Macbeth is a brave man--so is Banquo--so are we Four, brave men--they in their way and day--we in ours--they as Celts and Soldiers--we as Saxons and Civilians--and we had all need to be so--for hark! in the midst of ours, "Thunder and Lightning, and enter Three Witches." BULLER. I cannot say that I understand distinctly their first Confabulation. NORTH. That's a pity. A sensible man like you should understand everything. But what if Shakspeare himself did not distinctly understand it? There may have been original errata in the report, as extended by himself from notes taken in short-hand on the spot--light bad--noise worse--voices of Weird Sisters worst--matter obscure--manner uncouth--why really, Buller, all things considered, Shakspeare has shown himself a very pretty Penny-a-liner. BULLER. I cry you mercy, sir. SEWARD. _Where_ are the Witches on their first appearance, at the very opening of the wonderful Tragedy? NORTH. An open Place, with thunder and lightning. SEWARD. I know that--the words are written down. NORTH. Somewhere or other--anywhere--nowhere. BULLER. In Fife or Forfar? Or some one or other of your outlandish, or inlandish, Lowland or Highland Counties? NORTH. Not knowing, can't say. Probably. SEWARD "When the Hurly Burly's done, When the Battle's lost and won." What Hurly Burly? What Battle? That in which Macbeth is then engaged? And which is to be brought to issue ere "set of sun" of the day on which "enter Three Witches?" NORTH. Let it be so. SEWARD. "Upon the heath, There to meet with Macbeth." The Witches, then, are to meet with Macbeth on the heath on the Evening of the Battle? NORTH. It would seem so. SEWARD. They are "posters over sea and land"--and, like whiffs of lightning, can outsail and outride the sound of thunder. But Macbeth and Banquo must have had on their seven-league boots. NORTH. They must. SEWARD. "A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come." Was he with the advanced guard of the Army? NORTH.