Mary Todd Lincoln's faux pas (plural), worse, and much worse

[Linda Anderson]

(06-14-2014 05:26 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Regarding A. L. appreciating Mary's support for his career, Jean Baker writes that Henry Whitney "recounted a similar incident in which Lincoln used the words of Macbeth...to acknowledge 'my dearest partner of greatness.'" (Pp.147-148, paperback ed.) I would love to learn the entire quote/account, but there's no footnote nor can I find it via Google. Does anyone know?

Eva, the quote is from Act I, Scene V. Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH [Reads.]
1 "They met me in the day of success: and I have
2 learned by the perfect'st report, they have more in
3 them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire
4 to question them further, they made themselves air,
5 into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in
6 the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who
7 all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor'; by which title,
8 before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred
9 me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that
10 shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver
11 thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
12 mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being
13 ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it
14 to thy heart, and farewell."

http://www.shakespeare-navigators.com/macbeth/T15.html