Note 45 — SOME ACCOUNT OF MIDDLETON AND HIS WORKS.
Reading edition
See notes, vol. iii. p. 303 and p. 328. It is entitled Macbeth, A Tragædy. With all the Alterations, Amendments, Additions, and New Songs. As it’s now Acted at the Dukes Theatre, 1674. 4to. Of this wretched piece (which probably few readers have seen) I subjoin a specimen.
“An Heath.
Enter Lady Macduff, Maid, and Servant.
La. Macd. Art sure this is the place my Lord appointed
Us to meet him?
Serv. This is the entrance o’ th’ Heath; and here
He order’d me to attend him with the Chariot.”
Presently the Witches are heard singing a great deal of nonsense: part of it runs thus,—
“Ill deeds are seldom slow;
Nor single: following crimes on former wait,
The worst of creatures fastest propagate.
Many more murders must this one ensue,
As if in death were propagation too.” &c. &c.
“Macd. I am glad you are not affraid.
La. Macd. I would not willingly to fear submit:
None can fear ill, but those that merit it.
Macd. Am I made bold by her? how strong a guard
Is innocence! if any one would be
Reputed valiant, let him learn of you;
Vertue both courage is and safety too.
[A dance of witches.
Enter two [three] Witches.
Macd. These seem foul spirits; I’ll speak to ’em.
If you can any thing by more than nature know,
You may in those prodigious times fore-tell
Some ill we may avoid.
1 Witch. Saving thy blond will cause it to be shed.
2 Witch. He’ll bleed by thee, by whom thou first hast bled.
3 Witch. Thy wife shall shunning danger, dangers find,
And fatal be to whom she most is kind.
[Ex. witches.”
Act ii. last scene.