Shakespeare's Macbeth, Act 1, scene 6 has "God 'eyld us for our pai

Question:I'm afraid the two previous answerers have it wrong. The word yeld, yield or 'ild in this context means repay or reward. It occurs in the stock phrase used in Shakespeare's time by actors acknowledging applause and street buskers thanking the crowd for contributions - "God 'ild you, gentlemen all" - in other words, let God reward your kindness. Only a year ago I heard a Spanish busker use an almost identical phrase (in Spanish) - "Dios se lo pague" - may God pay you back.

Pains does not mean agony, but effort or (as we now say) trouble - as in taking pains over a piece of work.

The speech is slightly obscure, but clearly Duncan (addressing McBeth's wife) is playing on words as he obliquely apologises for the trouble he is causing her.

I don't want to write a whole essay here, but if you need a more detailed explanation, email me.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm afraid the two previous answerers have it wrong. The word yeld, yield or 'ild in this context means repay or reward. It occurs in the stock phrase used in Shakespeare's time by actors acknowledging applause and street buskers thanking the crowd for contributions - "God 'ild you, gentlemen all" - in other words, let God reward your kindness. Only a year ago I heard a Spanish busker use an almost identical phrase (in Spanish) - "Dios se lo pague" - may God pay you back.

Pains does not mean agony, but effort or (as we now say) trouble - as in taking pains over a piece of work.

The speech is slightly obscure, but clearly Duncan (addressing McBeth's wife) is playing on words as he obliquely apologises for the trouble he is causing her.

I don't want to write a whole essay here, but if you need a more detailed explanation, email me.

It is a corrupted contraction of the word "shield"

Shield, or protect. The line itself loosely means that God protects us from our pain.