468 The Animal-Lore of Shalcspeares Time. 
feathers.” We have no information, unfortunately, as to 
how this curiosity was obtained. 
The phoenix was the badge of Jane Seymour. It was 
also a favourite name for Queen Elizabeth. The verse- 
makers who supplied the dedications of authors to her 
most gracious Majesty, and the rhymers “ who stuck and 
spangled her with flatteries” whenever she honoured 
any of her subjects by a royal progress, repeatedly made 
use of the phoenix in their lines. King James also was 
universally greeted on his accession as the bird sprung 
from the ashes of his illustrious predecessor. The author 
of Henry VIII. gives us an example of this “ title blown 
from adulation : ”— 
“ Nor shall this peace sleep with her : hut as when 
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix, 
Her ashes new create another heir. 
As great in admiration as herself, 
So shall she leave her blessedness to one.” 
(Henry VIII., v. 5, 39.) 
Many examples of this fashion of comparing Eliza¬ 
beth to the phoenix are given by Dr. Grosart, in the 
introduction to his edition of Chester’s curious poem, 
Loves Martyr, published by the New Shakspere Society, 
1878. In this work, Chester describes some other 
fabulous birds:— 
“ The snow-like colour’d bird, Caladrius , 
Caladrius. Hath this inestimable natural propertie, 
If any man in sicknesse dangerous, 
Hopes of his health to have recoverie, 
This bird will alwayes looke with chearefull glance, 
If otherwise, sad in his countenance.” 
(Page 117.) 
“ The gentle birds called the faire Hircinie , 
Hircinie. Taking the name of that place where they breed, 
Within the night they shine so gloriously, 
That mans astonied senses they do feed; 
