It is probable that this passage was first corrupted by writing _safe_
for _save_, and the lines then stood thus:
--_doing nothing
Safe toward your love and honour._
which the next transcriber observing to be wrong, and yet not being able
to discover the real fault, altered to the present reading.
Dr. Warburton has since changed _fiefs_ to _fief'd_, and Hanmer has
altered _safe_ to _shap'd_. I am afraid none of us have hit the right
word.
I.v.2 (420, 6) _by the perfected report_] By the best intelligence. Dr.
Warburton would read, _perfected_, and explains _report_ by
_prediction_. Little regard can be paid to an emendation that instead of
clearing the sense, makes it more difficult.
I.v.23 (420, 7) thoud'st have, great Glamis,/That which cries, _Thus
thou must do, if thou have it_] As the object of Macbeth's desire is
here introduced speaking of itself, it is necessary to read,
--_thoud'st have, great Glamis,
That which cries_, thus thou must do, if thou have _me_.
I.v.39 (422, 8) The raven himself is hoarse] Dr. Warburton reads,
--_The raven himself's_ not _hoarse_.
Yet I think the present words may stand. The messenger, says the
servant, had hardly breath _to make up his message_; to which the lady
answers mentally, that he may well want breath, such a message would add
hoarseness to the raven. That even the bird, whose harsh voice is
accustomed to predict calamities, could not _croak the entrance of_
Duncan but in a note of unwonted harshness.
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