Languages & literature > Key to the drama

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fearing that every objedtion he might op-
pofe to it, would be interpreted as fpring-
ing from felf intereftednefs, appeared ra¬
ther confenting than averle to the defign:
but withal, hoping ftill to procure a delay,
he urged, that if the Queen (hould be
prevailed with, to commit fuch an uncom¬
mon violence, againft decency and incli¬
nation •, yet, that he the King, fhould un¬
doubtedly have left the choice of her ob<-
jedt entirely to herfelf: Macbeth replied,
that he had truly done fo •, and that as it
was an intrigue prompted by no fort of
paffion, but merely an affair of expedien-r
cy, her opinion coincided in every refpedt
with his •„ that in an endeavour of fo vaft
importance, where the honour and credit
of the kingdom, with her perfonal fame
land reputation were the valuable ftakes, if
there was any man on earth deferving of
fuch a confidence, it muit be Bancho. Ban-
cho could not eafily conquer a variety of
doubts which fprung in his mind ; but he
had heard too much •, he knew not how to
recede. Macbeth perceived he was hefita-
ting, and fearing the plot fhould mifgive,
began to upbraid him, with want of
friendfhip, and infenfibility to the honour
propofed to him. Bancho affined the
King, that in point of friendfhip no man
ever felt its impreffions ftronger than he;
and