to it, calling him tyrant, murderer,
hell-hound, and villain.

Then Macbeth remembered the words of the spirit, how none of woman born
should hurt him; and smiling confidently he said to Macduff, "Thou
losest thy labour, Macduff. As easily thou mayest impress the air with
thy sword, as make me vulnerable. I bear a charmed life, which must not
yield to one of woman born."

"Despair thy charm," said Macduff, "and let that lying spirit whom thou
hast served, tell thee, that Macduff was never born of woman, never as
the ordinary manner of men is to be born, but was untimely taken from
his mother."

"Accursed be the tongue which tells me so," said the trembling Macbeth,
who felt his last hold of confidence give way; "and let never man in
future believe the lying equivocations of witches and juggling spirits,
who deceive us in words which have double senses, and while they keep
their promise literally, disappoint our hopes with a different meaning.
I will not fight with thee."

"Then live!" said the scornful Macduff; "we will have a show of thee, as
men show monsters, and a painted board, on which shall be written, 'Here
men may see the tyrant!'"

"Never," said Macbeth, whose courage returned with despair; "I will not
live to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet, and to be baited
with the curses of the rabble. Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane,
and thou opposed to me, who wast never born of woman, yet will I try the
last." With these frantic words he threw himself upon Macduff, who,
after a severe struggle, in the end overcame him, and cutting off his
head, made a present of it to the young and lawful king, Malcolm; who
took upon him the government which, by the machinations of the usurper,
he had so long been deprived of, and ascended the throne of Duncan the
Meek, amid the acclamations of the nobles and the people.

[Illustration]

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Bertram, Count of Rousillon, had newly come to his title and estate, by
the death of his father. The King of France loved the father of Bertram,
and when he heard of his death, he sent for his son to come immediately
to his royal court in Paris, intending, for the friendship he bore the
late count, to grace young Bertram with his especial favour and
protection.

Bertram was living with his mother, the widowed countess, when Lafeu, an
old lord of the French court, came to conduct him to the king. The King
of France was an absolute monarc