148 the hedge-sparrow and cuckoo. 
under the impression that it was a possessive of the same 
syntactical force with the pronouns in my self, your self, 
her self.”* 
So in Timon of Athens (Act v. Sc. 1), we have— 
“ The public body. 
.feeling in itself 
A lack of Timon’s aid, hath sense withal 
Of it own fall.” 
Again, in Winters Tale (Act ii. Sc. 3) :— 
.“ to it own protection.” 
And— 
“ The innocent milk in it most innocent mouth.” 
Winter's Tale , Act iii. Sc. 2. 
The popular notion referred to by the poet in King 
Lear , is again mentioned by Worcester in Henry IV .— 
“ And, being fed by us, you us’d us so 
As that ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird,f 
Useth the sparrow; did oppress our nest, 
Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk, 
That even our love durst not come near your sight, 
For fear of swallowing.” 
Henry IV. Part I. Act v. Sc. 1. 
* “ The English of Shakespeare,” by G. L. Craik. 
f That is, the young cuckoo. The expression occurs again in The Merry Wives 
of Windsor, Act ii. Sc. x : — 
“ Take heed, ere summer comes, or cuckoo-birds do sing.” 
