castle. MACBETH. ACT I. SCENE I.-An open place. Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches. 1 Witch. WHEN shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? 2 Witch. When the hurlyburly's* done, When the battle's lost and won. 3 Witch. That will be ere set of sun. 1 Witch. Where the place? 2 Witch. Upon the heath: 3 Witch. There to meet with Macbeth. 1 Witch. I come, Graymalkin! All. Paddock calls:-Anon. Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. SCENE II. [Witches vanish. Alarum within. A Camp near Fores. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lenox, with attendants, meeting a bleeding Soldier. Dun. What bloody man is that? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt The newest state. * Tumult. This is the sergeant, Mal. Sold. Doubtfully 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 Carv'd out his passage, till he fac'd the slave; Dun. O, valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! Sold. As whence the sun 'gins his reflection Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break So from that spring, whence comfort seem'd to come, ; Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark: Compell'd these skipping Kernes to trust their heels, Dun. Dismay'd not this Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo ? Sold. Yes; As sparrows, eagles; or the hare, the lion. say sooth §, I must report they were If I + Cause. i. e. Supplied with light and heavy armed troops. |