PREFACE. A FEW words as to some features of this arrangement of Macbeth, especially as to those in which certain points, that have been or may be the subject of much dispute, are concerned. First, as to the music. When this tragedy was represented at the Lyceum in 1875, Locke's music was omitted altogether, including his setting of the two songs, "Come away," and "Black Spirits and White." The introduction of this music into Shakespeare's tragedy has been the subject of much animadversion from critics any time during the last hundred years or more; but, as far as regards the two songs mentioned, we find these clearly indicated in the First Folio edition of Shakespeare's works (1623). In Act III., Scene 5, at the end of Hecate's speech, after the line "Is mortals' chiefest enemy," we find "Musicke, and a Song," and two lines further on the stage direction is “Sing within—' Come away, come away,' &c.,;" and in Act IV., Scene 1, after the last line in Hecate's speech, Inchanting all that you put in," we find "Musicke and a Song- Blacke Spirits,' &c.;" and later on in the same scene, when the Witches go off, we have “Musicke. The Witches dance, and vanish." It is difficult to believe that these musical features and songs were introduced into the play without the sanction of Shakespeare. (RECAP) 36 3925 126 793618 |