The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 - Miscellaneous Pieces by Samuel Johnson
page 85 of 591 (14%)
page 85 of 591 (14%)
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--Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear; And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth _seem_ To have thee crown'd withal. For _seem_, the sense evidently directs us to read _seek_. The crown to which fate destines thee, and which preternatural agents _endeavour_ to bestow upon thee. The _golden round_ is the _diadem_. NOTE XIV. _Lady Macbeth_.--Come, all you spirits That tend on _mortal thoughts_, unsex me here; And fill me, from the crown to th' toe, top-full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood, Stop up th' access and passage to remorse; That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor _keep peace_ between Th' effect and it! --Mortal thoughts,-- This expression signifies not _the thoughts of mortals_, but _murderous, deadly_, or _destructive designs_. So in Act v. Hold fast the _mortal_ sword. |
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