To bestir oneself, to be active. Rare.
1843. “As for Harvest, let him shirk for himself,” said a fourth, “he’s a poor, barebacked animal, and is of no more value than an old rain-spout,” accompanying his words with a copious commentary of an aquatic nature.—Cornelius Mathews, ‘Writings,’ p. 71.
1850. He sends him off next morning to shirk for himself.—The same, ‘Moneypenny,’ p. 157.
