The Old Lion
A Lion, worn out with years and powerless from
disease, lay on
the ground at the point of death. A Boar rushed upon him, and avenged with
a stroke of his tusks a long-remembered injury. Shortly afterwards the Bull
with his horns gored him as if he were an enemy. When the Ass saw that the
huge beast could be assailed with impunity, he let drive at his forehead
with his heels. The expiring Lion said, "I have reluctantly brooked
the insults of the brave, but to be compelled to endure such treatment from
thee, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to die a double death."