Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/266

242 thunder, a second head rose up, dripping with gore. It conjured Macbeth to be bold and resolute, since he need not fear till Birnam wood should come to Dunsinane. Again the vision sank, and in answer to his thoughts, he saw a long line of shadowy forms, wearing the Scottish crown, and each bearing the arms of the house of Banquo, glide slowly by. After them folowed the pale ghost of Banquo, who pointed in solemn warning to the dim procession, and vanished into thin air as Macbeth gazed on him.

Disheartened at the sight, Macbeth departed from the cave, despairing of leaving the succession to his own issue. The same voice which had said, “Hail, Macbeth; thou shalt be king hereafter!” had declared that Banquo’s children should be kings. And he no longer dared doubt the power of Hecate and her attendants.

But he had some gleams of comfort. They had declared he should be unconquered till Birnam wood should come to Dunsinane. The forest of Birnam was three miles distant from his royal castle of Dunsinane; and until the trees should tear out from the earth their firm roots, and march upon his castle, he might sleep in safety. At least, he should be unconquered and should die a king. After him, let Banquo’s pale progeny take the crown.