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Macbeth

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MACDUFF

Such welcome and unwelcome things at once

'Tis hard to reconcile.

Enter a Doctor.

MALCOLM

136 Well, more anon.-Comes the king forth, I pray you?

DOCTOR

Ay, sir. There are a crew of wretched souls

140 That stay his cure. Their malady convinces 142 The great assay of art; but at his touch, Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand,

They presently amend.

MALCOLM I thank you, doctor.

Exit [Doctor].

MACDUFF

143 What's the disease he means?

MALCOLM 'Tis called the evil.

A most miraculous work in this good king,

Which often since my here-remain in England

I have seen him do: how he solicits heaven

146 Himself best knows, but strangely visited people, All swoll'n and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,

150 The mere despair of surgery, he cures, 152 Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, 153 Put on with holy prayers, and 'tis spoken To the succeeding royalty he leaves

The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,154

He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,

And sundry blessings hang about his throne

That speak him full of grace.156

Enter Ross.159

MACDUFF See who comes here.

MALCOLM

My countryman; but yet I know him not.160

MACDUFF

My ever gentle cousin, welcome hither.



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