FABLES. 



239 



THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS. 



THE Lion having entered into an alliance with 

 other Beasts of prey, it was agreed, for their mutual 

 advantage, that they should hunt in company, and 

 divide the spoil. They accordingly met on a cer- 

 tain day, and commenced the chase, and ere long 

 they ran down and killed a fine fat Deer, which 

 was instantly divided into four parts, there happen- 

 ing to be then only the Lion and three others 

 present. After the division was made, the Lion 

 advancing forward Avith an air of majesty, and 

 pointing to one of the shares, was pleased to de- 

 clare himself after the following manner: This I take 

 possession of as my right, which devolves to me, as 

 I am descended by a true, lineal, hereditary succes- 

 sion from the royal family of Lion : that, pointing 

 to the second, I claim by, I think, no unreasonable 



