Read Macbeth Online

124 Notes 

punished somewhat sharpelie such as were notorious offend- 
ers, being assailed by a number of rebels inhabiting in that 
countrie, and spoiled of the monie and all other things, had 
much adoo to get awaie with life, after he had received sun- 
drie grievous wounds arn.Qngst them. 

It fortuned as Makbeth and Banquho journied towards 
Fores, where the king then laie, they went sporting by the 
waie togither without other companie, saue onlie themselues, 
passing thorough the woods and fields, when suddenlie in the 
middest of a laund, there met them three women in strange 
and wild apparell, resembling creatures of elder world, 
whome when they attentiuelie beheld, woondering much at 
the sight, the first of them spake and said: All haile Mak- 
beth, thane of Glammis (for he had latelie entered into that 
dignitie and office by the death of his father Sinell.) The sec- 
ond of them said: Haile Makbeth, thane of Cawder. But the 
third said: All Haile Makbeth that heerafter shalt be king of 
Scotland. 

Then Banquo : What manner of women (saith he) are 
you, that seeme so little fauoruable vnto me, whereas to my 
fellow heere, besides high offices, ye assigne also the King 
dome, appointing foorth nothing for me at all? Yes (saith 
the first of them) we promise greater benefits vnto thee, than 
vnto him, for he shall reigne in deed, but with an vnluckie 
end: neither shall he leaue anie issue behind him to suc- 
ceed in his place, where contrarilie thou indeed shalt not 
reigne at all, but of thee those shall be borne which shall 
gouerne the Scotish Kingdome by long order of continuall 
descent. Herewith the foresaid women vanished imme- 
diate out of their sight." 

Date of Composition: The play of Macbeth was written 
not earlier than 1603 nor later than 1610; it was probably 
written in 1606. It was published in the First Folio edition 
of 1623. 

The Duration of the Action of the piece is thought to oc- 
cupy nine days, with intervals of time between the third and