Languages & literature > Key to the drama

( 87 )
himfelf as an able commander, yet with
confiderable lofs, but no difhonour, they
were obliged to quit the field, and to make
good a retreat to Perth.
‘ Macbeth, in a few days, joined them at
Perth; and if they had not luffered fo con-
fiderably in their firft rafh attempt, they
might, by this time, have formed a very
different fort of refiftance. The natural
confequence of fuccefs in war never fails to
infpire the conquerors with frefh vigour;
and the Norzvegians, who now lived on
plenty, and quite recovered of the fatigue
and indifpofition which attended their voy¬
age, became ten times more formidable
than they were at their firft landing. Mac¬
beth, who had the moft comprehenfive eye
of moft men living, rode out in difguife to
reconnoitre-, and judging, from the num¬
bers and fituation of the Norzvegians, that
with all the force the King yet could col¬
led!:, it would be very hazardous to rifle a
decifive engagement-, and apprehending,
that from the vicinity of the Caithnefs and
Sutherland country to Norway, in cafe of a
total defeat, that then the vicegerency of
Scotland might fall into the hands of thefe
difeontented Chiefs, he advifed in counc.l
to gain time, by propofing to treat of a
peace. This motion was approved, and
I was named, as the propereft member of
I 2 the