ute;
The numerous progeny, claimant for food
Supplied by two small bills, and feeble wings
Of narrow range, supplied--ay, duly fed--
Fed in the dark, and yet not one forgot."

The epithet "poor," applied to the wren by Lady Macbeth, was certainly
appropriate in days gone by, when we recollect how it was cruelly hunted
in Ireland on St. Stephen's day--a practice which prevailed also in the
Isle of Man.[340]

[340] See Yarrell's "History of British Birds," vol. ii. p. 178.

CHAPTER VII.

ANIMALS.

As in the case of the birds considered in the previous chapter,
Shakespeare has also interwoven throughout his plays an immense deal of
curious folk-lore connected with animals. Not only does he allude with
the accuracy of a naturalist to the peculiarities and habits of certain
animals, but so true to nature is he in his graphic descriptions of them
that it is evident his knowledge was in a great measure acquired from
his own observation. It is interesting, also, to note how carefully he
has, here and there, worked into his narrative some old proverb or
superstition, thereby adding a freshness to the picture which has, if
possible, imbued it with an additional lustre. In speaking of the dog,
he has introduced many an old hunting custom, and his references to the
tears of the deer are full of sweet pathos, as, for instance, where
Hamlet says (iii. 2), "Let the stricken deer go weep." It is not
necessary, however, to add further illustrations, as these will be found
in the following pages.

_Ape._ In addition to Shakespeare's mention of this animal as a common
term of contempt, there are several other allusions to it. There is the
well-known phrase, "to lead apes in hell," applied to old maids,
mentioned in the "Taming of the Shrew" (ii. 1)--the meaning of this term
not having been yet satisfactorily explained.[341] (It is further
discussed in the chapter on Marriage.)

[341] See page 165.

In "2 Henry IV." (ii. 4), the word is used as a term of endearment,
"Alas, poor ape, how thou sweat'st."

_Ass._ Beyond the proverbial use of this much ill-treated animal to
denote a silly, foolish person, Shakespeare has said little about it.
In "Troilus and Cressida" (ii. 1), Thersites uses the word _assinego_, a
Portuguese expression for a young ass, "Thou hast no more brain than I
have in mine elbows; an assinego may tutor thee." It is used by Beaumont
and Fletcher in the "Scornful Lady" (v. 4):