The King of the Beasts. 23 



insists that it shall be "rampant" That attitude belongs 

 to it, as a matter of course. According to further details 

 of position, couching, standing, stalking, &c., the lion 

 symbolises sovereignty, circumspection, sagacity, magna- 

 nimity, valour, counsel. But heraldry has played strange 

 pranks with the animal, for it has degenerated into many 

 unworthy varieties, double-headed and double-tailed, fork- 

 tonged and winged, blue and red, silver and gold, black 

 and white — and even spotted. 



As our national emblem the Uon cannot fail of course 

 to meet with abundant and flattering recognition. But 

 there has been, on the whole, a generous forbearance from 

 the topic that deserves our gratitude. Nevertheless, when- 

 ever treaties are signed, "the British lion kisses the feet 

 of peace," and whenever they are broken " our lion roars." 

 In subsequent battle "the lion-glance appals the foe," and 

 after the victory it " learns to spare the fallen foe." But 

 many other countries claim the lion for their cognisance, 

 or have at one time or other earned the leonine epithet, 

 for, besides " the Anglian Hon, the terror of France," ^ there 

 is "the ruddy lion that ramped in gold" in "proud Scot- 

 land's royal shield ; " " the winged lion of St. Mark," - wliere 

 " Venice sate in state, throned on her hundred isles," but 

 now 



" St. Mark sees his lion where he s'ood. 



Stand, but in mockery of his wither'd power." 



There is " Belgia," with her lions " roaring by her side," — 

 "the Belgic Uon in full fury roars" (Phillips), and "the 

 Assyrian lyonesse," and " the lion of Neustria," and (what- 

 ever that was) the Tartar lion, and "victorious Salenvs 



^ That " oft prowling, ensanguined the Tweed's silver flood, but, 

 taught by the bright Caledonian lance, learned to fear in his own native 

 wood." — Bums. 



* " Sullen old lion of grand St. Mark 



Lordelh and lifteth his front from the dark." — Joachim AlilUr. 



