Peacock (Maplet)

This is the entry for peacock from Maplet's A Greene Forest

Of the Peacock

The Pecock, had his name first with us, of the selfsame note that he himself singeth dayly, whose flesh is so hard that it cannot easily be sod or rotted: His jolly braverie in him selfe is through setting by his feathers aloft, and at his spiying in himself so many gaie colours: but having his at length with so goodly a shew, in his upper parts, & casting his looke towards his base feet, seeing himself therein deformed, forgeteth by and by all the former conceit and pride, and thereby is brought to acknowledge himselfe. He is said to be Junoes birde. The Female conceiveth not until she be three years olde: at what time she beginneth to be so araied in colours: There is noted in this kind both selflove, as in hir former propertie: & envie also, for that she will rather hide away hir dung, than that man should have profit thereby, being many waies medicinabl. Horentius the Orator killed first the Pecocke that was tasted whither that he was meate meete for a man, yea or no. And there is also a report that Alexander the great, seing once a Pecock in Indie so mervailed at the sight that by a commandement given, he charged that no man in pain of death, should flea or kill so faire a bird. The Dove and the Pecocke are verye great friendes.