The white owl in the belfry sits.”
With our early writers the five senses appear to have been generally called the “five wits.” Chaucer, in the
“Parsone’s Tale,” says:—“Certes delites been after the appetites of the ‘five wittes;’ as sight, hereing, smelling, savouring, and touching.” But it is not clear how this proverbial phrase became connected with the owl, nor what is the origin of “warming” the wits.
“Petruchio. Am I not wise?
Katharine. Yes, keep you warm.”
Taming of the Shrew, Act ii. Sc. 1.
“If he have wit enough to keep himself warm.”
Much Ado, Act i. Sc. 1.
“Bless thy five wits.”
King Lear, Act iii. Sc. 4, and Act iii. Sc. 6.