The correction of Malone for 'offices' of the folio, which also makes good sense. In a following line 'shut up' seems to apply to Duncan, as denoting the pleasure he felt. The expression is similar to "I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings." All's Well, v. 3. * * * * * "If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis It shall make honour for you." I cannot make sense of 'consent.' I had thought of _content_, also the conjecture of Malone; but it does not quite _content_ me. * * * * * "The curtain'd sleepe; witchcraft celebrates." Something is evidently lost here. Steevens and Collier's folio read 'sleepe_r_.' (See on Temp. iii. 1.) The usual reading has been that of Davenant, '_now_ witchcraft.' * * * * * "With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost.--Thou sure and firm-set earth Hear not my steps which way they walk." Here 'strides,' 'sure,' and 'way,' are corrections of _sides_, _sowne_, and _may_ of the folio. * * * * * SC. 2. "These deeds must not be thought _on_." * * * * * "I am afraid to think _on_ what I have done." Here the addition is not absolutely necessary, but it makes the language more forcible and more idiomatic. * * * * * SC. 3. "To countenance this horror. Ring the bell.-- What is the business?" Theobald regarded 'Ring the bell' as a stage-direction; but a direction follows, and Macduff, in his anxiety and impatience, reiterates his order. * * * * * "Let's briefly put on manly readiness." A very awkward way of expressing Let us make haste and put on our clothes (see Index _v._ Ready), for they must have been in their nightgowns. (Ham. iii. 4.) I greatly doubt if the editors have understood it; for they have no note on it; and Singer quotes it as a parallel to "Put on the dauntless spirit of resolution" (K. John, v. 1). ACT III. SC. 1. "Let your Highness' Command _be_ upon me, to the which my duties," etc. This insertion removes all difficulty very simply. _Be_ is omitted constantly. * * * * * "Till supper-time alone; while then God be with you." This line cannot be as the poet wrote it, for the metric accents fall on 'be' and 'you.' We might read _good bye_, but it would be somewhat too familiar. On the whole, I think that _mean_ has been omitted before 'while.' By supplying it, the language becomes dignified and king-like. See Index _s. v._ While. * * * * * "To make them kings, the seed[s] of Banquo kings! Rather than so come Fate into the lists." * * * * * "Now, if you have a station in the file, Not in the _most_ worst rank of manhood, say it."