io8 NATURAL HISTORY OF SHAKESPEARE. 
Biron. The spring is near, when green geese are 
a-breeding. 
Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act i. Scene i. 
Mercutio. Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose 
chase, I am done; for thou hast more of the wild- 
goose in one of thy wits, than, I am sure, I have in 
my whole five. Was I with you there for the goose ? 
Romeo. Thou wast never with me for anything, 
when thou wast not there for the goose. 
Mercutio. I will bite thee by the ear for that jest. 
Romeo. Nay, good goose, bite not. 
Me7'cutio. Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting ; it is 
a most sharp sauce. 
Romeo. And is it not well served in to a sweet 
goose ? 
Mercutio. O, here’s a wit of cheverel that stretches 
from an inch narrow to an ell broad ! 
Romeo. I stretch it out for that word — broad: 
which added to the goose, proves thee far and wide a 
broad goose. 
Romeo and Juliet, Act ii. Scene 4. 
GOSLING. 
Coriolanus. . . . I’ll never 
Be such a gosling to obey instinct; 
Coriolanus, Act v. Scene 3. 
DUCK. 
Stephano. . . . swear then how thou escapedst. 
