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 who is incapable of an unnecessary cruelty!)—"no terrors might have obtruded themselves in his close of life." Shakspeare, vol. x. p. 298'

In this period, the commentator does but gravely assure us that, if Richard and Macbeth had not been what they were, they would, in his opinion, have been something else. Macbeth's terrors at the close of life will be, considered presently: in the mean time, Mr. Steevens is equitable enough to own that "he exhibits a specimen of determined intrepidity, when the completion of the prophecy, and the challenge of Macduff, have taught him that life is no longer tenable." Shakspeare, vol. x. p. 299-