The present Number contains a Print of Mr. Booth, as FITZHARDING, in the CURFEW;' and also a View of PORT MOON." WE SELECT THE FOLLOWING FROM MACBETH, a POEM, in SIX CANTOS, With Historical Notes, JUST PUBLISHED. SUENO, while in England, receiving intelligence of the defeat of his countrymen, the Danes, under the command of Olave, Eneco, in the county of Mar, by Malcolm, King of Scotland, dispatched his general Camus to their assistance, with an army, composed of veteran soldiers, and of fresh supplies lately received from Denmark; Camus, having arrived at the Firth of Forth, attempted to effect a landing, but was repelled by the bravery of the inhabitants. From thence he sailed to the Red Promontory (or Red Head) in Angus, and, having landed his troops, attacked several strong places in that neighbourhood, but was repulsed. Defeated in this object, he began to spoil the country, and, having proceeded as far as Panbride, and pitched his camp, intelligence was brought to him, that the forces of the Printed by T.Kaygill, 36, Frith-Street, Soho. Scottish, were only two miles distant. On the next day the chiefs of both armies, having exhorted their troops, offered battle at the same time. They engaged, however, on the third day, and the conflict was continued with all the fury that hope, of victory, and ancient hatred could inspire. The Scottish having gained the day, Camus retreated with the remainder of his army to the neighbouring hills, with the intention of penetrating to Murray, and of joining those Danes that remained there, under Olave. But, being hotly pursued, he was overtaken about two miles distant from the field of battle, surrounded, and slain with all his followers. A monument still exists, erected in commemoration of the victory, and the tradition is farther corroborated by the circumstance of the adjacent country retaining the name of Camus." As this incursion of the Danes took place about the latter end of the reign of Malcolm, the author has thought proper to introduce into his tale, the two well known characters of Duncan and Macbeth, the grandsons of Malcolm. From the following statement this assumption will appear warranted. According to Buchanan, Malcolm was slain in Glammis Castle, in 1034, Duncan in 1040; leaving six years for the duration of Duncan's reign. But, as Duncan had children arrived at man's estate, when he was murdered, it may be inferred, that he was capable of entering the ranks of war, during this incursion of the Danes. It may also be presumed, that Macbeth, the cousin of Duncan, and his chief captain during his short reign, and according to historians, a man of vast abilities for war, was also capable of sustaining a conspicuous part in the battles which were fought, on this occasion. As Buchanan also mentions, that Duncan married the daughter of Siward, Duke of Northumberland-in order to diversify the tale, the author has taken advantage of this circumstance, and endeavoured to exalt, and invigo rafe the soft and unwarlike character of Duncan, by displaying the workings of those generous feelings in bis breast, which love inspires. With no other guides, at the time of the composition of this tale, than the history of Buchanan, and the traditions of the places which he visited, the author has found, since he had the opportunity of inspecting Boethius, that several of his narrations differ from the traditions handed down by that ancient historian. In one instance, however, he agrees with him, though contrary to Buchanan,--- that the Danes burned, and laid waste every castle, town, and village which they attacked in their in cursion. But these circumstances must weigh little with the reader. We do not speak of facts, but of traditions and the traditions prevalent in our day, are as worthy of belief as those common in the days of Boethius. "Tall and robust the form of Duncan rose, The direful glory of the victor's reign. Yet he was bold when Scotland's ruthless foes He Ella lov'd, fair child of Siward brave, To soothe his soul, by wand'ring through the scenes ; From mountain grey, by darksome pines o'erhung, Or by the cat'ract's foot his course he staid, Th' adoring eyes of young and gallant Thanes : His fancy wings, when, 'mid admiring Thanes, And feel the rapture that true love inspires Our people's blood-the riches of our state. |