IV.i.113 (493,6) Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls] The expression of Macbeth, that the _crown_ sears _his_ eye-balls, is taken from the method formerly practised of destroying the sight of captives or competitors, by holding a burning bason before the eye, which dried up its humidity. Whence the Italian, _abacinare_, to _blind_. IV.i.113 (493,7) And thy air,/Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first:--/A third is like the former] In former editions, --_and thy_ hair, _Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first_:-- _A third is like the former_:-- As Macbeth expected to see a train of kings, and was only enquiring from what race they would proceed, he could not be surprised that the _hair_ of the second was _bound with gold_ like that of the first; he was offended only that the second resembled the first, as the first resembled Banquo, and therefore said, --_and thy_ air, _Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first_. This Dr. Warburton has followed. IV.i.144 (495,2) Time, thou anticipat'st my dread exploits] To _anticipate_ is here to _prevent_, by taking away the opportunity. IV.ii.9 (496,3) He wants the natural touch] Natural sensibility. He is not touched with natural affection. IV.ii.71 (498,7) To do worse to you, were fell cruelty] To do _worse_ is, to let her and her children be destroyed without warning. IV.iii.2 (500,9) Let us rather/Hold fast the mortal sword; and, like good men,/ Bestride our down-faln birthdom] In former editions, _Let us rather Hold fast the mortal sword; and, like good men, Bestride our_ downfal birthdoom.--] He who can discover what is meant by him that earnestly exhorts him to _bestride_ his _downfal birth-doom_, is at liberty to adhere to the present text; but it is probable that Shakespeare wrote, --_like good men, Bestride our_ downfaln birthdom-- The allusion is to a man from whom something valuable is about to be taken by violence, and who, that he may defend it without incombrance, lays it on the ground, and stands over it with his weapon in his hand. Our birthdom, or birthright, says he, lies on the ground, let us, like men who are to fight for what is dearest to them, not abandon it, but stand over it and defend it. This is a strong picture of obstinate resolution. So Falstaff says to Hal. _When I am down, if thou wilt_ bestride me, _so_. _Birthdom_ for _birthright_ is formed by the same analogy with _masterdom_ in this play, signifying the _privileges_ or _rights_ of a _master_. Perhaps it might be _birth-dame_ for _mother_; let us stand over our _mother_ that lies bleeding on the ground. IV.iii.19 (501,4) A good and virtuous nature may recoil/In an imperial charge] A good mind may _recede_ from goodness in the execution of a _royal commission_.