FABLES. 



257 



THE LION AND THE MOUSE. 



A Lion having laid down to take his repose 

 under the spreading boughs of a shady tree, a 

 company of Mice scampered over his back and 

 waked him. Upon which, starting up, he clapped 

 his paw upon one of them, and was just going to 

 put it to death, when the little suppliant implored 

 his mercy, begging him not to stain his noble 

 character with the blood of so small and insig- 

 nificant a creature- The Lion, touched with com- 

 passion, instantly released his little trembling 

 captive. Not long after, traversing the forest in 

 search of his prey, he chanced to run into the toils 

 of the hunters, and not being able to disengage 

 himself, he set up a loud roar. The Mouse hearing 

 the voice, and knowing it to be the Lion's, imme- 

 diately repaired to the place, and bade him fear 



VOL. IV. 



2 L 



