There are two French plays on the subject, one entitled Le Chien de Montargis, and the other Le Chien d’Aubry. The former of these has been adapted to the English stage. Dragon was called Chien de Montargis, because the assassination took place near this castle, and was depicted in the great hall over the chimney-piece.
In the English drama, the sash of the murdered man is found in the possession of Lieutenant Macaire, and is recognized by Ursula, who worked the sword-knot, and gave it to Captain Aubri, who was her sweetheart. Macaire then confessed the crime. His accomplice, Lieutenant Landry, trying to escape, was seized by the dog, Dragon, and bitten to death.
Macaire (Robert), a cant name for a Frenchman.
MacAlpine (Jeanie), landlady of the Clachan of Aberfoyle.—Sir W. Scott, Rob Roy (time, George I.).
Macamut, a sultan of Cambaya, who lived so much upon poison that his very breath and touch were fatal.—Purchas, Pilgrimage (1613).
MacAnaleister (Eachin), a follower of Rob Roy.—Sir W. Scott, Rob Roy (time, George I.).
Macare (2 syl.), the impersonation of good temper.—Voltaire, Thelème and Macare (an allegory).
Macaulay (Angus), a Highland chief in the army of the earl of Montrose.
Allan Macaulay, or “Allan of the Red Hand,” brother of Angus. Allan is “a seer,” and is in love with Annot Lyle. He stabs the earl of Menteith on the eve of his marriage, out of jealousy, but the earl recovers and marries Annot Lyle.—Sir W. Scott, Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).
Macbeth, son of Sinel, thane of Glamis, and grandson of Malcolm II., by his second daughter; the elder daughter married Crynin, father of Duncan, who succeded his grandfather on the throne. Hence, King Duncan and Macbeth were cousins. Duncan, staying as a guest with Macbeth, at the Castle of Inverness (1040), was murdered by his host, who then usurped the crown. The battle which Macbeth had just won was this: Sueno, king of Norway, had landed with an army in Fife for the purpose of invading Scotland; Macbeth and Banquo were sent against him, and defeated him with such loss that only ten men of all his army escaped alive. Macbeth was promised by the witches (1) that none of woman born should kill him, and (2) that he should not die till Burham Wood removed to Dunsinane. He was slain in battle by Macduff, who was “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped;” and as for the moving wood, the soldiers of Macduff, in their march to Dunsinane, were commanded to carry boughs of the forest before them to conceal their numbers.