Chapter CXXXIII: Act IV

SC. 1. "Might I but live to see thee in my touch I'd say I had eyes
again."

The proper word of course is _feel_, not 'see'; but the text may be right. We have elsewhere, "I see it feelingly." We might also read _by_ for 'in.'

* * * * *

"Sirrah, _thou_ naked fellow!"

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SC. 2. "It will come _that_ humanity must perforce."

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"With plumed helm thy slayer begins _his_ threats."

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"But _she_ being widow, and my Gloster with her."

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SC. 3. "Ay, sir, she took them, read them in my presence."

The original is _I so_. Theobald made the change.

* * * * *

"Not to a rage; Patience and Sorrow strove."

Pope gave 'strove' for the original _streme_.

* * * * *

"You might have seen
Sunshine and rain at once ... her smiles and tears
Were like it--a better way."

For 'way' Theobald read _May_. Warburton proposed _wetter May_.

* * * * *

"'Tis so they are afoot."

We should, with Warburton, read _said_ not 'so.'

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SC. 6. "Pull off my boots; _pull_ harder, harder; so!"

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"Who by the art of known and feeling sorrow."

We should certainly read _knowing_.

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"Got 'tween the lawful sheets."

We might supply '_were unto me_.'

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"What! with the case of eyes?"

With Rowe I read _this_. Case is pair.

* * * * *

"Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light _one_."

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SC. 7. "Madam _he_ sleeps still."

* * * * *

"Be so good, madam, when we do awake him."

The folio has "Madam, be so good."

* * * * *

"Fourscore and upward [not an hour more or less] and to deal
plainly _with you_."

I agree with the 4tos, and with the more judicious critics, in omitting the bracketted words. (See on Ham. iii. 1. v. 2.) The addition seems requisite.

* * * * *

"To make him even _go_ o'er the time he has lost."

The poet's word may not have been _go_, but a verb is lost. Its place may have been taken by 'even.'

ACT V.

SC. 1. "_Yet_ I am doubtful that you have been conjunct."

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SC. 3. "_But_ if it be man's work I'll do it."

* * * * *

"And Fortune led you well. You have the_m_ captives."

* * * * *

"Make instruments to plague us * * *"

We might add '_in their time_.'

* * * * *

"As he'd burst heaven, threw me on my father."

So all the 4tos--the place is not in the folio. Editors most properly read _him_ for 'me.'

MACBETH.