64 THE HAWK'S " MEW." 



carrying it being called " the cadger." The modern 

 word " cad," now generally used in an opprobrious sense, 

 is in all probability an abbreviation of " cadger," and 

 therefore synonymous with " servant " or common fellow. 

 Florizel, addressing Perdita, in the Winters Tale (Act 

 iv. Sc. 3), says — 



" I bless the time 

 When my good falcon made her flight across 

 Thy father's ground ; " 



for this was the occasion of his first meeting her. 



In the following passage from Measure for Measure, 

 (Act iii. Sc. 1), there occurs a word in connection with 

 falconry, which requires some explanation, — 



" This outward-sainted deputy, 

 Whose settled visage and deliberate word 

 Nips youth i' th' head, and follies doth enmew 

 As falcon doth the fowl." 



The verb "to mew," or " enmew," signifies to enclose or 

 shut up, owing its origin to the word " mews," the place 

 where the hawks were confined : — 



" To-night she 's mew'd up." 



Romeo and Juliet, Act iii. Sc. 4. 



Gremio, speaking of Bianca to Signor Baptista, says, — 



" Why, will you mew her ? " 



Taming of the Shrew, Act i. Sc. 1 . 



