NORTH.
Very. But let us keep to the First Act—and see what a hypocrite Macbeth has so very soon become—what a savage assassin! He has just followed up his Soliloquy with these significant lines—
"Come what come may,
Time and the hour run through the roughest day;"
when he recollects that Banquo, Rosse, and Angus are standing near. Richard himself is not more wily—guily—smily—and oily; to the Lords his condescension is already quite kingly—
"Kind gentlemen, your pains
Are registered where every day I turn
The leaf to read them"—
TALBOYS.
And soon after, to the King how obsequious!
"The service and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itself. Your Highness' part
Is to receive our duties; and our duties
Are to your throne and state, children, and servants;
Which do but what they should by doing everything
Safe toward you love and honour."
What would Payne Knight have said to all that? This to his King, whom he has resolved, first good opportunity, to murder!
NORTH.