The Lion , King of Beasts . 
17 
CHAPTER II. 
Deposed as he is by modern classification from the first 
place in the ranks, the Lion has from the Lion 
earliest times reigned supreme and undis¬ 
puted monarch of the animal kingdom. He has been 
endowed by poets with many virtues, most of them quite 
imaginary. Unlike some beasts of prey, he does not 
destroy for the mere pleasure of killing, and this forbear¬ 
ance has perhaps gained for him a reputation for clemency 
and magnanimity beyond his merits. Possibly one reason 
why the lion was credited with this generosity by the 
early intruders into his domain, was that his supply of 
provisions was still plentiful, and his larder in no danger 
of becoming empty; he could therefore afford to be 
generous, and he had not learned to fear man both on 
his own account and as a rival in the chase. 
Chester, writing in the time of Elizabeth, rather goes 
beyond the truth when he represents other animals 
deliberately giving np their prey to the animal monarch : 
“ The princely lion, king of forrest-kings, 
And chiefe commaunder of the wildernesse, 
At whose faire feete all beasts lay down their offrings, 
"Yielding allegiance to his worthinesse: 
His strength remaineth most within his head. 
His vertue in liis heart is compassed.” 
(. Love’s Martyr , p. 112.) 
Shakspeare seems to have completely adopted the 
c 
