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[40] Is this the language of mere curiosity?—If Macbeth only repeats the same inquiry shortly — Speak, if you can; what are you? —

it is, clearly, not from agitation; for hitherto, at least, nothing has occurred to alarm him: No; he makes the same demand,—(and makes it peremptorily; not, as Mr. Whateley implies, fearfully;)—because he is naturally desirous of the same information; and, if he expresses himself shortly, Shakspeare intentionally orders that he should do so; the more