1/2 COCK-FIGHTING. 



itself, but also by the pye ; and hence, probably, the oath 

 'by cock and pye,' for the use of which no very old 

 authority can be found." 



Shallow, " By cock and pye, sir, you shall not away to- 

 night." Henry IV. Part II. Act v. Sc. I. 



The pastime of cock-fighting, to which Shakespeare has 

 alluded in Antony and Cleopatra, is no doubt of some 

 antiquity. Strutt, in his " Sports and Pastimes of the 

 People of England," does not give any history of its 

 introduction, but quotes from Burton (1660), and Powell 

 (1696), to show that the sport was well known at those 

 dates. It was much in vogue in Shakespeare's day, and 

 the great dramatist is probably not wrong in leading us to 

 suppose that it was first introduced by the Romans : 



" His cocks do win the battle still of mine, 

 When it is all to nought." 



Antony -and Cleopatra, Act ii. Sc. 3. 



." Cock-fighting took place generally between August 

 and May. Six weeks before a battle, the champions were 

 confined in separate pens, and fed with bread. Their 

 spurs were then wrapped in leather, and they were allowed 

 to spar, and sweated in straw baskets, and fed with sugar- 

 candy, chopped rosemary, and butter, to strengthen them 

 and give them wind. Roots dipped in wine, and oatmeal 

 kneaded with ale and eggs, were also allowed them, as 

 purges and diaphoretics. Every day the feeder had to 



