THE LION OF ANDROCLES 



97 



to be its own lair and saw me in the distance hiding myself, approached 

 gently and courteously, and made as if it would show and offer me its 

 uplifted paw, as if asking for help. Then, said Androcles, I removed a large 

 stick which was fixed in the pad of its paw, and I squeezed out from the inside 

 of the wound the matter which had gathered there ; and with care, and by 

 this time without fear, I dried it and wiped away the blood. The beast, 

 relieved by my aid and treatment, placed his paw in my hands and lying 

 down went to sleep. And from that day forth, for three whole years, the lion 

 and I lived in the same cavern and on the same food. For when it hunted 

 down a wild animal, it brought back the choicest parts to the cave for me; and 

 these, as I lacked abundance of fire, I scorched in the rays of the midday sun 

 and devoured. But, he continued, being at length weary of this savage life, 

 one day when the lion had gone forth to hunt, I left the cave and when 

 I had pursued my road for nearly three days I was seen and seized by soldiers 

 and brought back to my master from Africa to Rome. He at once had me 

 condemned on a capital charge and delivered to the beasts. But I under- 

 stand," he said further, " that this lion, after being separated from me, 

 was also captured and now gives me thanks for my kindness and medical 

 treatment." 



Such is the story which Apion states that Androcles told and he affirms 

 all this in a written placard which was disseminated among the people ; and so 

 by general request Androcles was reprieved and his punishment remitted and 

 he was presented with the lion by the votes of the people, and therefore, says 

 Apion, we used to see Androcles and the lion, who was only held in a 

 slender leash, go all round the city among the shops, and Androcles had 

 money given him and the lion was decked with flowers and every one almost 

 that met them would say, " Here is the lion who entertained a man, and here 

 is the man who was a lion's doctor." 

 Noctes Atttcae. Auliiis Geliius. 



UCH is the story of Androcles. It is inserted 

 here as typical of many similar stories ; for 

 since the beginning of time the lion has 

 been counted as the most magnanimous 

 of beasts. He is, in fact, their King, 

 brave, gentle, quick to resent an injury, 

 but slow to take offence. 



But the Lion is not only the King of Beasts on Earth. 



H 



