The Concordance to Shakespeare, by Mrs. Cowden Clarke, for thoroughness hitherto unmatched,[[166]] notes down eleven instances in which the Phœnix is named, and in most of them, with some epithet expressive of its nature. It is spoken of as the Arabian bird, the bird of wonder; its nest of spicery is mentioned; it is made an emblem of death, and employed in metaphor to flatter both Elizabeth and James.
Besides the instances already given (p. 236), we here select others of a general nature; as:—When on the renowned Talbot’s death in battle, Sir William Lucy, in presence of Charles, the Dauphin, exclaims over the slain (1 Hen. VI., act iv. sc. 7, l. 92),—
“O that I could but call these dead to life!
It were enough to fright the realm of France:”
his request for leave to give their bodies burial is thus met,—
“Pucelle. I think this upstart is old Talbot’s ghost,
He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit.
For God’s sake, let him have ’em....
Charles. Go, take their bodies hence.
Lucy. I’ll bear them hence; but from their ashes shall be rear’d