A Lion and a Man
Among other good Counsels that an Old Experienced Lion gave to his Whelp, this was One: That he should never Contend with a Man.
"For," says he, "if ever you do, you'll be Worsted."
The Little Lion gave his Father the Hearing, and kept the Advice in his Thought, but it never went near his Heart. When he came to be grown up afterward, and in the Flower of his Strength and Vigour, About and About he Ranges to look for a Man to Grapple with.
In his Ramble he changes to Spy a Yoak of Oxen; so up to 'em he goes presently; "Heark ye Friends," says he, "are you MEN?"
They told him No; but their Master was a Man.
Upon leaving the Oxen, he went to a Horse, that he saw Bridled, and Ty'd to a Tree, and ask'd him the same Question; "No," says the Horse, "I am no Man my Self, but he that Bridled and Saddled me, and ty'd me up here, he's a Man."
He goes after this to one that was Cleaving of Blocks. "D'ye hear," says the Lion, "you seem to be a Man."
"And a Man I am," says the Fellow.
"That's well," quoth the Lion, "and dare you Fight with Me?"
"Yes," says the Man, "I dare Fight with ye. Why I can Tear all these Blocks to Pieces ye see. Put your Feet now into this Gap, where you see an Iron Thing there, and try what you can do."
The Lion presently put his Claws into the Gaping of the Wood, and with one Lusty Pluck, made it give way, and out drops the Wedge, the Wood immediately Closing upon't; and there was the Lion caught by the Toes. The Woodman presently upon this, Raises the Country; and the Lion finding what a Streight he was in, gave one Hearty Twitch, and got his Feet out of the Trap, but left his Claws Behind him.
So away he goes back to his Father, all Lame and Bloody, with this Confession in his Mouth; "Alas, my Dear Father," says he. "This had never been, if I had follow'd your Advice."
Disobedience to Parents is against the Laws of Nature and of Nations, Common Justice, Prudence and Good Manners; and the Vengeance of Heaven, Sooner or Later, Treads upon the Heels on't.
Next: Lions and Asses
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