38 THE EAGLE'S EYRIE. 



many cases employed hawking terms in connection with 



this bird : 



" That hateful duke, 



Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, 

 Will cost my crown, and, like an empty eagle, 

 Tire on the flesh of me and of my son ! " 



Henry VI. Part III. Act i. Sc. i. 



The meaning of the word tire is thus explained by 

 falconers. When a hawk was in training, it was often 

 necessary to prolong her meal as much as possible, to 

 prevent her from gorging ; this was effected by giving her 

 a tough or bony bit to tire on ; that is, to tear, or pull at. 



" Even as an empty eagle, sharp by fast, 



Tires with her beak on feathers, flesh, and bone, 

 Shaking her wings, devouring all in haste, 

 Till either gorge be stuff' d, or prey be gone." 



Venus and Adonis. 



So also, in Timon of Athens (Act iii. Sc. 6), one of the 

 lords says : 



" Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encounter'd." 



In the following passage, two hawking terms are used in 

 connection with the eagle : 



" Know, the gallant monarch is in arms, 

 And, like an eagle o'er his aiery, towers, 

 To souse annoyance that comes near his nest." 



King Jo] in, Act v. Sc. 2. 



