Fable XXI. The Two Young Lions

TWO young lyons had been brought up together in the fanie forefl:; they were of the same age» size, and abilities, the one was taken in toUs at ^ hunting of the Great Mogul; the other remained ia the craggy mountains, he who had been taken waa carried to court, where he lived in the heart of de-lists; each day was an antilope given him for bis dinner, and then he had only to take his ease and refti in a convenient lodge, where care was taken to make him He softly; it was the business of a white eunuch twice a day to comb down his waving golden mane, as he grew very tame, the King himself would often caress him. he was sat, fleck, flately, and magnificent; for he wore a collar of gold, and from bis ears dangled pendants, enriched with pearls and diamonds. he despised all the other lions that were in the neighbouring lodges, much less grand than his, and who were not in such favour as he. this prosperity puffed up his heart; he thought himself some great personage, (ince he was treated fo honourably; thie court wherein he ilione, gave him the tafle of ambitiod; he imagined he would have been a hero> had he continued in the forefis*

THE TWO Y0UN6 LIO^S. 8^

One day, as he was no longer fastened to his chain, tway he scampered from the palace, and returned to the country where he had been bred, at that jun»5lure, the King of the whole lion nation was just dead, and the

States were afT^robled, in order to chuse him a succes*

lor. amongst a great many other competitors, there t¥as one who eclipsed all the others by his fierce and daring mien; and who should this be but that other young lion, who had never quitted the deserts. while lib companion had been pampering at court, the fo*

litary had often sharpened his courage by a raging lionger; he was wont to find his food thro' the greats td perils and bloodshed; he would tear both flocks and shepherds; he was lean, fliaggy, grisly; fire and blood dreamed from his eyes; he was nimble, brawny, accustomed to clamber, and to spring, undaunted by javelins or darts, the two old companions demanded single combat, to decide who should reign, but an old, wife, and experienced lioness, whose counsels the whole commonwealth regarded, moved to set fird on the throne him who had (ludied politics at court:

many murmured, saying, she wanted to have a vain knd voluptuous coxcomb preferred to a warriour,

-who had learned, in fatigue and danger, to support the most weighty affairs, however, the interefl of the old lioness prevailed, and the court lion was placed upon the throne: he presently difFoived in plcafures j

IkT po TilE TWO YOUNG LIONS.

he lored nothiDg but pageantry; be used art and cunf ning to cloak his cruelty and tyranny: he was soon hated, despised, detefled. then the old lioness said; it u time to dethrone him; I well knew he was unworthy to be King; but I was willing that you (hould hare a trial of one spoiled by softness and policy, to make you afterwards the more sensible of the value of another, who, by his patience and ralour, merited the kingdom, 'tis now they must sight, (traightway they were put into a close -field; where the two champions afforded a spe&acle to the assembly: but the fpedade lafled not long; the effeminate lion trembled, and durst not face the other; he shamefully flies, and ludes himself; the other pursues, and insults him. all cried out murder him, tear him to pieces, no, no, replied his antagonist, when one has fo cowardly an enemy, it were cowardife to fear him; Til have him to live; he does not deferre to die; 1 (hall easily know how to reign, without being much troubled to hold bim in fubjedlion. in fadl, the vigorous lion reigned with wisdom and authority; the other was well contented to make the meanest court to him, to obtain som^ bits of flesh from his table, and to spend his days in a shameful idleness.

BEES.