Description:Macbeth: Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish’ play.
Macbeth, which has earned a reputation among the superstitious and has become known by many actors as ‘The Scottish play’, begins with one of the most famous stage directions in Shakespeare's plays. ‘Enter three witches’ is followed by an incantation which sets the scene for the later witchcraft action.
This page reads:
THE TRAGEDIE OF MACBETH
[Column 1 section reads:]
: Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
2: [Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches.]
1. When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
2. When the hurley-burley's done,
When the battle's lost, and won.
3. That will be ere the set of sun.
1. Where the place?
2. Upon the heath.
3. There to meet with Macbeth.
1. I come, Gray-Malkin.
All. Padock calls anon: fair is foul, and foul is fair,
Hover through the fog and filthy air. [ Exeunt.]
[Column 2 on the right the section reads:]
King. O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman.
Cap. As whence the sun begins his reflection,
Shipwrecking storms, and direful thunders:
So from that Spring, whence comfort seem'd to come,
Discomfort swells: Mark King of Scotland, mark,
No sooner justice had, with valour armed,
Compelled these skipping kernes to trust their heels,
But the Norwegan lord, surveying vantage,
With furbished arms, and new supplies of men,
Began a fresh assault.
King. Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?
Cap. Yes, as sparrows, eagles;
Or the hare, the lion:
If I say true, I must report they were …
Full title: William Shakespeare, Mr William Shakespeares comedies, histories & tragedies published according to the True Originall Copies, London, printed by Isaac Jaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, 1623.
The 'Ashburnham' copy owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.