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Lady Macbeth, was the wife of a renowned Scottish general in the royal army, of near kin to Duncan, the reigning king. Returning from victorious warfare against rebellious troops, in company with his comrade, Banquo, an officer of rank similar to his own, Macbeth was accosted by three witches, who prophesied that he should be king. This extraordinary good fortune—for witchcraft was then in high repute — he hastened to communicate to his wife, a woman of towering ambition, who immediately set about contriving the speediest plan to realize the promise of the weird sisters.

Chance rendered timely aid to her unscrupulous purpose. King Duncan, surnamed the Meek, for his amiable virtues, desiring to signally honor his faithful servant, made a visit to Macbeth's castle, accompanied by his two sons and gentlemen of the court. After the royal guest had retired for the night, his chamberlains having been drugged by Lady Macbeth, her husband, confirmed in his half-conceived treachery by the daring woman, murdered the good old king in his sleep.

The two princes fled for their lives—the one to England, the other to Ireland; and Macbeth, as next of kin, was proclaimed