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1577

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Compare 1587 edition: 1 Theſe and the like commendable lawes,Makbethes counterfayte zeale and e|quitie. Makbeth cauſed to be put as then in vſe, gouer|ning the realme for the ſpace of tenne yeares in equall iuſtice. But this was but a counterfayte zeale of equitie ſhewed by him, partely againſt his naturall inclination to purchaſe thereby the fauour of the people.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 Shortly after, he beganne to ſhewe what he was, in ſteede of equitie practiſing crueltie.Makbeths gil|tie conſcience. For the pricke of conſcience (as it chaunceth euer in tyrantes, and ſuche as attayne to any aſtate by vnrightuous meanes) cauſed him euer to feare, leaſt he ſhould be ſerued of the ſame cuppe, as he had miniſtred to his predeceſſour.

Compare 1587 edition: 1 The woordes alſo of the three weird ſiſters, wold not out of his mind, which as they promi|ſed him the kingdome, ſo lykewiſe did they pro|miſe it at the ſame time, vnto the poſteritie of Banquho. He willed therefore the ſame Ban|quho with his ſonne named Fleaunce,Makbethes de|uiſe to ſlea Banquho and his ſonne. to come to a ſupper that he had prepared for them, which was in deede, as he had deuiſed, preſent death at the handes of certaine murtherers, whome he hy|red to execute that deede, appoynting them to meete with the ſame Banquho and his ſonne without the palayce as they returned to theyr lodgings, and there to ſlea thẽ, ſo that he woulde not haue his houſe ſlaundered, but that in time to come he might cleare himſelfe, if any thing were layde to his charge vpon any ſuſpition that might ariſe.

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