The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-14

that composer was only fourteen wears of
age. Lock is still credited with il. In
the first folio the stage direction is given,
Song within; Come away. come away"
The song given by Mr.. Irving is thus
clearly indicated by Shakespeare or by
the person-Middeton or another-who,
according to the belief now accepted by
shakespearean scholars, contributed some
hackwork to "Macbeth;" but, as have
said, the verses do not appear in any edi-
ton OF Macbeth
WHOLESALE CHANGES.
The fifth act in all received editions
opens with the scene between the Doctor
and waiting woman at Dunsinane. In
lrvlng's version il opens with Scene 3 OF
Act !, with great eXcisions Almost the
whole colloquy between Macdutr and Mall
colin, in which the latter paints his char
acter in such dark colors, IL removed bod
lily from the text This will doubtless
cause an cutlery, The effect OF it is natu-
rally to reduce the importance OF Malcolm
and Macdulf in the play and to throw out
Two OF the chief characters in stronger re-
llel Macolm's last speech, beginning
This tune goes manly will be felt as Il
loss, but il all that preceded it had to 90
necessarily that hadto be sacrificed with
the rest.
Then follows the sleep walking scene,
which is made to end with Lady Mac
beth's words, "To bed, to bed" the com.
ments OF the Doctor and his warning to the
gentlewomon being dispensed with. The
act comes to an end with Lady Macbeth 5
exit.
AN ADDITIONAL ACT.
OF course this division OF the play calls
Tor an additional act, which opens with
Scene ,, Act >, OF the ordinary version,
consisting OF explanations between Men.
teth, Lenox and others. The whole scene,
however has been much condensed by
Irving Then follow the magnificent
speeches OF Macbeth in his interview
with the Doctor. The n,crlude between
Macbeth and young siward, in which the
latter is slain, is omitted, rs is also the
whole OF the last part OF the scene rs 1t
stands in the regular editions. The eS-
tablishcd stage direction, after Macduil
finds Macbeth and fights with him is
''EXcunt fighting In lrying's version
IT Is "Ihcy light; Macbethls slam Thus
the old business OF cut and thrust 10 slow
music ms the two Combatants leave the
stage and Macduil' + return with Mac
bcths head, generally left 10 the magma.
ton, will not IN any form be seen at the
Iyceum, but there will be terrific eight,
in which Macbeth will fall
The play ends thus. Enter Malcolm, Old
Slward, Rose, other Thames and soldiers
Macdutl -"llail, King, for so thou art,
hail. King Of Scotland. All hail, King OF
Scotland" Virtually the curtain falls on
Macbeth's death, tor MalcOm'- cUnycna.
ton with Siward and his speech Oi thanks
are cut out.
THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF.
Actors will speedily recognize the mean.
ing aud value Of Mr.. Irying's alterations.
Shakcspearcan scholars may object Ia
some Of his work, but they will have "a
remember that most passages hc has elm.
| mated from the text are Ol very question.
able origin. The overwhelming proba,
bility seems to be that Shakespeare did
not write them. Pope condemned some OF
them as spurious, and others hay,
| clearly been traced TO Middleton
Others were cmphatically pronounced
| by Colcrid,c To be Interpolation
to please the gods. Even ia MAC
beth" there is some chat miNct
with the wheat, but It is pretty certain
that Shakespeare did not put il there.
believe the final conclusion OF the publ,
will be that Irving needs no defense io
winsowing It away. let him but act ia,
play rs well as lac has adapted II and h,
will take a rink higher than ever in IN,
annals oi the English stage.
Many people 10 this day viii not nc
knowledge that lac is a capable exponcn
OF great Shakespearcm characters. Let u
hope that his rcaSumption OF the part O
Macbeth will shake the opinion.