1 62 FABLES. 



enough. Upon this, the long-eared brute came out 

 of his ambush, and approaching the Lion, asked 

 him,- with an air of conceit, how he liked his per- 

 formance? Prodigiously! says he, you did it so 

 well, that I protest had I not known your nature 

 and temper, I might have been frightened myself. 



APPLICATION. 



A bragging cowardly fellow may impose upon 

 people that do not know him; but is the greatest 

 jest imaginable to those who do. There are many 

 men who appear very terrible and big in their 

 manner of expressing themselves, and if you could 

 be persuaded to take their own word for it, are per- 

 fect Lions; but if we take the pains to enquire a 

 little into their true nature, are as arrant Asses as 

 ever brayed. 



