70 HOW TO SEEL A HAWK. 



may be raysed so upwards, that the Hawke may not see 

 at all, and when the thread shall ware loose or untyed, 

 then the Hawke may see somewhat backwardes, which is 

 the cause that the threed is put nearer to the beake. For 

 a Sparrow-hawke should see somewhat backwardes, and a 

 Falcon forwardes. The reaso is that if the Sparrow- 

 hawke should see forwardes, shee would beate off her 

 feathers, or break them when she bateth upon the fist, and 

 seeing the companie of men, or such like, she would bate 

 too much." 



In Antony and Cleopatra (Act iii. Sc. 13) we read 



" The wise gods seel our eyes." 

 And in the same play (Act v. Sc. 2) Seleucus says : 



" Madam, 



I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril, 

 Speak that which is not." 



In his beautiful soliloquy on sleep, Henry IV., addressing 

 the fickle goddess, exclaims, 



" Wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast 

 Seel up the ship-boy's eyes, and rock his brains 

 In cradle of the rude imperious surge?" 



Henry IV. Part II. Act iii. Sc. I. 



The word occurs again in Othello (Act i. Sc. 3) 



" When light-wing'd toys 

 Of feather'd Cupid seel with wanton dulness," &c. 



