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The Animal-Lore of Shalcspeares Time. 
popular view of the lion’s noble qualities, and to hold him 
in high estimation. Richard's queen tries to rouse her 
husband to more dignified conduct by reminding him 
that— 
u The lion dying thrusteth forth his paw, 
And wounds the earth, if nothing else, with rage 
To be o’erpower’d ; and wilt thou, pupil-like, 
Take thy correction mildly, kiss the rod, 
And fawn on rage with base humility, 
Which art a lion and a king of beasts ? ” 
(Richard II., v. 1, 29.) 
And Troilus taunts Hector by aid of a comparison which 
is decidedly complimentary to the animal:— 
“ Brother, you have a vice of mercy in you, 
Which better fits a lion than a man.” 
(Troilus and Cressida, v. 3, 37.) 
Ben Jonson introduces the lion occasionally :— 
“ The Libyan lion hunts no butterflies, 
He makes the camel and dull ass his prize.” 
(Epigram on Inigo Jones.) 
By painters and writers on religious subjects the lion 
was employed as a symbol of strength, courage, nobility, 
and other lofty qualities, of which the companion and pro¬ 
tector of Una is the personification. 
In heraldry the lion was more frequently utilized than 
any other member of the animal kingdom, and it has from 
the earliest period been claimed as an appropriate emblem 
by English sovereigns. As denoting fortitude, it was 
usually placed, in Christian art, at the feet of martyrs, 
and was sculptured on the tombs of crusaders. 
The frequent mention of the lion in English literature 
may arise from the fact that the somewhat mythical 
character attributed to him is exactly the same with 
which the English have always invested their heroes. 
This union of strength and courage with clemency and 
tenderness was the secret of Bichard Coeur de Lion’s 
