184 



SHAKESPEARE'S 



[LION. 



with his tail, and afterward, as the wrath increaseth, he 

 smiteth and beateth his own back. And out of each 

 wound, that the Lion maketh with claw or with teeth, 

 runneth sharp and sour blood. Also in peril the Lion is 

 most gentle and noble, for when he is pursued with hounds 

 and with hunters, the Lion lurketh not nor hideth himself, 

 but sitteth in fields, where he may be seen, and arrayeth 

 himself to defence. And he hideth himself not for dread 

 that he hath, but he dreadeth himself sometime, only for 

 he would not be dread. When he is wounded, he taketh 

 wonderly heed, and knoweth them that him first smiteth, 



and reseth on the smiter, though he be in never so great 

 multitude ; and if a man shoot at him [and do not hit 

 him Bartholomew^ the Lion chaseth him and throweth 

 him down, and woundeth him not, nor hurteth him. 

 When the Lion dieth, he biteth the earth, and tears fall 

 out of his eyes ; and when he is sick, he is healed and 

 holpen with the blood of an ape. And he dreadeth 

 greatly the crowing and the comb of a cock. And the 

 Lion hath a neck as it were unmovable, and is full 

 grim ; and moveth alway first with the right foot, and 

 afterward with the left foot, as a camel doth ; and [hath] 



