d
period of his decay, tried to make him understand that it was he who had
followed him under the name of Caius; but Lear's care-crazed brain at
that time could not comprehend how that could be, or how Kent and Caius
could be the same person: so Kent thought it needless to trouble him
with explanations at such a time; and Lear soon after expiring, this
faithful servant to the king, between age and grief for his old master's
vexations, soon followed him to the grave.

How the judgment of Heaven overtook the bad Earl of Gloucester, whose
treasons were discovered, and himself slain in single combat with his
brother, the lawful earl; and how Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany,
who was innocent of the death of Cordelia, and had never encouraged his
lady in her wicked proceedings against her father, ascended the throne
of Britain after the death of Lear, is needless here to narrate; Lear
and his Three Daughters being dead, whose adventures alone concern our
story.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

MACBETH

When Duncan the Meek reigned King of Scotland, there lived a great
thane, or lord, called Macbeth. This Macbeth was a near kinsman to the
king, and in great esteem at court for his valour and conduct in the
wars; an example of which he had lately given, in defeating a rebel army
assisted by the troops of Norway in terrible numbers.

[Illustration: THEY WERE STOPPED BY THE STRANGE APPEARANCE OF THREE
FIGURES]

The two Scottish generals, Macbeth and Banquo, returning victorious from
this great battle, their way lay over a blasted heath, where they were
stopped by the strange appearance of three figures like women, except
that they had beards, and their withered skins and wild attire made them
look not like any earthly creatures. Macbeth first addressed them, when
they, seemingly offended, laid each one her choppy finger upon her
skinny lips, in token of silence; and the first of them saluted Macbeth
with the title of thane of Glamis. The general was not a little startled
to find himself known by such creatures; but how much more, when the
second of them followed up that salute by giving him the title of thane
of Cawdor, to which honour he had no pretensions; and again the third
bid him "All hail! king that shalt be hereafter!" Such a prophetic
greeting might well amaze him, who knew that while the king's sons
lived he could not hope to succeed to the throne. Then turning to
Banquo, they pronounced him, in