92 The Poets Beasts. 



So, in particular, are the Delilas. Samson cries — 



"Out, out, hysena ; these are thy wonted arts, 

 And arts of every woman false like thee," 



Cruel foemen, the priests of the Inquisition, and unnatural 

 mothers are hyaenas, and so are bigotry, tyranny, and lust — 



" And tyranny, hyaena big with young, 

 Dreading the sound, shall farrow in affright. 

 And drop, still-born, her sanguinary cubs." — Mackay. 



That the jackal is "the lion's provider" is one of those 

 antique articles of belief which, in the light of modern 

 observation and knowledge, it is very difficult to discredit — 



" Be you the lion to devour the prey ; 

 I am your jackal to provide for you : 

 There will be a bone for me to pick." — Dry den. 



That the jackal for some mysterious reason very frequently 

 accompanies the tiger is beyond all doubt ; and the lion is 

 (in India) a neighbour of the tiger. Is there any reason, 

 then, for supposing that the jackal will not do as much for 

 the one as for the other ? The poets certainly do not think 

 so ; among others, Byron — 



" Ye jackals ! gnaw the bones the lion leaves, 

 But not even tliese till he permits." 



And again — 



" So lions o'er the jackal sway, 

 The jackal points, he fells the prey. 

 Then on the vulgar yelling press 

 To gorge the relics of success." 



Shelley has — 



" The jackal of Ambition's lion-rage." 



And Dryden — 



" Meantime the Belgians tack upon our rear, 

 And raking chase-guns thro' our sterns they send ; 

 Close by, their fire-ships like jackals appear, 

 Who on their lions for the prey attend." 



