Languages & literature > Key to the drama

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confidered upon for their future efta-
blifhment. This plaufible device had its
effect, and the chiefs of the banditti formed
3 plan by which to execute it. Macbeth
being duly informed of all this, took his
meafures, by difpatching empty carriages
into different parts, which were iuppofed,
as intended to return loaded, to give the im-
pofition the greater air of probability; and in
the mean time he had prepared a fufEcienr
number of his chofen troops, to be fituated
in convenient ambulhes, from whence they
were to iffue at an appointed moment, and
furround the plunderers. This ftratagem
had every effect his heart could defire; it
was executed to a point; the robbers were
totally defeated; and as many of them as
were not (lain in the enterprize, were brought
in prifoners to Scoon, and there made pro¬
per examples of.
4 The unexperienced tranquillity in which
the middling and common people now lived
throughout the country, dittinguifhed the
beginning of this reign with numberlefs en¬
comiums, and added fuch ftrength to the
hands of Macbeth^ that he had nothing to
fear.
‘ In confequence of his proclamation,
3lmoft every man of confequence, Glamis
excepted, appeared at court. The Thanes
of CaithnefSy Sutherland^ and Nairn, alfo
returned,