Languages & literature > Key to the drama

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as he conje&ured, to pofiefs themfelves of
a very advantageous ground, which they
had but juft gained, when he could alfo
difcover the boats returning with Kymmins
divifion, within half an hour’s fail of the
beach. The fame difcovery had been alfo
made, much about the fame time, by the
enemy, who, in hopes to harrafs them in
their landing, profited of a hill which co¬
vered part of his people from the obferva-
tion of Macbeth. He ordered about four
hundred of his moft refolute people, under
the command of a very daring kinfman, to
file off by the farther fide of the hill, and
to endeavour, unperceived, to gain the
beach. Kymmin defcried their approach,
and gueffing at their defign, he hurried the
landing of as many of his men as might be
able to make a diverfion, and cover the
landing of the reft, until he Ihould think
himfelf ftrong enough to make an offenfive
attack. This manoeuvre he executed with
great prudence, and very little lofs; and
indeed it was of great confequence; for
although, with the handful that were land¬
ed, he might have given them the flip, and
got within fignals of Macbeth, yet he muft
in that cafe have left his empty boats in
their power, and the largeft part of his di¬
vifion, ftill unlanded, muft have re-taken
themielves to fea, and hazarded the effe«fts
of