Para1The text of the Douai MS for Macbeth is relatively clean. It follows F2 consistently, except where it modernizes the lexis and syntax. The scribe or the editor adds a list of characters, where there was none in F2; it is different from the list that was published in the 1673 quarto edition of the play. The punctuation is very light, and often erratic. The editor cuts the text significantly, in most cases apparently for a higher dramatic efficacy, but sometimes for more complex reasons that can only be guessed. Most of the changes to the text are word substitutions. The F2 text has been edited by the Douai scribe where it is faulty or obscure. The most significant textual emendations, especially those that predate Rowe, Hanmer, or Capell, have been highlighted in the annotations. Only the major departures from F2 have been indicated in the collation, however, because there would be too many, and the salient points of the transcription-cum-edition have been flagged in the annotations. Note that the Douai manuscript significantly substitutes yes for the archaic Ay or I; and my for mine; whereon is frequently replaced by on which. The scribe also often uses whe for when. Some substitutions of a plural form for a singular, or vice versa, have not been marked either, unless they constitute significant emendations. These frequent substitutions are not indicated in the collation.

Para2The editor uses a few scribal abbreviations and glyphs, like ꝑ (cut p) for per or the Latin glyph ꝰ for the final letters –us.

Para3We can be sure that the scribe used F2, rather than F3 or F4, for Macbeth, because he includes some readings specific to F2, and does not retain errors or new readings introduced in F3, like Poisons instead of Foysons (F1–F2) in A4 Sc3 (Scotland hath Poisons fill up your will). The scribe chooses to substitute riches for Foysons (Sp460). This does not prevent him from editing the F2 text with a critical eye, as can be seen in the collation and annotations.