IV.i.113 (493,7) And thy air,/Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first:—­A third is like the former] In former editions,

  —­and thy hair,
  Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first:—­
  A third is like the former:—­

As Macbeth expected to see a train of kings, and was only enquiring from what race they would proceed, he could not be surprised that the hair of the second was bound with gold like that of the first; he was offended only that the second resembled the first, as the first resembled Banquo, and therefore said,

  —­and thy air,
  Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.

This Dr. Warburton has followed.

IV.i.144 (495,2) Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits] To anticipate is here to prevent, by taking away the opportunity.

IV.ii.9 (496,3) He wants the natural touch] Natural sensibility.  He is not touched with natural affection.

IV.ii.71 (498,7) To do worse to you, were fell cruelty] To do worse is, to let her and her children be destroyed without warning.

IV.iii.2 (500,9) Let us rather/Hold fast the mortal sword; and, like good men,/ Bestride our down-faln birthdom] In former editions,

  Let us rather
  Hold fast the mortal sword; and, like good men,
  Bestride our downfal birthdoom.—­]

He who can discover what is meant by him that earnestly exhorts him to bestride his downfal birth-doom, is at liberty to adhere to the present text; but it is probable that Shakespeare wrote,

  —­like good men,
  Bestride our downfaln birthdom—­

The allusion is to a man from whom something valuable is about to be taken by violence, and who, that he may defend it without incombrance, lays it on the ground, and stands over it with his weapon in his hand.  Our birthdom, or birthright, says he, lies on the ground, let us, like men who are to fight for what is dearest to them, not abandon it, but stand over it and defend it.  This is a strong picture of obstinate resolution.  So Falstaff says to Hal.

  When I am down, if thou wilt bestride me, so.

Birthdom for birthright is formed by the same analogy with masterdom in this play, signifying the privileges or rights of a master.

Perhaps it might be birth-dame for mother; let us stand over our mother that lies bleeding on the ground.

IV.iii.19 (501,4) A good and virtuous nature may recoil/In an imperial charge] A good mind may recede from goodness in the execution of a royal commission.

IV.iii.23 (501,5) Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,/Yet grace must look still so] This is not very clear.  The meaning perhaps is this:—­My suspicions cannot injure you, if you be virtuous, by supposing that a traitor may put on your virtuous appearance.  I do not say that your virtuous appearance.