The Raven comes into one of the Scriptural allusions in the Plays where the faithful old Adam, pressing upon Orlando the thrifty savings of his lifetime, consoles himself with the prayer
He that doth the ravens feed,
Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
Be comfort to my age![142]
But the most frequent reference made by Shakespeare to this bird has regard to its supposed boding power. It is called the “fatal raven.” A messenger of ill news is said to “sing a raven’s note.” When Othello has the first suspicions craftily suggested to him by Iago, he exclaims
O, it comes o’er my memory,
As doth the raven o’er the infected house,
Boding to all.[143]
Again, when the king is approaching the Castle at Inverness, we hear from Lady Macbeth the ominous words:
The raven himself is hoarse