III.ii.38 (467,1) nature's copy's not eternal] The _copy_, the _lease_, by which they hold their lives from nature, has its time of termination limited. III.iii.1 (469,6) But who did bid thee join with us?] The meaning of this abrupt dialogue is this. The _perfect spy_, mentioned by Macbeth in the foregoing scene, has, before they enter upon the stage, given them the directions which were promised at the time of their agreement; yet one of the murderers suborned suspects him of intending to betray them; the other observes, that, by his exact knowledge of _what they were to do_, he appears to be employed by Macbeth, and needs not be mistrusted. III.iv.1 (470,9) You know your own degrees, sit down: at first,/And last the hearty welcome] As this passage stands [sit down:/At first and last], not only the numbers are very imperfect, but the sense, if any can be found, weak and contemptible. The numbers will be improved by reading, --_sit down at first, And last a hearty welcome_. But for _last_ should then be written _next_. I believe the true reading is, _You know your own degrees, sit down_.--_To first And last the hearty welcome_. All of whatever degree, from the highest to the lowest, may be assured that their visit is well received. III.iv.14 (471,1) 'Tis better thee without, than he within] The sense requires that this passage should be read thus: _'Tis better_ thee _without, than_ him _within_. That is, _I am better pleased that the blood of Banquo should be on thy face than in his body_. The authour might mean, _It is better that Banquo's blood were on thy face, than_ he _in this room_. Expressions thus imperfect are common in his works. III.iv.33 (472,2) the feast is sold] The meaning is,--That which ia not _given cheerfully_, cannot be called a _gift_, it is something that must be paid for. (1773) III.iv.57 (473,3) extend his passion] Prolong his suffering; make his fit longer. III.iv.60 (473,4) O proper stuff!] This speech is rather too long for the circumstances in which it is spoken. It had begun better at, _Shame itself_! III.iv.63 (473,5) Oh, these flaws, and starts, (Impostors to true fear,) would well become A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authoriz'd by her grandam] _Flaws_, are _sudden gusts_. The authour perhaps wrote, --_Those flaws and starts_, Impostures true to fear _would well become_; _A woman's story_,-- These symptoms of terrour and amazement might better become _impostures true_ only _to fear, might become a coward at the recital of such falsehoods as no man could credit, whose understanding was not weaken'd by his terrours; tales told by a woman over a fire on the authority of her grandam_. III.iv.76 (474,6) Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal] The _gentle weal_, is, the _peaceable community_, the state made quiet and safe by _human statutes_. _Mollia securae peragebant otia gentes_.