The King of the Beasts. 19 



beyond doubt that the lion will even prey on things that are 

 obviously and outrageously defunct. Its opportunity really 

 comes when "the foe lies prostrate on the plain." Above 

 all, it prefers to surprise its "equal match" when he is 

 asleep by the camp fire. The same agreeable fiction b 

 very frequently repeated. In one of the oldest of our 

 ballads we find — 



" As the lyonne which is of bestes kynge. 

 Unto thy subjects be kurteis and benyngne ; " 



whereas in nature the lion will even condescend to pick up 

 off its royal path such inconsiderable "subjects "as mice, 

 lizards, fi'ogs, and even cockroaches. The larger ones keep 

 out of sight, knowing his majestj^'s omnivorous propensities, 

 and disregard Wyatt's assurance that " the lion in his raging 

 hour forbears that sueth," or Broome's, that "the fierce 

 lion will hurt no yielden things." Dr. Livin^tone once 

 saw a very fine lion in Afirica that had just captiured a fawn 

 only a few hours old. Yet Quarles tells the fawns that 

 " hungry lions, woo'd with tears, will spare," and Spenser 

 the lady — 



*' The lyon lord of everie beast in field 

 His princely puissance will abate. 

 And mightie proud to humble weak does yield, 

 Forgetful of the hunger which of late 

 Him prickt, in pi ttie of such sad estate." 



Thus, in St. George's adventures, two lions, after killing the 

 eunuch, lay their heads in Sabra's lap. But the Knight 

 comes up and slays them, for which I can never sufficiently 

 forgive him. He goes on, however, to say : " Now, Sabra, I 

 have by this proved thy fidelity : for it is the nature of the 

 lion, be he never so furious, not to harm but humbly lay 

 his bristled head upon a maiden's lap. Therefore, divine 

 paragon, thou art the world's chief wonder for love and 

 chastity." Later on, in the adventures, I think, of St. David, 



