there appears an observation inconsistent with what is mentioned in the preceding scene; Macbeth fays, But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives An unsuccessful rebel taken prisoner, as Cawdor must be, by Duncan's sentencing of him to death, could not justly be called prosperous, efpecially by the general who has lately overthrown him, but this is by no means a material lapse; what we find a little further on, shews more strange confufion, when Macbeth observes, that Cawdor lives, and asks, Why do you dress me in his borrow'd robes? - Who was the thane yet lives, It is worthy of remark, that Angus was present when Roffe particularised Cawdor's rebellious conduct to the king, notwithstanding he here expresses such ignorance of the cause of his impeachment. Macbeth's feelings upon this unexpected acquisition, verifying in part the prediction which has been so lately pronounced to him, the dawnings of ambition which break out upon his unconnected meditation, are extremely natural; but his adverting to murther, for obtaining the state of royalty in view | view, shew him much too susceptible of villainous impreffions. There are many circumstances and events to bring about the most unthought of changes in human affairs, wherefore that man who premiditates the worst means at first, must have by nature a deep depravation of heart; and such Macbeth will appear infected with from the whole of that speech which begins " Two truths are told," &c. notwithstanding somewhat like palliation is offered in two or three lines; indeed his conclusion seems to banish what he beautifully stiles fantastical murther; but cannot banish from spectators his barbarous ideas so suddenly conceived; I have dwelt upon this circumstance to strengthen my opinion, that the author meant to draw him a detestable monster, which some critics have rather disputed, allowing him a generous difposition, which we find no instance of; even the confcientious struggles which we shall presently find him engaged with, might arise in the most villainous nature-he who does a bad action precipitately, or without knowing it to be such, may stand in some measure excuseable; but when a man has scrupulously weighed every relative circumstance in the nicest scale of reflection; and after all determines upon what nature, gratitude and justice, would avoid, he must be composed of the worst materials.. To corroborate the general idea of Macbeth's character, which I have here offered, and which will be enlarged upon when we go through the whole piece; let us view him in the very next scene, where after M 2 after a most cordial reception from the king, with unbounded promises of future favours, he is so possessed of his base purpose, that, void of even common gratitude, he replies, upon Duncan's appointing Malcolm prince of Cumberland, The prince of Cumberland! that is a step - From this pafsage it appears, that not content with the fimple idea of regicide, he determines to cut off the whole family, in return for being loaded with honours by royal favour; and at the very instant, when this unfufpecting monarch and friend places himself upon his hospitable reception; if this does not prove Macbeth an exception to the satirist's remark, Nemo repente fuit turpissimus, I do'nt know what can, : Lady Macbeth, and her husband's letter, are judiciously introduced, but fure such sympathetic barbarity was never in nature, as suddenly, on the inftant, breaks out in these words, Glamis thou art and Cawdor-and shalt be What follows accuses Macbeth of a milky softness in his nature, of which he does not seem at all poffefsed; for unsuccessful struggles of confcience cannot justly be called fo; however, that he may not have the whole load of aggravated guilt to bear alone, our author has made this matchless ladyI lament so detestable, though a possible picture of the fair | fair sex-exert uncommon talents of temptation; on hearing of the king's visit, with most unrelenting precipitation of thought, she dooms the royal visitant-Her invocation to spirits of evil influence is worthy of a powerful imagination, and Macbeth's interruptive entrance, extremely well timed, but we must offer some doubt whether the word blanket of the dark, does not convey a low and improper idea. Macbeth's mention of Duncan's approach without making any previous reply to his wife's cordial reception, is a natural effect of what fits nearest his heart; and her coming to the main point at once, is well devised for working him up to her great purpose; her confining the sentiment of murther in less than a line, and warning him to difguise those looks which appear too intelligible, impress us with a strong idea of her policy, as does her second hint of Duncan's death, and promising to take a great part of the dreadful business on herself. The short scene before the castle has nothing material in it, except the following truly poetical remark made by Banquo; - This guest of fummer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve Lady Macbeth's strained compliment to the king has also merit, as being natural, no truth being more certain that treacherous hypocrify ever strives to wear the fairest smiles. more In such a state of guilty perturbation as Macbeth now appears, no mode of expression could be fo fuitable as that of soliloquy; it were to be wished, however, that our great author, pursuing energy, had not in some sentences border'd upon obscurity, especially if we confider those passages as only repeated on the stage, where the ear must inevitably be too quick for conception: in an alteration of this play, which has been often played, there are fome attempts to render the lines I speak of more intelligible, but, like most other paraphrafes, they destroy the effential spirit. The reflection, that if he could but gain ease even in this life, he would jump the life to come, is rather wildly impious; but the inevitable temporal punishment of a confcience loaded with guilt is very well and commendably inculcated; the arguguments for declining the murther are so forceable, that nothing but the most hardened heart, under such conviction, would proceed-Where he perfonifies pity, and mounts her astride on the blast fancy takes a very vigorous flight, nor does exprefsion fall beneath, yet I am afraid they leave propriety behind, the following lines are in my opinion very exceptionable. To prick the fides of my intent, but only |