The bird of night did sit,
Even at noon-day, upon the market-place
Hooting and shrieking.[107]
When Richard II. realises the machinations of his enemies, and is asked to come down to the base-court to meet Bolingbroke, he exclaims
In the base-court? Come down? Down, court! Down, king!
For night-owls shriek where mounting larks should sing.[108]
The hooting or screeching of the owl was often looked upon as a foreboding of death. Among the nocturnal sounds recounted by fairy Puck, he tells that
Now the wasted brands do glow,
Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,
Puts the wretch that lies in woe