recently been thrown upon the subject by the philosopher Karl Blind, who has contributed valuable articles on the subject in the German periodical "Die Gegenwart " and in the " London Academy." We take the liberty of reproducing here an abstract of his article in the "Academy":
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The fact itself of these Witches being simply transfigurations, or later disguises, of the Teutonic Norns is fully established—as may be seen from Grimm or Simrock. In delineating these hags, Shakspeare has practically drawn upon old Germanic sources, perhaps upon current folk-lore of his time.
It has always struck me as noteworthy that in the greater part of the scene between the Weird Sisters, Macbeth and Banquo, and wherever the Witches come in, Shakspeare uses the staff- rime in a remarkable manner. Not only does this add powerfully to the archaic impressiveness and awe, but it also seems to bring the form and figure of the Sisters of Fate more closely within the circle of the Teutonic idea. I have pointed out this striking use of the alliterative system in Macbeth in an article on "An old German Poem and a Vedic Hymn," which appeared in Fraser in June, 1877, and in which the derivation of the Weird Sisters from the Germanic Norns is mentioned.
The very first scene in the first act of Macbeth opens strongly with the staff- rime:
1st Witch. When shall we three meet again — In thunder, lightning or in rair.?
^d Witch. When the hurly-burly' s done, When the battle's lost and won.
Sd Witch. That will be ere set of sun.
1st Witch. Where the place?
2d Witch. Upon the heath.
3d Witch. There to meet with Macbeth.
1st Witch. I come, Graymalkin I
All. Paddock calls. Anon. Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air.
