PLATES.

MACBETH.

THE Witches are so intimately connected with most of MACBETH's actions, that it is supposed no apology is necessary for their frequent introduction in these designs. They appear to be watching over their scheme "to draw him on to his confusion." They attend to witness the accomplishment of their prophecies; they "marshal him the way" to murder DUNCAN; they, as it were, preside over the various crimes perpetrated in the attainment of MACBETH'S ambitious desires; and they exult in his destruction by MACDUFF,

"Of no woman born."

I.

"1ST WITCH. When shall we three meet again,

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

2D W. When the hurly-burly's done,

When the battle 's lost and won.

3D W. That will be ere set of sun.

II.

MACBETH and BANQUO meet the Witches.

"1ST W. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis !

2D W. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

3D W.

All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.

1ST W.

2D W.

3D W.

So all hail,

1ST W.

Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

Not so happy, yet much happier.

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:
Macbeth and Banquo!

Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

MACB. Stay, ye imperfect speakers, tell me more :
By Sinel's death, I know I am thane of Glamis;
But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king,
Stands not within the prospect of belief,

No more than to be Cawdor.

III.

DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENOX, and Attendants. Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSSE, and ANGUS.

"DUN. My worthy Cawdor."

"BAN. What, can the devil speak true?

ACT I. S. 4.

"A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd."

ACT II. S. 4.

v.

LADY MACBETH receiving DUNCAN, &c. at the Castle-gate.

"DUN. See, see! our honour'd hostess!

The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,

Which still we thank as love.

LADY M.

All our service,

In every point twice done, and then done double,
Were poor and single business, to contend
Against those honours, deep and broad, wherewith
Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,
And the late dignities heap'd up to them,

We rest your hermits.

DUN.

Where's the thane of Cawdor?

We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose

To be his purveyor: but he rides well;

And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him

To his home before us: fair and noble hostess,

We are your guest to-night."

ACT I. S. 6.

VI.

MACBETH about to murder DUNCAN.

"MACB. There's one did laugh in his sleep, and one cried, murder!

That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them.

One cried, God bless us! and amen the other,
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.

Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep!

Still it cried, Sleep no more, to all the house," &c. &c.

ACT II. S. 2.

LADY M. Why did you bring these daggers from the place?

They must lie there: go carry them, and smear

The sleepy grooms with blood.

MACB.

I'll go no more.

I am afraid to think what I have done :

Look on 't again, I dare not.

LADY M.

Infirm of purpose!

Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures; 'tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal,

For it must seem their guilt."

ACT II. S. 2.

VIII.

MACBETH and LENOX accusing the Grooms of the murder of DUNCAN.

"LEN. Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't:

Their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood,

So were their daggers, which, unwiped, we found

Upon their pillows:

They stared, and were distracted; no man's life
Was to be trusted with them.

MACB. O, yet I do repent me of my fury,

That I did kill them.

Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious,

Loyal and neutral, in a moment?

No man," &c.

ACT II. S. 3.