XVI 



THE LION — MONARCH OF THE GRASS PLAIN 



F'rom the very beginning, of recorded history man- 

 kind has taken a keen interest in the lion. The 

 Hebrew portions of the Bible abound in references 

 which make the roaring of the lion share with thunder 

 the distinction of being the embodiment of terror. 

 Among our earliest stories relating to the lion is that 

 which tells how David in his shepherd days killed a 

 lion and a bear which had taken a lamb from his flock ; 

 a mighty deed for a youth, and an earnest of his 

 ambition to slay Goliath. Poets from the earliest 

 times have immortalised the lion ; Homer in the vivid 

 description of the combat between Achilles and iEneas 

 likens the onset of Pelides to a lion rushing on his prey. 



With tottering strides JEne-As first advanced ; 

 The nodding plumage on his hehxiet danced ; 

 Spread o'er his breast the fencing shield he bore, 

 And, as he moved, his javelin flamed before. 

 Not so Pelides ; furious to engage. 

 He rush'd impetuous. Such the lion's rage. 

 Who, viewing first his foes with scornful eyes. 

 Though all in arms the peopled city rise. 

 Stalks careless on, with unregarding pride ; 

 Till at the length, by some brave youth defied. 

 To his bold spear the savage turns alone ; 

 He murmurs fury with a hollow groan ; 

 He grins, he foams, he rolls his eyes around ; 

 Lash'd by his tail his heaving sides resound ; 

 He calls up all his rage, he grinds his teeth 

 Resolved on vengeance, or resolved on death. 



— lUad, Book XX, 



