He had a week or two before committed a first-rate murder, Duncan's--that night he had, by hired hands, got a second-rate job done, Banquo's--and the day following he gave orders for a bloody business on a more extended scale, the Macduffs. But nothing here the least like Rosse's, or Macduff's, or Malcolm's Picture of Scotland--during those few weeks. For Shakspeare forgot what the true time was--his own time--_the short time_; and introduced _long time at the same time_--why, he himself no doubt knew--and you no doubt, Talboys, know also--and will you have the goodness to tell the "why" to the Tent? TALBOYS. In ten minutes. Are you done? NORTH. Not quite. Meanwhile--Two Clocks are going at once--which of the two gives the true time of Day? BULLER. Short and apt. Go on, Sir. NORTH. I call that an ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY. Macduff speaks as if he knew that Scotland had been for ever so long desolated by the Tyrant--and yet till Rosse told him, never had he heard of the Murder of his own Wife! Here Shakspeare either forgot himself wholly, and the short time he had himself assigned--or, with his eyes open, forced in the _long time_ upon the _short_--in wilful violation of possibility! All silent? TALBOYS. After supper--you shall be answered. NORTH. Not by any man now sitting here--or elsewhere. TALBOYS. That remains to be heard. NORTH. Pray, Talboys, explain to me _this_. The Banquet scene breaks up in most admired disorder--"stand not upon the order of your going--but go at once,"--quoth the Queen. The King, in a state of great excitement, says to her-- "I will to-morrow, (Betimes I will,) unto the weird sisters: More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, By the worst means, the worst: for mine own good, All causes shall give way; I am in blood Stept in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." One might have thought not quite so tedious; as yet he had murdered only Duncan and his grooms, and to-night Banquo. Well, he does go "to-morrow and by times" to the Cave. "_Witch._--By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes: Open, locks, whoever knocks. _Macbeth._--How now, you secret, Black, and midnight Hags?" It is a "dark Cave"--dark at all times--and now "by times" of the morning! Now--observe--Lenox goes along with Macbeth--on such occasions 'tis natural to wish "one of ourselves" to be at hand. And Lenox had been at the Banquet. Had he gone to bed after that strange Supper? No doubt, for an hour or two--like the rest of "the Family." But whether he went to bed or not, _then and there_ he and another Lord had a confidential and miraculous conversation. TALBOYS. Miraculous! What's miraculous about it? NORTH. Lenox says to the other Lord--