Keep peace

from William Shakespeare – Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5 5 on Rap Genius

The intent of Lady Macbeth, evidently is to wish that no womanish tenderness, or conscientious remorse may hinder her purpose from proceeding to effect, but neither this nor indeed any other sense is expressed by the present reading, and therefore it cannot be doubted that Shakespeare wrote differently, perhaps thus.

That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep pace between
Th' effect and it.

To “keep pace between” may signify “to pass between,” to intervene.“ "Pace” is on many occasions a favourite of Shakespeare. This phrase is indeed not usual in this sense, but was it not its novelty that gave occasion to the present corruption?

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